Amanda & Christopher
Chicago Recs
Architecture Boat Tour - Wendella Cruises
There are several options for boating down the Chicago River. Multiple companies offer a comprehensive Architecture Cruise that guides you along the various branches of the river and even our to the lake. Personally, we recommend the 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise from Wendella.
Roam Wrigleyville & see the Federal Landmark
Sadly the Cubs are out of town during our wedding weekend, but there's still tons to see and experience in Wrigleyville. Clark street offers a wide variety of huge sports bars (Sluggers stands out the most with dueling pianos AND indoor batting cages all at the same bar) and a growing selection of great restaurants (Big Star Tacos, Swift & Sons Tavern, Smoke Daddy BBQ, Small Cheval).
Time Out Market Chicago
Time Out Market offers a food hall offering an extensive selection of food, sweets, and drinks. There's both a rooftop and a large front patio to enjoy a spring Chicago day.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Have your very own Ferris Bueller moment. The Art Institute offers a wide array of collections spanning centuries and the globe. Bonus: the museum is featuring a special VAN GOGH AND THE AVANT-GARDE exhibition that will be running through our wedding weekend.
Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago River Walk spans much of the West to East branch of the Chicago River. Enter along a variety of stairways (and elevators) along the E. Wacker // W. Wacker side of the River and explore several restaurants and bars that will let you perch right up to the water (check out Tiny Tap, City Winery (NO relation to our wedding venue - Chicago Winery), Chicago Brewhouse, Sweet Home Gelato, and more!)
The Second City Theater
Check out where some of the comedy greats got their start. The Second City is the oldest ongoing improv theater to be continually based in Chicago. For the best experience, see a show on the Main Stage or the e.t.c at the theater that produced names like Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eugene Levy, Chris Farley, Steve Carell, Jordan Peele, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Cecily Strong, and many others.
West Loop & Fulton Market Restaurants
The West Loop and Fulton Market Neighborhoods have an endless selection of amazing restaurants to choose from, below is a list of some we love (consider making a reservation at many of these to ensure you can avoid a wait): Restaurants: Au Cheval - Best Burgers in Chicago, make sure to show up early and put your name down Girl & the Goat - Top Chef Stephanie Izard's innovative plates concept Sushi Dokku & Booze Box - great sushi with an underground Izakaya style speakeasy Green Street Smoked Meats - delicious BBQ counter in a large beer hall JP Graziano - a staple for Italian Deli style sandwiches Trivoli Tavern - American tavern serving delicious pastas, steaks, oysters and more Cabra - a Peruvian style concept from Stephanie Izard on the roof of The Hoxton hotel Ramen Takeya - a favorite of ours, they offer delicious ramen and bao buns The Publican - German style beer hall serving farmhouse fare great for brunch and dinner Aba - rooftop Mediterranean
Gold Coast Restaurants
Gold Coast features some great dining and shopping options & is conveniently where our hotel block, The Thompson, is located. It sits just west of Lake Michigan. Below is a list of places we love: Gold Coast Restaurants: Nico Osteria - great Italian restaurant located in The Thompson Lou Malnati's - (depending on which one of us you ask) this is a Chicago classic, offering the best deep dish in the city Le Colonial - delicious, elevated Vietnamese Gibsons / Hugo's/ Maple & Ash - three steakhouse restaurants both within the same two block radius Aster Hall - located in 900 N. Michigan, this food hall offers a variety of options in a more casual setting Chicago Q - souther BBQ, great for brunch or dinner! Tempo Cafe - laidback diner option, great for breakfast if you don't mind a bit of a wait Small Cheval - a bit further away in Old Town, this is Au Cheval's casual concept where you can get a delicious burger and several other "hidden menu" options