Navy Pier and other cool places to go in Chicago t …

26 Jul Navy Pier and other cool places to go in Chicago t …

Navy Pier has really turned the corner. I never felt really comfortable sending tourists and fun-seekers to Navy Pier before just because it felt like a overrated place. Besides the children’s museum and the Ferris Wheel – both great attractions – there was not much to do there for more mature travelers. That is changing though! Navy Pier now has the Butterfly House, a fun educational site where visitors of all ages can get up close and personal with tons of colorful and fascinating butterflies! In addition, Navy Pier has free fireworks on Saturday nights, and the lineup or restaurants is veryyyy improved over years ago. Check it out!

Besides Navy Pier, Chicago will play host to Fiesta del Sol this weekend. Billed as the “Largest Latino Festival in the US”, it certainly lives up to it’s billing! With food, carnival rides, music, and lots and lots of Latino culturally-themed booths, this is a perfect weekend visit for families, couples, singles… well everyone really! You gotta like crowds and energy though. It can get a little “energetic” at times later in the day, and parking nearby will be scarce, whether you want to pay or not.

For something more subdued and infinitely more groovy, check out the Jazz Showcase in the South Loop! Chicago is truly blessed to have several venues that feature live Jazz music on multiple weekday nights, and the Jazz Showcase is (perhaps) the best of them. This weekend the Jalen Baker Quartet is gracing the premises with their mellow, ethereal sounds. The Jazz Showcase is less than 3 minutes walking distance from Umai, which for me is Chicago’s best place to get izakaya and sushi. For whatever reason, izikaya in Chicago is usually whittled down to the familiar staples of takoyaki, agedashi tofu, bbq skewers and a few other routine, hit or miss staples, but Umai does them all well. They also have the best Hamachi Kama I have tried in Chicago! If you have never had Hamachi Kama, try it here first. It is a part of a whole fish that many people don’t give much thought, but wow oh wow, is it good when done right! The vibe inside is really cool too, a good place for a date, just drinks, or a place to grab a bite in the South Loop.

I know I usually plug CWE Tours, and as well I should! This weekend we are gearing up for a big group of tourists coming from Madrid, and also mapping out the fall colors hiking tour. In addition to a picnic event in Hyde Park, it will all keep us hopping! Hope to see you soon!