We got back from Chicago a couple days ago so I thought I would do a little trip recap, in case you have any plans on traveling there soon!

Need tips for traveling with your toddler or infant? See my tips HERE and HERE.

This Chicago trip was so fun and involved lots of family, good food, and trying new places!

We went to Chicago this past weekend to see my sister’s dance show that she choreographed and produced. Check out her website, Stefany Cotton Choreography, for more details on her upcoming shows and news! She is so talented and I am still in awe of how moving and touching her show was. Her dancers were incredible and truly inspiring!

Chicago is pretty easy to get around. We didn’t bring a car seat so we relied on the train the entire time and I was a little nervous, but it worked out fine! Most of the trains have elevators and if not, we were able to carry the stroller up the escalator.

Dominic did so well being a little city boy for the weekend. He loved being outside a lot and napping in the stroller!

WHERE WE STAYED:

We stayed at The Gray Hotel which is a Kimpton in Chicago. It’s a beautiful boutique hotel with tons of amenities. The hotel itself is stunning with gorgeous details throughout from unique light fixtures, to pretty tile, to fun wallpaper, to comfy beds!

They were so accommodating and brought us a pack and play for Dominic, although he never really slept in it, it was still really nice of them!

They have a couple of restaurants in the hotel as well as a bar. All beautiful and unique! I got a really good mocktail at their bar and it was so yummy! Boleo, which is on their highest floor is such a cool restaurant/bar. We never ate there, but the food seemed delish! We did have breakfast at their restaurant, Steadfast, one morning. It was so good and reasonably priced for being a hotel restaurant.

There is also a Starbucks conveniently located in the hotel which made things really easy for quick morning breakfasts!

WHERE WE ATE:

CROSBY’S KITCHEN: We have eaten here before, but it’s so yummy, we had to go back! Super family friendly and they have a kids menu. We went for lunch this time and all enjoyed some salads or burgers or sandwiches. Last time, we went for brunch and it was equally as delicious! Love a place that is good enough to go back to a second time!

BIG STAR: This is a taco, beer, whiskey restaurant and it is SO good! We were a large group and they were able to seat us outside. We all shared some nachos and each got our fave kind of tacos. So delish! The rest of my family enjoyed a pitcher of margaritas and I was told they were very good!

THE MARQ: This was super closeby to our hotel and was suggested to us by my sister. Glad she gave this recommendation because the food was incredible! The portions were good sizes, the service was so friendly, and they had a kids menu that included gourmet-esque food for the little ones. By gourmet-esque, I mean Dominic got a PB+J sandwich and it was a panini style sandwich with ciabatta bread!

COCHON VOLANT: We had breakfast here and it was amazing! It took me back to my study abroad time in Paris. I loved it! We all shared some breakfast pastries and bread to start. We could’ve stopped there, but we each got really yummy meals from omelettes to avocado toast to corn beef hash to a BLT. They were accommodating with Dominic and we were able to get some simple scrambled eggs for him and he also ate off or our plates! The decor really felt like a Parisian bistro!

BAR COCINA: Another Mexican place, but can you really go to too many taco joints on vacation?! I had another mocktail here and it was super good! Kind of like a moscow mule/margarita/sangria sans the alcohol! We all shared some chips and salsa (my weakness!) and then all got our own dinner. Lots of yummy shareable apps and tacos!

STEADFAST: This is the restaurant in the hotel and we had breakfast here one morning. I loved the decor in here! The breakfast options were really delish! We all enjoyed our meals, including Dominic who ate from all of us and his own meal!

WHAT WE DID:

We went to Chicago for my sister’s dance show, like I said, but we also had time to explore the city a bit. We have been here before so we didn’t do much touristy type things, but we did stop at The Bean to get some cute photos with Dom and so he could experience it for himself. He went to The Bean last year when we were in Chicago, but this year he could walk around and really explore it.

We did a little shopping in Southport and I found the cutest things for Dominic and his baby sister! I will link them below! We also picked up some new shoes for Dominic for Spring and Summer. I will also link them below.

We went to Maggie Daley Park which I would HIGHLY recommend if you have little ones. This park was amazing and nothing like I had ever seen before. It’s huge and has tons of areas for kids of all ages to play and climb and explore. Each area has labels for ages so you know where to play, but you can play anywhere. It’s very clean and an easy walk from The Bean with the prettiest city views. It was perfect for Dominic and all of us!

We did lots of walking around the city and just taking in the city life. Dom was a trooper and was so easy going. He would nap in the stroller while we were out and about. The restaurants were accommodating for kiddos which is great for when you’re traveling!

Overall, we loved our trip to Chicago! Getting to spend time with family is the best and we were all there to support my sister as she follows her dream! It was a fun weekend that went by too fast!

SHOP SOME OF OUR CHICAGO TRAVEL FAVES HERE:

Have you ever visited Chicago? What’s your favorite place to go?

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Thank you for stopping by the blog!

XO
-LA

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