Last weekend, my best friends and I spent the day in the city and suburbs of Chicago. Chicago is roughly a 2.5 hour drive from my home town. We spent the day eating delicious Chicago classics, catching up, and visiting famous landmarks. Come along on my adventure in the third largest city in the United States!
Suburbs of Chicago
Our day started in the village of La Grange, which is a suburb of Chicago, to visit one of my best friends. This quaint community is a thirty minute train ride from downtown making it the perfect location for residents looking to escape the busy city environment and grow with their family. The village of La Grange consists of coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and several popular festivals.
For breakfast, we stopped into Owl & Lark juice and coffee bar for a wholesome smoothie bowl and rich cold brew coffee. The artistic elements and welcoming environment delivered nutritious, high-quality food and beverages. I ordered an iced caramel cold brew with oat milk and a peanut butter smoothie bowl.
Downtown Chicago
After a thirty minute train ride into the city from La Grange, we arrived at Union Station. Walking the busy streets of the city and looking out over the water at the beautiful high rises was a unique experience. We visited several popular landmarks throughout the city: the Bean, Millennium Park, and Willis Tower. My favorite place in the entire city had to be the Riverwalk!
For lunch, we found Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company for their creatively topped thin-crust pizzas. We ordered two pizzas, Cup & Char Pepperoni and Cali Italia. One of their best sellers is the Cup & Char is a classic pie with pepperoni and red sauce. My favorite was the Cali Italia with an assortment of cheeses, prosciutto, and topped with balsamic glaze. Additionally, my friends and I could not resist the bottomless mimosas!
Back to the Suburbs
Exhausted from a long day of walking and sightseeing, we settled back into the suburbs of Chicago in Clarendon Hills. Similarly to La Grange, Clarendon Hills is another small community with shops, restaurants, and bars located forty-five minutes by train outside of the city.
For dinner, we made reservations at IL Mio Italian Restaurant. Italian food is my favorite cuisine and this place was the perfect spot to unwind with my best friends. I ordered the Burrata Wedge salad, but substituted the bleu cheese for ranch dressing and added grilled chicken. The bright, eclectic atmosphere and relaxing outdoor patio made for a relaxing evening sipping cocktails with my friends!
*I would highly suggest making reservations at every restaurant to eliminate the long wait times.*
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