There are several cities in the U.S. that boast pretty bad ass St. Patrick’s Day festivities, but my favorite of them all is Chicago. Let’s face it – you can get corned beef and green beer just about anywhere, but Chicago is also just a bad ass city. I often visit friends (by often, I mean monthly), and why not? It’s a quick train ride away – 1 hour 30 minutes to be exact. I love the skyline that’s engulfed in skyscrapers and I love the livelihood of the city. I love that it’s diverse in culture and in food. I love that people there hustle yet are still Midwest nice. And I love that it’s an all around great destination for girls trips.
For the past five years, my girlfriends and I have annually gone to Chicago to get together and tear up the town. Two years ago we had a bachelorette party with a flock of 17 of us (#squad) and most recently we reunited for a Chirish Weekend. Check out our green weekend below + some of my other recommended favorites for the Windy City.
They see me rollin’
I think I’ve mentioned this before – but I’m always itching for sushi when I travel. Mostly because I haven’t found my go-to in Milwaukee quite yet. Fan favorites in the area for sushi include Juno, Jellyfish & Roka Akor, but this time we opted for sushi art and BYOB fun at Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill. Certainly you’ve seen the sauce-graffiti on Instagram by now so I don’t have to dish too much about the place, but I will say that both the food and the unique twist of art will wow you.
Young Bucks in Old Town
Old Town is a neighborhood in the north part of downtown that houses some of the cities oldest Victorian-style homes (that one can only dream to reside in), yet a bustling dining & nightlife scene also call the neighborhood home. It’s not like the laser light show of clubs in River North but the bars are well known for a young, raging crowd. We opted to do our Chirish celebrations at The Vig, but Benchmark, Pour House and Old Town Ale House are staples in the neighborhood too.
Ciao Bella
Italians have deep roots in the Windy City, starting with deep dish pizza. People often go to Gino’s East & Giordano’s, but a personal favorite is Lou Malnati’s. Lou’s is a stand out because of their butter crust and stringy Wisconsin mozzarella cheese. For more traditional pastas and Italian food, Chicago has many options for that as well. We often enjoy Quartino for a more casual atmosphere but look towards Siena Tavern and RPM Italian for an all-around classy experience.
via RPM Restaurants
Views on Views on Views
Chicago is the city of skyscrapers, after all the first skyscraper was completed in 1885 in the Windy City. With over a hundred glass and steel peaks reaching towards the sky, the views are amazing at every angle. The Skydeck atop Willis Tower and Millennium Park are some of the more iconic destinations to get a sweeping views, but I also love going to Lincoln Park to view the skyline from the north end of the city. Cindy’s Rooftop, London House, J. Parker and IO Urban Roofscape are great rooftop bars that offer stunning views too.
Have any recommendations for must see, do or eat in Chicago? Leave them in the comments section so I can check them out!
Eats & Streets 