This past weekend, my kids and my friend Janet and Marley, had the best full day in the Loop doing holiday activities. I LOVE the holidays and seeing my kids enjoy the magic through their eyes is wonderful! Our full itinerary started at 10am and we got home at 7:00pm. Take a journey through our day and I definitely recommend doing this with a friend, your kids or a significant other.
Great memories and times had with great friends!
Thank you to the Chicago Loop Alliance for having us. It was the best day.
Check out their website for events, activities, and daily giveaways here.
Ok, I think my kids are adorable and standing here in their skates I tear up. Bribery gets smiles and hand holding, but seeing how fast they have grown gets me teary eyed. We went ice skating in Maggie Daley Park last year as well. This year’s experience was a memorable one in a funny but frustrated way :).
Maggie Daley Ribbon Ice Skating park info here.
Be aware – my kids are 3 and 5. My three year old cried and my 5 year old clung to me. We did go around, but you can see his sense of balance in this photo. This was pretty much the entire experience. Us laughing, shouting and me trying to hold him up. Tip #1- bring a significant other to help. This mom had back pains and at one point fell entirely on my back as my son took me down.
Fun times for sure. Tip #2- bring them around one at a time. Janet and Marley were pros and skated around easily. I guess my kids need to work on balance :).
We still had a blast and as you see below, hot chocolate always makes the day better.
Their hot chocolate was so delicious and filled with marshmallows.
Next stop lunch nearby at Nando’s PERi PERi.
The staff was amazing and the CHICKEN WAS DELICIOUS! Flavored deliciousness and my kids ate their entire lunch (great kids menu). I’m literally hungry just thinking about the lunch I had.
Our next magical stop was the Joffrey’s Nutcracker ballet. My kids first ballet ever.
These kids were still full of energy and excited to see the show.
It was quite cold that day – can you tell based on our attire :)?
My friend Janet blogs here with her amazing finds/style.
The excitement continued with a cute selfie. My kids are so used to me planning activities that when we are together they ask me what’s next! Love that they love to get out and about like me.
If you haven’t been to the Nutcracker yet, I would definitely recommend it. It’s such a beautiful production and one of my favorite things to do during the holidays.
Dinner time at Dolce was amazing. It is a pretty restaurant in the Godfrey Hotel. Not a typical kids restaurant but if you go early it’s ok ;). My kids love Italian food so it was a fantastic treat.
The calamari and the pasta were our favorites.
This restaurant is great for date night and has a romantic feel.
Our overall itinerary for those of you that want to do the same:
Opened at 10am Maggie Daley Ribbon Ice Skating
Lunch was at noon Nando’s PERi PERi
Show started at 2pm Joffrey’s Nutcracker
Dinner at 5:30pm Dolce Italian
See more loop activities here.
Thank you to the Chicago Loop Alliance for having us again.
I got to spend my favorite holiday season, doing my favorite things, with my favorite people.
xoxo.
Thanks for the great views of Chicago and suggestions on things to do. I've only been to the airport on my trips out to the east coast to visit family. I have been planning on a trip out there. can't wait to plan a trip there and check out all the places I have on my list. Thanks for the great suggestions. Love them.