The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest and most beloved zoos in the country—and best of all, it’s free to visit! The zoo is home to hundreds of animal species and offers lush gardens, walking paths, and stunning views of the city skyline (make sure to check out the Honeycomb, a beautiful spot at the end of the LPZ nature walk for an awesome photo opp with Chicago's skyline). It’s just steps away from Café Brauer, making it a great spot to explore the day before, the day of, or the day after wedding festivities!

The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a free, beautiful indoor garden a few minutes walk from Café Brauer - it'll feel like you've stepped out of the Midwest into a lush jungle. Please note, even though it is free (albeit with a suggested donation) you should book your ticket ahead of time on their website.

Step out of the hustle and bustle of the city into this beautiful and serene oasis - it's just a hop and a skip from the Conservatory and features beautiful waterfalls and Illinois wildflowers.

Rain or shine, the architecture cruise is an incredible and interesting way to get to know Chicago - take a spin down our river and learn more about how Chicago was built! Fun fact, Hot Ones host Sean Evans used to be a tour guide for the architecture cruise.

Close to the Art Institute in Chicago's Loop neighborhood is our iconic Millennium Park, which includes shiny Cloud Gate (aka the Bean).

If you want to recreate John's incredible proposal, head to the Escape Game in Streeterville and do the Art Heist room! Any room here is incredibly fun, but if you do Mission to Mars beware the red button!!

This fun and interactive escape room in North Halsted offers unique rooms with fun twists! John and Megan particularly enjoyed the Escape the 90s room (fair warning, you may need to brush up on your Super Nintendo skills).

Get to know the Fulton Market neighborhood with this fun (indoor/outdoor) escape room/scavenger hunt combination. You'll solve puzzles and solve a mystery while visiting awesome locations in Fulton Market. If you choose this, be sure start in the morning to make it to the wedding in time! It says 1.5 - 3 hours, but you'll want to sit and enjoy the spots it takes you on the way.

Stroll this lovely street in nearby Lincoln Park for upscale boutiques, local fashion, and sidewalk cafés.

A short walk south, this historic neighborhood features cobblestone streets, charming homes, galleries, and The Second City—the comedy club that launched legends like Tina Fey and Steve Carell. There's also an awesome rooftop bar on top of Second City called Utopian Tailgate.

Walk up and down Chicago's famous Mag Mile for some great shopping, including our Watertower Place mall with the American Girl shop and the new Harry Potter store. If you're feeling fancy, stop in the Drake Hotel for some tea!

Located just south of the venue, this museum offers engaging exhibits on Chicago’s past—from the Great Fire to the 1893 World’s Fair—plus a vintage L car and fun photo ops. Also, weirdly, the bed where Abe Lincoln died, if you're looking for the macabre.

Perfect for families, this museum is a few hops from Cafe Brauer and celebrates local ecosystems with interactive displays, live animals, and a beautiful butterfly haven.

Did you know the world-famous Chicago Art Institute in the Loop was built for the World's Fair in 1893? (Thank you, Devil in the White City!). You'll find iconic paintings like Nighthawks and American Gothic here, or you can recreate Ferris Bueller's Day Off in front of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Or you can visit Megan's personal favorite, the Miniature Rooms!

Another iconic building built for the World's Fair of 1893, the Field Museum sits on Museum Campus close to the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. The Field Museum is famous for being the home of Sue, a near-complete T-Rex skeleton that now has her very own exhibit! (Be warned, there are some smellable parts of that exhibit that nearly made Megan pass out)

Chicago's famous pizza pot pie can be found at the Oven Grinder, super close to the Lincoln Park Zoo! We recommend going at an odd time, they don't take reservations but they'll remember when you got in line!

This adorable and delicious spot is known for its wine and French food - a great place for lunch or dinner!

This adorable sushi restaurant is situated right in our wedding hotel. Please note they open at 5pm so they are a dinner only spot!

Check out one of Megan and John's go to restaurants for after work date nights (and where John met Megan's parents for the first time). It's right off Clark Street for easy access to bars and the Chicago river!

Live out your dreams of shouting 'COUSIN' and 'CORNER' at the inspiration for the Bear! Bonus points, it's a block away from the Green Door Tavern which has a hidden secret in its basement.

This hidden gem requires a riddle to enter and has phenomenal drinks, as well as an original door salvaged from an actual Chicago speakeasy.

Find whimsical drinks and step back in time to Prohibition at this speakeasy located in one of Chicago's oldest bars.

Hidden underneath the Gilt Bar is a secret library with great bites and cocktails.