Ella & Alex
Things To Do
Lincoln Park Zoo
It's free!
Quartino Ristorante
Great food, cheap wine and a fun, buzzy atmosphere. We celebrate EVERYTHING here - even if we're just raising a glass to the end of the week.
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
This is one of the highest rated tours of the city. It's worthwhile even if you're not an architecture buff.
Parson's Chicken & Fish
Our favorite place for fried chicken, negroni slushies and patio hangouts!
Millennium Park
A Chicago tourism staple - if you haven't been yet, go!
Cindy's Rooftop
While you're at Millennium Park, head across the street to Cindy's (in the Chicago Athletic Association) to enjoy the view from above with a cool drink in hand!
Oak Street Beach
Oak Street Beach is steps away from our hotels. It's a great place to catch some rays, people watch, or head out for a run on the path that hugs Lakeshore Drive.
Chicago q
Go for the complimentary BBQ potato chips and sweet pickles, stay for the excellent food and Bloody Marys.
Wrigley Field
It's Crosstown Classic weekend and the Cubs will be playing the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field (formerly US Cellular, formerly Comiskey) but you can still check out the game at the updated Wrigley Field. If you haven't been to Wrigleyville in a while, it looks like a different neighborhood with new restaurants and events serving up some much-needed class.
Blue Door Kitchen & Garden
Farm-to-table Southern fare in a charming coach house with an even more charming garden.
Guaranteed Rate Field
Check out the Crosstown Classic! The White Sox host the Cubs at 3:10pm on Friday and 1:10pm on Sunday (they also play Saturday at 6:10pm but you have plans that day, right?).
Girl & The Goat
Start looking for reservations now, as this one fills up quickly (Pro tip: the bar is open seating and serves the full menu). Make sure you try the shishito peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, anything with goat and any of the daily breads. Or just make it easy and order the menu - you can't go wrong.
The Violet Hour
Solid cocktails and a very cool vibe at this speakeasy-inspired bar. Our favorite move? Grab a drink here then head across the street for tacos on the patio at Big Star.
Big Star
Some of the best tacos in the city with a very cool vibe.
Begyle Brewing Company
Beer fan? Kick off a tour of Malt Row at Begyle Brewery and then check out what the rest of the neighborhood has on offer! The Ravenswood Corridor has been dubbed "Chicago's most diverse beer destination" and it certainly won't disappoint (we recommend this as a Friday or Sunday activity so you can, you know, remember our wedding!). :)
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Yes, you can get Jani’s almost everywhere now but Jeni Britton Bauer is a mastermind of ice cream so you should go anyway. Listen to her episode of “How I Made This” and then get yourself a scoop of Cream Puff and/or World’s Best Dark Chocolate and/or Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks and/or Salted Caramel and/or Wildberry Lavender and/or Bangkok Spicy Peanut and/or ...