chicago for KIDMIN {conference}

one week until the start of the kidmin 2012 conference {in chicago!}. i'm excited to lead workshops, and catch up with friends, and learn from others wiser, smarter, and more creative than i'll ever be. oh! and, i'm most excited for everyone to come to chicago, the greatest city in the world. 

last year, i posted a short list of places you must eat at while in town. this year, a new list with places to eat, the best places to shop, sight-see, and of course, the best places to get coffee. 

EAT: paris club {for modern french food}, the counter {for create-your-own-burgers}, food life at water tower {for great food while shopping}, le creperie {for a late-night-sweet desert}, panera cares {a not-for-profit panera restaurant that provides food to the people in the community}, frontera {best mexican in town}, milk & honey {local, fresh, delicious breakfast or lunch}, giordanos {best chicago pizza}, coobah {best cuban food}, hanna's bretzel {for a quick, unique sandwich}, and the parthenon {for authentic greek food}. really, eating is what we do best in the windy city. 

SHOP: the best shopping, in my opinion, can be found in 3 places: in the city--head to the intersection of north & clybourn for crate & barrel, west elm, pottery barn, gap, the apple store, restoration hardware, j.crew, the container store, land of nod, and on & on. walking up and down north avenue is magical. if you're in the suburbs--visit woodfield mall & the streets of woodfield in schaumburg. and, if a deal is your mission--head to chicago premium outlets in aurora. 

SIGHT SEE: if you're in chicago--you've got to see the classics: millenium park for the bean, museum campus {the art museum is my favorite}, the wrigley building, and the sears tower {some call it willis tower}. my favorite places are lincoln park zoo {it's our very own central park} and if you're in town on wednesday or saturday, stop by the green city market on your way into the zoo. either take a boat ride on an architecture tour or sit on a bench along the chicago river. walk along state street to see historic sites like the marshall field's windows {now macy's}, daley plaza, and stop by the ABC news station to watch a live taping. in my opinion, the very best view can be found at division & halsted. you can stand in an empty field and see the entire skyline. breathtaking. 

COFFEE: it's an undisputed fact that the best coffee in chicago can be found at inteligentsia. pure perfection. we have a roasting works. enough said. and, if you need to get some work done or are looking for a place to process the conference with your team, book a room at next door. great, great, great work & meeting space along with a perfect cup of inteligentsia coffee. oh! we've also got a cupcake atm. you've got to see it to believe it. cupcakes pair perfectly with coffee.

there you have it. chicago for kidmin. you can even print this post. print it & pack it with you. it'll be like we're seeing chicago together. fun + fun. cheers!

Comments

[Katie Wetherbee]

Can't wait to see you!!

[Denise Silva]

Thanks for this! We are leaving NY tomorrow, gonna have some extra days to see Chicago! and meet you :D finally
I can't wait :D

[[Amy Dolan]]

woa! i'm super excited about this Denise -- see you soon!