Wine and Spirits Travel

My trips are usually planned pretty far in advance. This one was different. It was toward the end of a summer spent mostly at home and Teddy and I were getting restless. I was also looking for something to talk about for my upcoming CI Living show .   Since I live just two hours south of Chicago and the windy City offers endless things to do, it was the obvious choice. I wanted something a bit different this time around. A focus on the Riverwalk sounded like the perfect idea. Even though Teddy is a service dog and allowed everywhere, I wanted a pet friendly place where people could have the same experience we did. The Sheraton Grand Riverwalk fit all the requirements and it was a hotel I had not previously been to.  My friend, Kim, came along for the short trip. We checked in quickly and went up to our large accessible room, with a king bed, a pullout couch, and a bed and bowl set up for Teddy that was much bigger than he was. We also had a welcoming charcuterie plate. ...

I've been to many Chicago hotels, but  StayPineapple is one of my best discoveries in years. I love pineapple and was very intrigued about a hotel built around the fruit. When I heard they were very dog friendly, I knew I had to go. I brought my friend Kim and my Yorkie Teddy along to enjoy the fun for a quick trip. Even though Teddy is a service dog and is welcome everywhere, I try to take him to pet friendly places so he gets the dog perks. We received welcome drinks (Sauvignon Blanc for me and pineapple beer for Kim), pineapple shaped cookies, pineapple water, and, of course, dog biscuits for Teddy, as soon as we arrived at the hotel. My corner suite was perfect, with a king bed in the large bedroom, and a couch, chair, and second television in the living room. Kim had the room next door to herself. We had a beautiful view from the window.  Teddy had a bed set up for him and bowls for water and food next to it. In his goodie bag was also a yellow container wit...

  Since I’ve been traveling in a wheelchair or mobility scooter the last few years, I have not gone many places alone. I decided to go for it when I was invited to spend a day – and night – at Navy Pier in Chicago. I have been to Navy Pier many times, but was never able to stay there until Sable, a Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton , was built. I always wondered why there wasn’t a hotel there, and after spending time scooting my way around the property and the pier, I can attest that it’s a fun and unique experience. The hotel is at the end of the pier and the entrance is right next to one of the parking lots. It was easy to park my van and take my scooter right into the modern lobby. Once inside you’ll be surprised at just how big it is, with a Kisbi Coffee and the Lirica Restaurant close to the entrance. It did take me a little while to figure out how to get to the elevator to my room, but once inside, I found my biggest draw to this hotel – the windows. Every room has ...

I was back in Chicago right before the holidays with Brittany and my scooter. We had a few more things to discover before I took some time off for more back surgery.  We checked into the Kimpton Hotel Monaco , which has a perfect location downtown. I had never been to a Kimpton before. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get a chance to take advantage of their wine in the evening.  What we did get to see was one of the best rooms I’ve ever had in Chicago. The one-bedroom suite is reasonably priced (compared to most of the suites in the Windy City) and very big.  I loved the separate bedroom, with large window seats. We were in a corner, so they provided a beautiful view and also had cushions large enough for kids to sleep on. I’d definitely recommend this room as comfortable for a family of four, or even six.  The original plan was to check out some outdoor activities, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo lights or the Christmas tree at Mi...

The first time I was every in Chicago was in the winter. It was after the holidays, but many of the decorations were still up.  It was freezing (-12!). I still thought the city was magical. Fourteen years later, I live two hours away and love taking trips to Chicago. I can’t tell you that I know my way around the city because I’m always looking to discover something new, or at least new to me. I went to a different section of the city to a museum I have never heard of before.  Wndr Museum is nothing like any other museum I’ve ever been. It’s fun enough for adults, and perfect for a family outing. It was just Brittany and I on this outing. While the modern art is beautiful, this museum is more about experiencing it than looking at it. Mirrors, music, textures, and shapes help you immerse yourself into the wonders of the Wndr Museum.  At the end, there’s something else for kids of all ages. Instead of the usual hot dog and popcorn...