A Weekend in Chicago
Note: This was the last blog post we had on our hard drive Lacie that we sadly had to say goodbye to recently. She went corrupt making us lose over a year’s worth of work, as heartbreaking as it was, I am using it as a time to look at the coming months as a fresh slate. But first I wanted to share our time in Chicago! This was written prior to losing the images, but image upload just happened so I apologize in advance for the lack of photos.
- Maddy Corbin
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE KIMPTON GRAY, SKYDECK CHICAGO, WNDR MUSEUM & CHE TOURS!
We had 48 amazing hours in the Windy City! Having a new city to explore but close to home is just what we needed! I have been to Chicago more times than I could count, but this time was Bryce's first ever, I was so excited to show him around this gem! From views up high in a helicopter to the deepest of soaking tubs, I've got a full recap of our time in Chicago and what you HAVE to see in your next trip!
A note from Bryce:
Chicago, The Windy City, and probably my favorite travel collaboration yet. When I first heard of Chicago I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about going there, especially since I’ve heard all the stories about it being super dangerous lately. That wasn’t the case at all, I mean granted you stay in decent areas and not rough ones you’ll be okay. But we all know truly that is common knowledge. I felt completely safe almost safer than I do at home. The city was so nice! Chicago is full of delicious restaurants including one of our favorites, Honey Grow. Chicago also has there own Jordan store, and even a Footaction - I'd recommend these to any sneaker head. My final and favorite part of the trip was the overall experience seeing everything the city had to offer from the amazing views at Skydeck. From thousands of feet up, there isn't a thing to miss. We ended our trip with a date night on Navy Pier, which was amazing to see for the first time at night. Chicago is so beautiful and I definitely recommend it to anyone!
The Kimpton Gray
We were more than fortunate to team up with the amazing staff over at the Kimpton Gray for our time in the city. It was our home away from home stocked with everything we needed! We've worked with a few Kimptons in our traveling time but as one of the front desk folks said "this is the most Kimpton, Kimpton there is!" Located in the heart of the financial district it's not too busy right outside of your hotel but also a perfect walking distance to all of the favorite attractions.
We had a king spa suite and it was the perfect city hideaway! There was a huge soaking tub + shower, large TV (where we obsessively watched Impractical Jokers) and our favorite food spot: Steadfast. Steadfast is a restaurant/bar where we had breakfast every morning. I stuck to my typical eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage + water where Bryce had more fun and tried a few different options!
The architecture in this building was mesmerizing. From marble floor to ceiling, the double staircase and so many hidden gems! At one point we even stumbled upon a library-bar and a pool room!? Needless to say, the Kimpton was amazing and we would highly recommend it to anyone heading to the city.
WNDR Museum
You guys! This was by far one of the craziest things we did this trip! Enter: INFINITY ROOM. If you don't already know the back story on these babies they are rooms that are filled with mirrors and art that gives it the illusion that it is endless. At the pop-up science and art museum, WNDR, the artist Yayoi Kusama created "Let's Survive Forever" which is the name is the room specific to this museum!
We were super thankful to have the opportunity to see the room first hand, as they haven't opened up to the public yet (also may I add in that we were right after Chance the Rapper and my heart skipped a beat for a second!) and I'll just let the space speak for itself...
Tickets go on sale as they open on September 21st and I highly recommend buying quickly after that as it is already such a popular destination. Their infinity room is just 1 small sneak peek to the wonders that this place holds who knows what you will discover or learn! Plus, hello, photo-ops! Get your tickets once they go on sale here: https://wndrmuseum.com/
Chicago Helicopter Experience
The craziest part of our trip: our collaboration with Chicago Helicopter Experience Tours! We got on a helicopter, sat front row and few over the city AT SUNSET! It was truly a once in a lifetime feeling, a new kind of adrenaline rush. Once we arrived at their space we had checked in, watched the safety guide and before we knew it we were walking down the ramp to our ride. I couldn’t believe that Bryce and I were doing this, I was nervous but super excited. Once we lifted off and put on the noise canceling headphones, everything was silent and so smooth! Beyoncé and Jay-Z were actually in concert during our tour at Soldier Field so we got the (birds eye view!). Our pilot pointed out tons of our favorite things like the Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. After about 15-20 minute in the air we landed and shot the last of our content. A date night piece for their team! Because it truly was the ultimate date!
The Sky Deck
Goooood morning, Chicago! (literally) (from 103 floors UP!)
Our first morning in Chicago we woke up bright and early and walked over to the Sky Deck at Willis Tower for a fun experience. They let us come in a bit before the crowd, which was actually a lot bigger than I ever thought. The line was down the building so if this is one of your stops in Chicago I recommend getting there early before your ticket time! You take an elevator up to the top floor where they play a screen talking all about the history of the building and fun facts like what building you are passing in height! Once you get to the top you have a 360 view of the city. Truly something to remember. Plus, I mean, a popular #gram spot!
Navy Pier
Here's something shocking: out of all my times in Chicago I have never been to Navy Pier. Rocking a pink wrap tight from Lesley Jane Boutique, it was the perfect way to end a crazy last night in the city!
Meetups!
When Bryce & I travel it is almost always while we work with a brand or company. This limits the time we have to actually shoot our own content and even less time to meet the amazing creatives in the city. I always feel bad when we literally run out of minutes in a day and I'm not able to catch up with everyone, but one girl stuck out this trip. Maddy sent me a message saying how she too is a #skinconditionwarrior and how my openness on psoriasis has changed the way she viewed her skin *tears* and that we would actually be in Chicago on her birthday and she would be honored to meet with us.
Ok, like hello, this had to happen! Enter in the best hour I've ever spent meeting people. Her and her cute friends, Jamie, Ashley, and Allison waited for us in the lobby. We grabbed some Starbucks and sat and had the most amazing creative-meetup-pow-wow-EVER. We talked about their goals, got to hear their backstories on how they like to create (which is in so many different forms and that is AWESOME) and where they are off to in their next ventures of life.
I most definitely hope I can host small-to-large meetups when we travel more because guys the energy in the room was electric!
