Happy. New. Year. 2023.
from Chicago!!!
Yes, a little different from the typical stories of visiting NYC over the New Year. Chicago did it well! You might want to think about giving it a chance.
My flight landed around 10 am so I took a quick uber to drop off my luggage at the Airbnb and then off to explore the city. I was in Chicago for 72hrs!!! I believe it was the perfect amount of time to see the city, be a tourist, and yet not spend too much money.
my itinerary,
New Year’s Eve:
1) Starbucks Reserve Roastery - only 6 in the world (New York, Seattle, Milano, Tokyo, Shanghai, and CHICAGO). Very interesting! The store has multiple levels. The 1st is merchandise, the 2nd is the bakery and coffee shop, the 3rd is experimental coffee, and lastly, the 4th floor is a bar that mixes coffee and alcohol. Get in line, order some food, grab a seat near the windows that overlook Michigan Ave, and enjoy the holiday buzz and cold.
646 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
2) explore Michigan Ave… the people, skyscrapers, stores, lights, cold air.
3) 360 Bar on the 94th floor of the John Hancock building- if you are going at New Year’s make sure you have bought tickets beforehand due to crazy crowds and available space. Off Michigan Ave, it is an easy walk. Side note: I was unable to make it to the top, but you should.
875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
***the Irish bars are the best in the city to enjoy the holiday festivities and kill time until the NEW YEAR.***
4) Navy Pier - enjoy the fireworks from the side path along the beachfront. The highway was packed with parked cars and everyone shouting the countdown. On the turn of the New Year- it was a blast of noise! Horns, sirens, fireworks, and people cheering all simultaneously.
It was a bit surreal. The 2023 New Year will be one I always remember!
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
New Year’s Day:
1)Tempo Cafe -open until 3 pm on New Year’s Day. This small cafe offered one of my favorite meals during the entire trip. Besides having the BEST omelets in the city; IT WAS DELICIOUS! Do not believe me, Yelp will show all.
6 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
2) If you walk to Millennium Park, you will not only walk off an amazing breakfast you can see a lot of the huge skyscrapers up close. Bring a coat, gloves, beanie, and scarf because it will be a little chilly. Millennium Park has ice skating during this time of year! This was probably one of my favorite things I looked forward to. Pro tip reserve the tickets beforehand, it was sold out the day of. Ice skate, touch the bean, and explore the park.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
3) THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC - locally recommended to us, my travel buddy and I found some amazing local deep-dish pizza. PEQUOD’S Pizza - reservations were needed but we were lucky and older than 21, so it was bar seating for us! The pizzas take about an hour to cook but you can not rush perfection.
2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
