If you are traveling to Chicago, these are two of my top recommendations!
The Ultimate Treat Near O’Hare is High Tea With Gerri
Just 20 miles north of ORD, this is an authentic, luxurious High Tea experience in Long Grove.
What it Is:
A legit, high tea experience led by Gerri, who trained in London and was born in Ireland. It’s a favorite treat for high tea “snobs” and girlfriends.
Location:
144 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047
Menu Tip:
Splurge on the 5-Course Menu (3, 4, and 5 courses available). Excellent service ensures your hot tea never goes lukewarm.
Vibe Tip:
Dress up! Don one of their hats (or pack your own) to enhance the experience.
Travel Tip:
Make reservations well in advance at htwg.net. Park two doors down in the large public parking lot.
The Downtown Must-Do: Architectural River Tour
Do not miss this engaging, non-boring tour to see the city’s iconic buildings that have quirky history that made them this way.
What it Is:
A highly-rated boat tour on the Chicago River, providing an educational and engaging view of the city’s architecture. The tour guides are excellent and really make it engaging
Bring a $5 bill per person to tip them because I completely forgot cash. They really are fantastic.
Tickets & Seating:
Book the first tour of the day if possible. The boats have a cash bar on the middle level. But you can bring a bottle of water.
Dining Plan:
After your tour, make reservations at River Roast (315 N LaSalle Blvd) to enjoy lunch on their patio with beautiful riverside views.
Downton Chicago Travel Tip 1 (Parking/Timing):
Get to your parking deck (near the Chicago Architecture Center / CAC) an hour prior to your tour. You will have a 10+ minute walk on the road, stairs/elevators down to the river, and then a search for your boat that can easily take 30 minutes. And we had a hard time finding the correct entrance to the parking deck.
We parked at Illinois Center at 233 North Michigan.
Travel Tip 2:
Bring or wear a hat. The breeze is pleasant, but shaded spots on the boats are very limited.