I had a blast in Chi-town with my BFF for my birthday vacation. We ate some delicious food at places like Earwax (very vegan friendly) to Hot Chocolate (best desserts ever!), we hung out and vintage clothing shopped in Bucktown / Ukraine Village, and we spent a full day in downtown Chicago and at Millennium Park.
If you are visiting Chicago, here are some things I highly recommend:
- Visit the Millennium Park – you can spend a whole day here… and it’s free
- Check out “The Bean”, officially known as Cloud Gate, it’s pretty amazing once you get right underneath. Very kaleidoscope like, great place for some fun pics.
- Don’t miss the photo opp right near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street
- Cool off at the Crown Fountain which consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool. The towers project video which all periodically open their mouths to allow water, a symbol of life, to flow out…
- Shop in Bucktown / Wicker Park! Milwaukee Ave has a plethora of vintage shops – Red Light, Crossroads, Buffalo Exchange, and Vintage Underground – just to name a few. Bucktown was awesome!
- Have dessert at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate – in Wicker Park on Damen Ave. A marriage of contemporary food and desserts inspired by seasonal, local ingredients. Did I meant chocolate & dessert?! YUM!
- Have breakfast at The Bongo Room – also in Wicker Park. I had the lemon ricotta and blueberry pancakes with brown sugar butter. I also wanted a bite from a few patron’s tables… Very yummy and great service!
- Go to the Navy Pier! So much to do, we didn’t have time to hang there but many beach volleyball, lay out in the sun by the water, ride a bike around the pier, even rent a Segway!
Ok, that’s a short list… hope to add to it 
We also spent Sunday racing – the Muddy Buddy was a great experience and I really am looking forward to doing more in the future. Chicago is my kind of town!
