One Day in Chicago

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Morning: Sweet Start & Classic Chicago

  • Nutella Cafรฉ โ€“ 8:00 AM
    Start the day strong with Nutella-filled crรชpes, waffles, or a hazelnut latte.
    ๐Ÿ“189 N Michigan Ave
  • Millennium Park & The Bean (Cloud Gate)
    Snap iconic selfies, check out the Crown Fountain, and chill at Lurie Garden.
  • Maggie Daley Park (optional)
    Hit the whimsical playgrounds or just enjoy the city views.

Late Morning: Michigan Ave + Cookies

  • Stroll the Magnificent Mile
    Pop into Water Tower Place, Nordstrom, and maybe snag a Garrett Popcorn bag.
  • Crumbl Cookies (grab for later dessert!)
    ๐Ÿ“100 S State St or 530 N Lake Shore Dr

Afternoon: Scenic + Chill

  • Chicago Riverwalk
    One of the best parts of downtown. Walk along the water, grab a cold drink, people-watch, or hop into a riverside cafรฉ.
    Pro tip: Head west to east (from Franklin St to Lake Shore Drive) for the full experience.
  • Optional: Art Institute of Chicago if you have time and energy (or rain!).

Evening: Deep Dish + Skyline Views

  • DINNER: Lou Malnatiโ€™s โ€“ 7:00 PM Reservation
    Make this reservation a day in advance, especially in summer! Feast on buttery crust, gooey cheese, and rich tomato sauce.
    ๐Ÿ“Try the Gold Coast or River North location for easy access from the Riverwalk.
  • Sunset Architecture Boat Tour
    Book ahead! The golden hour cruise shows off Chicagoโ€™s world-famous skyline and architecture from the water.
    Try Shoreline Sightseeing or Chicagoโ€™s First Lady Cruises.

Nightcap Walk

  • Stroll slowly back through the twinkling city lights
  • Finish with your saved Crumbl Cookie back at your hotel (or eat it on the pierโ€”we won’t tell)

Tips:

  • โœ… Make Lou Malnatiโ€™s reservation the day before
  • โœ… Book boat tour tickets in advance (especially for evening rides)
  • โœ… Wear comfy shoes, bring a refillable water bottle + portable phone charger
  • โœ… Be prepared for a mix of sun, wind, and maybe a surprise thunderstorm!

Oh hi there ๐Ÿ‘‹
Itโ€™s nice to meet you.

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โ— About Me

Iโ€™m Steph, the creator and author behind this blog. Iโ€™m also a wife, mom, chaos coordinator, snack provider, and occasional laundry wrangler. This is my corner of the internet where life is messy, mornings are rushed, and grace is always required, sometimes for myself, sometimes for everyone else. Here, I share the everyday, the unexpected, and the perfectly imperfect moments that make life a little more real and a lot more fun.

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