If there is ever a city perfect for a weekend getaway than Chi-town is it! And that’s coming from a New Yorker. That’s because Chicago is a clean New York. Now, I don’t mean that to disparage my hometown but let’s face it, as the most-populated U.S. city outside of Beijing, New York cannot possibly keep up with all of the litter. Chicago, on the other hand, offers cleanliness, a beautiful waterfront, beach, nightlife, shopping, spas………….I can go on and on!
Chicago Skyline
My affinity for Chicago started with my Mom and this became our perfect mother-daughter getaway destination. In the days of cheap airfares from NY, we would often hop a regional jet just to hit Chicago for brunch………………now, where would that brunch be?
At the Signature Room atop the John Hancock Tower. The restaurant sits on the 95th floor and boasts floor to ceiling windows and the best brunch outside of the Big Apple. The buffet is just meant for grazing and the staff is gracious and does not chase you from your table for folks at the next seating. Make a reservation ahead of time through Open Table and score points toward free perks. It’s worth it no matter which city you find yourself in.
Chicago has anything a tourist would ever want: theater; concerts; museums; the homes of Frank Lloyd Wright just outside the city; aquarium; planetarium; shopping along the Magnificent Mile; fine dining and the best Blues scene north of the Delta. Guitar great Buddy Guy (yes, Eric Clapton even worships this “Guy”) has a great club on South Wabash Avenue called Legends. It’s even better if you can catch a gig when Buddy’s playing but worth a visit any time you want to hear great music. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmEBTUbaWjA]
Chicago is also full of gangster lore; afterall. this is the city of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and Al Capone. There are a number of gangster tours you can take but I would recommend Tommy Gun’s Garage. The evening starts with a bus tour and then you are brought to Tommy’s Garage for an hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, roaring 20s review. It’s great for the solo traveler because you can make friends on the bus and then be seated with them once inside the garage.
During the day, head over to the lake and Navy Pier, where you can catch fireworks twice a week during the summer. It’s part amusement pier, shopping district, IMAX theater and boat rides all in one convenient location along Lake Michigan. Cirque Shanghai is even in residence right now.
Chicago's Navy Pier
Chicago has about two to three months of great weather and city folk know how to enjoy it once it arrives. I suggest boarding a boat at Navy Pier and cruising the Chicago River. It provides great views of Chicago’s varied architecture. That’s one of the city’s greatest assets – modern and traditional architecture blend in a city that exudes midwestern hospitality and big city sophistication.
Fine and casual dining are not in short supply here. There are numerous restaurants to suit any palette and I would suggest heading over to Greek Town on a weekend night. It’s a safe neighborhood to walk the streets for a solo traveler and you are sure to have a great time wherever you hear the sound of breaking plates and “hoopa!”
The final question becomes where to stay? That’s easy. Go to Priceline and name your own price for any four-star or better hotel along the Magnificent Mile. I got lucky ands scored a great rate at the Westin. Buona fortuna!
