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If flying in, you have your choice of airports, either Chicago O'Hare (ORD) or Midway Airport (MDW). Both are situated on a CTA line for easy access downtown. Rental cars will not be needed for the weekend.
Events will start Friday Afternoon and conclude Sunday night. Your presence is welcomed starting Friday but not required until Sunday if you cannot make until then.
Rental cars will not be needed for the weekend. If you are driving to the venue, there will be a limited amount of parking spaces available at the venue. We suggest taking Public Transit, Uber (discount code to come), or carpooling. Day passes and weekend passes cost $5 or $15 respectively.
Public Transit Routes:
If from The Loop, River North -- Take the Green Line west to Damen or Pink Line west to Lake. It will be a short walk from there.
If from Lincoln Park, Lake View -- Take the Brown Line to the Loop and then Green/Pink Line West
If from Bucktown, Logan Square, Wicker Park -- Take either Western Ave (49) bus or Ashland Ave (9) bus south to Fulton Street.
Directions to Friday and Saturday events will come closer to the weekend.
We are pleased to have a block of rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott located in the Medical District, located less than two miles away from the venue. Please reach out to Erik or Dania for reservation link.
If you would want to stay in an AirBnB or other accommodation as you explore Chicago we recommend staying in: Lincoln Park, Wicker Park/Bucktown, or West Loop. These are just some of our favorites, but Chicago has so much to offer.
If you know Dania and Erik, they have moved five times during their relationship, and Dania is a native of Chicago. Needless to say, they have opinions on the best neighborhoods of Chicago. Here are their favorites:
1. West Loop: Our home neighborhood. Take a stroll through Fulton Market or Mary Bartleme or drink your night away on Randolph
2. Pilsen: Dania's birthplace, but also an exuberant Mexican art and food center. Do not forget your cash if you are coming to this neighborhood, the elotero doesn't take venmo.
3. West Town: Dania and Erik's first and third home together were in West Town. Although the homes were forgettable the neighborhood sure wasn't. Chicago Avenue may have some of the best resturants Chicago has to offer in a mile long strip. Grab some coffee at Standing Passengers on your way through.
4. Lake View: Did you know Dania used to bike three miles from West Loop to Lake View to see Erik (but he never did the same...)? Anywho, Erik's college and post-college stomping grounds featuring good bars, decent eats, and fun lakefront views.
5. Bridgeport: Go go go White Sox. They may suck, but the neighborhood they are housed in might be one of Chicago's best kept secrets from Ping Tom Park, to the Duck Inn, or Bad Owl. Bridgeport represents a deeper look into Chicago's history.
Honorable Mentions: Lincoln Park, Avondale, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Chinatown, Hyde Park, and Uptown
Chicago has a lot of hidden gems beyond the touristy things to do around the Loop. Dania and Erik's first date was at the Garfield Park Conservatory and Erik proposed at Promontory Point. If Dania and Erik were to be tourists in their own city, this is where they would go:
1. The Art Institute: Whoops, this is in tourist central, but an incredible museum with historical paintings. Also, Dania and Erik went here after he proposed.
2. River Walk: We still haven't left the Loop, but the River Walk offers some of the best views of the Chicago skyline while being immersed in Chicago's architecture. See Bertand Goldberg's Marina City, the Kennedy Family properties, Jeanne Gang's famous towers, and other famous buildings. Just take the Architecture tour, in all honesty.
3. Garfield Park Conservatory: Take the Green Line to Garfield Park and walk down the steps to relive Erik meeting Dania's parents or their first date! A free attraction that offers warmth and vibrancy in throughout the year.
4. Museum of Contemporary Art: Head east on Mies van der Rohe Way until you can't. You will stumble on a fantastic museum full of modern art that is often less busy than the Art Institute.
5. Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House: If you know Dania and Erik, you know they love old wooden furniture and great architecture. The Robie House combines these two in a fascinating tour in the heart of University of Chicago's campus.
6. Chicago History Museum: Dania as a history buff, enjoys learning all things - useful and not. The Chicago History Museum covers Chicago's extensive history; learn more about the city Dania and Erik call home.
Honorable Mentions: North Pond, Promontory Point, The 606, The Cultural Center, and DePaul University
Restaurants have played an important part in their relationship from early celebrations at STK to getting recipes from Rose Mary, Dania and Erik have eaten their way around Chicago. Here's where you can grab a bite at our favorite spots:
1. Rose Mary: Southern Italian/Croatian fare. If you want the fritter recipe, let us know.
Fulton Market, $$$
2. The Loyalist: French American. Get the mussels and the Burger. Save Mussel broth for the fries.
West Loop, $$
3. Black Barrel Tavern: American Bar food. If you order the Mango Habanero wings, order 2.
West Loop, $$
4. Breakfast House: For the inevitable hangover on the Monday after.
West Town, $$
5. Canton Regio: A Mexican Steakhouse that Erik showed Dania's family. Bring your cash and your liquor.
Pilsen, $
6. Diego: A friendly West Loop dog but also an incredible Baja inspired Mexican food spot.
West Town, $$
7. Chef's Special: If you like Crab Rangoon's bring an empty stomach and a full wallet.
Bucktown, $$
8. The Duck Inn: A historical Chicago spot from the 1930s that hasn't deviated from its origins, but has kept with the times. Order the Duck dinner ahead of time.
Bridgeport, $$
9. Gilt Bar: Dania's favorite French Steakhouse. The Bone Marrow is a must. Make sure to accompany it with a Bee's Knees. Close the night by going to the Library. Celebrate us at our favorite celebration spot.
River North, $$$
10. El Solazo: A bit out of the way unless you land at Midway. Incredible Mexican food that shares some sentiment as Erik and Dania's family celebrated after he asked for her parent's blessing.
West Lawn, $$
11. Output Lounge: If you are brave enough take in Keith Lee's favorite wing shop. We recommend ordering out.
West Town, $
Honorable Mentions: Elske, Lao Peng You, Phodega, Kimchi Pop by Chef Son, El Milagro, and D'Amato's Bakery
Incredibly, Dania decided to marry Erik after he took her to Lottie's for a first date. If you know Dania, she hates beer and would rather enjoy a well put together cocktail menu.
1. Lottie's: Okay, we had to do it. Might have been a bad first date but the 2 AM belting of "Wonderwall" while your shoes stick to the floor is Chicago nostalgia.
Bucktown, $
2. Lazy Bird: Great place for live jazz music and an EXCELLENT put together cocktail menu.
West Loop, $$
3. Welcome Back Lounge: A lively patio with great drinks. The ultimate backyard hang that includes midnight hot dogs.
Logan Square, $
4. Estereo: Quintessential late night Chicago spot with good music, lots of dancing, and better drinks.
Logan Square, $$
5. Golden Teardrops: The best part of Lonesome Rose. Forget Lonsesome Rose and head to the basement for well curated drinks.
Logan Square, $$
6. Standing Passengers: The best Chicago café and we will throw hands if you disagree. Come for the live DJs and play some retro video games or grab a Hoagie.
West Town, $
7. Bad Owl: An oatmilk horchata latte is the most normal sounding drink on this menu, but you cannot go wrong with your choice.
Bridgeport, $$
8. Publican Bakery: Say if you wanted to go to Breakfast House, but there was a wait -- head to Publican for draft lattes and a sweet treat.
West Town, $-$$
Honorable Mentions: Money Gun, The Press Room, Bandit, Benchmark, Weed Street Tavern, Bridgeport Coffee, La Colombe, and Grano