Travel Post: Windy City Recharge with a Rock Legend
My tips for a Chicago getaway at the hip Viceroy Hotel with great shopping and fantastic food.
If you have followed my blog for any amount of time, you know Hunky Hubby and I love a long weekend getaway. There’s nothing like staying at a new hotel, exploring a city and feasting on fantastic food to recharge the batteries. It had been a minute since we had visited the Windy City, so when we found out one of our favorite musicians was going to be in concert last June, we jumped at the chance to go back.
We have seen Allison Krauss (27 time Grammy winner) a time or two, but now she is touring with none other than rock legend, Robert Plant. This is the second time, Krauss and Plant have released an album together and we were not going to miss the tour. The album is soulful, a bit melancholy, but feathers in Plants rock chops. My favorite songs are probably Price of Love and Can’t Let go .
The concert was at the Jay Pritzker amphitheater in Millennium Park. We were able to walk back to our hotel well past midnight feeling completely safe.
Shopping included a visit to the Ralph Lauren store for inspiration for the new barn we are building this summer’s well as a visit to the design district. Other shops we visited were the chic Veronica Beard, YSL and P.O.S.H.
We stayed at the luxurious, trendy and oh so charming, Viceroy Chicago. Little touches, likes the welcome bottle of Malbec, full size ROIL amenities and craft cocktail mixers were such a treat. There is a rooftop bar and pool with peekaboo views of Lake Michigan making it the perfect backdrop for a pre-concert cocktail and light bite. I highly recommend the Whiskey Sour.
I also love the Sofitel, one of my favorite chains. Their French press coffee and epic croissants make staying here a must. Both are well located close to dining and shopping.
For dinner we highly recommend Coco Pazzo– a 30 year old Italian restaurant serving branzino prepared table side and an affogato so good it inspired a post by me. Read it HERE. We had an incredible burger at Tavern on Rush just across from Gibson’s Steakhouse. There were loads of bistro tables, perfect for people watching. Chic Chicagoans know how to dress. With the Magnificent mile and other shops dotting the area, it’s no wonder these savvy Midwesterners look great. We may have done a little damage to the wallet at a few posh boutiques. I was in search of a new bag and cute summer sandals and Chicago shopping does not disappoint.
Hunky Hubby took me to Second City for a little laughter. We saw a great improv show- highly recommend.
- My Chicago Must Do List
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Chicago Art Institute
- Shopping “off” the Magnificent Mile- try Veronica Beard, YSL, Alive and Olivia, Frye
- Stan’s Donuts
- Al Fresco dining around Mariano Park
- Cocktails at Nico in the Thompson Hotel
- The Original Pancake House
- Museum of Modern Art
- Gibson’s Steaks
- Le Colonial
- Fireside cocktails at Luxbar
- Improv Show at Second City
Chicago is a great getaway city to visit. It is only a few hours by plane from almost anywhere in the country. I love that you can walk pretty much anywhere. The night life, food scene, museums and more make it a great romantic getaway anytime time of the year.
