Kat & Danny
Things To Do
Cloud Gate aka "The Bean"
A tourist staple! Check out this public sculpture and stroll through Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park after.
Cindy's Rooftop
Cindy's is right by Millennium Park and the Bean and is a beautiful and popular rooftop with a view of the Bean and Millennium Park. Be prepared to wait, but the view is gorgeous on a clear Chicago day.
The Signature Lounge at the 96th®
If you're looking for one of the best views in the city, here's your spot. Instead of paying $26 to go to the Skydeck at the Willis (Sears) Tower, get yourself a drink and a window seat. We recommend heading here an hour or so before the sun goes down so you can watch the sunset from 96 floors up! 21+
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo will always hold a special place in our hearts because it's where we got engaged. Danny proposed at Carlson Cottage, right next to Cafe Brauer. We also went on one of our first dates here to check out the Zoo Lights in December 2017. It is a beautiful area to explore and free and open to the public.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
If you're interested in Chicago deep dish, we recommend Lou Malnati's and there's one right down the street from our hotel blocks!
Piece Brewery
This is for our thin crust fans! One our favorite pizza places in Chicago. We recommend the honey butter fried chicken pizza.
Au Cheval
If you're willing to wait, Au Cheval has one of the best burgers. Order one of their single (or double) burgers but don't forget the egg (hence Au Cheval) and thick cut bacon. They don't take reservations so we recommend going early and putting your name in. While you wait, grab drinks at Lone Wolf right next door.
The Hampton Social
Brunch is an essential part of the Chicago experience, here's a good spot for your best instagrammable posts.
etta- River North
Brunch is an essential part of the Chicago experience, here's one of our favorite spots! P.S. there are 2 locations, so be sure to check out the River North one if you're staying downtown!
Flight Club Chicago
If you're a darts fan, like Danny, this is a great spot to check out.
City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk
When it's nice out, this is always a great place to grab some wine with friends and listen to music.
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
We love breweries so we're sharing a few of our favorites. Maplewood is small, but has great beer, especially for those IPA fans.
District Brew Yards
District Brew Yards has a variety of beers and ciders from four local breweries. This isn't far from our wedding venue, the Walden!
Sweet Mandy B's
For our dessert lovers, this is a must! We highly recommend the snicker doodle cupcakes and Oreo cheesecake but you really can’t go wrong with any choices!
Three Dots and a Dash
This is a very fun cocktail bar in River North! Only a 10-15 minute walk or 5 minute uber from our hotel blocks.
Chicago Q
If you’re a fan of BBQ, this is the brunch spot for you. Danny recommends the chicken and waffles, Kat is a fan of the Benedict Flight!
Blue Door Kitchen & Garden
This patio is the best for a summer brunch spot! Kat says, “don’t sleep on the Brussels and Kale salad!”
Guaranteed Rate Field
Often called the happiest place on Earth. Only 81 opportunities to go each year is never enough for Kat.
Doc B's Restaurant + Bar (River North)
Just one block from the Gwen, a great American bistro spot. Danny and Kat are big fans of their chicken sandwiches, but you definitely can't do wrong with any meal choice.
Parlor Pizza Bar River North
It may seem like we are recommending a lot of pizza places...and you would be right! Chicago is known for it's pizza and Parlor is no exception. The neopolitan inspired pizza is incredible, we love the "Burrata Be Kidding Me," "Honey Boo Boo," and "Save the Last Ranch" pizzas best. They also do pitchers of their draft cocktails, sangria fans rejoice! There are three locations: Wicker Park, West Loop, and River North but the River North location is closest.
JoJo's Shake Bar
Ice cream fans-- here's a spot for you! JoJo's Shake Bar is a great spot for your post dinner treat. They do serve food, but we see this as more of a dessert lovers paradise.
Chicago's First Lady Cruises
Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers visitors the city’s most engaging architectural tour experience. Highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides) provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago's numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city. "One of the coolest ways to see the city of Chicago, and who doesn't love a boat in the summer?" - Kat