We arrived Friday night and had some late-night snacks and drinks (and here I never thought I would get to use the word 'mocktail' in my life) in the gorgeous lobby of our hotel.
swank lobby ceiling.
I learned this after we got home (thanks Google!) but apparently there are 21 paintings on the ceiling of the Palmer House lobby, designed and created by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. The man who helped restore the Sistine Chapel – Lido Lippi – also restored the lobby ceiling in 1996.
The whole hotel is stunning- we didn't even get to explore the whole thing but I did become kind of obsessed with these massive, bronze doors which were apparently designed and built by Tiffany.
hotel room
On Saturday morning we kicked off our touristy weekend with an Architecture Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady. We learned about the history and design of many of Chicago's most recognizable buildings.
boarding the cruise
David and Becky's fav buildings, the Marina City Buildings. All the apartments are shaped like a piece of pie.
One of many touristy pictures from the weekend
Architecture cruise sites
Architecture cruise sites
Architecture cruise sites
Then it was off to lunch at Doug's Dogs. Also known as "The Encased Meats Emporium and Sausage Superstore" this was David's one request for the whole weekend and it did not disappoint. Check out our dogs (and duck fat fries).
The men and their 'food babies'
Aaron and his dog
After lunch we headed back downtown and had drinks at The Signature Room at the top of the John Hancock Building. It had really amazing views of the whole city and some delicious hot chocolate!
great views and good friends
We had tapas for dinner at Mercat a la Planxa and then dessert at Rick and Shannon's place that night. Getting home was a bit of a challenge as snagging a cab on Halloween is no easy feat- but we did it!
On Sunday we hit up some more of Chicago's touristy-must-do's including the Bean, Michigan Avenue Shopping, Garrett's Popcorn, Navy Pier and deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. We checked out Brian's new apartment and had a really incredible dinner at Boka that night.
Yet another touristy pic- Chicago's famous bean
Garrett's popcorn just off Michigan Avenue
Navy Pier
Navy Pier cuteness
Getting some authentic deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's
On Monday we got some culture at the Art Institute of Chicago and dug into some Italian Beef sandwiches at Portillo's before heading back home.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Seated Buddah
American Gothic
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
Nighthawks
Italian beef sandwiches at Portillos.... yum!
It was a fabulous weekend. We did a lot of walking but I made sure to take it easy when I felt tired. The weather was really great and I even saw a few celebs along the way. Except for Thanksgiving and an upcoming family Bat-Mitzvah, this was the last real trip away before baby. I'm trying to enjoy these moments because I know it will never be the two of us again.
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