Photo: Getty Images
With bachelorette parties evolving from one fun night on the local town to long weekend destination celebrations, one of the hotspots to head to is Chicago. With tons to do, see and eat (and places to party at every turn) grab your besties and head on over to Chi-town for a weekend to remember.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Palomar
Where to Stay
Being the great, sprawling city it is, there are countless places to stay that will enhance your bachelorette weekend. If you want to stay in close proximity to The Loop but want a little distance from the most crowded sites, the Hotel Palomar is a great option. It has a salt water pool on the roof (weather permitting!), and a wine hour from 5-6 PM for all guests — what better way to kick off your evenings?
Where to Eat
There’s no question about it: Chicago is one of the country’s best cities for eating and drinking. Regardless of where you’re staying or what area you’re in at the time of each meal, there will be a bevy of amazing options for your group.
Breakfast and Brunch: Checking out Millennium Park is a great way to kick off a beautiful Chicago day, and if so, Wildberry Pancakes and Café might be your best bet for a convenient yet yummy breakfast. Don’t let the name fool you; they’ve got a number of amazing egg and skillet dishes that are among the best in the area. For a more adventurous breakfast, Little Goat Diner in West Loop will do the trick. Try something different, like Crumpets with Chorizo Maple Syrup, or the aptly-named Kimchee & Bacon & Eggs & Pancakes Asian Style Breakfast Tasty Thingy.
Photo: Courtesy of The Purple Pig
Lunch: If you’re not grabbing a hot dog, pretzel and beer at Wrigley Field for a Cubs game (which you should definitely do!), try The Purple Pig — perhaps the best restaurant on The Magnificent Mile. It’s worth getting a reservation far in advance and grabbing a seat on the patio. The small-plate style means you won’t have to worry about filling up too much during the day. The many cheeses and cured meats are perfect for group sharing, and go great with with anything off the deep menu of wines.
Dinner: If you have two or three nights in town, you’ll want to mix up what types of restaurants you go to each night. Chicago is known for its great steakhouses: try and snag a reservation for Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse. Keep your eyes peeled — you may catch a celeb or two while enjoying a top-flight dinner. If you’re looking for Italian, Piccolo Sogno has you covered with great homemade pastas on one of the city’s best outdoor patios if the season is right. And what’s a trip to Chicago without deep dish pizza? For those of you used to New York-style thin crust, Chicago-style might feel like an entirely different food altogether. But that doesn’t mean it’s not amazing! Try Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, Gino’s North, or Pequod’s.
Photo: Getty Images
What to Do
What not to do? An extended weekend in Chicago isn’t nearly enough to do and see everything, so you’ll have to schedule some time to go back — with your new spouse, perhaps? But here are a few key suggestions:
Take a Boat Tour: There are a number of companies that run boat tours on the Chicago River (a booze cruise may suit your group well as a pregame for the night ahead). It’s a cant-miss and worth the cost. Chicago has one of the great skylines of the world, and you’ll get to see many of the amazing structures up close while cruising through the heart of the city. It’s a must.
See More: The 4 Hottest Bachelorette Party Destinations for 2017
Catch a Cubs Game: Even if you’re not a big baseball fan, Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country, and is located right in the heart of the wild and fun Wrigleyville neighborhood. It’s a party before, during, and after every Cubs home game, one you want to partake in if you can.
Get Some Sun on the Beach: If the weather permits, head over to the shores of Lake Michigan. Chicago has a number of beautiful beaches to catch some rays on, especially North Ave. Beach and Oak Street Beach. (Bonus points for cute bridal party bikinis and tumblers, obviously!)