Location: Chicago, Illinois
The one you’ve all been waiting for! My last stop for my “hot travel girl summer” before school started back ended in what better place than The Windy City! Just like my previous trip to Wisconsin, I didn’t know what to expect, therefore, I had no set expectations for what was in store for me. Boy, was I set up for success.
Once I was checked in the hotel, I was ready for a hefty dinner. On the cheetah skirt went and off to the nearest rooftop bar. LondonHouse’s Rooftop Bar has all the views you crave of Chicago’s beauty and signature drinks that you won’t get anywhere else. If heights aren’t your thing, LondonHouse has a lower-level bar inside with a fireplace ambiance. Unfortunately, I do not remember what I had, but what I do remember is being STUFFED by the end of the night.
The next morning brought a delicious breakfast and decadent coffee courtesy of the third floor Starbucks Reserve Roastery. I was in heaven. Not only because it’s Starbucks, but also the extravagance that such a place was. Did you know that there are only six roasteries in the entire world with two of them being in the United States? Hey, the more you know now.
After my scrumptious breakfast, I walked for a little bit on the riverwalk before going onboard for a nice architecture boat tour of Chicago. I’m not going to lie, I’m no architecture major, but seeing all the buildings from different time periods was pretty cool and I would highly recommend it to be an activity you do if you plan to go to Chicago anytime soon. You would enjoy it more than you think you would.
After all the touristy window shopping and an argument of what kind of bean “The Bean” would be, dinner was served at The Grand Lux Café that was recommended to us by the bride’s mother from our previous trip. Another interesting fact about Chicago: Did you ever wonder how The Cheesecake Factory came to be? Are you wondering now? The Grand Lux Café in fact was the beginning Cheesecake Factory restaurant before it became a chain. And the food is just as incredible if not better than any regular shmegular Cheesecake Factory.
I will be honest, I did what any other person would do and pay homage to the Nickelodeon TV show Victorious and sing Trina Vega’s one woman show Chicago. In my head, obviously. I mean why wouldn’t you if you had the perfect opportunity? Would you blame me? Needless to say, Chicago was just as good to me as Garrett’s CheeseCorn Popcorn (which is a staple if you’re digging a salty snack while walking through downtown Chicago) and I’m waiting on the day where I get to go back.
It’s a city that’s exciting! It’s a city that’s inviting! It’s a city for a woman just like me! -Trina Vega
Fleckenstein, Matt. Victorious, created by Dan Schneider, season 1, episode 5, Nickelodeon, 2 May 2010.
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