I decided to go to Chicago as a trip for my birthday for a couple of reasons…..One, a restaurant that I have wanted to eat at for about 20 years is there. I’m talking about Alinea, led by Chef Grant Achatz, which has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler, the Best Restaurant in North America by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the Best Restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet and Business Insider. It is one of only 14 restaurants in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars. The second reason was that my brother lives in western Pennsylvania and he was willing to drive to Chicago to meet us. While we didn’t take our kids on this trip, we packed as much eating and sightseeing into our trip as we could — and most of what we did would be perfect for families to do together. Here in 3 parts is a run-down of what activities we did over three days in Chicago. Click to read part 1, part 3, and part 4.
Day Two
We woke up Wednesday morning feeling a bit more adjusted to the city’s rhythm. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery across the street from our hotel, the historic Warwick Allerton, was an easy place to start our day. This wasn’t just any Starbucks — the multi-level (5 stories!) space was impressive, with coffee roasting equipment on display and an array of exclusive blends.
Just one of five floors at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
Our main destination for the day was The Shedd Aquarium. Take my advice and purchase tickets online ahead of time. We didn’t do this and when we got there we saw a very long line and started to panic that maybe we wouldn’t get to enter. We were successfully able to purchase tickets while waiting in line for the next timed entry that only ended up being 10 minutes out, but I think on a busier day it could easily fill up and then your plan for your day could be messed up. We were trying to get in on a Wednesday and it was crowded, so I can only imagine that on a weekend it would be essential to have tickets ahead of time.
There was so much to see, from dolphins to otters to tanks filled with all sorts of fish and sea life representing habitats from all over the world. But it was the beluga exhibit that truly captivated me. These ghostly white whales moved with such grace, their intelligent eyes seeming to study us as much as we studied them. I could have watched them for hours, mesmerized by their gentle movements and occasional vocalizations. At one point, a beluga swam up into the corner of the viewing window and seemed like it was trying to hide there, almost as if it was playing hide and seek with the children who were watching it. We got to sit in on a session with the beluga trainers and watched them swim and do some tricks. I kept thinking that it didn’t seem fair for the belugas to be in captivity, but at the same time, I was grateful for the chance to see them up close and learn more about them.
The belugas have a large tank and the staff put on shows to help people learn about them.
After exploring the aquarium’s many exhibits, from colorful tropical fish to playful otters, we found ourselves craving more of Chicago’s famous pizza. We wanted to check out Giordano’s, determined to compare styles. To save time, we took a pedicab from The Shedd to downtown near Giordano’s, which was about a mile. It saved us some time and it was fun, but it cost more than we expected.Our driver said he gave us a “deal” of $15 per person so it cost us $45.
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At Giordano’s, we ordered both their deep dish and tavern-style pizzas. The deep dish was a cheese-laden, sauce-topped behemoth that required a knife and fork to eat. In contrast, the tavern-style had a thin, crispy crust with a generous layer of cheese, cut into squares. It was fascinating to taste the difference and debate which style we preferred. I still prefer the deep dish!
The spinach tavern-style pizza from Giordano’s.
We tried not to eat too much but it was hard to stop when the pizza was so good. We waddled back to the hotel to change for our evening plans. Tonight was the highlight of our culinary adventure — dinner at Alinea. I’d heard so much about this three-Michelin-starred restaurant and its innovative approach to cuisine that I couldn’t wait and I didn’t want anything to go wrong.
From the moment we stepped through the door, it was clear this would be no ordinary meal. Each course was a work of art, challenging our perceptions of what food could be. There were dishes that looked like one thing but tasted like another, flavors that seemed to transform on our tongues, and presentations that were nothing short of theatrical. One course even involved the chef creating an abstract painting on our table, which then became part of the dish. The meal was not just about eating; it was a full sensory experience that left us in awe.
Ready for the meal of our lives as we wait for the service of the first course at Alinea. The fire down the center of the table warmed carrots which were hanging above it. The carrots were filled with strawberry jam, although they seemed whole. We were served strawberry tomato soup with edible flowers. A chocolate was pinned on the rose at each setting.
After dinner, we were all feeling the effects of the day’s adventures and the multi-course extravaganza. My brother, ever the night owl, was keen to explore more of Chicago’s nightlife. But we were stuffed and exhausted. We bid goodnight, knowing he’d be heading out early the next morning. We were on our own for the next day of exploring.
If you are interested in doing the sightseeing activities such as a river tour, The Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and other iconic activities in Chicago, check out CityPass for discounted admission to your choice of these destinations.
Outside the Warwick-Allerton hotel, waiting for our Uber ride to Alinea.