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Location : Antioch, CA Parking : Black Diamond Mines Natural Preserve parking lot Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 4.8 miles Elevation Gain : 1145 ft Difficulty : Moderate Trails traversed : River View Trail > Stewartville Trail > Carbondale Trail > Saddle Trail > River View Trail Dogs Allowed? Yes Post Hike Grub Stop : Numerous eateries in Walnut Creek downtown Black Diamond Mines Natural Preserve in Contra Costa county is a scenic park featuring beautiful hills, canyons and ridges. Come Spring, the lush green hills are covered with many varieties of wildflowers, with lupines and purple owls clover being the most common. The River View - Saddle Trail loop offers the enthusiastic hiker many picturesque views of the wildflowers covered landscape. We did this hike on March 13th, 2022, when lupines and clover blooms were at their peak. The poppies were starting to bloom at that time and the hills were holding on to their lush green color for one last week. Parking : Parking at the Preserve parking lot is relatively easy. We found a number of spots available when we arrived at 9am on a Sunday and many still empty when we left at noon. There is a fee of $5 per vehicle to enter the park, but on the day we visited, entry was free as there was no one manning the kiosk. There are clean restrooms available at the parking lot before starting the hike. The Trail : The entire trail is unshaded and open to the elements. It is best hiked during winter or spring when temperatures are mild. The River View trailhead starts right next to the parking lot. From the parking lot, you can see the trail climbing all the way up to the ridge line and gives you a fair warning for what you are in for for the first half mile. Steep uphill climb for the first half of a mile Dont be intimidated by it. Take your time to admire the view and the poppies blooming along the hillside as you trudge uphill. Over the green hills, you can catch sight of the Antioch Bridge in the distance. At the half mile mark, the trail intersects with Saddle Trail. Stay on River View trail on the right. From here on, the trail mostly consists of rolling hills with gradual incline. A variety of blue, purple and white lupines border the trail, with purple owls clover filling the gaps between the lupine bushes. The purple and blue colors against the lush green hills make for a stunning sight. The scenery along this trail is so picturesque that each lupine bush beacons you to take pictures with it! You will soon reach a gate on River View Trail where it intersects with Stewartsville Trail. Continue on Stewartsville Trail as it goes downhill, with lupine bushes to your left and view of the Lower Parking lot to your right. Turn left at the next intersection to get on Carbondale Trail. The scenery changes suddenly as this trail takes you through a valley of green pastures and fallen trees. At the four point intersection, turn a sharp left to take the Saddle Trail. Along Saddle Trail, notice a different variety of lupines growing - these grow as a single stem and not as a bush. This trail gradually climbs upwards with views of cows lazily grazing along the hillside. At its highest point, Saddle trail meets River View Trail which will take you steeply downhill, all the way back to the parking lot. This hike is not to be missed if you are interested in chasing wildflowers. Although predominantly lupines and purple owl clover, the park offers many other wildflower sightings set against an eye-popping backdrop. Providing a great leg workout, this hike comes highly recommended for hiking and wildflower enthusiasts alike, primarily during springtime. Below are a few more pictures I captured during this memorable hike.

Location : Garrapata State Beach, Big Sur, CA. Parking : Free (roadside) Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 1.5 mile Elevation Gain : 150 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : Garrapata Trail > Garrapata Bluff Trail Pro Tip : Wear sturdy, waterproof boots. Download map of area before trip, as signal is sketchy. Post Hike Grub Stop : Allegro Gourmet Pizzeria, Carmel, CA. Calla Lily Valley is a small valley in Garrapata State Beach in Big Sur, and as the name suggests, is filled with hundreds of beautiful wild calla lilies during the months of February and March each year. It is an extremely popular spot for nature photographers and selfie seekers when the blooms are in their prime. It is also a perfect pit stop if you are traveling on Highway 1 during springtime. Finding the Garrapata Trailhead maybe a little tricky. Also, cellphone signal can be sketchy or non-existent in this area. So download the map before the start of your trip. Coming from the Bay Area, drive south on Highway 1 towards Big Sur. Pass Garrapata State Beach (NOT Garrapata State Park). Within a mile after you pass Granite Canyon Bridge, across the street from Doud Creek Ranch, you will see a small gate with a number of cars parked near it. A few warning signs and a garbage bin mark the start of Garrapata Trail. A 0.5 mile sandy trail leads to this valley. The trail will take you towards the edge of the bluff and then downhill towards a ravine. You will notice the valley of flowers from the top, even before you make your way downhill. In this picture, the stairway connecting the bluff to the valley is seen in the distance. If you are an avid photographer, the best time to visit the valley is during sunrise or sunset. But sunset is also the time when this place is the most crowded. The lilies grow in and around the Doud Creek, which flows through the valley and into the ocean. The creek water can be hard to spot in the thick overgrowth and the ground is muddy in many places. Waterproof/sturdy hiking boots are recommended for this reason. The flowers primarily bloom between mid Feb and Mid March. When I went in 2021, they were still blooming in the second week of March but had wilted by March 20th, due to warm temperatures. In 2022, they are already in full bloom in second week of February. The flowers wilt/burn when the temperatures are high. So plan ahead and visit this whimsical wonderland before their short season ends! PSA : Please, PLEASE be mindful walking around the lilies and in your eagerness to take that perfect Instagram-worthy shot, dont stomp on them or pluck/cut them. Leave them for others to enjoy until their bloom ends. Once you are done with the Calla Lily Valley, ascend the steps on the opposite side from where you descended into the valley, to get on the Garrapata Bluff Trail for stunning views of the coastline and the colors of the sunset.

Location : South of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, CA Parking : Park at trailhead, if driving a sedan or SUV. Park near the lake only if driving a high clearance 4x4 or truck Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 4.2 miles rt Elevation Gain : 515 ft Difficulty : Easy until you reach top of columns. Strenuous going down to lake level and coming back up. Trails traversed : Crowley Lake Trail AllTrails Link : https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/crowley-lake-columns The Crowley Lake Columns are mysterious stone structures formed on the banks of Lake Crowley in the Eastern Sierras. Just like the Tufas at Mono Lake nearby, these stone columns look like they belong to a different planet. They are up to 20 feet tall and are connected by high arches, as if part of an ancient Moorish temple. Researchers have found that these columns were created due to volcanic activity under the earth surface and were exposed when the Lake Crowley reservoir was built in the 1940s. To reach the stone columns, it requires hiking for about 2 miles to the top of the cliff and then down a very steep incline down the cliff face to lake level. Despite the difficulty, these structures are totally worth a deviation if you are in the area. We visited these columns as part of our leaf-peeping road trip to the Eastern Sierras. >> Got a question about this hike that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @ SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Parking: Parking is the singular most important aspect of this hike, as the entire trail is a dirt road with deep ruts, and many websites suggest driving SUVs all the way to the end of the trail. I highly discourage this as we saw a number of SUVs and 4x4s (Toyota 4Runner, Ford F150, Honda CRV, etc) which couldnt circumvent the deep ruts. Having just a 4x4 will not work. You need to have a vehicle with its frame custom lifted or having a high clearance. The only vehicles we saw that made it to the end of the trail were a couple of Rivian trucks and a GMC truck. If you are driving a sedan, then the answer is easy - park at the trailhead at the intersection of Owen Gorge Road, as shown in AllTrails map and hike your way in/out. If you are driving a 4x4 SUV, you can drive a little further up the trailhead, where there is a large parking lot to the left of the trail, les than a quarter of a mile from the trailhead. I do not recommend taking a sedan to this designated parking lot, as the entry and exit to the lot is very steep and the dirt road may damage the bottom of low clearance vehicle. Here's a video of an SUV trying to maneuver over the deep ruts. The Trail: The first two miles of the trail is easy to follow, pretty gradual and completely exposed with no shade. So highly recommend going early in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is low. About a quarter mile into the hike, you will notice the deep ruts in the trail. If you are lucky, you will see 4x4s struggling to make their way over the deep ruts. A view of the ruts in the trail Beyond that, it is a long, boring walk along a sandy dirt path with just desert scenery around you and the constant sound of the gravel crunching under your feet. After about two miles, the trail abruptly ends at the edge of a sandy cliff overlooking Lake Crowley. This is a good spot to take in the beauty of this large lake and the view of the stone columns in the distance, before making your way downhill. Can you see the stone columns in the distance? There is no defined trail leading down, but it is easy to figure out the path to the bottom of the hill. Sandy, steep hike down Once down the hill, the columns are right there to explore. They look even more massive up close. There are many small caves to explore between the columns. The horizontal striation represents the lake level during non-drought years A "stone"man This is a great spot to have a picnic on the lake shore as well as swim in the lake. When we went on a Saturday afternoon in mid October, there were only a handful of people at the lake and along the trail. Lake Crowley at sunset When you are ready to turn back, the hike up that steep, sandy hill can be quite intimidating. But it can be done if you are in decent shape, with multiple stops to catch your breath. Hard climb back to the top of the hill! Once you are on top of the hill, it is another boring walk for two miles back to your car. In summary, this hike is a case of the destination being better than the journey. The columns are like none other in any part of the world, and despite the uncharacteristic hike to reach it, is a must see, if you are in the Mammoth Lakes area. >> Got a question about this hike that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @ SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.

Location : Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center, Soquel, CA. Parking : Free Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 6 miles Elevation Gain : 984ft Difficulty : Moderate Trails traversed : 6 Miles Trail Loop > 8 Verse Trail Loop Post Hike Grub suggestion : Woodstock Pizza, Santa Cruz. This trail was a hidden gem of the Bay Area until June of 2021. When Covid struck, folks began to look for new local activities and thanks to social media, this place soon became everyone's favorite. When we went in June, the trail and the Buddhist Monastery was pretty much deserted, and there was a $5 charge for parking. I have heard that the parking fee has been removed since. The Monastery is open only on certain days. So check the website before going. Once you enter the premise, drive all the way up the road to park at the top of the hill. The 6 miles trail loop starts right next to the parking lot. Since the trail is a loop, traverse it in the clockwise direction, so you save the best, ie. the Buddhist Monastery, till the last. If you go in the counter-clockwise direction, the ascend is very steep. The trail is fully shaded under a thick canopy of redwoods . This serene trail runs next to Bates creek for the first couple of miles and is pretty flat. As you walk on the lush carpet of fallen redwood bark and leaves, you feel an air of magic and calmness around you and wonder if the spiritual retreat has anything to do with how you are feeling. Tree stumps struck by lightening mark your path and make great photo-ops. Soon the trail turns into switchbacks and gets steeper as it climbs uphill. Once you reach the top of the hill, you will be greeted by colorful prayer flags signifying the Monastery close by. The trail slowly begins to descend as you pass by many more prayer flags and small Buddhist artifacts placed in the grooves and holes of the tree trunks. Colorful prayer flags all along the trail. When the Monastery comes within view, you can cut short your hike and head straight towards it, or continue on for another 2 miles on the Eight Verse Trail Loop. On this last leg of the loop, you will encounter 8 shrines dedicated to various Buddhist verses with a comfortable bench in front of each shrine to contemplate the meaning of the verse. As you read each verse and come to the end of your hike, you feel an inner calmness and peace that you may not have experienced on any other hike. On your way to your parked car, you will pass by a gigantic statue of Buddha, a large colorful prayer wheel, a few smaller prayer wheels and a gong. Give the prayer wheels a spin and gently strike the gong before you end this spiritual journey and head back home. The giant, colorful prayer wheel. More prayer wheels to turn The giant golden Buddha statue that greeted us at the end of the hike

Location : Point Lobos Natural Preserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. Parking : $10 (free roadside available) Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 6.7 miles Elevation Gain : 714 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : South Plateau Trail > Sand Hill Trail > Cypress Grove Trail > North Shore Trail > Cabin Trail > Granite Point Trail > Carmel Meadow Trail Post-hike pit stop suggestion : Allegro Pizzeria, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. This is yet another premium hike close to the Bay Area along the Carmel coast. With lush flora and fauna all along the trail, and dramatic cypress trees bordering the rugged cliffs, the views on this hike are some of the most breathtaking ones you will see in all of California. If you arrive early in the day (before 9am), free parking is also available alongside the highway. Parking within the park costs $10. There is ample parking within the park, at various vista points. Restrooms are available near the park entrance as well as at various parking lots. The Point Lobo loop trail can start and end at any one of these parking lots, or from the park entrance. The network of trails listed above starts at the park entrance, gradually climbs upwards for the first half a mile, after which it is almost flat in its entirety. It does get rocky in a few areas with exposed roots along the trail which can cause one to trip easily. Due to this, sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. The first vista point you will come across is beautiful and serene Hidden Beach. Although you will pass a few other beaches along the loop, this beach is the easiest to access and the least rocky. Hidden Beach The most famous vista in this park is the emerald water of China Cove. If starting your hike from the park entrance, you will reach this point within the first two miles of the hike. The color of the water depends on the angle of the suns rays, with the water being most vibrant mid morning to noon. This is also the time you are most likely to see elephant seals lazing on the beach in the cove. Emerald waters of China Cove Seals sunbathing at China Cove The route takes you to some of the other highlights of the park, including Bird Island, cypress grove and Whaler beach. The views are stunning at every bend, be it of wildflowers covered in early morning dew, or seals sunbathing on the beach, or waves crashing against the rugged cliffs, or divers practicing their skill around a kelp forest at Whaler Beach. When you reach Whalers Cove, turn right on Carmel Meadow Trail which will take you back to the park entrance. Below are some vistas captured during this hike: A quick family click at Cypress Grove Bird island Wildflower bathed in early morning dew.

Location : Sign Hill, South San Francisco, CA Parking : Neighborhood parking (free) Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 1.5 miles Elevation Gain : 550 ft Difficulty : Moderate Trails traversed : Letters Trail > Eucalyptus Loop Trail > Seubert Trail > Ridge Trail > Letters Trail Pets Allowed? : Yes "South San Francisco The Industrial City" sign I had seen the big sign "South San Francisco Industrial City" numerous times on a hill while driving on Highway 101, past the SFO airport. Imagine my surprise when I found out that there is a trail that takes you around those letters, and this hill and the letters are seeped in Bay Area history! Did you know the sign has been around since 1929? The letters are affixed on what is appropriately called "Sign Hill", a portion of the San Bruno hillside, situated behind a residential neighborhood in South San Francisco. This signage was first created to attract various industries to San Francisco, which soon became home to many industrial plants, including cement and steel plants, meat packers and shipbuilders. The sign was strategically placed so it was visible from the main thoroughfares in those days, which were El Camino Real and Bayshore Highway (Hwy 101), as well as from the train and the nearby Mills Field airfield (now San Francisco International Airport ). Due to its almost 100 year old history, this hill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Plaque signifying the historic importance of Sign Hill Birds eye view of SFO airport from the trail. I did this hike on a weekday evening, to watch the sunset. At that time, the trail was fully deserted, and I saw no one for as long as I was there, which added to the tranquility of the place. This hill is less than 5 miles from SFO airport, and makes for a perfect outing when you have time to kill before picking up someone from the airport, or after dropping them off. Absolutely no one on the trail, other than me! The hike itself is short, but steep, providing excellent views of the Peninsula and beyond. Due to its steep downhill, sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles are highly recommended. Parking is on city streets, specifically along the intersection of Poplar Ave and Rocca Ave. The trailhead begins at the dead end of Poplar Ave, next to/behind the last house on the street. A few wooden steps lead to the start of the hike on Letters Trail. If you turn right on Letters Trail, the inclination is very steep, but will take you to the letters faster. I started my hike by going left on Letters Trail, so the climb was more gradual, and I got to enjoy the views longer this way. This place is great to catch the last rays of the sun! As you start on Letters Trail, you will notice a number of wooden steps leading up the hill. Taking the stairs will cut the length of the hike in half. But beware that the steps get bigger and steeper as you climb up and it requires some level of fitness to make it to the top. Having read other reviews, I avoided the stairs, and continued on Letters Trail until it became Seubert Trail and intersected with Eucalyptus Loop trail. This is a 0.3 mile loop, with overgrown grass making the trail extremely narrow, but with an abundance of wildflowers on either side. Wildflowers along Eucalyptus Loop Trail The trail loops around behind some houses before it reunites with Seubert Trail. Continue on Seubert Trail as it ascends towards the top of the hill. A few switchbacks towards the top, along with great scenery, make the climb easier. This picture shows the switchbacks on Seubert Trail At the top, Seubert Trail intersects with Ridge Trail, where the inclination is gradual to non-existent. Turn right on Ridge Trail and make your way towards the cell phone towers. Catch your breath and enjoy the views of the Peninsula, because the trail starts going steeply downhill from this point. You will be thankful for your hiking boots and trekking poles. There are a couple of strategically placed benches to take in the views or watch planes take off and land at SFO airport in the distance. View from the top. Lupines had started to bloom along Ridge Trail in late January. The famous letters (for which you are doing this hike) lie between Ridge Trail at the top and Letters Trail at the bottom. There are a few offshoot trails from Ridge Trail which take you to the top of the letters. The letters themselves are 48-65ft long and are steep enough that you can slide down on them! Maybe carrying a sled or a garbage can lid will make the slide more fun! Can you recognize the giant letters? "R", "Y", "T" and "A" Posing with letter "C", to show the enormity of it. As you come towards the end of Ridge Trail, turn a sharp right onto Letters Trail. You can now view the giant letters from below. The views never fail to impress all along this trail. Homes along the San Bruno hillside. Continue along Letters Trail which traverses down steeply, all the way back to your parked car. In summary, this was a quick, short hike, which provided an excellent workout within an hour. I would recommend doing this mini adventure at least once, just for the panoramic views and to visit Bay Area history.

Location : The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Aptos, CA Parking : $8 Trail type : Out and Back Trail Length : 8.6 miles Elevation Gain : 800ft Difficulty : Moderate Trails traversed : Aptos Creek Fire Road > Loma Prieta > Bridge Creek Trail > Maple Falls Post hike grub suggestion : Parish Publick House, Aptos, CA This is one of the most fun hikes I have done in the Bay Area, mostly because there are so many creek crossings that the trail becomes an obstacle course towards the end of the hike. We went on a crisp winter morning and found ourselves in the midst of autumn colors and falling leaves all along the trail. The hike takes you through a peaceful redwood forest ending at Maple Falls. Colorful fallen leaves along the trail The trail is located in Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. Once you enter the park and pay the entrance fee, continue driving on the fire road all the way till the road ends at George's Picnic Area. You will find ample parking here if you arrive early in the day. After parking your car, cross the iron gates and follow the Aptos Creek Fire Road trail for about 1.25 miles, until you reach Loma Prieta trail. Continue on Loma Prieta trail for about 0.7 miles, until it intersects Bridge Creek Trail. Bridge Creek Trail will take you all the way to the falls. Most of Bridge Creek Trail runs by the side of the creek and will require crossing the creek at many points. When we went in December of 2020, it was a dry season and water level was low. We could skip over stones without getting our feet wet. The creek level maybe higher during a wet winter. So come prepared with an extra pair of socks and clothes you dont mind getting wet in. The thick, dense redwood forest offers complete shade all along the trail and the ground is carpeted with fallen leaves which cushion your footsteps. The occasional rays of sun streaming through the redwoods, bathe you in warm light every once in a while. After multiple creek crossings and climbing over fallen tree trunks and large boulder the trail finally leads you to the beautiful falls. A tall fallen tree trunk adds character to the falls and challenges adventurous hikers to a balancing act. This is a good spot to refuel and for some final photo ops before retracing your steps back to the parking lot. Maple Falls Maple leaves at Maple Falls

Location : Albany Bulb, East Shore State Park, Albany, CA. Parking : Free Trail type : Loop Trail Length : 2-3 miles Elevation Gain : 26 ft Difficulty : Easy Trails traversed : Albany Waterfront Trail Dogs Allowed ? Yes Pro Tip : Wear sturdy shoes. Go during sunset. Post Hike Grub Stop : Daryoush Persian Restaurant , Berkeley, CA. Albany Bulb is an area slightly northwest of Berkeley, a former construction debris landfill and an adventure playground for artists, muralists and sculptors. A number of hiking trails weave through the 31 acres of this East Shore State Park, providing magnificent views of the SF skyline, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. From mid April to mid May, the park is ablaze with a variety of wildflowers, the red Valerian being the most prolific amongst them. The area is very peaceful, with quirky art installations scattered throughout the park. Parking : I noticed atleast 3 different parking lots along Buchanan St and its side streets. There was ample parking when we arrived on a Friday evening at 7:30pm. There are restrooms available at the entrance of the park. The Trail: Albany Waterfront Trail runs the entire length of Albany Bulb with many small offshoots interconnecting various parts of the trail. In all, I calculated 3.5 miles of almost flat, easy trail throughout the park. Follow the trail map in All Trails to chart your course. Since the entire area is a construction debris landfill, there are a number of rebars sticking out of the ground, so watch your step. The Waterfront Trail starts from Buchanan St and runs towards the water. There is a small beach with picnic tables which provide spectacular views of the SF skyline and the two bridges on either side. This is an excellent spot to end your hike - with a picnic basket and unbeatable views. Depending on the tide, you can go out all the way to the waters edge along the waterfront trail. Sturdy shoes will come in handy to walk over the uneven walkway created on the water with rocks and broken concrete. The Red Valerian flowers bloom across the entirety of Albany Bulb. They grow in clumps alongside the trail, displaying vibrant pink, red and sometimes even white flowers. Since they grow on the side of the trail, they are not in danger of being trampled by the Instagram selfie seekers. Although they look gorgeous, they are non-native plants from the Mediterranean, and spread easily if not curtailed. Nevertheless, their colorful display is a treat to the eyes. Other than the wildflowers seen during Spring, there are "Burning Man"esque art installations all along the trail, ranging from colorful graffiti to metal sculpture of a gigantic woman with her arms held out as though welcoming you to admire the view behind her. Numerous benches surrounded by wildflowers, are strategically placed along the trail, offering spectacular Bay views. Notice the torsoless manniquins hung on the tree - yet another quirky art installation. Also along the trail are two swings offering similar stunning views of the Bay and beyond. When you have had admired the views and explored the art installations to your hearts content, use the AllTrails map to find your way back to your car. Post Hike Grub Stop : Berkeley, which is the town South of Albany has a number of restaurants to fit any budget. When we did this hike (or rather a stroll), we decided to try Persian food at Daryoush restaurant close to the Berkeley campus. Parking is roadside or at the Berkeley crescent at the end of the street ($2/hr). Service was friendly and quick, and food was mild, yet tasty. L to R : Doogh (salty yogurt drink, like salt lassi), veggie kabob with special lentils and saffron rice, ghormeh sabzi (spinach curry) with basmati rice.

Chicago is infamous for many things, and deep dish pizza is towards the top of that list. When we visited Chicago in the spring of 2022, one of our family goals was to try out as many of the popular deep dish pizza restaurants that the city had to offer. In 5 days we tried 5 different places, and I came home 5 pounds heavier! Below is our rating of the 5 most popular Chicago pizzerias. To rate our pizzas, we ensured we ordered the same kind (vegetarian) of pie at each location. The rating is based on our family of 3's opinion on crust, sauce and toppings. #5 Lou Malnati's Lou Malnati's came highly recommended by locals and the internet alike. This pizza parlor has a number of locations throughout the city. We visited the newest location on Michigan Ave. Wait time was over an hour on a Thursday evening. Although they don't have any reservations, we were able to put our name down on a wait list and pre-order our pizza, as each pie takes 45 mins - 1 hr to make. We ordered the Deep Dish Veggies, which had Mozzarella cheese, topped with a mixture of mushroom, onion & green pepper and vine-ripened tomato sauce. We were utterly disappointed when we took our first bite - the crust and the tomato sauce lacked any flavor, and the toppings were nothing great. The cheese felt too salty at times, and it was an overall bland pizza. We were especially disappointed by the minimal amount of sauce on top of the pizza, which made it lack the classic Chicago deep dish look. This particular pizza didn't knock it out of the park for us. Dont be fooled by the look of it! #4 Pizano's We visited this pizzeria based on a recommendation that it is Oprah's favorite. Pizano's was started by Lou Malnati's half-brother, Rudy. The location we went to the one on Madison Ave is very close to the Bean and the Millennium Park. Though it was busy and crowded, we were seated immediately. The vegetarian pie we had ordered came out after the usual 45 minutes wait. It was not piled high with toppings, but the crust was decent and so was the tomato sauce. It was an overall okayish experience, and nothing stellar. Oprah's favorite! #3 Uno's Uno's was our very first exposure to deep dish pizza in the Bay Area in the early 90s. We absolutely loved their pies and frequented their Cupertino and Fremont locations often. We were extremely disappointed when Uno's closed all their locations throughout California in the early 2000s. Since then, we have never been able to find a deep dish pizza establishment in the Bay Area on par with Uno's. So Uno's topped our must-visit list when we planned our trip to Chicago. We were thrilled that the only location, and the oldest, was located just a block away from our hotel, on Ohio Ave. Uno's is the oldest deep dish pizzeria in Chicago, founded in 1943. Like most deep dish restaurants, Uno's let us pre-order our pizza when we put our name on the waitlist to be seated, so we did not have to wait as long for our food upon arrival. The biggest difference we noticed with the Uno's pizza was the crust. It had a distinctive cornmeal crust that was a bit harder to cut into but made the pizza great for picking up and eating with your hands. We loved the flavor of the crust as well as the sauce, and thought that they had a great cheese to sauce to toppings ratio. Overall, we were reminded of why we loved this restaurant so much and were thoroughly satisfied with our experience. That crispy cornmeal crust was so flavorful! #2 Giordano's Giordanos came in second place by a very slim margin. While most of the locals and tour guides we spoke to all chose Lou Malnati's as their top pizza, we fell in love with it's rival restaurant. We went to the Giordano's location on Navy Pier and were quickly seated after a short wait. All of the waiters wore shirts seeming to reference Giordano's infamous cheese pull, and they were not wrong. Giordano's vegetarian pizza had the most vegetables included by far. And the heaping serving of vegetables was met with equally as much cheese that stretched on and on. Their sauce was flavorful but could have used a bit more, given how much cheese and toppings there were. The crust was not the cornmeal style that we had fallen in love with but still complimented the pizza well. Definitely a huge step up from it's supposed competitor, Lou Malnati's. Look at that cheese pull!! And the #1 best Deep Dish pizzeria in Chicago is....... Pequod's!! Pequod's and Giordanos were our top two pizzas and it was extremely difficult for us to agree on a winner between them, but Pequod's ultimately triumphed. Pequod is located in Lincoln Park, a bit further from the downtown tourist attractions, but definitely worth the trip out there. A popular location amongst locals, we knew that we had to try this place to round out our pizza tasting tour. Out of all of the places we tried, Pequods was definitely the smallest restaurant and the only one that wasn't a chain. The menu listed it's deep dish pizza under the title of "pan pizza" and all of the pizzas were "build your own" as you started with a cheese deep dish and added additional toppings to it. What set Pequod's apart from the rest was its crust. A cornmeal crust with caramelized cheese on the top of it, paired beautifully with the flavorful sauce and toppings. The sauce was delicious and the cheese had a great stretch and flavor to it. If you have the time and love deep dish, Pequod's is worth the trip for any tourist. Very generous toppings!

When folks think of a weekend getaway, cities like Las Vegas, or Chicago, or even New Orleans come to mind. But very few think of Nashville in Tennessee. When we visited Nashville, little did we expect to see what we did. It is like the Las Vegas of the South - a total party town, with high end restaurants and bars, and honky tonk music blaring out of every establishment, and tourists and party-goers walking the street of Broadway at every hour of the day and night. Also known as Music City, it is a vibrant and historic city located in the heart of Tennessee. Known for its deep roots in country music, Nashville is home to many famous music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition to its musical and historical attractions, Nashville offers a diverse food scene, outdoor activities and shopping. While visiting St. Louis for my daughter's graduation, we decided to do a quick weekend trip to Nashville. Though there are many sights to see in this city, we found that 2 days were enough to cover the major attractions. We had an incredible time exploring Nashville and we're confident you will too. So pack your bags and book your trip to Music City. You won't regret it. Day 1: After leaving St. Louis at 6am, we arrived in downtown Nashville by 11am. Most of the daytime and nighttime activities in Nashville take place on Broadway Street, a road bursting with honky tonks that blast live country music all throughout the day. Many of the honky tonks and bars along Broadway are owned by famous country music artists and are great places to grab some food or a drink during the daytime and listen to local country musicians play their music. These honky tonks turn into crazy crowded clubs in the evenings, playing an assortment of music. Most of them are multi-level establishments, with a live country music band on the ground floor and pop and hip hop music on the upper levels. Many of them also have rooftop dance floors that offer great views of the city during the day or night. Nashville is a hotspot for bachelorette parties and 21st birthday celebrations, as it was common to see large groups of women in matching shirts and cowboy boots enjoying the music and the drinks. Party-goers in cowboy boots If you plan on hitting up any of the clubs late at night, our resident partier said that Jason Aldean's, Luke Bryant's, and Florida Georgia Line's clubs are the most fun and play the best music. Also, none of the clubs on Broadway charge a cover! >> Got a question about Nashville that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @ SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. After arriving at Broadway, we grabbed lunch at Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa Cantina . Casa Rosa is a popular spot for drinks and TexMex food during the day, and turns into a club at night like most honky tonks. They are known for their unique pink decor and Instagrammable wall art that attracts most female tourists and partygoers. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal as they had great vegetarian food. At Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa Cantina After lunch, we began our audio walking tour that you could download to your phone for $7. It was around 2 hours long and took us all along Broadway and the surrounding streets, explaining the history behind this country music capital. Our walking tour had us stop at Goo Goo Chocolate Co , the creators of Nashville's signature candy the Goo Goo Cluster. It is a cluster of nougat, caramel, nuts, and milk chocolate that will satisfy any sweet tooth. A Go0 Goo Cluster As a part of our walking tour, we walked along the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge which spans the Cumberland River and is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. We had intended to return here in the evening to see the city night lights but we ended up getting rained out. View of downtown Nashville from John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring different honky tonks on Broadway and enjoying the various types of country and bluegrass music. Busy Broadway Street, the hub of this party town In the evening we left Broadway and headed towards the Parthenon, located a few miles away in midtown near the Vanderbilt campus. It is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. We weren't able to go inside the building but it was incredibly beautiful to see from the outside. The "American" Parthenon Day 2: We spent all of the next morning exploring the Country Music Hall of Fame. Located right next to Broadway St, this museum of country music is a must-see in Nashville. The admission tickets and audio guide are definitely worth the price as even our family who doesn't listen to any country music thoroughly enjoyed the museum. The audio guide takes about 2 hours and provides a very informative history of country music in Nashville, beginning with the early country music pioneers of the 1800s spanning all the way to the country pop stars of today. After the museum, we grabbed lunch at Justin Timberlake's 12/30 Restaurant. He is one of the few non-country artists to own a restaurant on Broadway and his food did not disappoint. The Twelve Thirty Club is a multilevel establishment with a casual honky tonk on the ground floor, an upscale Supper Club on the second floor, and a classy cocktail bar on the rooftop. There is also a members-only lounge on one of the levels. Due to this venue's popularity, we were only able to get lunch reservations at the honky tonk and were thoroughly impressed by the food and the music. Right next to the Twelve Thirty Club, is Assembly Food Hall, 3 story building with a variety of restaurants and cuisines. The most popular place to grab a bite in Nashville is Hattie B's, located right next to Assembly Food Hall. This restaurant is infamous for their Nashville Hot Chicken and has multiple locations in and around the city of Nashville with the Broadway location being the most popular. While we didn't have time to eat there on this trip, my daughter had eaten there on a previous trip to Nashville and said that it took about 45 minutes in line to order and an additional 15 to receive her food, but she claimed it was well worth it! Our last stop was at the Grand Ole Opry. Not being country music fans, we skipped buying tickets for the concert happening that day, as we didnt recognize any of the artists. There is also a behind-the-scenes stage tour offered when there are no shows taking place. We took advantage of some great photo ops in front of this concert venue, checked it off our "to see" list, and started our 4-hour drive back to St.Louis. In conclusion, Nashville is a city that truly has something for everyone - from music lovers to history buffs to foodies. I hope this guide has inspired you to plan your own trip to Music City and experience all it has to offer.

When you hear 'New York City", you immediately think of skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty and a city where you can party all night. NYC is truly all this and much more. Freshly returned from a 3 week trip to New York City, I have curated some top attractions which can be covered during a 4-day weekend trip. I have also purposely omitted some of the popular sites such as Statue of Liberty Tour, Times Square and Empire State Building tour, as I have assumed that you, the reader, has already visited NYC atleast once in the past. >> Got a question about this New York City Itinerary that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending. Where To Stay: Any hotel in Midtown Manhattan is a great option, as it is centrally located to all the sights and sounds the City has to offer. A word of caution that most NYC hotel rooms are extremely small and cramped compared to other parts of the United States. We stayed at the Marriott on 37th Street and 6th Avenue, and although it was within walking distance to Times Square, Broadway shows, Empire State Building and the subway, the Deluxe King room we had booked was extremely cramped for the two of us. Day 1 (Brooklyn, midtown and downtown Manhattan) : Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour : We love doing guided walking tours in any big city we visit. It is a great way to hear about the history of the place from a local, and at the same time, get tips on fun things to do and places to eat in the area. Our goto walking tour company is Free Tours By Foot , as they offer dozens of tours at popular destinations and the best part is, you decide how much you want to pay the guide at the end of the tour. They offer multiple walking tours in NYC, at various times of the day. If you want the flexibility of time, then they also have an audio tour option at minimal cost ($3). The Brooklyn Bridge tour we signed up for, was almost 3 hours long, took us over the Brooklyn Bridge with the guide providing an indepth history lesson about the bridge, followed by a visit to the DUMBO and historic Brooklyn Heights. I highly recommend this tour, as it is an easy way to explore Brooklyn for an otherwise novice NYC sightseer. Julianas : Two of the most famous pizzerias in Brooklyn are Julianas and Grimaldis, once owned by the same pizza proprietor. Both serve NY style thin crust, coal oven pies. We had visited Grimaldis on a prior visit and decided to check out Julianas, based on our tour guides recommendation. At lunch hour, expect a long wait to be seated. The restaurant is small and cramped, but has a European vibe to it, with the waitstaff talking loudly in Italian. The personal pizza we ordered (they dont serve by the slice) did not disappoint, with its flavorful crust, generous sauce and toppings. The pizzeria's location close to the Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo makes it very accessible via subway. Rockefeller Center Walking Tour : After lunch, if you are up for some more walking, take the subway to midtown Manhattan to start an audio walking tour of the Rockefeller Center. There are a number of audio tours available for The Rock, but the one we chose, and loved, was the free tour by Gesso. The tour starts outside the NBC studios on Avenue Of The Americas and points out all the delightful details that are nestled throughout the Rockefeller Center and surrounding areas. The recording is about 50 minutes long, but we took almost two hours to stop and admire the sculptures and artwork described in the tour. We had missed noticing so many facets of 30 Rock in our prior visits to NYC! Baar Baar : This Indian Gastropub/restaurant came well recommended by friends in the Bay Area, so we had to give it a try for dinner. The restaurant is located off the usual tourist thoroughfare, in Lower Manhattan, but it is easily accessible by subway. The interiors are spacious and modern giving the entire place a fun vibe. Being NY Restaurant week, we decided to try their special prix-fixe menu which consisted of 4 courses. From the amuse buche to dessert, everything was flavorful and fresh, and the right portion for 1 person. The service was top notch and our waiter was constantly checking in with us and did not let a water glass go half empty. Just a delightful experience, all around. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the chef is the same as the one in Rooh in the Bay Area. This restaurant definitely deserves a Michelin star (or two). As you can see, I highly recommend this place the next time you are in Lower Manhattan. Staten Island Ferry : One of the best "free things" to do in New York is to ride the Staten Island Ferry to enjoy views of Lower Manhattan from the water. The ferry runs every 30 minutes from the Battery Park terminal and takes riders to St.George Ferry terminal on Staten Island, and back, all for no cost. Along the way, it passes Liberty Island and gives the riders unparalleled sweeping views of Lower Manhattan skyline. We timed our ride to coincide with sunset and were rewarded with spectacular views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and One World Trade Center, against the setting sun. NY Ferry : For the ride back to Manhattan, we decided to forgo Staten Island Ferry, but instead hopped a ride on the NY Ferry, which would take us along the West Side of Manhattan and provide views of Midtown Manhattan, not seen from the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry ride cost us a menial $2.75. This was a great decision, as it was already nighttime and all the buildings were lit up, and we got a front row seat view of the Manhattan skyline in all its nighttime glory. We disembarked at Midtown West ferry terminal and headed back to our hotel. Day 2 (Downtown Manhattan): Greenwich village Food Tour : Greenwich Village is an iconic and charming neighborhood in New York City, famous for NYU, and its eclectic food scene. To unlock the secret food haven of this historic district, we ventured on a DIY food tour while strolling through its quaint streets. More details can be found here. SoHo Walking Tour : SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston) is New York City's prime shopping district. Prior to that, it was a famous artsy neighborhood of the 60s and 70s and still features many art galleries, although the high end couture houses are fast replacing these galleries. We followed another audio tour on the history of SoHo. The free audio tour, download once again from the Gesso app , uncovers hidden details and stories only longtime SoHo residents can tell. Streets of Soho Oculus: An easy subway ride from SoHo takes you to World Trade Center and the Oculus. The Oculus is a transportation hub and shopping mall built alongside the World Trade Center, and easily identified by its white steel wing shaped tips reaching towards the sky. Although there is no building in New York with such an artistic focus, the Oculus is much detested by most New Yorkers as it looks out of place and does not provide much curb appeal to the New York skyline, despite its high cost and construction delays. From the outside, it looks like a dragon bowing its head. However, the inside of the building provides the effect of being inside a giant whale. Just for all the controversy the Oculus has created, it is worth a visit, prior to, or after your visit to One World Trade Center. Can you see the dragon bending down??? The inside of the Oculus looks like the inside of a giant whale One World Trade Center : One World Trade Center, formerly known as The Freedom Tower, is the tallest building in the United States, and the sixth tallest in the world. An architectural marvel, a visit to the One World observatory on its 102nd floor is an absolute must for any NYC tourist. Tickets get sold out very fast, especially for the sunset time slots, so plan on purchasing them a few days in advance. We timed our visit to witness the sun setting over New Jersey, across the Hudson River. Day 3 (Upper and Midtown Manhattan): Central Park Bike Ride : Central Park, in Uptown Manhattan, is the most visited park in the United States, and the most filmed location in the world. A cool way to explore the sights and sounds of over 800 acres of Central Park is by bike. We hopped on a guided bike tour of Central Park, with Unlimited Biking , who first set us up with bikes and helmet in their uptown location, just a block from Central Park. The guide was very informative and narrated the history and geology of Central Park, along with titbits of the buildings adjacent to the park. At a leisurely pace, the bike tour took about 2 hours to complete and provided us insights of this iconic New York landmark. Central Park Lake Broadway Shows : No trip to the Big Apple is complete without seeing one of its Broadway Shows. There are a number of famous shows for the picking, based on your interest. We decided to do a Saturday Matinee as we wanted to save the evening hours to watch the sunset. Our show of choice was Moulin Rouge, at the historic Al Hirschfield theater. We were so glad with our selection, as it was a spectacular show! The costumes, stage settings, acting and singing were top notch. All the original songs were interwoven with a medley of pop songs from Lady Gaga to Aha to The Police, making it extremely entertaining. This may be THE BEST Broadway show we’ve seen so far. Summit One Vanderbilt : A short walk from Broadway/Times Square takes you to Summit One. Located 1000ft over the Grand Central Station, Summit One Vandervilt is the newest and most stunning observation deck in the city, offering 3 levels of unique and immersive viewing experience. The ticket price is a bit steep, especially if you opt for a blue hour time slot, but the entire experience is well worth the price. Sunset times get booked very fast, so plan on purchasing the tickets a few days in advance. The immersive experience is divided into 3 rooms. The first room is covered in mirrors from floor to ceiling giving the entire room an optical illusion. The second room is filled with giant sized silver balloons. The third floor is the open air deck with amazing view of the Chrysler building, Empire State Building and beyond. This high rise experience is the best value in town and you wont regret going. Day 4 (Bronx and New Jersey): NY Botanical Garden : The lush, 250 acre NYBG is a train ride away in the borough of Bronx. If you can time your trip accordingly, NYBG is free for all visitors on Wednesdays. Plan to spend atleast half a day, once it opens at 10am. Best time of the year to visit the Botanical Garden is in late Spring, when flowers are in full bloom, or during the fall, when the park is bursting with fall colors. Bronx Zoo : The Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States. Just like NYBG, it offers free admission to all visitors on Wednesdays. However, you need to purchase a free timed entry ticket on their website on the Monday prior. Since the zoo is adjacent to NYBG, it would be wise to combine your NYBG visit with the Zoo. The zoo opens at 10am and needs atleast half a day to see some of the main exhibits. Hamilton Park : End your trip to New York City with the best views that will make you want to come back to this man made marvel again and again. When the sun has set, make your way across the Hudson River to Jersey City in New Jersey, and to Historic Hamilton Park. This Victorian Age Park was once the location of the famous Alexander Burr - Alexander Hamilton duel, in which Hamilton was wounded and later succumbed to his wounds. There are plaques marking this historic event throughout the park. The half mile long promenade offers, without a doubt, THE BEST views of the Manhattan skyline. You can easily spend hours oogling at the view across the Hudson River, and envying the homeowners living along the promenade who wake up to this stunning view. In my opinion, the only other city that can rival the Manhattan skyline is Hong Kong. I hope this 4-day Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to NYC. If you have additional days to spare, I highly recommend a day trip to view the abundance of waterfalls in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. You can read all about it in my blog here. Hit me up on Instagram @SolaraStills, if you have any questions about this write-up.

The Windy City took our breath away when we returned to it after 22 years and realized how much it has changed since! From the architecture to the Bean to the Riverwalk, we fell in love with this city and it has become one of our top recommendations of cities to visit in the US. Where To Stay The most common areas to stay in downtown Chicago is the Loop and the Magnificent Mile. We decided to stay at a Hilton Garden Inn in the Magnificent Mile as it was the most central to all the attractions we wanted to check out. We did not have a car while in Chicago as it was more convenient to walk or Uber than to try to drive through Chicago traffic and find parking. What To Do Our first stop in Chicago was the Bahai Temple , 20 miles north of downtown Chicago. The stunning architecture of Chicago's Bahai temple takes your breath away every which way you look. It is the oldest Bahai temple in the world and took 40 years to build. The intricate details and carvings throughout the temple rival those of ancient India. A must see while visiting Chicago. Chicago is famously known for the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower) but the views that this building boasts now has competition from the Hancock Building . While it is not as tall as the Sears Tower, it's 94th floor observation deck still offers beautiful views of the Chicago skyline. Located in the Magnificent Mile, it has become an incredibly popular spot to view the sunset and the city night lights. Tickets for the observation of the Sears Tower and Hancock Tower are comparable in price and they both offer similar views of Chicago from merely 2 miles apart. We chose to visit the Hancock Tower as we had seen the Sears Tower over 20 years ago and the Hancock Tower was closer to our hotel on the Magnificent Mile. Aside from the observation deck, Hancock tower also has a mini ride called TILT, which tilts passengers outside 30 degrees, and they have a full bar called BAR 94. Sunset over the Windy City As the lights turn on... While the city has changed immensely since we last visited 22 years ago, we were the most impressed with the Chicago Riverwalk. There is a beautiful path that allows you to walk right along the banks of the river for a few miles. There are numerous cafes and restaurants along the side of the river, and there are guided boat tours available as well. The most popular boat tour for tourists and locals alike is the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour. There are many companies that offer this tour, and most have good reviews and travel the same route so choose whichever company offers you the best deal. Our tour was with the Chicago Lakefront Cruises company and it was a 1.5 hr guided tour on a two-level boat along the Chicago River. We were enthralled by our guides commentary and loved learning about the unique Chicago architecture. Definitely a must-do in Chicago. Aside from the architecture boat tour, there are many free walking tours available in Chicago as well. We did the Chicago Gangsters & Crime Walking Tour as well as the Chicago Loop & Millennium Park Walking Tour . The gangster tour took us along the Magnificent Mile and explained the history of Chicago's mafia gangs and how they influenced the growth of the city. The Loop tour explained all the significant buildings and landmarks in the downtown loop area and ended at the Bean. We liked the loop tour more as it was more engaging and provided a history that interested us more. Yet another premier Chicago tourist attraction is Navy Pier, located along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is a popular shopping and eating destination, with an iconic ferris wheel that comes alive at night. The view of the Chicago skyline from the wheel is beyond spectacular. Besides the ferris wheel there are other carnival rides and games that are geared towards families with young children. We were thankful for the indoor aspect of the shopping and eating, as the pier can get especially windy, due to its location on the waters edge. During the summer, the pier hosts a fireworks show on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9pm and 10pm, respectively. View of Chicago skyline from the ferris wheel Of course, no trip to Chicago is complete without visiting the Bean . Officially known as Cloud Gate, the Bean was created by Anish Kapoor and was completed in 2006. Its made of stainless steel plates welded together and polished to get rid of any seams. It beautifully reflects the Chicago skyline and is worth the visit. To avoid the massive crowds, try visiting early in the morning before 10am. If you visit, don't forget to walk underneath the bean for a cool view. Most of Chicago's notable celebrities are all alumni of The Second City, a popular improv and sketch comedy venue. While the stars of the show are relatively unknown actors, we wouldnt be surprised to see them on Saturday Night Live or with their own standup special on Netflix in the coming years. Where To Shop The most popular place for shopping in Chicago is Magnificent Mile. Located along Michigan Ave, it ranges from various mid-range to high-end stores. It's a great place for window shopping or actual shopping depending on your budget ;). Along Magnificent Mile you can also find the Chicago Starbucks Reserve. There is usually a long line to get into this multi-level roastery, with different kinds of coffee-related food and drinks served on each floor. A lesser-known but equally cool place to go shopping in Chicago is the Macy's located in the Marshal Field & Co Building on State Street. It takes up an entire city block and is the biggest Macy's in the world, with over 2 million sq ft of shopping space, and is known as the first department store ever created. The best part of this store is the Tiffany mosaic ceiling located in the center of the store. Covered in over 6,000 sq ft of TIffany glass, it is the largest glass mosaic of its kind. What To Eat Chicago is known for its infamous deep dish pizza and it did not disappoint. For a full rundown of our deep dish rankings read my other post about the 5 top pizzerias, but our top two must-eat picks were Giordano's and Pequod's. Aside from deep dish, Chicago is also famous for Garrett's Popcorn. You can find a Garrett's Popcorn store on almost every street corner and it is renowned for its "Garrett Mix" a blend of cheddar cheese and caramel popcorn that is served fresh. We thought this popcorn was overrated and overpriced, as it did not stand out from the popcorn mixes we get at Costco at home. "Garrett Mix" a blend of cheddar cheese and caramel popcorn We also tried a few chain bakeries in Chicago, Goddess and the Baker and Stan's Donuts. Goddess and the Baker had two locations in Chicago, one of which was down the street from our hotel. They are known for their creative coffees and lattes, using glitter and fun flavors to make their lattes unique and colorful. The line was out the door when we arrived, and the coffees and pastries were well worth the wait. Stan's Donuts is another popular chain with locations across the country. We went to the original Chicago Stan's Donuts and it did not disappoint. They had a variety of cake donuts and we loved the chocolate glazed one that was not overly sweet. They also had a few fun flavors of gelato, and we enjoyed the mango flavor. While hotdogs are considered a classic American food, Chicagoans have managed to put their own twist on it. A Chicago-style hotdog consists of an all beef hotdog on a poppy seed bun, topped with chopped onions, dill pickle, tomato wedges, pickled sport peppers and a neon green pickle relish. Though it can be found all over the city, one of the most famous places to get a Chicago style hotdog is Portillo's , an Illinois chain that is famous for its Italian beef sandwiches, chocolate cake, and of course their popular hotdog. The meat eater of our family has always been a hotdog fan at heart and did not regret this impromptu stop. Our final must-eat in Chicago is Eataly . A multi-level building full of Italian cafes, restaurants, and marketplaces, it has everything needed to satisfy your Italian cravings. We had breakfast and dinner there and bought fresh baked bread from their bakery. Some of the restaurants were casual counters where you could quickly pick up food on the go, while there were also some sit-down restaurants that tend to have longer waits around dinner time. We were satisfied with every meal we had there and loved the variety of selection, especially for vegetarians. Hope these travel tips come in handy the next time you are in Chicago!