Starved Rock just as the snow is melting

Located just 94 minutes from downtown Chicago, this beautiful state park offers tons of activities to suit any day-tripper’s fancy.  Depending on the season, you’ll find ample bird-watching, fishing, and even hunting throughout the park.  Starving Rock is also home to 200 different species of wildflowers, and with plenty of hiking and trails, you’ll get to see all of them.

Join the Walker’s Club that departs from the lodge every Thursday at 9:00am, or if you come on the right weekend, they offer themed guided hikes like Winter Wilderness Weekend, Wildflower Pilgrimage, and Fall Colors Weekend.  If you decide to stay the night, you’ll have plenty of cozy cabins to select from as well as several on-site restaurants in which to dine.

Door County, Wisconsin

On the way to Cave Point County Park in Door County, WI

About 230 miles from Chicago, Door County has an enormous range of appealing activities.  Numerous parks offer hiking trails and bike paths, or check out the limestone sea caves at Cave Point County Park.  You’ll also get to see one of the last five beaches in the world covered in white limestone rocks on Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island (just a ferry ride away).

Depending on your mood, your interests, and the time of year, the Door County Visitor’s Bureau’s website (www.doorcounty.com) offers suggested itineraries along with information about local businesses, attractions, lodging, and dining.

Biking Lakeshore Drive

Lincoln Park

This is Chicago’s most popular bike path.  Flat and easy to ride through, Lincoln Park has beautiful fields, sandy beaches, quiet lagoons, the Lincoln Park Zoo (free entry), the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and the Notebaert Nature Museum.  The bike path is clearly marked and makes for a smooth five mile ride through Chicago’s north side that will last about two to three hours.

The only Bahá'í House of Worship in North America is in Wilmette!?

Millenium Park/Grant Park/Chinatown

Ride through Millenium Park and Grant Park downtown to see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.  This route includes sights like Cloudgate (aka “the Bean”), Buckingham Fountain, Crown Fountain, and the Pritzker Pavillion. You’ll have an incredible and unobstructed view of the skyline and Lake Michigan.  Head south toward Museum Campus to see the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium, and continue on down to Chinatown for a well-deserved meal.  This eight mile ride will last about three to four hours and is of moderate difficulty.
Lakefront to the Baha’I Temple

This is a long and challenging ride, but incredibly rewarding.  You’ll start in the city and ride up a long the city’s eastern edge through many bustling and historic neighborhoods.  Stop in Rogers Park or Evanston, or ride through the Northwestern University campus.  The end point lies in Wilmette at the incredible Baha’I Temple.  This ride covers fourteen miles and will take you about three to four hours…one way.

The controversy sets in when Chicagoans ask, who makes the best deep-dish?  These Midwesterners get heated when it comes to a good pie; this argument rages all over food blogs week after week.  Here are some of the big names and the lesser-knowns for those you looking to join in the fray.

Giordano’s was founded in 1974 and now has locations all over the city and suburbs.  Their pizza is satisfyingly heavy and belly-warming.  A thick layer of melted ricotta cheese sits between crisp, lightly buttery crust and a sweet, tangy covering of tomato sauce sprinkled lightly with Parmesan.  Try the Special (with sausage, mushroom, green peppers, and onions) or the Super Veggie.

Pizzeria Uno lays claim to the origins of Chicago-style pizza.  At their River North locations, Pizzeria Uno, founded in 1943, and nearby cousin Pizzeria Due serve up some of the deepest deep-dish you’ll ever encounter.  The Farmer’s Market pizza nearly overflows with eggplant, caramelized onions, spinach, sun-dried and plum tomatoes, pesto, feta, mozzarella and Romano cheeses.  Each pie is covered in Uno’s signature chunky tomato sauce.  If you find yourself taken with Pizzeria Uno, they’re frozen products are available for shipping all over the country.

The other big name in deep-dish is Lou Malnati’s.  With folksy beginnings and roots in the suburbs, this pizzeria has spread like wildfire all over the city since 1971.  Chicagoans who align their “pizzallegiance” with Malnati’s will proclaim its excellence to the grave.  It’s understandable–they have a trademark on something they call ButtercrustTM.  Try the “Malnati Chicago Classic” with their signature sausage, extra cheese, and plenty of vine-ripened tomato sauce.

For those of you looking to do some investigative research on the smaller pizzerias, head to the Art of Pizza in West Lakeview.  It may not much for atmosphere, but the Art of Pizza makes a deep-dish pie that’s consistently top-tier, rivaling even the “originators” of the form.  You’ll also want to try Pequod’s in Lincoln Park with their signature caramelized crust.

No matter where you decide to get your deep-dish fix, here are some general pointers to keep in mind:

• Leave yourself plenty of time.  Deep-dish normally takes approximately 35-45 minutes to bake from the time you order it.  Make sure you’re in good company because you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy each other before the food even arrives..
• A serving of deep-dish pizza usually amounts to one to two pieces per person.  You should expect a few left over slices, so be prepared to bring a (heavy) to-go container home.
• You will be full!  The full feeling after eating deep-dish rivals the likes of post-Thanksgiving dinner full.  Take a brisk walk after dinner to help digest.  It will seem impossible and daunting at first, but you’ll be thankful you did it.

If you can’t make up your mind about where to get your pizza, schedule yourself for a Slice of Chicago Pizza Tour.  You’ll get a chance to compare and contrast the best pies from several of the city’s finest pizzerias.

Gourmet Burger at Fado

Celtic Crossings
Co-owned by three Irishmen, this River North bar stays true to its Dublin roots.  They’ve got thirteen Irish beers on tap and food that doesn’t “intrude on people’s conversation” according to co-owner John Phelan.  While Celtic Crossings is a lively spot to listen and dance to Irish bands on Saturday nights, most nights you’ll be able to enjoy conversation over a pint by the warm stone fireplace (made by George Nugent of County Clare).

5th Province Pub
For those interested in getting some history with your dinner, 5th Province Pub is located in the Irish American Heritage Center.  Here you’ll dine on Irish fare like fish and chips, corned beef sandwiches, and sausages, all extremely modestly priced.  In a diverse neighborhood, you’ll find a diverse clientele, many of whom come to enjoy the live music after 9:00pm.

Kitty O’Shea’s
Tucked inside the Chicago Hilton and Towers, Kitty O’Shea’s cozy interiors will warm even the toughest Irishmen’s hearts.  Most of the staff is from the Emerald Isle, and they work to keep the restaurant and bar as true to its County Cork inspiration.  You’ll note the wall of shillelaghs honoring some of Chicago’s finest citizens of Irish descent while you dine on traditional fare like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and lamb stew as well as American pub fare like cheese sticks.  Sip on Irish whiskeys and draught beers while challenging your friend to a game of darts.  You can expect a $15 cover on St. Patrick’s Day and the day of the parade.  In warmer months, the outdoor seating at Kitty’s comes highly recommended.

Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant
Fado translates to “long ago” in Gaelic, and Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant invokes that feeling with beautiful stone and woodwork decor brought directly from Ireland.  If you order the signature brew–20 oz. of Guiness–bartenders will carefully build the perfect pour, taking a full two minutes to complete the process.  Fado also has a seasonal drink menu with winter warmers, whiskey favorites, and seasonal bottles.  Favorites from the large menu include all-day Irish breakfast with eggs, Irish sausages, rashers, black and white pudding, and pan-fried potato bread and the Smithwick’s mini burgers topped with Guiness mayo, pickles, onions and melted cheese.

Lady Gregory’s
This lavishly decorated Andersonville restaurant is not your run of the mill Irish pub.  Named after famed Irish dramatist Isabella Augusta who co-founded the Abbey Theatre, Lady Gregory’s offers upscale pub fare like the bison burger with bourbon barbecue sauce, celery-apple slaw, and candied bacon.  The beer list is almost overwhelming with a selection of international, domestic, and local draughts and bottles.  Snack on truffle kettle corn and deviled eggs in the library or wind down the evening with a slice of Guiness chocolate cheesecake.  Lady Gregory’s also offers a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays–a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s if you’re looking to keep your distance from downtown.

Julius Meinl has three locations on the north side—Lakeview, North Center, and Lincoln Square.  All three are equally adorable and unquestionably pleasant.   Designed by an Austrian team that specializes in coffeehouses, the warm, golden interior of Julius Meinl feels like Europe in the twenties.  The Viennese café brews its own line of coffee and offers delicious Austrian cuisine.  Go for any meal or even a snack, and your food will arrive on a small silver tray accompanied by a small almond biscuit.  Choose from Viennese specialties like spaetzle, goulash, and frittaten soup, or try the sausage of the day accompanied by their famous baked eggs.  Lighter options abound, such as quinoa salad with leeks and beets.  You would be amiss not to at least taste a pear Danish or other delectable pastry while you’re there.

Little Branch Café in the South Loop is for many locals an undiscovered gem.  Close to several busy brunch spots, Little Branch is slightly off the beaten path, so you’ll avoid the weekend morning rush.  A quaint spot that offers wonderful coffee and warm wine (must try!), LBC serves up dishes like waffles and chicken, sweet potato fries with habanero raspberry ketchup in an environment both industrial and earthy.  After breakfast/brunch hours, you’ll mostly have to choose between sandwiches.

Milk and Honey Café in Wicker Park offers some of the best brunch-type food on a daily basis. Casserole-style huevos rancheros and orange brioche French toast with toasted almonds may outshine the sandwich menu, but do not overlook these delicious lunchtime offerings (i.e.—the ham and caraway havarti with lettuce, tomato, and cracked mustard on a pretzel roll). Since the homemade granola may not be your first choice while dining in, be sure to grab a bag of it to go on your way out!

Filter in Wicker Park is in its second incarnation smack in the middle of Chicago’s hipsterville.  The funky interior is part of a LEED Silver build out that helps make this café eco-friendly.  Incredible coffee, free wireless internet, and delicious baked goods are the most in demand, but there’s a plentiful selection of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and soups.  Favorites include the Hipster Hash, diced hashbrowns with green peppers, onions, tomato, and cheese topped with three eggs and salsa with toast and the spicy chicken wrap with Lebanese schwarma, pesto, grilled veggies, cucumber, and tomato.  Don’t forget to treat yourself to a lemon square for dessert.

If you’re craving dessert in Chicago, you’ll only run into one problem: too many choices.  Here are some top-notch choices to appease your sweet tooth.

Mindy Segal has won the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Pastry Chef” every year from 2007-2011.  Enjoy dinner at her Wicker Park restaurant Hot Chocolate and quickly move onto the sweets, including banana brioche bread pudding, chocolate cake two ways (think chocolate cake ice cream), and port wine pear tatin.  You’ll also have to choose from about seven different hot chocolates—or don’t choose, and request the hot chocolate flight.

Locals look to Lincoln Park bakery Sweet Mandy B’s for the crème de la crème of sweets.  You’ll find outrageously delicious and whimsical custom cakes, cookies, brownies, and whoopee pies.  Although slightly on the pricy side, it will be worth battling the Lincoln Park moms for that last luscious red velvet cupcake.

Hoosier Mama Pie Company in the Ukranian Village serves up a huge variety of decadent pies, individual slices of which are available for purchase.  You might want to try the Fat Elvis, made with fresh bananas, chocolate, peanut butter and a pretzel crust.  You could also try the light as a feather Lemon Chess or the not-too sweet pumpkin pie (made with fresh pumpkin).  The menu also features locally roasted Metropolis coffee.

You can also step back in time at Margie’s Candies.  This tiny, old-fashioned ice cream parlor in Logan Square has a huge menu full of some the most unbelievably decadent sundaes imaginable.  Squeeze into a booth amidst the candy jars and enjoy a hand-dipped pecan, caramel, and chocolate terrapin banana split.  You may not be able to squeeze your way out!

Photo courtesy of Sweet Mandy B’s

Romantic dessert at NoMI Kitchen

Quiet and Candlelit

Lincoln Square’s Bistro Campagne brings just a touch of French country rusticism to a romantic night out.  Begin with escargot, share the cassoulet or foie de veau, and finish with chocolate pot-de-crème and the evening’s cheese plate.  Any of the warm, woody corners offer just the right amount of privacy for you and yours.

Above it All

NoMI Kitchen boasts chic ambience, a Michelin-starred menu, and view to boot.  Enjoy an incredible seasonal foie gras preparation or Kusshi oysters as you look out (and down) upon the bustling Magnificent Mile.  Making a night out of it?  NoMI is conveniently located in the Park Hyatt hotel.

Romance al fresco

Stop in at Pastoral in the Loop and pick up one of their picnics for two.  You’ll choose from sandwiches, fine cheeses, bread, charcuterie, olives, and sweets for two along with an enormous selection of boutique wines and beers (and stylish picnic-ready wine glasses).  Best of all, you’ll be down the block from Millenium Park, ideally on a beautiful summer evening.

Sweethearts

Bucktown’s Hot Chocolate is perfect if you have something sweet in mind for your significant other.  You can certainly have a full dinner, but dessert is the showstopper here.  Get close to your mate to split the apple-cider potpie or share a mini-hot chocolate flight with homemade marshmallows.

Cheers to You

If you’re looking to celebrate your loved one, head to Pops for Champagne in River North.  With a beautiful seasonal menu and an enormous selection of bubbly, plush booths, accompanied by a small jazz combo, it’s practically a recipe for romance.

River North

Stop into BIN 36 to enjoy house label wines, pair them with selections from the enormous (and delicious) cheese program, and take in the sights of the nearby iconic Marina City towers.  Choose from wine flights with names like “Low Down Dirty Reds,” “Express Yourself,” and “Think Pink,” you’ll find something up your alley.

Pops for Champagne offers nearly 200 champagnes and sparkling wines along with high-end atmosphere to inspire sparkling conversation.  If you’re feeling fancy, this is a great place to take a date, especially Sunday through Tuesday for the live jazz combo.  Although a night here is on the expensive side, you’ll make an impressive impression!

North Side

Smaller locations on the far north side include Andersonville’s In Fine Spirits, a find for anyone interested in tastes of any kind.   Any of the delicious wines found on the extensive menu can be purchased at the shop next-door, where on the weekends you’ll find winemakers visiting and offering complimentary tastes of their work.  Come in on the third Monday of the month for Wine Geek Night or any Tuesday for 50% off select bottles of wine.  Craft cocktails are another specialty here, so don’t hold back!

Chicago’s smallest, quietest spot for wine is Volo Restaurant and Wine Bar in quiet Roscoe Village, just west of Lakeview.  A neighborhood favorite, Volo has intimate, low-lit seating inside (particularly cozy on a cold Chicago winter night) and one of the most pleasant patios on a lovely summer evening.  You’ll find the owners in-house on many nights, and the extremely knowledgeable staff is friendly and helpful.

Magnificent Mile

If you’re staying on or near the Magnificent Mile, you’ll find several nearby wine bars that exceed expectations.  ENO (short for oENOlogy) Chicago Wine Bar at the Intercontinental Hotel has 5,000 different bottles of wine to choose from.  The focus is on fun here, and the sultry ambiance lends itself to relaxation instead of pretension.  Immediately upon entering, you’ll see the multi-tiered glass case of specialty cheeses and chocolates, all available for an enhanced experience.  With such an overwhelming selection, you may need to enlist help from the friendly Wine Director, Scott.

Right across the street, you’ll find contemporary style and comfort at The Purple Pig.  This spot is open late nights, and offers many wallet-friendly wines that just so happen to pair well with their pig-centric Mediterranean menu (including house-cured baccalà brandade from executive chef Jimmy Bannos, Jr.).  Pull up a seat at the bar or at one of several communal tables in the beautifully furnished wooden interior, or enjoy the outdoor seating on a warm night set back from busy Michigan Avenue.

Lincoln Park

Farther off the beaten path, the Webster’s Wine Bar combines an international selection of wines and cheeses with creative, locally driven cuisine.  Choose from dozens of wines by the glass or hundreds of bottles.  Each month, the restaurant focuses on a specific region or grape variety and connects interested connoisseurs with trail-blazing small vineyards and wine producers from around the world.  Dinners include regional dishes paired with wines from the same area like confit of duck leg in a fig/ginger/pomegranate sauce, buttered orzo & roasted baby carrots paired with the 2006 Faugères.

Chicago Children’s Museum

The Chicago Childrens Museum is definitely hands on!

Located at the western end of Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum connects learning and playing to create a great experience for a the whole family.  In addition to housing several permanent exhibits, the museum frequently opens temporary “experiences” that only stick around for a few months.  “Move”, currently open through January 22, features large, oddly shaped pieces that move and connect allowing fort-builders of all ages to live out their dreams while challenging their minds and bodies.  Climb three-stories of ship-rigging at the Kovler Family Climbing Schooner or dig for bones in an authentic excavation pit in the Dinosaur Expedition.  Parents note–each experience includes an age recommendation, and many have a special area designated for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.  Make art to take home, design a flying machine or a building, hide in a treehouse, but most importantly have fun!

Museum of Science and Industry

The beautiful grounds at the Museum of Science and Industry

Hyde Park’s Museum of Science and Industry, the western hemisphere’s largest science center, offers exhibits, films, and live experiences on a daily basis.  With over 20 exhibits at a time, the museum will engage everyone age 0+.  The newest permanent installation, “Science Storms”, explores some of nature’s most powerful phenomena: tornadoes, fire, waves, lightning.  Use your SciPass (printed on your admission ticket) and scan it throughout YOU! The Experience to save all of your adventures to access online as you make a self-portrait as you imagine yourself, design an ad according to your own tastes, play a round of mindball, see a bionic arm, and see a giant heart beat along with yours. Visit the baby chick hatchery and learn about genetics, take a tour through Chicago’s greenest home, and climb aboard the U-505 (the only German submarine in the U.S.).  It’s all available to you in this 14-acre Chicago landmark.

The Art Institute of Chicago

from the AIC's Thorne Miniatures collection

The Art Institute of Chicago houses some of the world’s most iconic works of art including Wood’s American Gothic, Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jette, Hopper’s Nighthawks, to name just fraction of the museum’s incredible collection.  Take your children to visit these familiar images up close and in person.  Follow that up with a tour through the Arms, Armor, Medieval, and Renaissance collection to see the knights in shining armor (armor that encompasses 500 years of European metalwork).  Bring them down to the Thorne Miniature Rooms to see what a dollhouse dreams of being: impeccably designed interiors spanning 13th century European through 1930’s American with scale of one inch to one foot.  You’re bound to pass through galleries full of breathtaking works of art along the way, and your kids will thank you for it.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Imagine walking into an enormous atrium full of pools of water, tropical trees, and over a thousand butterflies from 75 exotic species…

A Cairns Birdwing (Ornithoptera euphorion) resting in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven

Welcome to the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum set in Lincoln Park at the southeast edge of the North Pond Nature Sanctuary.  With a focus on the local, the museum’s permanent exhibits explore the birds, waterways, and marshes of Chicago.  The Extreme Greenhouse and Hands-on Habitat give kids a chance to interact live plants and animals and learn how we all affect one another.  Visit the outdoor exhibitions in warmer months to play in the restored native prairie and to see how the museum keeps green technology at the forefront of its mission.

The entrance to the Margarita Inn's Grand Parlor

Margarita European Inn

Just north of the city line, the Margarita offers breakfast in the Grand Parlor and welcomes guests to enjoy the rooftop deck.  You’ll find a variety of room styles with shared and private bathrooms as well as access to a cozy library, wireless, and the in-house  Zagat-rated Italian restaurant, Pensiero Ristorante.

House 5863

Room 1 at House 5863

If you’re seeking the coziness of a B&B but yearn for privacy, Edgewater’s House5863 has a sleek, contemporary room waiting for you.  You might not even meet the proprietors who leave instructions for key retrieval upon your arrival.  With only five stylish rooms meant for two (some can accommodate more) and a set of shared spaces including the self-serve kitchen, this inn acts like a country home in the city.

Harvey House Bed and Breakfast
Known for exquisite furnishings and attention to detail, Oak Park’s Harvey House has a variety of rooms with luxury amenities.  If it’s available, check into the sophisticated Oak Park Suite, where Victorian style meets Frank Lloyd Wright.  You choose the time and location (ie in your room) for breakfast!

Welcome Inn Manor
Located in Bronzeville, the Welcome Inn Manor is just minutes away from the Mccormick Convention Center.  The suites in this beautifully decorated Romanesque Queen Ann home can accommodate individuals and families alike.  You can also set up free shuttle services to and from many of the city’s most popular destinations within 12 miles of the inn.

Suite at Villa D'Citta

Villa D’Citta
Hidden behind a greystone facade in Lincoln Park, Villa D’Citta offers guests Luxury furnishings with Italian style.  With several options for food in-house, this is a great destination for both romantic getaways and hectic business trips.  The entire mansion can be rented for family gatherings, complete with kitchen staff 365 days a year.