If you have free time while you are in town, and need some recommendations outside of the most touristy places (like the Bean, the Sears Tower, etc.), here are some of our favorites we recommend:

SEE:

🏛️ Chicago Cultural Center (free admission): still one of Alicia’s favorite spots, this building has two beautiful stained glass domes, plus cool exhibits.

🚢Any architectural tour (the Chicago Architecture Center’s boat tour is one of the highest rated attractions in all of the US, and we both think it’s worth it)

🦒 Lincoln Park Zoo (free admission): a great place to pop in and walk around, especially if you find yourself in or around the park. There is also a nice Conservatory.

🚴 Lakefront Trail: 18-mile pedestrian and bike paths along Lake Michigan; one of the best views of the city skyline can be seen from the Diversey Pkwy access point, near us in Lakeview!

🚶 River Walk: spans the entire west branch of the Chicago River, and is a great place to stroll or hang out to admire our city’s buildings and bridges

🦆 North Pond Nature Area: the “loop” we are more likely to be found at nowadays, as this is one of our favorite routes to walk our dogs

🏃 The 606: an old elevated rail line converted into a nearly 3-mile trail

🌻 Garfield Park Conservatory (donation required for non-residents): was a contender for our wedding venue and is a spot near-and-dear to Alicia and her family

📖 Harold Washington Library Winter Garden (free): on the top floor of the library in the Loop, there is a beautiful, sun-filled atrium

⚾ Baseball: Both teams have home games against the Tampa Bay Rays the week of our wedding. Catch a weekday Sox game if you come into town before Friday, or go to the famous Wrigley Field either Saturday or Sunday to see the Cubs.

😆 Comedy or improv shows at The Second City, iO Theater, Annoyance Theatre, etc.

🎶 Live music - see if there are any concerts in town or go out to a bar/lounge (blues, jazz, etc.)

EAT/DRINK:

🍽️ mfk. - our favorite restaurant of all time

🍽️ Sochi Saigonese - a recent favorite; great food and cocktails

🍽️ Green Tea - our go-to sushi spot

🍽️ S&G’s - our favorite diner (Scott special: order a skillet and then get a milk shake to go!)

🍽️ Taqueria Tejupilco (no website; our go-to taco spot at 2933 N Broadway) or Birrieria Zaragoza (in Uptown)

🍩 The Doughnut Vault or Beacon Doughnuts: two very different small batch spots that we’ve been lucky to live within walking distance of

🍕 Pequod’s for deep dish (you can 100% skip Giordanos), otherwise look for pizzerias that serve Chicago tavern-style or thin-crust (like Pizanos if you want something more classic or Max & Issy’s for more elevated ingredients)

🍺 Beermiscuous for a chill spot to hang out and choose from hundreds of craft beers

🍺 Derno’s (506 W Diversey Pkwy) or Chipp Inn (832 N Greenview Ave) for classic bars

🍹 Cindy’s Rooftop for drinks with a view

... Really anything on the Bib Gourmand list

NOTABLE EVENTS:

- This year’s Chicago Architecture Biennial kicks off September 12. It is the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America, will feature projects created by contributors from around the globe at free exhibits and events at the Chicago Cultural Center and throughout the city.

- Annual Mexican Independence Day events will be taking place throughout the weekend, including the parade in Little Village on Sunday and the big El Grito celebration in Grant Park, taking place on September 13-14.

A&S

Wedding Day

SCHEDULE