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In August, Lisa and I went to a wedding in Chicago. After not having been to Lisa’s hometown for nearly 2 years, I can enthusiastically tell you that the city never looked better. We had a spacious corner suite on the 19th floor of The Pendry, an art-deco wonder originally built in 1929 as the Carbon and Carbide Building. Out our hotel window, we could view the faces seen on the Crown Fountain Video Sculpture at Millennium Park. We loved our breakfasts at the French Brasserie-style Venteux in the morning, before wandering over to the RiverWalk and the Lake Michigan shoreline to see arguably the best collection of architectural wonders in the country. We relished the opportunity to grab one of the city bikes and pedal along the shoreline, only to look up in awe at the 110-story Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the vast assortment of skyscrapers surrounding the building. A remarkable sight. We would bike all the way out to Lincoln Park to have lunch with Lisa’s Uncle Wally and Cousin Jenny, then bike back in the glorious sunshine, only enhanced by the vast waters and crowded beaches by our side.
It was fun looking back on my favorite travel days in 2023. Hope to have many more in 2024. Our job at ActiveTravels is to create lasting memories for you and your loved ones. Let us know how we can help!
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Chicago has so many exciting cultural events happening in 2022 we don’t know where to begin. Let’s start with the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre, which in March presents the world premiere of King James, a play by ensemble member Rajiv Joseph that explores basketball star LeBron James’ impact on Cleveland through the eyes of two young sports fans. In April, comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia arrives for a four-week run of his new solo show, The Old Man and the Pool, collecting humorous (and serious) tales about life, death and a YMCA pool. May brings two blockbuster art openings, a retrospective of Chicago artist Nick Cave called “Forothremore,” which will bring the artist’s distinctive Soundsuits and an expansive installation of kinetic spinners to the Museum of Contemporary Art on May 14. Fans of post-Impressionist paintings will want to see the Art Institute’s new exhibition devoted to French artist Paul Cezanne, which goes on display May 15.
Stay just off Michigan Avenue, at the relatively new Virgin Chicago or wait until August to stay in the 3rd tallest building in town, a mere 101 stories tall, soon home to the St. Regis. Dine on sublime deep-dish pizza at the longtime family favorite, Lou Malnati’s, or splurge for a memorable meal at chef Grant Aschatz’s Alinea in Lincoln Park. In late summer, be on the lookout for Le Select on North Wells, the latest from Boka Restaurant Group, the company that’s worked with renowned chefs like Stephanie Izard at Girl & the Goat. They’re opening a French bistro with Daniel Rose at the helm. Rose will still run his other project, Le Coucou in New York, the 2017 James Beard winner for Best New Restaurant.
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Whether it’s viewing the exotic proteas in bloom at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town or sniffing and touching my way through the many herbs at Montreal Botanical Garden’s Courtyard of the Senses, botanical gardens and arboretums have figured prominently in my travel writing over the years. Even when I have no assignment, I’ll happily visit the nearby New York Botanical Garden or Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, two of the finest getaways in the northeast. Even more so this year, when we finally gathered the courage to leave our houses and venture outdoors, only to be embraced by a sea of color, fresh air, and serenity. After driving 16 hours from Boston to Chicago to see Lisa’s mom, Fran, we spent the entirety of the next morning strolling almost every path of the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. It’s a retreat we know well since Fran lives in nearby in Lincolnwood and rarely have we missed a chance to visit when in the area. But it felt especially like a salubrious retreat this summer, to see all the flowers in bloom, walk the meditative Japanese Garden surrounded by water, and breathe deeply. On our drive back from Chicago, we stopped about 30 minutes east of Cleveland to wisely spend several hours at the Holden Arboretum. We were surprised to find a canopy walk, high above the treetops, not unlike one you would find in Costa Rica. We also met artist Patrick Dougherty as he created three of his whimsical Stickwork sculptures from the maze of twisted willow branches. When I think back on the limited travel we did this summer, this will certainly be one of the highlights.
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