Is there really anything better than a night away with your best girlfriends, a few bottles of Prosecco, several hours at a spa, delicious [okay, a lot of delicious] food, and laughs that last for days?! I think not. A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of attending [and planning] a bachelorette party in the great city of Chicago for a girlfriend of mine. After countless Google searches of “what to do in Chicago for a bachelorette party” I thought I’d bring my own personal experiences to the blog so that in case you’re wondering the same exact thing [or heck, simply planning a girls weekend in Chicago] you’d have a few ideas on how to spend a couple of days in the city! Believe me when I say there is no shortage of fun to be had in this city. Regardless of what time of year you go, you’re bound to be full [hearted and bellied]. See this Girls Guide to Chicago post from a few years ago here for even more ideas!
Where To Stay
For this trip, we stayed at Cambria Chicago Loop as it was in a very central location to the other things we were doing while in Chicago for the weekend and it was quite reasonably priced! It was here we spent very few hours [who has time to sleep when in the city?!] but it did work out perfectly for a few minutes of touching up and a quick lingerie shower for the bride to be before our evening of festivities kicked off! Note to self: lingerie has gotten significantly cuter in the past 15 years [yes, that’s the last time I bought myself some lingerie] so stocking up might be a good idea.
Here are a few additional Chicago hotel recommendations that won’t disappoint:
- The Langham [amazing spa!]
- The Dana Hotel & Spa
- The Peninsula Chicago
- TheWit Hotel [fun rooftop bar!]
- Virgin Hotels Chicago
- The Hoxton Chicago
- Thompson Chicago
- The Gwen [connected to Nordstrom]
What To Do
Of course, while you’re on a girl’s weekend or Bachelorette Party, you’re going to need some things to do. The good news is that Chicago has so many options, you can find something that will appease everybody! Whether you want to be active and hit up a Chicago Cubs game, see the sights that Chicago has to offer via a boat on the Chicago Riverwalk, spend hours wandering the fabulous shopping options, or do nothing but pamper yourself at one of Chicago’s finest spas, the world is your oyster. We chose a couple of the above for our two days in the city and it was a perfect mix of play and relaxation!
First up, a Chicago Cubs game. Sure, I may have been more interested in drooling over Kris Bryant and a hot dog than the actual game, but it was so fun to be a part of the game action!
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Tanks [true to size]
The other day activity we did [we saved this for Sunday morning] was hitting up the Chuan Spa at The Langham which I would 110% recommend. Not only were the services we got heavenly, but the additional services that they offer you can enjoy at no cost [as long as you are receiving a spa treatment] are also worth it alone. From the rosemary, thyme, and sage sauna to the heated chaise lounges that overlook the city and the beautiful pool and jacuzzi area, it’s a must.
Other fun things to do while in the city:
- Shopping on Magnificent Mile
- Boat Rental
- Architectural Boat Tour
- See a Show
Where To Eat: Brunch
The very first thing we did once arriving in Chicago: eat, duh. The very first place we ate: The Dearborn Tavern for brunch. This restaurant is directly across the street from the hotel we stayed at making it super convenient. Two words: Monkey Bread. Two more words: order it. You’re welcome.
Here are a few additional brunch hot spots:
Where To Eat: Lunch
Now, if you ate brunch, chances are very good you aren’t going to need a lunch spot [but hey, if you do, no judgement here – my general rule of thumb when visiting Chicago: eat every chance you can], but in case you’re looking for a lunch location I’ve rounded up a few great places here —
Where To Eat: Dinner
Now, regardless of what you did during the day, I can assure you of one thing — you will want to go out to dinner. There are SO many great dinner spots in the city if you don’t do this, I will cry for you. For our dinner choice, we went with Mercadito and believe me, if you are a fan of Mexican cuisine you will l-o-v-e it. For a group of 10 or more, they do a shared dinner menu where they bring everything out family-style [think all of the appetizers, tacos, side dishes, desserts, etc] which makes ordering non-existent and a breeze!
And for other dinner spots you can’t miss on:
Late-Night Spots
Last but not least, if you still have it in you after dinner to paint the town red [you can sleep when you’re dead, paint the town red girlfriend], the city is full of bars and nightclubs to ring in the start of the next day in! We simply ventured down a block or two from Mercadito and went in some fun bars for a drink or two before heading back to the hotel, but here are a few fun late-night spots that will have you saying “cheers” over and over again!
- Celeste
- Three Dots & A Dash
- London House Rooftop
- The Underground [for dancing!]
What To Wear
And the most important for a last [wink] a few ideas on what to pack for your time in the Windy City, here are a few fun options for your nights out on the town and comfy dresses [and sneaks] for the day!