Chicago Travel Guide: Food to Eat + Things to Do

Chicago is a city after my own heart. Right on the lake, delicious food, trendy spots, great shopping, and a bustling community-- what else could you want? After some amazing summer visits over the past few years, I finally feel like I have a good handle on which places are my favorites in the city, as well as what is the most fun to do. Hopefully this guide will be helpful to you no matter what your plans are for Chicago: day trip, work trip, or girls' trip!

FOOD TO EAT

While in Chicago, you have to take advantage of the food scene. These are my favorite places, organized by meal.

Coffee, Pastries, and Breakfast

The best way to start your day!

1. La Colombe
Location: All over Chicago!
My order: Iced Oat Milk Latte or their Cornerstone Brew
Thoughts: This place was great to grab a quick coffee on my way to work. It was bustling, energetic, and they had a ton of milks to choose from!

2. Sawada Coffee
Location: Fulton Market District
My order: Matcha Latte
Thoughts: From the second I saw the exterior covered in street art, I already loved Sawada's urban and eclectic vibe. The inside is huge and definitely lends itself to a more social coffee shop, rather than a place you would go to do work. This would be a super fun place to hang out with friends and their baristas were super friendly and genuine. The matcha I had was on the sweeter side (while I like them more bitter) so I'm excited to try one of their coffees next time I'm in Chicago.

3. Firecakes Donuts
Location: River North and Lincoln Park
My order: We got a ton of donuts but I loved the vanilla pearl one!
Thoughts: This is THE SPOT for gourmet, delicious donuts. Plus, you can sit at the outdoor tables if it's a nice day!

4. Blue Door Farmstand
Location: Lincoln Park
My order: Eggs Benedict with ham and arugula on a honey pepper biscuit (heart eyes!)
Thoughts: My aunt and I ducked into Blue Door on a rainy morning and it could not have been cozier! Everything on the menu sounded amazing, plus they have lots of juices and coffee drinks.

5. Goddess and The Baker
Location: The Loop, Navy Pier, Wacker & La Salle
My order: Nitro cold brew or kombucha (on tap!)
Thoughts: I grabbed a coffee here after SoulCycle next door and it was such a bright + colorful space! The cold brew I had was super strong, and I have also had their kombucha which was tart and refreshing.

Lunch or Dinner

The vibrant array of Chicago restaurants won't disappoint you for lunch and dinner!

1. Duck Duck Goat
Location: Fulton Market District
My order: My mom and I split the Chilly Chili Noodles, Char Siu Bao (steamed bbq pork buns), and Chiu Chow Fun Gor (shrimp and peanut dumplings)
Thoughts: This had to be my favorite meal of my most recent trip, from the expertly decorated interior and lively atmosphere to the best Chinese food I've ever had. Each of the dishes we had I would 100% order again-- especially the dumplings! I want to go back for Dim Sum ASAP.

2. Cruz Blanca
Location: Fulton Market District
My order: Avocado Tostada (mine) or La Clasica Tostada (mom's)
Thoughts: This laid-back brewery and taqueria was the perfect refreshing and relaxing meal after our flight. They had a great patio area and Mexican food that was different from your typical restaurant (and you can get a tostada that's bigger than your face).

3. Restoration Hardware
Location: Gold Coast
My order: Truffle grilled cheese + garlic fries
Thoughts: Yes, you read that right, Restoration Hardware in Chicago serves food! Eating in the atrium of RH made me feel like I was dining out on a terrace in Paris-- it's a must-see during daylight. If I could do this meal again, I'd go in the morning or afternoon and just get coffee and juices. While the food was good, it was a little overpriced. However, eating here is definitely not about the food! After you eat, take a walk through the many floors of the RH showrooms, ending with the rooftop patio.

4. The Hampton Social
Location: River North
My order: Lobster mac + cheese
Thoughts: This restaurant definitely brought a bit of the Hamptons' beachy-chic vibe to Chicago. Get the lobster mac + cheese!

5. Stella Barra
Location: Lincoln Park
My order: Avocado + Arugula Pesto Pizza
Thoughts: I came here with my aunt and uncle who eat a plant based diet. While my pizza was not vegan (it had goat cheese), their "red pizza" with tomato jam looked delicious. If you are vegan or someone you're traveling with is-- check this place out, they are very accommodating! And if you are not vegan, you'll love it just as much: I could've eaten my entire pizza by myself. I forgot to take my leftovers home and it's one of my biggest life regrets.

photo via foxtrot

6. Foxtrot
Location: Lincoln Park, West Loop, River North, Wicker Park
My order: Meditteranean salad
Thoughts: Foxtrot is essentially a swanky convenience and gift store. If you want good snacks for your hotel room or a pre-packaged but fresh lunch for work-- check it out. They also have kombucha on tap and a Jeni's Ice Cream connected to the Lincoln Park location!

7. Somerset
Location: Gold Coast-ish
My order: Roasted Turkey & Avocado Sandwich
Thoughts: Walking into Somerset feels like you're entering a nice cruise ship/country club. The food, service, and atmosphere were all awesome-- get a reservation, though!

8. Beatrix
Location: Fulton Market District, Streeterville & River North
My order: Straight A or Caesar Salad, Kennebec Fries, Arize Kombucha
Thoughts: Beatrix serves fresh and healthy fare in a minimalistic yet chic restaurant/market space. My salads were delicious, but I also love stopping into Beatrix for a kombucha, coffee, or cookie. AND their fries have thinly sliced fried lemon on top (so unexpectedly good!)

Sweets

Indulge your sweet tooth at one of these cute shops

1. Sweet Mandy B's
Location: Near DePaul
My order: Confetti Cookie with Icing
Thoughts: Don't tell anyone...but my aunt and I got cookies from Sweet Mandy B's to sneak into the movie theater, and it was the best decision ever. Their frosting was so melt-in-your-mouth good and they definitely are not stingy with it.

2. Jeni's Ice Cream

Location: All over

My order: Salted PB with Chocolate Flecks and Wildberry Lavender Ice Cream

Thoughts: As an Ohio girl and a Jeni Britton Bauer admirer, Jeni's ice cream will always be one of my favorites! If you don't have one at home it will definitely be worth a visit.

3. Sprinkles Cupcakes

Location: Right off the Magnificent Mile
My order: Strawberry Cupcake
Thoughts: You've probably seen Sprinkles' legendary "Cupcake ATM" on Instagram before...go pay it a visit (or order in store). Their cupcakes really are worth the hype.

THINGS TO DO

There's always something fun to do while in Chicago!

1. Soulcycle
I took my first Soulcycle class while in Chicago and loved it! The intense and motivating atmosphere made for a really fun (and challenging) workout.

2. Shopping
...Duh! Walk the Magnificent Mile and stop into huge, glittering storefronts like Zara and Nordstrom.

3. The Skydeck
This is something everyone should do once. You can't beat the view! I went at sunset which was absolutely gorgeous. The wait can get long though, so try going right when it opens or after 5 PM.

4. Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd is an awesome place to spend your afternoon. Seeing such cool aquatic life made me feel like I was in Finding Nemo!

That's all for now! I hope these tips were helpful in planning your next trip to The Windy City.

Stay Sunny,

Meg

PS: Do you have any Chicago recommendations? I'm always looking for new things to try!

A Very Blog-able Birthday

On May 10th, I turned eighteen! I celebrated the start of a new year in the same way I did last year, with lots of pizza and good company. After dinner, my boyfriend, Greg, handed me an envelope that said "Open on Friday night" and asked that I keep my entire Saturday free. I'm not usually one for surprises, but I knew he had something good up his sleeve so I happily agreed. Come Friday night, I tore into the envelope to find a very formal letter printed in calligraphy font that read, "Today you will partake in a Blog-able Birthday, consisting of great fun documented by a nice camera. Are you up for the day?" followed by a packing list and some instructions. I packed a bag of some "dope outfits" (in Greg's words), and went to bed-- excited for what the day would hold! In this post, I wanted to share not only the photos that Greg took, but also the day's agenda because it was one of the most fun and well thought out days I've ever had!

Greg picked me up at 11, handed me a blindfold to wear in the car, and took me for a "blog-able" coffee run: iced lavender and orange zest lattes.

Practicing his newly aquired photography skills

We then headed downtown for lunch on an adorable outdoor patio. Like any good blogger, Greg pulled the car over when he saw some aesthetically pleasing backgrounds for photos.

outfit details: pants | platform sandals (3 colors!) | similar shirt

After lunch, my blindfold went back on and Greg drove us to a dog park, where some of my best friends and THEIR DOGS and MY DOG were waiting! We played at the park for a while then sat outside to eat ice cream at Ben and Jerry's (my favorite).

After that, we got back in the car for what Greg told me would be a "20 minute drive." Well, an hour later, we were in Newport, Kentucky. We had matcha lemonades on a balcony that overlooked the river and snapped some photos before heading 10 minutes south into Cincinnati.

outfit details: leather sandals | top | similar skirt

When I took off my blindfold in Cincinnati, I immediately recognized the venue as Washington Park, but I had no idea what was going on or why so many people were gathered. Greg told me it was the annual Asian Food Festival, which got me excited because I love international foods. Little did I know that Greg had schemed with my best friend, Caroline, who goes to Miami University to meet us at the festival. Needless to say, I freaked out a little when I saw her.

This day was the perfect start to my 18th year, and I can't wait to see what other good things are to come during it!

Thank you, Greg, for planning this day and thank you to all of my friends who joined us in the fun!

Stay Sunny,

Meg

Guide to Sleeping Well + Waking Up Better

Last week, I asked my Instagram followers what type of post they wanted to see next on the blog. Overwhelmingly, they chose a post about how I sleep and wake up well. Sleep is often an overlooked part of wellness-- especially for students. No matter how much bulletproof coffee you drink, kale salads you eat, or vitamins you swallow, if you are not sleeping enough you won't feel healthy. If your busy mind and a restless body is keeping you up at night, read my tips on how I calm down for a night of sound sleep. 

About 30 minutes to an hour before bed, I start my essential oil diffuser (I use this one) with lavender oil and dim the lights in my room. By having lower lighting your brain releases melotonin (shoutout to my AP Psych class) which will start to slowly put you to sleep. I've also found that lavender oil is a very effective form of aromatherapy for relaxation, and by using it consistently it will signal your brain and body that it is time for bed.

For the next 15 minutes or so I'll get to a good stopping point in whatever I am doing. I'll pack up my backpack and set out my clothes for the next day. Then I'll take my time going through my skincare routine and brushing my teeth. This step has definitely been a game changer in how I relax at night, by not rushing through getting ready for bed my mind and body calm down, too. Our unconscious mind picks up on all relaxation cues, even things that seem small.

Then I'll get into bed and journal for a little bit if I feel like my mind is cluttered. A good practice if you find yourself drained or sad at the end of your day is to write down some specific things you were grateful for during the day-- however small. Most importantly, I try not to check my phone as it undoes all of the relaxing I have already done by exposing me to blue light and starting my brain's thinking processes back up.

Then I start my Sleep Cycle app. By tracking my sleep, I've been able to be more in tune with my body and notice what makes me sleep better or worse, as well as keep tabs on how much sleep I'm actually getting. The competitiveness within me also really wants to reach 100% for sleep quality, which motivates me to get to bed earlier. It also wakes you up at the point closest to your set alarm when your sleep is at its lightest. I use this as my only alarm clock and I do not have a clock in my room to avoid putting pressure on myself to fall asleep.

An example of what the Sleep Cycle app looks like after a night of sleep

Lastly, I do a breathing exercise or a guided meditation. My breathing tactic goes like this: take a deep breath into your abdomen so that your stomach swells with air. Then, breath into your lungs and puff out your chest with air while still retaining the breath in your stomach. Hold it for a few seconds then release the breath in reverse order: emptying your lungs then your stomach. I like this in particular because it is complicated enough that it distracts your mind, but is simple enough to still be relaxing. The guided meditations I use are from an app called Meditation Studio (it's free and so good). My favorites are the shorter ones (5ish minutes): Finding Stillness, Let Go of Muscle Tension, and Relax Before Bed. I usually fall asleep during the meditation or shortly after, but if I can't fall asleep for over 30 minutes I take half a packet of Emergen-z (a melotonin drink mix).

Then after sleeping it's time to rise & shine!

My best tip for waking up in the morning is making the first thing you do something you enjoy. That will give you the motivation to get out of bed, because no one wants to get up just to have to get dressed or wash their face. For me, I like to go downstairs, get a cup of coffee, and sit down with a blanket and drink it. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed to go watch a little bit Netflix or to pet your dog, but the most important part is getting out of bed.

My second tip is something that I did for Lent but have decided to keep doing-- not checking my phone while I'm in bed. By checking social media right away in the morning, it reinforces the notion that we need to constantly be plugged in-- something that can cause anxiety and stress. Although it can be hard, starting off screen free sets the tone for a peaceful day.

Lastly, if you have a really tough time getting out of bed, I encourage you to trick yourself. This is how I transitioned into being more of a morning person last year, and for me it worked really well. When you wake up, go ahead and hit snooze-- but force yourself to get out of bed. Tell yourself that you only have to stay out of bed for the 8 minutes of "snooze" time. Do something to help yourself wake up, such as drinking a glass of water or stretching. When the 8 minutes are up, you can go ahead and sleep for a little bit longer-- but chances are you won't want to. If you do stay out of bed, reward yourself with a good breakfast or something else fun.

That's all I have! Sleep can be tricky-- the best thing to do is cultivate good sleeping habits, because good sleeps lets you invest in yourself for the next day. Above all, try not to stress out about it. I don't follow these guidelines every night myself, things happen, and you'll be okay!

stay sunny (& sleep tight),

meg

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