Kristin & Zachary
Things To Do
Cubs Game!
It's true, we are a house divided (Kristin was raised a Cubs fan, Zach a Sox fan), but there's nothing like a summertime game at the historic Wrigley Field. The Cubs will be playing the Giants all weekend at 1:20PM Saturday and Sunday, if you want to get tickets and make a day of it!
Green City Market Lincoln Park
We have spent so many early Saturday mornings "city hiking" throughout all of the lakeside parks, ending at Green City Market. Make sure you go with an appetite - they have amazing fresh-from-the-farm fruit smoothies, French raclette sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie purveyors, and more. Bring a blanket and make a picnic of it.
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Absolutely beautiful, Shakespearean garden and conservatory right next to the (free) Lincoln Park zoo. It's Kristin's favorite stop on our lakeside "city hikes."
Waveland Field House & Carrillion
We love to spend time by the lake, whether it's hanging out by Belmont Harbor, or sitting on the waterfront walkways. This is a great place to start your waterfront excursions - there are bike rentals, boat rentals, a golf course, even a bar & grill. Kristin brings Penny here often when it's warm, so she can bark at the water.
Half Acre Beer Co Balmoral Tap Room & Garden
We live near what the city has now dubbed Malt Row: the most diverse brewing district in Chicago, with over 10 different breweries on a 2 mile stretch. On summertime Sundays, we like to hop on city scooters and ride around the area, always making sure to stop here. It has the best outdoor beer garden out of them all.
Glenn's Diner
The best, down-home, mom-and-pop seafood restaurant where Zach took Kristin for Alaskan crab, after which he told her he loved her.
The Warbler
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant to take all of our visiting friends and family. It has something for everyone on the menu, multiple patios, great wine and really nice servers.
Lula Cafe
Kristin (and her mom's) favorite restaurant, in her favorite neighborhood, Logan Square - down the street from her favorite apartment she lived in during her 20s. Again, it has something for everyone. Nobody hates Lula Cafe. Amazing brunch, lunch or dinner.
Estereo
This is our favorite warm-weather bar in the city. Latin-inspired music and cocktails; reminds us of Tulum and summertime weekends.
Momotaro
If you like sushi, ramen and/or Japanese robata, this place is it. We went here during our 2-year anniversary staycation, and the food almost made us cry, it's so good. We try to go back once a year.
Soho House Chicago
This is a very fun place to go for cocktails, or stay if you're able, smack dab in the middle of Restaurant Row in West Loop, the hottest dining district in Chicago. We've stayed here a few times and we go back every chance we get, even if it's just for an Eastern Standard cocktail in the lobby.