Illinois is the next stop on my 2019 road trip that is coming to a close. You can catch more of my travels here.
Lincoln Home National Park
Entering the Land of Lincoln, our first stop of course was the national park with the former president’s home. It’s always such a delight to take a walk through history and see how people lived in days of yore. I always love seeing the employees dressed in period clothing, aka historical cosplayers, to make the atmosphere more authentic.
Chicago, Illinois Round 2
This was my second time in the city, as I’d visited my friend in Chicago before. But last time had been winter, windy and freezing. This time we made it in the summer, so sweltering hot. But I’m from Florida, so a little heat doesn’t scare me.
We ran around the city eating and drinking our way around town as we caught up with old friends and became better acquainted with new ones. I even got a bit of a daydrink buzz from an excellent cider at a local bar. If you’re ever in Chicago, I recommend Lula Cafe for brunch. The place was filled to the rafters, so we knew we were in for a good meal. The food was delicious and the vibes were immaculate.
Architectural Riverboat Tour
While visiting our friend, we took an architectural riverboat tour. Even though I’ve never studied architecture or made any hobby of it, it always makes for great trip for me. Learning about the buildings tells another aspect of a destination’s story and how it has evolved.
Our riverboat tour came to a quick conclusion as storm clouds rolled in and left us seeking shelter at the pier’s indoor mall. We spent a good hour or so browsing tourist trinkets and finding more snacks to replenish us before we headed back to our Air B’n’B for the night. There, we somehow had the best Chinese food I’v ever had, but maybe it was the company that came with it.
Lagunitas Brewery
If I recall correctly, we may have stumbled onto the Lagunitas Brewery by accident. Or perhaps it’s one of those things the local had always wanted to visit but never did until her friends were in town. Whatever the case, we found ourselves there during our time in Illinois.
I will say, IPAs are not for me. But the tour and atmosphere still made the visit worthwhile. Seeing the process of how something gets made will always amaze me.
Even though I didn’t drink much, I loved the vibe they had going with their Sunday service. After your tour through the brewing process, they bring guests to a lounge with dim lighting and sofas scattered around. Everyone makes themselves comfortable while the host, our “preacher,” spreads the good word of IPAs like a church service. Perhaps some may find it sacrilege, but we were all vibing.
Chicago continues to make for a fun destination. I can’t wait to go back and explore more with my friends. What are your recommendations for a trip to Illinois?