Because I am generally happiest when planning my next adventure, I have started to look into fun and exciting things to do in Chicago this June. I will be attending the American Library Association (ALA) conference from June 17-July 1 but am adding on a few days in the front and will be joined by some great friends.
I was lucky enough to attend ALA 4-5 years ago (also in Chicago) and LOVED it. I got to attend some amazing sessions as well as meet both Charlaine Harris and Judy Blume (heaven!). I am very excited to see who will be attending this year. It takes some serious planning to balance the sessions with the sensory overload that is the exhibit hall. This conference draws in about 30,000+ librarians from around the world so it can get intense and packed very quickly. Lesson #1 was never get between a librarian and free swag. Lesson #2 was bring your own food to the conference center. Now that I have those 2 lessons down, this conference should be much smoother.
As for the pre-conference activities, I hope to take a culinary tour with Tastebud Tours. They offer 3 hour walking tours that take you to 5-6 locations to taste all the best Chicago has to offer. Rumour has i,t you even visit the bakery where the brownie was invented. Add that to Deep-Dish pizza and the Chicago style hot dog and it sounds like a wonderful way to spend and afternoon n’est pas? I have also been told to try the Chicago popcorn which is supposedly a mix of cheese and caramel. Only because this comes from a reliable source will I add it to the list as my first thought is yuk. But I have been told is amazing and in a good way.
I would also like to take a tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. They offer walking, biking, boat and Segway tours. It will be a tough choice to pick a type but I have heard they are all good. However, I am leaning towards either Segway or boat as the means of travel. For those of you unfamiliar with Segway, I mean this:
Chicago by Segway
A trip to the Sears Tower may also be in order. I am a huge wimp when it comes to heights but I have 4 months to psych myself up to this:
Sears Tower lookout
I love have things to look forward to and I am definitely looking forward to visiting one of my favorite cities again, especially with good friends. You just can’t go wrong!
BeanTown
You are so lucky for getting to go on a segway! I would love to do that.