All too often we stay within our comfort zone; not experimenting or testing the waters with new or fresh ideas and experiences. Not necessarily because we mean to, but because we aren’t pushed to do so. That said – here’s my push.
The nightlife in Chicago is very abundant, Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin, or whatever your choice we have it. A lot of people make their way to Rush Street and hit all the clubs with everyone else from the hotels, but next time try the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Located just a 10 minute taxi from the hotel, this area on Clark Street holds several bars, restaurants, and clubs. This is a very good way to get a taste of the local scene. My picks are Moxie and Exedus II. Moxie has a contemporary European-style tapas menu that boasts such items as bleu cheese portabella (a whole mushroom marinated in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, stuffed with blue cheese and plated with a roasted shallot cream sauce) and Chinese onion rings served with a Szechwan barbeque dipping sauce. Great atmosphere and a lively crowd. Exedus II can be heard from a block away. They boast live music four nights a week and are the best place to hear Rastafarian music from Africa, Jamaica, Haiti and Belize. Try the house drink, a potent sugar cane and white rum punch – it will have you singing "Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" in no time.
For individuals such as me, things like the Opera and the Ballet are not always high on our lists. Although, Chicago is fortunate to have the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. Every year they perform Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. It has been regarded as America’s #1 Nutcracker ballet and features the full Joffrey Company, local children’s choruses, and more than 120 young dancers. Their performance creates a winter wonderland of beauty, magic and sugarplum delight. Hurry because it’s only in town until the 27th. As for opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago is internationally renowned for their artistic excellence and have grown to one of the largest opera companies in the world. Their current season features several operas including “Tosca”, “The Elixir of Love”, and “The Damnation of Faust”. Even if it’s for the experience, you’ll be able to check another item off the list.
Keep yourself balanced by trying out Karyn’s Raw in Lincoln Park. Karyn’s is an interesting restaurant that works with strictly vegan ingredients and almost no heat. Owner Karyn Calabrese concocts similar, and in many cases, better versions of the same comfort foods and sweets you'd never want to live without. Raw lasagna is highly recommended; it’s interesting how cashews and macadamias can be turned into what appears to be ricotta. Besides the restaurant Karyn also runs a wellness center and has a beauty product line. Counter act your unhealthy lifestyle of hotdogs, pizza, fast food, my personal vice: The Big Al Italian Beef sandwich from Al’s Beef on Ontario Street, or whatever unhealthy food comes to mind or mouth.
Since winter in Chicago is such a wonderful time of the year, head to Millennium Park and check out the McCormick Ice Skating Rink. This public outdoor ice skating rink is open everyday and is FREE; unless you need skates then you have to pay. No matter how many times you fall or make a fool of yourself, it’s always fun to try something new.
My last push would be to have as much silly fun as possible. Who says you can’t yell at the pigeons? Why can’t you skip down Michigan Avenue? Talk with an English accent? Jump in that snow drift? Or say hi mannequins standing in the window? The more you relax and laugh, the more you’ve find yourself trying new, fresh things.
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