Last year we started a little tradition of taking Dave's Dad to experience a ball park that he's always wanted to see. Our first visit was to Boston to check Fenway Park off the list. Dave's sister and niece joined us in Boston, Dave caught a foul ball during the game at Fenway and the whole weekend was magical. In case you missed out, you can read all about that trip HERE.
Wrigley Field was his choice this year so we headed to Chicago for Memorial Day weekend. We wanted to keep things a little easier this time around so we limited the trip to two nights, decided to drive instead of flying and honestly didn't plan much for our time there other than baseball and food... after all that's how his Dad rolls and it couldn't have been more perfect.
We headed out early on Friday morning to get to Chicago by lunchtime. It's only about a six hour drive for us and the drive itself is super easy. We picked up his Dad, grabbed coffee when Starbucks opened at 5:30 and hit the road. These little trips together are something that everyone really looks forward to.
We've stayed at different places in Chicago, but all mostly north of the river. This time around we stayed south of the river but still inside the loop at JW Marriott. Aside from not being right in the middle of things (which can sometimes be nice in larger cities), the location worked out perfectly for what we needed.
51 W Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 660-8200
After dropping our car off at the hotel AND getting an early check-in for both rooms (thank you, Marriott!) our first stop on the agenda was pizza for lunch. Now, people get pretty opinionated about the best deep dish pizza in Chicago so there can be a lot of debate on which to go with.
Dave and I have been to both Giordano's and Pizzeria Uno. This time we were led by a friend who is from Chicago and still has family in the area (not to mention he named his child Wrigley... so this really makes him local, right?) that the real locals spot for pizza is Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. Need I say more?
Dave and I have been to both Giordano's and Pizzeria Uno. This time we were led by a friend who is from Chicago and still has family in the area (not to mention he named his child Wrigley... so this really makes him local, right?) that the real locals spot for pizza is Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. Need I say more?
The place was absolutely packed the entire time we were there. When you arrive, you put in your name for a table and then can actually go ahead and place your pizza order (since deep dish takes so long to bake) that way when you get to sit down at your table it's not too much more of a wait before your food is ready. Let's just say they have their process down and it will be our future Chicago stop for deep dish pizza.
Can you tell by this photo that our first stop in Chicago was a raving success? How sweet is he! We were so looking forward to seeing his Dad get to enjoy taking in the city over the next couple of days.
Dave's aunt Judy (his dad's sister) joined us for this trip. She flew in from Indianapolis that morning and stuck with us pretty much the whole weekend. She even stayed at a hotel literally right across the street from us which was super easy. Her being there made the trip even more special for his Dad.
Everyone was still feeling great after lunch (we all had early mornings) so we headed to Millennium Park so his Dad could see the infamous Bean. His Dad had been to Chicago in the 70's, so the Bean was something he really wanted to check out and couldn't believe how big it was in person.
He was so impressed by the city of Chicago. The growth, the people, the food, Wrigley... everything. I think he really loved just about everything in the city and we loved seeing how much he enjoyed it all!
We got a ride back to the hotel for everyone to rest up before dinner, but Dave and I took the opportunity to use the extra time to hit the streets and explore a little more. Revival Food Hall was just around the corner from out hotel so we stopped in to check it out as we had heard lots of neat things about it.
It did not disappoint! There were SO many good looking options, but an espresso for one and a chocolate chip cookie to share was just was we needed for the perfect little pick-me-up.
It did not disappoint! There were SO many good looking options, but an espresso for one and a chocolate chip cookie to share was just was we needed for the perfect little pick-me-up.
Dave and I really enjoy taking his Dad on these little trips and spending quality time with him, but we always get a little one on one time together like we did on this afternoon and it is so special. We love to soak in these seconds together and explore what we can. It was like having a Friday day date in the city of Chicago and was so much fun. Oh how I love this man!
We took in sights along our walk to the north side of the river. I am am an avid lover of big cities. Like I love everything about them... maybe even the traffic? I know, I am weird. All this to say, I am one happy girl walking around the streets of a city and Dave just so happens to be a pretty big fan of Chicago too!
Before we knew it we were at Eataly... our perfect kind of date! We each grabbed a treat when we arrived and spent an hour or so walking around the store checking out the awesome selection of EVERYTHING! We grabbed some things to bring home with us and can't wait to put them to use in our own kitchen.
After we wrapped up we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse which was our final big item on the agenda for the day.
Dave and I have eaten here before on a trip at lunch, but were looking forward to dinner. He and his Dad had been looking at the menu for months trying to decide which steaks they were going to get... BOYS!
Every single thing about dinner from the service to cocktails to oysters to sides and steaks and dessert was so great! His Dad told us on the way back it was one of the best meals he has had out and we were thrilled that it not only met but really far exceeded his expectations.
He enjoyed it SO much! After dinner we headed back to the hotel to call in a night. HA! I think Dave and I were tucked in by 9:30... maybe the earliest bed time on record for us in Chicago.
The next morning Dave and I were up bright and early to soak in more one on one time together before meeting up with everyone for lunch. This allowed his Dad to sleep in and take it easy while we were running around exploring a beautiful Saturday morning in Chicago.
Finding local coffee shops when we travel is one of our favorite things to do. On this morning, we walked to Hero Coffee Bar for a little caffeine and breakfast. Dave had the best mocha (and he'll admit he's a tough critic... we both are when it comes to coffee).
Hero's mission is to "positively impact our community one meaningful cup at a time" and it was filled with locals going in and out the entire time we were there. That's the sign of a good coffee shop, folks!
From there we walked to Grant Park and took in the sights of everyone enjoying their Saturday morning. It is always so fun to see locals during their normal weekend routine mixed in with the travelers.
We really enjoyed this time together before making our way back to the hotel to meet everyone for the day.
We walked to lunch at Luke's Italian Beef. The best Italian beef is much debated in Chicago like deep dish pizza. Dave and I had been to Al's Beef, but his aunt suggested Luke's and the fact that it was right around the corner from our hotel was perfect. They were very different (like all of the deep dish is).
We thought Luke's was lighter and enjoyed it a lot. Any locals have a weigh in on this? We were headed to the baseball game next so we split a sandwich to ensure we'd still have plenty of room for concessions.
Again... I don't think we could have had more perfect Chicago meals for this big guy while we were away. He absolutely loved it all and it made us so happy knowing how much he truly enjoyed it.
Our next stop... Wrigley! It was an early afternoon game which made timing perfect for still allowing us to get in a good local lunch and have yummy dinner plans. Being married to Dave, I've learned to love a good concession stand... but I definitely didn't mind that we'd have to take advantage of having Italian for dinner. Our seats were great and everything was easy which made it more enjoyable.
The Cubs were playing Cincinnati so I definitely stayed true to the Reds and packed along my hat to wear to the game. It was looking like we could be in for storms literally all weekend, but the weather could not have turned out any better... in fact there were even a few sunburns from the game. Thankfully, I helped us dodge that one after waking up in a panic because we didn't pack any sunscreen. #walgreensforthewin
Even though the Reds lost, the game was still great. There were lots of hits, a handful of home runs and it came down to the Reds blowing it in the ninth inning to give the Cubs the W. And whether you like the home team or not, it's always kind of fun to see them win when you visit a city.
We helped check another famous ball park off the list for this guy. The fact that Dave is getting to share these experiences with his Dad is so special to each of us. I am extremely grateful for these memories they are getting to make together! It is truly something both Dave and I will treasure forever.
After the game we headed back to the hotels for everyone to rest up and clean up for dinner. Dave and I got ready quickly so we could head down to The Florentine (an upscale restaurant on property at JW) to grab a drink and enjoy more one on one time together. I'm telling ya, we really soak it in.
For this dinner, we planned on Italian since there are so many great options in Chicago. Dave and I have been to RMP Italian before, but wanted something with more of a true local feel... and boy did we find it at La Scarola. We had late reservations and when we showed up, they told us they were running a little behind so we walked across the street for everyone to enjoy a drink while we waited.
I could say so many wonderful things about the place, the food, the locals, the owners... but I'll leave you with the fact that every single bit of it was fantastic (and these photos which make me want to go back to Chicago tomorrow... only because I can't get there in time for dinner tonight). This place is a gem and will certainly be on our list for any future visit to Chicago.
We headed back to the hotels to get some sleep after another perfect dinner experience in Chicago! Can you tell these two loved every bit of it?
Dave and I were up bright and early again the next morning, but unfortunately none of the local coffee shops near us were open on Sunday so we settled for Starbucks.
We were meeting his Dad and aunt for an early lunch to check one last place off the food list during our time in Chicago before heading back home.
The one thing we had not not eaten yet while in Chicago was hotdogs so, we headed to Portillo's to check the last thing off our list. Everyone enjoyed their hotdogs (except for me... I had chicken tenders).
I think his Dad got to experience every type of food he wanted to on our trip to Chicago.
This was such special time with Dave's Dad and it has become especially important to us to make these little trips a tradition since we lost his Mom. We are extremely grateful to share these experiences with him and make it possible for him to keep exploring and enjoying life. I love capturing moments like this on these little trips... pure happiness for these two guys!
We were given strict instructions to stop by Tails in the City on our visit so we made it one of our stops while walking around the city on Friday afternoon. It is a swanky little shop for pups and the last time we visited Chicago, we got Hopsen a great little pair of pajamas that she absolutely loves.
We always enjoy finding something special for her while we're traveling to take back so we picked up a few treats. Hopsen was one very happy (and thankful) little girl. Speaking of being thankful... we truly soaked in every single sweet little second of our one on one time together over this trip. If you want to see what all we did the last time we were in Chicago together for a few days you can check that out HERE.
While we were there, we asked Dave's Dad what the next ball park on his list is. Before we know it, we'll have another little weekend away to plan around a baseball game and good food. Until then!
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