27 HOURS IN CHICAGO | Chicago Travel Vlog

So our Trip to Chicago didn't go as planned! When Spirit swoon us with their incredible low price of $30 per ticket round trip, we weren't exactly thinking about what all was going to be going down in Tampa Bay that same weekend...

It was Super Bowl weekend in Tampa Bay, basically a regional holiday, and the Bucs were about to play in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, Andrew & I both had a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) as we watched countless videos of The Weeknd, Migos, and just about ever other celebrity in the world in our home turf. Not to mention the blue skies and beaming sunshine that we were exchanging for slush & snow!

It was a cold weekend in Chicago, 10°F to be exact, and it should be to no surprise that Andrew & I did not come prepared in the dress aspect of the trip. I brought a leather jacket and jeans, and Andrew did not bring much more than that! Also, Chicago was still heavily shut down due to COVID restrictions.

All things aside, it was a fun trip minus some set backs! We were only in the city for abut 27 hours but here are some things that we did that I very much recommend...

WHAT WE DID IN CHICAGO:

- HOTEL: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago | The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago is a cute, chic boutique hotel in Downtown Chicago. The best part about the hotel is its convenient location. It is located right on the Riverwalk and is walkable to Downtown Chicago's famous sights. Its central location amongst all the tall building also makes for a stunning view. The decor of the entire hotel is warm, cozy, esthetic, and elegant. Everything was extremely clean and the staff was very helpful and friendly. | 225 N Wabash Avenue | https://www.monaco-chicago.com/ | Room Tour Video: https://youtu.be/JEa3X0uSZqU

- ATTRACTION: Millennium Park / Cloud Gate / The Bean | A Chicago Staple piece! Cloud Gate is one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations. While we couldn't walk wight up to it because it was barricaded off (most likely due to COVID) we were still able to visit and take photos from a far. If you don't take a photo with The Bean, did you really visit Chicago? | 201 E Randolph Street | https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/tours-and-attractions/the-bean-chicago/

- FOOD: Hot Woks Cool Sushi | A super delicious Asian Restaurant! I had the best crab rangoons I've ever had in my life here. The sushi was amazing and I also loved the Tonkotsu Ramen. The drinks were on point too. I had the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler & Andrew had the Mango Madness - All for a reasonable price! | Multiple locations but we visited the 30 S Michigan Avenue location. | https://www.hotwokscoolsushi.com/

- ATTRACTION: 360 Chicago | 360 Chicago is an observation deck towering 94 stories above the city. It was cool, we chose it as a replacement of the Skydeck since Skydeck was closed. There is also a bar on the 94th floor called Bar 94. Once cocktail was included with our ticket. It was so cloudy that day though, we could only see less than 1 mile's distance from the windows. I wouldn't consider it a "must-do," but it was nice to see this one time. | 875 N Michigan Avenue | https://360chicago.com/

- DRINKS: Three Dots and a Dash | Three Dots and a Dash is a speakeasy Tiki Bar hidden below the bustling streets of River North. I highly recommend this place. I was kind of sketched out at first because you literally enter from a random door in what appears to be an alley. You immediately walk downstairs and it's very dark. But then the neon lights, tropical decor and the loud music suddenly brings you home! The signature drinks came in the cutest presentations. I got the "Down Periscope" and it came in an entire clam-looking-bowl with a tiki cup and was smoking. I will say, you do end up paying for aesthetics, but we're here for a good time, not a long time! | 435 N Clark Street | https://www.threedotschicago.com/

- FOOD: Chicago Chop House | Dinner in Luxury! Chicago Chop House is a traditional steakhouse in a restored brownstone. This place is 4 stories of bliss & romance. Andrew & I really treated ourselves and both ordered the dry-aged “Tomahawk” Ribeye with Signature Chop House Butter. I honestly think that was the best meal of my life! | 60 W Ontario Street | https://chicagochophouse.com/

I look forward to returning to the Windy City in the warmer months!

Safe Travels! XOXO, Aimee

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