Blog Appétit

I have a confession.

Here it goes.

Last week I told myself I was going to get back into my blogging routine and put the blog as a priority again. Sunday came along and I found myself still with no post completed and an excuse of “it was a really busy week”. Then I thought about my week…I had two work/Bon Aprontit events, a few late nights at the office and then spent 13 hours binge watching “13 Reasons Why”. Seems like a legit excuse, right?

Ek, time to get it together over here.

So kicking off this week as a new week with no binge watching TV allowed. It’s actually a funny thing because to be honest, I’m not really a TV person. I have a few shows I’ll watch (Jimmy Fallon and the Today Show), but otherwise I’m a movie here and there for a date night or night off kind of girl. I look at TV as a break from reality and maybe that’s because I tend to get super caught up in a show (obviously^) or because I’m never productive in front of it, but with a busy May schedule I told myself to take the weekend to enjoy and unwind. And well, 13 hours later I knocked out an entire series in one day. Guess you could say I took the whole unwinding thing a little far as I never changed out of my pjs that day. Am I embarrassed about it? Hardly, but after a “little” unwinding last weekend I am more than ready to jump into May full swing with a full schedule of events, an out of town wedding and LOTS of weekend visitors.

So with many fun planned weekends ahead showing friends around the city and with this month marking my 4 years of living in Chicago, it only seemed right to share some of my favorite weekend to-dos for when your out of town guests visit or if you’re out of town then when you visit Chicago! Sharing a full weekend schedule below including some of my favorite photo stops along the way.

Chicago Weekend Guide

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Friday

Dinner – Ema downtown or you can head over to West Loop for endless choices (check out my West Loop dining guide here)

Activities – Drinks at Cindy’s Rooftop, Games and Drinks at the Chicago Athletic Association Gameroom or if you’re looking for a late night downtown head over to Hubbard Street for a full night of bar hopping (3 Dots & a Dash, Bub City, Joy District, Celeste, etc.)

Saturday 

Brunch – Toast

Activities – Walk around Armitage and Hasted St. Lots of cute boutiques and local shops including Art Effect, All She Wrote, Tie Bar and much more! After you hit up the shops head over to Lincoln Park for pretty skyline photos along Lake Shore running trail, a walk around the zoo (it’s free!) or in the summer you can catch the Green City Farmer’s Market on Saturday Mornings.

Mid-Day Pick Me Up – If you need a little something between meals, swing by Sweet Mandy B‘s for a sweet treat or Floriole for a quick bite. 

Dinner – Cafe Ba Ba Reba (my go-to with visitors, but be sure to make a reservation it books up fast)

Drinks – Grab a drink and rooftop view on top of the Lincoln Hotel at the J. Parker

Late-Night Activity – Catch a show at Second City Comedy Club or in the summer you can catch the fireworks every Saturday night from the park

Sunday

Brunch – Hampton Social

Activities – One last walk around downtown to get your photo by the bean and maybe a little shopping on Michigan Ave. in before heading out and be sure to grab some Garrett popcorn (Chicago mix, of course) for your trip home!

 

Any favorite spots to take your weekend visitors? If you’re visiting Chicago, what are some fun things you’re looking to do?