This Chicago girl was uprooted and transplanted into Pittsburgh way too early in life! Perhaps that is why I head back to Chicago to visit and to stay attached to my roots! I love Chicago and I love spending time in the city. If it were not for marriage, I would move right back to Chicago without a second thought, but I am in Pittsburgh for now!
Many people ask me what I could possibly find so enthralling about staying inside downtown Chicago and I have to tell you that there are endless sights, endless dining options and tons of shopping just waiting for you! I won’t lie, I hate museums and I find art a bit dull, so you know I am not going to seek out the museums and art galleries, but I am going to have some fun!
Here are my top 5 things to do in Downtown Chicago, and it was not a tour, it was my own made up step-by-step way to lavishly live my quick trip back home to Chicago out loud!
1. PULL OUT THAT PHONE & SIGHTSEE
I wanted to get to Stan’s Donuts and I was staying at the Swissotel on East Wacker Street, so I headed down the Chicago Riverwalk and went to E.Erie St. The walk totaled about 15 minutes and it was a cinch to find!
Along the way, I marveled at the Chicago River Chicagotown itself. There’s great architecture, wonderful buildings and lots of shopping, it’s not just about history it’s about a well-maintained city!
2. Stan’s Donuts – BREAKFAST TIME
If you want to learn about these exceptionally grand donuts, check out my post on Where To Find the Best Donuts In Chicago and then makes sure you head through the above photo’d doorway to enjoy your own!
The donuts are amazing!
3. Let’s Shop
There’s nothing like shopping while you are traveling, it seems that some of my favorite pieces are purchased while I am away and I treasure them even more! I hit up Nordstrom Rack. Pittsburgh has Nordstrom Rack but we certainly don’t have any fun signs calling us out and complimenting us, so this was photo worthy!
Had a good time shopping there and then it was on to more shopping! Guess what I found? I found a Marshall’s and a
TJ Maxx in ONE place together which means one thing….SHOP! Does it get any better than this?
4. Experience Deep Dish Pizza
There are things Chicago is famed for and their Deep Dish Pizza is right at the top of the list. Want to learn more? Check out my article on Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. In the meantime, I will clue you in, Giordano’s is right by all of this shopping heaven!
5. Destination EATALY
You can not miss out on this range of Italian Eateries and Italian shopping market all in one huge location. In reality, I could have spent hours here, but I only had a little time left in my day. The facility is huge, there is no admission charge, and there is a lot to taste and see. Plop this address into your Google Directions and walk here: 43 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611.
I’m hardly even in Eataly and I am already taking so many videos because it’s amazing!
When you first walk in you can experience huge sandwiches on focaccia, a Nutella Bar, yes you read that right and a pastry case. Try passing this up and you might saunter over to the oversized wine bottle and attempt a selfie as I tried but failed!
Go up the escalator to a full wine store, a wine restaurant, a pizzeria, a pasta place, fresh meat, fresh cheese, fresh deli cuts, and that’s just the beginning!
Fresh Meat
How about some homemade burrata? It does not get any fresher than this!
A Nice Glass Of Wine
I suggest this at the end of the day, after all your shopping, when you want a good glass of wine, a great tasting meal, and a fun ambiance! I sat here for a while and enjoyed this great glass of wine, as big it was, it was only $13 and it was dry, red, bold and its finish was perfection! Make sure to get a glass of water with it, so you can balance it all out!
Adventure. Eat. DIY. Repeat. In Chicago
Like him or don’t like him, I really don’t care, he still wears the name President so to see the TRUMP International Hotel and Tower was pretty cool and it was easy to grab a photo from so many different angles!
From St. John’s Cathedral, to the John B. Murphy Memorial and Rosebud’s there’s no lack of fun places to see and visit while in Chicago.
Which side of the Chicago River will you choose to venture through? No matter which road you travel, or what you look at or experience, it’s all fun, because Chicago is the best place, forgive me for being partial. !