This week marked an exciting milestone for me as an incoming exchange student at Drexel University – my first trip with my roommates, and what a trip it was! Late Thursday night, we boarded a flight bound for the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. The excitement was tangible, and I couldn’t wait to delve into the adventure that awaited us.
In this blog, I’ll share the highlights of our whirlwind trip and offer some recommendations for fellow travelers.
On Friday morning, we kicked off our day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, ready for a full day of exploration. Our first stop was Millennium Park, a beautiful green space surrounded by flowers and famous sculptures. We admired the Cloud Gate, also known as the “Bean,” from a distance since it was temporarily closed. We also enjoyed the artistic murals by Joan Plensa, a Catalan artist, adding a personal touch to our visit as we’re Catalan ourselves.
We couldn’t miss trying deep-dish pizza, Chicago’s iconic dish, and it proved to be quite an interesting experience. While many restaurants offer this specialty, Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s stand out as the top choices. We opted for Giordano’s and indulged in their delicious and sizable deep-dish pizza. A word of advice: plan ahead as it’s a popular spot, and we ended up waiting for over an hour to be seated. Nevertheless, the reasonable price made the wait worthwhile.
In the afternoon, we explored the city center, stumbling upon the impressive Chicago Public Library with its unique garden room in the attic. The Chicago River, flanked by striking buildings, was a sight to behold, especially as the sun began to set and the city lights illuminated the skyline.
Strategic accommodation placement proved to be a money-saving gem, with our centrally located hotel allowing us easy access to all the city had to offer within a 15-minute walk.
Chicago’s nightlife didn’t disappoint, with bars and restaurants bustling late into the night. We ended our evening at TAO, a popular club, where we danced the night away and met some new friends from different states.
On Saturday, we made the most of our last day, visiting the pier by the lake and admiring the Ferris wheel. We enjoyed a poke lunch and strolled along the main avenue, picking up souvenirs to remember our trip by.
As I look back on our weekend in Chicago, I’m grateful for the chance to explore this vibrant city with my roommates. Chicago’s blend of culture, food, and nightlife made for an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time at Drexel University has in store.
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