Bringing Sunshine to the Windy City: Day 1

A couple weekends ago was my definitely my favorite weekend in Chicago thus far; my parents came to visit me! (And Pierre too!) They could not have come at a more perfect time. The weather was clear skies every day, even with weather reports of possible showers, and it felt like a crisp 60˚ all weekend. Even more amazing, I got a couple days off work and was able to spend all four days with my parents, and Pierre got to spend the weekend with us too! On Friday, their day of their arrival, I gave them a quick tour of Downtown Chicago and showed the everydayness of Pierre and I in our new city. Including a quick walk to Dominick's, our local supermarket and taking in the beautiful views right outside the apartment of the Trump Tower and the Wrigley Building.

A quick walk to Dominick's.

My parents in front of *home*.

While waiting until Pierre finished up with work, I took my parents for a walk up The Magnificent Mile, a portion of Michigan Avenue which is home to amazing shopping, great dining, and luxury hotels. Along The Mag Mile, we stopped at the Chicago Water Tower, the last structure still standing after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Already getting chilly in Chicago!

In front of the Chicago Water Tower.

It's off to Day 2! Get ready for the stunning Millennium Park, a walk along Lake Michigan, and views from Navy Pier!

After-Words

Pierre and I went to dinner Friday night, and afterwards, we decided to take a different way home. After a couple turns, we ended up on Illinois Street and found After-Words, a bookstore. It seemed small and cozy on the ground level and found a whole 'nother level of new and used books downstairs! It's open late and is definitely a cool place to swing by and have a coffee and find those books you've been meaning to read. 

After-Words (23 East Illinois Street)

The ground level of After-Words

Even more books downstairs!

Definitely check out the blog next week; my parents are coming to town this weekend and I'll be able to spend four wonderful days with them! See you next time!

A Rainy Saturday

On our way to Lincoln Park to check out some furniture shops, we took the long way through the Pedway (Chicago's Downtown underground walkway system) to avoid the not-so-great weather, 47˚ and wet! We took the elevator down and started at the end of the Metra train station and walked through the shops the Pedway takes you through.

The Metra Station

Some of the shops in the Pedway.
Look familiar? It's a scene from The Dark Knight!

We kept walking and made a stop at the Chicago Cultural Center and took in the architecture and a quick museum tour.

A photo of the inside of the Chicago Stock Exchange.

Looking up at a beautiful dome.

The outside of the dome.

We finally made our way to the train and ended up at Lincoln Park. After a couple hours of furniture shopping, we found an Italian place by the name of Mangia Roma where we had amazing Roman pizza!

Mangia Roma (1623 North Halsted Street)

Waiting patiently for dinner!

Getting hungry!

Roman pizza - yum!