Illinois- 2024

And When I’m Back in Chicagooooo-

Back to Chicago for another Collect-A-Con! One of the perks of being a business owner’s wife? Travel time! This was my second time visiting Illinois, but my husband’s first, so naturally, we did what tourists do best- eat, explore, and take way too many photos!

Chicago Food Staples: Portillo’s & Deep Dish

Our first stop? Portillo’s! You can’t visit Chicago without trying their legendary hot dogs and their famous chocolate cake shake- yes, they actually blend a whole slice of cake into the shake, and it’s as rich and indulgent as it sounds. Of course, we had to follow that up with some classic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s. Did you know they ship pizza around the US? Let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as too much pizza in this city and if I could ship it home, I would….and I think I am!

©️victoriaam

Exploring the City: The Classics

We spent some time driving through Chicago’s Theater District, soaking in the towering skyline, and making a stop at Navy Pier for some classic views of Lake Michigan. And, of course, no trip to Chicago is complete without a photo session at The Bean. Officially called Cloud Gate, this massive mirrored sculpture in Millennium Park is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Its seamless stainless steel surface reflects the skyline and creates some of the coolest distorted reflections- no wonder it’s always packed with people trying to get the perfect shot. We stopped at Smack Dab in the outerskirts for some delicious breakfast sandwiches.

©️victoriaam

Chicago Marathon & The Starbucks Reserve Experience

The weekend we were in town, the Chicago Marathon was happening, which meant a lot of the main roads were shut down. Once they reopened, we decided to check out the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which is the largest Starbucks in the world, spanning five floors. We figured it was the perfect place to finally try an espresso martini, something one of my best friends had been raving about.

Big mistake.

It was SO bitter that neither of us could finish it. And the worst part? We paid almost $40 for the three drinks and waited 45 minutes in line for them. Lesson learned that some things are better left to coffee lovers.

After that disappointment, we walked around the area and stumbled upon a cute Día de los Muertos store, which ended up being a fun little find. There was also a promotional Nike sign that made me emotional. I took a picture of it and added it below. The reason it made me emotional? I ran my first ever Half marathon a month prior which was the most mentally challenging thing I have ever done or trained for. The fact that I completed it was such an accomplishment so yes, a marathon did change my life!

©️victoriaam

From City to Countryside: Apple Picking at Jonamac Orchard

The next day, we met up with my uncle and drove west into farm country. Most people think of Chicago when they think of Illinois, but the reality is that the state is mostly farmland. Our destination? Jonamac Orchard in Malta, a family-run apple farm that had everything from apple picking and cider tastings to a massive corn maze.

We started off filling our backpacks with fresh apples, yes I said a backpacks because we came so late in the season that there wasn’t really apples to pick anymore - we scavenged and climbed for some at the top of the trees! Using my cousin as a flyer (cheerleading term) he was able to knock some of the remaining apples down to eat and fill the bags with. The real adventure, though, was the corn maze, where we got completely lost (as expected). We had cider samplers, shopped in the gift shop and Between the giant rocking chair for photos and the barn slides , this place was the perfect mix of fun for all ages.

©️victoriaam

Dinner at Pequod’s: More Deep Dish!

On the way back from the farm, we made one last food stop at Pequod’s, which is famous for its caramelized cheese crust on their deep-dish pizza. Unlike other Chicago deep-dish spots, Pequod’s bakes cheese along the edges of the pan, creating a crispy, flavorful crust that’s honestly next level. Definitely a solid way to wrap up our food adventures.

An Unexpected Find: The Leaning Tower of Niles

While driving around, we randomly came across something I had no idea even existed. The Leaning Tower of… Niles??? Yep, Illinois has its own version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and it’s half the height of the original, and funnily enough, in the 90s, Niles actually became sister cities with Pisa, Italy, because of it. Definitely not something we expected to see, but a cool and quirky little stop nonetheless!

A Quick but Packed Weekend!

Like most of our trips, this one was short but packed with adventure. Chicago never disappoints, and adding a little countryside escape made it even better.

Until next time, Illinois!