Following up on our previous “Live Like a Local” blog on traveling while in Dallas, we wanted to bring you our next exciting destination city to travel to… Chicago! With close to 3 million residents citywide and nearly 10 million people metropolitan-wide, there is never a shortage of activities to do or sights to see in “The Windy City!”
So our journey in Chicago begins in the ever popular “Wrigleyville,” the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field.
The Cubby Bear – Wrigleyville
Located directly across from Wrigley Field stadium, The Cubby Bear is one of the most well-known sports bars in Wrigleyville. The location is HUGE, with 30,000 square feet of space on multiple levels featuring over 75 TVs. The Cubby Bear also features live music, a pool and great food, such as their Cubby Bear Burger (steakburger, pancetta, queso dip on a toasted pretzel bun), World Famous garlic fries and buffalo wings. The neighborhood feel of Wrigleyville invites you in to explore other restaurants, bars, and sight-seeing.
Millennium Park – Downtown Chicago
If you are more of an outdoorsy traveler, you will enjoy heading downtown to the northwestern portion of Grant Park to walk through Millennium Park which covers over 24-acres of land right by Lake Michigan. There are many sights to see, and the park is clean and vibrant. If you have children, they will love the outdoor park equipment, ice skating (seasonal) and water splash park areas. Adults will enjoy free concerts, private events and sights and sounds of beautiful downtown Chicago…very picturesque with all the skyscrapers in view from the park.
The Gage & The Magnificent Mile
Just across Michigan Avenue from Millennium Park, you will find tons of shopping and many more incredible restaurants. One award-winning gastro pub to rave about is The Gage. Entrees include fresh fish & chips, venison osso bucco, and bone-in prime ribeye. If you stop in during the day for lunch, be sure to try their Pabst Blue Ribbon beer battered fried pickles, smoked salmon BLT or the turkey club. The food isn’t the only thing to tout… their ambiance and service are top-notch!
About a mile north on Michigan Avenue, you will experience some of the best shopping of your life at The Magnificent Mile — all within walking distance through downtown Chicago. The Magnificent Mile boasts more than 460 retailers, including popular brands, major department stores, and international luxury labels and designers. Not to worry, there are more economic-friendly retailers in the area. The Magnificent Miles also has many gourmet stores for all you foodies and chocolatiers out there!
Best Time of Year: St. Patrick’s Day
If you are lucky enough to live or travel to Chicago during St. Patrick’s Day, you are lucky enough to experience some of the best Chicago has to offer. One excursion recommended is the annual Green Beer & Bagels Tour. The shoreline area of the city “gets its green on” in honor of the holiday with a special Architecture River Tour featuring complimentary bagels, St. Patrick’s Day favors and a special Irish-themed guided tour on the green-for-a-day Chicago River. This is definitely a photo op you don’t want to miss!
We’ve just provided a few of the many wonderful things to do and see in the Windy City, but that isn’t all. Other things the city has to offer are beautiful museums, history, culture and world-renown concerts. If are in Chicago area or have traveled there before, let us know your favorite hot spots by tweeting us. If Chicago sounds like a city you’re interested in traveling to, check out our job board to see what positions we have open, then give us a call!
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