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Eight Hours in the Windy City

A Day Trip to Chicago

· Illinois,United States

At 7am this past weekend, I left Madison with a carload and headed across the border to Chicago. It was time for a little day trip. It ended up being a whirlwind tour! Here’s a run down of our day in the Windy City:

10:30 The Shedd Aquarium

Open everyday 9-5 (9-6 on weekends and every day during the summer.) The Shedd Aquarium is an awesome place to learn about sea life and aquatic plants from all over the world. They have an Aquatic show several times a day, as well as seasonal activities such as the Stingray Touch. See their website for updated hours and admission prices.

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1:30pm Christkindlmarket (Daley Plaza)

The Christkindlmarket located in Daley Plaza from late November until Christmas yearly is a German themed Christmas Market, inspired by the one in Nuremberg, Germany. It’s been a Chicago tradition since 1996. They have hours everyday of the week, so you can stop by and get some Germany treats while taking in the ornaments and Christmas Tree. While the market is nice, it gets extremely packed during the weekends, and so our group was separated frequently. If you have small children, or a large group, I recommend waiting until a weekday to check it out.

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3pm King Spa & Sauna (Niles, IL) 

Located 30 minutes outside Chicago’s city center, Niles, is home to the King Spa – a Korean sauna experience. This 24 hour (that’s right it’s open all day and night) sauna has: hot baths, saunas with a variety of different temperatures, a cafeteria, massage services, a movie theater, and more. The base price is $30 for a 24 hour pass, but they often offer coupons on their website. Food from the cafeteria, massages, and other treatments are all additional. Leave you wallet in your locker though, as you’ll be given a wristband with a locker key and sensor built in. This will be scanned any time you order services, which you pay for on the way out.

6:30pm Greek Island Restaurant 

Our last stop for the evening was a feast of awesome flavors. Greek Islands Restaurant is a popular stop in Chicago’s Greektown. Be ready to be surrounded by a wave of delicious smells and the hustle and bustle of busy waiters. You’re bound to see them setting their famous appetizer, the Saganaki cheese, ablaze at a surrounding table as well.

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After such a food coma inducing meal, it was time to make our way back onto our side of the border, but it was a lovely little day trip. Until the next adventure!