As a parent, I’ve always been eager to take my kids to new places, to expand their horizons and show them new and interesting places. But, sometimes, after doing that, we adults need a little vacation after the vacation – a time less occupied with mediating arguments about who gets the window seat, trying to find kid-friendly restaurants and carrying ever-heavier kids on my shoulders.
Nearby Chicago is the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway filled with, well, whatever you want, even if what you want is not a whole lot of planning, but just time to relax.
Here are some suggested steps...
1. Let Amtrak drive
Save on stress and potential traffic and parking headaches by letting Amtrak do the work. You can park for less than $10 a day at the Intermodal Station Downtown or at the station near Mitchell International. The Hiawatha drops you right near the Willis Tower in downtown Chicago. Easy. And this summer, kids ride free on Hiawatha.
2. Find a good home base
I love a beautiful Daniel Burnham building – I work in one in Milwaukee and I've stayed in one (now two) Burnham-designed buildings that are currently hotels in Chicago. The JW Marriott – a block from the Willis Tower and a five-minute walk to State Street shopping and The Art Institute – is large and stunning, with a helpful staff and great amenities, including a spa (see below), top-notch workout room, relaxing lobby lounge and a fine Italian restaurant (see below). What that all means is that if your idea of being pampered is rarely stepping outside, this is the perfect place to stay.
3. Make no big plans
OK, I know it's the city of big shoulders and Daniel Burnham told us to do just the opposite, but fight the urge to micro-manage and plan, like you did with that family trip. Set up the bare bones and let the rest happen. Go where you want, do what you want. We were content to wander, shop a little and stop in at The Art Institute on a whim, to see the "Van Gogh's Bedroom" show (hurry, it closes May 10!).
4. Enjoy a relaxing dinner
I'd dined at The Florentine before and so I knew what to expect: dimly lit ambience, an engaging wine list (the Negri nebbiolo, seriously), creative cocktails and some stellar rustic, yet elegant Italian food, like the scrumptious lamb chops you see here. The calamari is incredible and the halibut sublime. On both occasions the service was amiable and attentive. Snuggle into a half-moon shaped booth for maximum romantic getaway vibe.
5. Have a night cap
Step out into the Windy City evening for a night cap with the skyline before you. One of the best places to do that is at the Big Bar in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The bar is one of the longest you've likely encountered and the list of cocktails is fun. Remind yourself of home by ordering a citrus-laced Frank Lloyd Wright, with Hendricks gin, lemon, soda and the ginger spice of Domaine de Canton.
6. Pamper yourself
You can often do this without stepping outside. For example, at our hotel, the Spa at JW Chicago is a relaxing escape from just about everything, with a whirlpool, swimming pool, steam room, sauna and a wide range of services – I'm partial to massages myself, which feels luxurious but also therapeutic for the old guy runner in me. The spa and hotel also offer some interesting packages and some creative services, like the Cinderella-inspired treatment packages created with the Joffrey Ballet.
7. Liquid lunch
Nothing says, "I'm off the clock" like a liquid lunch and there's no place better in Downtown Chicago than Cindy's, which has pretty much everything going for it. It's on the roof, which means incredible views of Grant Park and the lake, with a bit of skyline, too, and when the weather is good ... amazing. It's in the Chicago Athletic Association building, modeled after a Venetian palazzo, that is simply gorgeous. The beautiful lobby will cause your jaw to drop. The cocktail, wine and beer list is interesting and fun, and the food is really, really good. Our pancakes were about the best we've had in a long time. There's a variety of seating, but all of it makes you feel like you're hanging out on a porch or patio with your friends.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
