Spent a long weekend in Chicago--8 women: my daughter, her cousins and my sister-in-law. Great city for a girls weekend. One flew in from Texas, 2 flew in from NYC and the rest of us took Megabus from Cleveland. We live in Akron and took the Akron Metro bus to Cleveland's Terminal Tower where Megabus has a stop.

I rode Megabus for the first time. Since we planned this trip in April, I was able to book Megabus for $6.50 RT from Cleveland, Ohio. I left on Thursday, June 9th at 8:15 AM departure, a stop in Toledo for a pick up, one additional stop at a rest area to get a bite to eat and arrival at Union Station, Chicago at 1:45 PM. This bus was great--and I am still amazed at my rate. My nieces took the bus on Friday and paid $25 RT. The first seats booked are cheaper. I am not really sure what the maximum fare is. I would use it again though.

We didn't buy the bus/rail pass in Chicago. The bus ride is $2.25. I always bring a lot of ones and some quarters. We rode the bus a few times. Took a cab a couple times. We didn't need the pass

Where we stayed:
Chicago is where I always have used Priceline or Hotwire but my daughter lives on N. Lakeshore and we rented an extra apartment there for $180/nt. Great location. She has a rooftop deck that is a great place for coffee and Happy Hour, though this weekend was a bit chilly and windy for both.

What we did:

Happy Hour--they do not have happy hours in Chicago--they are illegal or something like that--but we had a happy hour everyday.

Saw "Chicago" at the Ford Theater. They offered a special on the Broadway in Chicago--all seats $49.50

Old Town Art Fair

Bluesfest

A Blues Bar for a 9:30 show--it might have been called the Blues Bar ??

The Art Institute

Second City

Walked, walked, walked. I always walk the lakeshore path. I head under the street across from my daughters apartment. It was chilly this weekend----We didn't have rain though so we were all grateful.

Walked Michigan Avenue, stopped at Millennium Park (took a group photo at "the Bean"), the Cultural Center (love the stained glass domes and the mosaic walls, ceilings floors), Navy Pier (a niece request) and shopped a bit.

My daughter had sent everyone a chart detailing our suggested itinerary based on our requests. I guess it was the talk on Megabus as one of my nieces passed it around when they were riding on Megabus. Most of the AM activities fell by the wayside, but it was good to have some plan in place when you had 8 women getting together. Several of my nieces had never been to Chicago. I always seem to find a pair of shoes at Nordstrom's Rack so we always stop there--there are now 2 Racks--we checked them both out. I also discovered the Spice Shop in Old Town and bought some great spices. I will return there too. I also love stopping in Room and Board--we don't have that store here in Ohio.



Where we ate:

Atwood Cafe before the show.

Orso's on N. Wells in Old Town in their very nice outdoor dining court (thankfully they had heaters)
Italian, nice atmoshere

Bistro Margot before Second City
"A Touch of Paris in Old Town"
They have a great $10 small plate special every evening.

Pizzeria Uno's for pizza

Corner Bakery for breakfast and another wonderful place??? A couplke breakfasts at the apartment.

I guess we missed the Naked Bike Ride. My friends were visiting and were crossing the street when they saw the bikers. It was a bit chilly that weekend--and how uncomfortable would that be?

It was a great time. Great city for a weekend. Some had to leave Monday morning, another group left Monday evening, I left Tues. morning. We are already planning another visit.