{travel} chicago

I went to Chicago to visit my boyfriend over the 4th of July week.

Here is my trip in mostly pictures and a few words.

Monday:

Seth had to work Monday & Tuesday so I was left to explore Chicago on my own. I decided to have a total girls day (you know... something you just can't do with your BF around) & went shopping on Michigan Ave. I bought a few things from Loft (my weakness!) and just walked through the stores the rest of the time.

I started to get really hungry so I walked into a sushi restaurant on Michigan Ave, Hot Woks Cool Sushi. I ordered the Akira roll and a glass of Pinot Grigio. I settled in for my solo lunch date with my Kindle.

It was glorious.

After lunch, I walked on over to Millennium  Park.

I took a picture in the Bean because BF told me I was absolutely not allowed to do it.

"Too touristy."

Good thing I have no shame. ;)

Tuesday:

On Tuesday, I once again had to entertain myself. I also had to brave the bus system in Chicago.

I definitely thought that I was going to get lost...

Thankfully, I made it to Navy Pier in one piece!

Before I left FL I looked up shows to see in Chicago. I found the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's website and knew immediately what show I was going to see.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!

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I was 100% the only person there without a child in tow, but I didn't even care. I was cheesily smiling the entire time thinking of my childhood and how much I used to sing all of these songs! If you are in the Chicago area I highly recommend you go see this production. The costumes, set, and cast are all absolutely wonderful. It only costs $25.00 per ticket and is a perfect way to get out of the summer heat.

Wednesday:

4th of July. 

This picture explains it all.

Thursday:

Woke up with the intentions of going to the Shedd Aquarium.
I didn't believe BF when he said that the line would be outrageous.
Um.... It was going to be a two hour wait to even get inside the doors.
We said NEVER MIND & went on a walk by the water.

Have I mentioned yet that it was hotter in Chicago than in FL pretty much the entire time I was there?

Historic heat wave. Fun stuff.

Needless to say, I refused to let my hair touch my neck until it cooled down some.

Friday:

Had a date day/night with the BF. We went and saw Ted. It was really funny.

If you like Family Guy, I definitely recommend it!

I took some pictures while we were walking around the city.

I fell in love with all of the pretty little side streets in Chi. The architecture is so beautiful!

Oh. And here are some pictures of my stubborn "I hate taking pictures" boyfriend.

Legit the only ones I got of him.

Hmph.

Friday night we went to THE BEST RESTAURANT EVER. But really. It was super fun & cute.

And delicious. You must go to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba in Lincoln Park when you go to Chicago.

There was an hour wait for two people so we just grabbed seats at the bar.

The sangria is DELICIOUS.

Okay. Enough caps for one restaurant.

But really, please go. You will love!

We ordered the calamari & lamb tapas and an order of the paella. Yum.

The rest of the days I was there were very low-key. I made some buffalo chicken enchiladas one night and some south of the border burgers (soooooo spicy) another night. We snuggled and watched lots of Rescue Me.  You know, normal (non-long distance) couple things.

I had a great time in Chicago. It truly is a wonderful city.

xo, Jen