So, I went to Chicago a couple weeks ago and it was the worst experience of my life! Don’t get me wrong, the city itself is so freaking amazing. I loved it. I hadn’t been to Chicago in about 7 years and I did all the touristy things all by myself. It was amazing!!!
The truth is, I learned a lot about myself on this trip. It gave me some time to reflect on what I want in life. It gave me time to grow up. It gave me time to experience things alone.
Here are some of the touristy things I did while in Chicago:
First, it is important that you find out where to go via google maps and take screenshots, because throughout a lot of the “L” there is not a lot of service so it can be easy to get lost within the train if you don’t know where to get off and where you are going.
*TIP* bring earphones so people don’t know that you are a tourist, so you can still hear the directions in your ear. (;
I walked around Wrigley Field. Walked around and inside Navy Pier, though did not go into the museum. I walked around The Loop [which is what I think is Chicago’s downtown area]. Walked through Millennium Park [aka where The Bean and the Crown Fountain are located]. Walked through the Lurie Garden & Grant Park. Went to the Water Tower Place [which is a huge 7 story mall, with everything imaginable]. Walked up and down Michigan Ave. Went to the Disney store and found some awesome Chicago Disney shirts. Walked by the Art Institute. Walked to Buckingham Fountain. Went to the Taste of Chicago [which is a really yummy festival where you can taste a whole bunch of food for a certain price and it was totally worth it]. Ate some deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s. Touched Lake Michigan at the North Shore Beach. Conquered my fear of heights at the Sears [Willis] Tower.
Things I learned:
– going on adventures alone is awesome, you don’t have to waste your time on something you don’t wanna do and you can do whatever you want, in the order you want it, however long you want it.
– Always. Carry. Pepper spray
– Starbucks is always a good choice if you need to use the bathroom, charge your phone, rest.
– Always carry cash, even if it’s just $20.
– The place to buy your ticket for the L can sometimes reject your card, ask one of the people who work there to help you.
– If you actually own a selfie stick, it is probably easier to use it than ask a stranger to take your photo, cuz sometimes it’s super annoying and they usually never take the photos how you want them.
– Bars close late in Chicago, like 4 am.
– Most people are really nice, especially when they know you’re from out of town.
– If you really wanna explore, bring some comfy shoes, and walk.
– The only person you can count on is yourself. Trust your gut.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
eliaprincess 