A Day in Chicago

Sometimes work just gets you down and you need to take a vacation, of course that is not always possible and I used most of my vacation days going to Paris for 2 weeks this summer. So when the Fall weather is too nice to stand and work is feeling endless, I take a sick day, a day for mental health. I try very hard not to be sick so I can take a day here and there for myself. I think it also makes me less likely to be sick for real.  I live only 2 hours from the Windy City, so I hoped in my trusty Subaru and hit the road!

The drive to Chicago from Indiana is actually very pretty. Once you get out of the miles of construction the road is pretty empty and and there are tons of windmills. I think they look like an alien garden or some other worldly landing zone. I love Chicago and if you are just going for the day there are tons of things to see and do. I was going by myself so I planned my day around a trip to the Art Institute. It is a gorgeous museum and whatever you are interested in there is something for you. I like to dress the part for a day in the city and for some reason this means wearing bright lipstick. I have no idea why but to me it feels very fashion forward and is not a look I wear to work.  What do you think?

I am also wearing dark girlfriend jeans and my Tradlands chambray. This is literally my favorite shirt to do anything in. It is so comfortable and was easy to wear and perfect for the weather that is chilly in the morning and warms up during the evening.  

Once you arrive at Art Institute I recommend using Panda Park to reserve a spot in a garage. It is usually about $30 to park in downtown Chicago, especially as close to the magnificent mile as I was, but I found a spot for $14 for all day parking using Panda Park. I was only a block for the Art Institute and I felt safe leaving my car in the garage. I still have my college student ID so I used that to pay the student price. I would love to live in a city like Chicago one day and have a membership to a big art museum like this one.  There is a lot to see here so I suggest making a plan.

I always grab a guide so that I can see the floor plan and map of exhibits, on the back are the featured pieces. I definitely did not have the stamina to do the whole museum today so I wanted to pick and choose the areas that I was most excited to see. I wanted to check out the impressionists, modern wing and the contemporary collection. If you have time, always swing by the special exhibits, some amazing collections go through this museum. 

Heading in it is easy to be led astray one time I went to the restroom and ended up spending an hour and half walking around the miniatures. So always feel free to throw out your plan or let it guide you. 

When you first walk in you might be reminded of Ferris Buller's day off. This is the museum where they filmed him and Sloane and Cameron in front of famous paintings. 

There are many famous pieces that you will recognize there. The one above is Van Gogh's self portrait and the one below I am sure you will recognize as well. Yup just casually standing in front of a Van Gogh. 

 There is also an amazing Andy Warhol display that is different from the last time I was there. I love his work and how much fun he makes of society and capitalism. Pop art is also just fun to look at. There are so many colors and shapes and the composition of the work just makes me smile. Every area of the Art Institute is just so seamlessly curated and gorgeous. I feel like each room is set up in just the perfect way to ensure that nothing is missed!

Heading on over to the Modern Wing. I saw my favorite of the day. This woman walking her dog all made out of shells. How strange right? How Odd? But also fun and interesting. I always spend time in the modern wing because it is the only place to find work by women. The fine art world was always dominated by men and their point of view. It is really only in Modern art that we really get to see the female view point. Only here that we get to see her side of the story.

I thought I would just casually throw in some Picasso because why not!

 After walking around and staring at all the amazing art, you will be tired and hungry. You may have only been in one part of the museum and even that can work up an appetite. I reccomend staying in the Art Institute and going to their great lunch spot. The cafe can be accessed from the first floor, go through the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine wing towards the Chagall windows. If you aren't too distracted by the beautiful blues of that window take the stairs down to the lower level and you will find their gourmet cafeteria style cafe.

I always go for the soup and sandwich combo. Here I am enjoying a roasted turkey sandwich with tarragon, cranberries and havarti.  The soup that day was sweet potato puree with plantain chips and pork belly. I always get some of those cinnamon donuts too, they are so good! I recommend trying to get a seat outside if the weather is nice. The fountain makes a great back drop to lunch.

After lunch I go over to the special exhibit. I like to save it for last, after I am refreshed from lunch.

It was by an artist that I wasn't familiar with and detailed his life work from print making to painting to sculpture and film. I liked a quote of his they posted, "Every citizen is a student and every student should make art." It is hard not feel inspired to make something of your own after a day here. 

 

I know it is so touristy but I always love going to the bean! If you leave through the modern wing and take a right it will put you just steps away from Millennium park and a quick walk to the bean. It is fine, go, always go to the bean. Bonus if you are there on a weekday there will be only a handful of people and it is easy to get a selfie that isn't totally crowded.

Lastly a trip to the Art Institute is never complete without ending the day with afternoon tea. They have tea service from 2:30-4:30 and it is just to die for. I wanted to do a full tea service but I was still full from lunch, so I grabbed a table for one and ordered tea and some savories. Never be afraid to go out to eat alone. It is freeing and fun and there isn't a single person judging you.

They have about 30 teas to choose from and it was a hard decision. I ended up going with Russian Caravan, a black tea with sweet and spicy aromas and a strong bold flavor. Don't be fooled by the tiny teapot either, they bring you more hot water for endless refills as much tea as you can drink! I love the purple flowers on the tea pot and the little plate of sugars and lemons. 

My picture of the plate of savories isn't very good I'm afraid but I was in too big of a hurry to take another one. I loved the smoked salmon one the most, but they were all very good. I even liked the egg salad one which surprised me.

Bonus there is a Trader Joes not 5 minutes from the Tea Room so I went and stocked up. You just have to love Trader Joes! I got everything I needed for my tea party this weekend and enough wine and cheese to survive the week!