Chicago Food, Activities, and Finances oh my!

Food, Food, and more Food!

Happy Wednesday!! We are halfway through the work week; you are almost there! If you’re like me, as soon as it hits Wednesday, I am already thinking about where I am going to brunch on Saturday, what coffee shop I am going to try on Sunday afternoon, and what fun activity I can do with my friends on Friday night. Well, good thing I have suggestions for all of these things and more in Chicago. In this blog post, I am going to cover some of the best brunch places in Chicago and some exciting activities you can get yourself into!

Nothing beats brunch on a Saturday, especially when the brunch consists of Strawberry Nutella pancakes and an iced matcha latte. I have to say, a large portion of my limited budget on my extended trip to Chicago was spent on brunch with friends, and ultimately I don’t regret it. Trying new brunch places every weekend gave me a chance to explore new parts of the city I may have not before! Ok, enough talking about how much I love brunch. I am going to pick my top 3 brunch picks in Chicago, especially for people on a budget.

  1. Wildberry Pancakes and Café
  • Wildberry Panackes and Café has to take spot number 1. This is simply because of how many options they have on their menu. Whether you are someone who only eats something small for breakfast or you are someone who loves a good big breakfast, everyone can find something they like. I will never forget how many banana Nutella pancake leftovers I had this past summer and I am not complaining about it!
  1. Pittsfield Café
  • Pittsfield Café takes spot number 2 because of the atmosphere and price! Walking into Pittsfield Café feels like taking a step back in time to your friendly neighborhood market. Not only is the service and atmosphere great, but so is the price. This is a great option for people traveling with a family!
  1. Miss Ricky’s
  • Miss Ricky’s is such a fun experience! Not only do you feel fancy when eating there, the food does not disappoint. Although this is more of a splurge moment, I would definitely say it is worth it. Keep your eyes open for an Instagram post coming later this week that features some delicious pancakes from Miss Ricky’s.

Activities for All

Now that we are full and happy (or maybe I just made you hungry), let’s move on to some of the best activities in Chicago!

  1. North Avenue Beach
  • Weather you want to relax on the beach, go for a swim in (chilly) water, or play beach volleyball, North Avenue is the perfect relaxing day activity.
  1. Architecture Tour
  • Although this is more of a financial commitment, it is totally worth it! Other than hanging out at North Avenue Beach, the architecture tour was one of my favorite things I did all summer. The tour guides are great and you can’t go wrong with any company. I learned so much about the history of Chicago through this tour!
  1. Starbucks Reserve Roastery
  • Where are my fellow coffee lovers at?? If you like coffee and/or Starbucks, don’t miss your chance to see a 3-story Starbucks roastery. I had one of the best coffees and croissants I have ever had here. One tip, get there early so the line doesn’t get too long!

These are just a couple of suggestions for your trip to Chicago. If you have any other questions or want additional information, feel free to fill out the “Contact Me” or “Make a Suggestion” section on my blog. Talk to you next week!