Escaping the Everyday

We’re Back at It!

This past month has been an absolute whirlwind, full of emotions and just life. Between grieving my dad and making our way back to New Hampshire, I haven’t had much time to blog. But I’m happy to say I should be back to posting regularly now!

Some of you already know that Jake and I spent a few days in Chicago on our way back to New Hampshire. I’ve been to the Windy City once before, but that was probably 10 to 15 years ago, so it was amazing to experience it again—and even better to see Jake explore it for the first time!

Chicago was such a blast, but it’s definitely not a place I could see myself living permanently. I don’t think I’d survive the hustle and bustle of full city life. One thing I really don’t understand is how people live in the city with pets. Every time Cassie needed to go out, we had to find a patch of grass for her to pee. We’ve trained her well—grass only—but that doesn’t exactly come in handy when you’re surrounded by concrete.

Millennium Park

The ultimate tourist stop!

If you go to Chicago, you pretty much have to visit Millennium Park—especially The Bean. I mean, did you even go to Chicago if you didn’t stop by The Bean?

Of course, we snapped some of the classic tourist photos. It was a beautiful day, which made the experience even better.

You might be wondering—what actually is The Bean? Sure, we all recognize it, but what’s the story behind it?

The Bean is a piece of public art in the heart of Chicago. Its official name is Cloud Gate, and it’s one of the largest permanent outdoor art installations in the world. It was unveiled in 2004 and quickly became one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks.

The sculpture’s shiny surface was inspired by liquid mercury. It reflects everything around it—the people walking by, the city lights, the skyline, and the green space of Millennium Park. It captures the energy and beauty of the park perfectly. And because it’s so reflective, people are naturally drawn to touch it and see their own image, which gives it a fun, interactive quality.

Cloud Gate was designed by Anish Kapoor, an internationally known artist born in India and based in the UK. He’s famous for creating large outdoor sculptures, often with highly reflective finishes.

The outside is made of polished stainless steel, using 168 huge steel plates that were cut with computer technology and welded together with no visible seams. Inside, the sculpture is supported by a structure of two large metal rings connected by a framework similar to what you might see in a bridge. This design supports its massive weight and gives it that signature bean shape, including the arch underneath that visitors can walk through.

Kapoor named it Cloud Gate because the curve underneath frames the sky above and acts as a sort of gateway into the park.

Even though it’s officially called Cloud Gate, once locals saw its curved, bean-like shape, they started calling it “The Bean” — and the nickname stuck.

Illusion Museum

The Museum of Illusions is a captivating destination that offers a playful and educational experience for visitors of all ages. With over 40 locations worldwide, including in cities like New York, Boston, Las Vegas, and Manchester, this museum combines art, science, and psychology to challenge your perceptions and entertain your senses.

The Museum of Illusions was easily one of the most entertaining and fun museums I’ve ever been to. It honestly made me feel like a kid again—wandering through each exhibit, playing with perception, and realizing that things aren’t always what they seem. Every corner offered something unexpected, and the interactive displays kept us laughing, guessing, and completely engaged.

Petterinos

Petterino’s is a beloved Italian American restaurant located in Chicago’s Loop, right next to the Goodman Theatre and just steps from Michigan Avenue. Established over two decades ago, it has become a staple for theatergoers, tourists, and locals looking for classic Italian fare served in a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

We didn’t get a chance to visit this time—I wasn’t aware of it until after our trip—but in 2024, they opened a coffee and pastry shop called Petterino’s Pasticceria. Maybe next time we’re in Chicago, we can check out the pastry shop!

Ice Cream Museum

The Museum of Ice Cream in Chicago is a whimsical, interactive destination that puts a playful twist on everyone’s favorite treat. Located in the historic Tribune Tower at 435 N. Michigan Ave, this immersive experience is packed with colorful installations, sweet surprises, and fun for all ages.

There are currently seven Museum of Ice Cream locations around the world—including Miami, New York City, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, and even Singapore.

The Chicago museum features 14 magical playscapes, unlimited ice cream, exclusive sweet treats, the world-famous sprinkle pool, and a café that serves up dessert cocktails, milkshakes, sundaes, and more.

If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you already know Jake and I are total suckers for ice cream—so of course, we had to check it out. The unlimited ice cream was right up our alley, although I had to pace myself since I can’t handle too much dairy!

Each museum location features its own unique flavor, and in Chicago… it was hot dog. Yes, you read that right—hot dog flavored ice cream. It sounded a little questionable, and unfortunately, it lived up to expectations—it really did taste like a hot dog. They topped it off with relish and mustard to complete the theme. I took one bite and tossed it immediately. Jake went a step further and got it served in a pastry bun to really mimic the full hot dog experience. He threw it out just as fast!

While the creativity and presentation were fun, it just wasn’t our thing. Apparently, the Boston location has a lobster flavored ice cream, so we’re mentally preparing for that one. We still plan to visit and will definitely give it a try—but let’s just say we’re not getting our hopes up.

Riverwalk and Navy Pier

One of our favorite moments from the trip was a quiet Sunday morning run along the Chicago Riverwalk and Navy Pier. Jake, Cassie, and I had been wanting to check it out, and after a little research, we realized it would be the perfect place for an early morning run—peaceful, scenic, and free from the usual crowds.

The Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles along the south bank of the Chicago River, from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. It’s a beautifully developed urban promenade, perfect not only for walking or running but also for dining, relaxing, and soaking in the stunning views of Chicago’s skyline and iconic architecture.

From there, we made our way to Navy Pier, a historic, 3,300-foot-long pier that blends amusement park vibes, cultural attractions, and scenic views into one of the city’s most beloved destinations. Even without the hustle and bustle of midday crowds, you can still feel the energy and charm of the space.

Morning runs like this make you appreciate the city in a different way—before the day gets busy, when the streets are quiet, and you feel like you have a piece of Chicago all to yourself.

Jake had never seen any of the Great Lakes before, so he was amazed by Lake Michigan. It completely blew his mind that something that looks like the ocean could actually be freshwater.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Established in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and one of the few major zoos that still offers free admission. Located on 35 acres in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the zoo is home to about 1,100 animals representing over 200 species.

Jake and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that the zoo had free admission—it’s such a great perk! While it may not be the best zoo we’ve ever visited, it definitely had its moments. Some of the animals we saw were incredible, and the experience was definitely worth it.

We’ve all been to zoos where the animals are either sleeping or hiding, but when we visited, a lot of the animals were active and out in the open, which made the visit even more exciting!

Next week, we are finally going to start getting into our adventures in New Hampshire. We have found some really cool hiking spots and restaurants. So stay tuned!