Revae Schneider, one of Chicago’s premier mixologists, works her magic on a cocktail.
A collage of delicious cocktails made by Revae’s happy SideTour guests.
Alan Lake, chef of “Around the World in 7 Courses” SideTour dinner, shows the crowd his infused vodka concoction.
Alan’s eclectic mix of music and artwork lend a backdrop for his unique dinner.
SideTour CEO Vipin Goyal decorates chocolates at Uzma Sharif’s Chocolat shop.
The final product at Chocolat’s pre-launch SideTour experience.
Chef Anupy Singla describes some of the main spices used during her Indian cooking SideTour.
Guests at Anupy’s experience share personal stories of their cooking mishaps and successes.
Find more Chicago experiences by heading over to the SideTour site!
Photo credit: Willie Chandler Photography
1. Batman
Pros: Gotham’s hero. Maximum crime-fighting potential. Pop culturally relevant.
Cons: We say this one is a win-win.
2. Over-excited Tourist
Pros: It’s the one time you can wear your “I heart New York” shirt outside without getting any dirty looks from your neighbors.
Cons: You’ll have to actually spend money on the marked up tourist stuff sold by the street hawkers. Don’t forget the Empire State Building pencil sharpener!
3. Statue of Liberty
Pros: Conveys a strong sense of patriotism. You can hide beer in your torch when walking past cops.
Cons: Your arm might get tired.
4. The cast of Sex in the City/Friends/Seinfeld/insert other TV show
Pros: None.
Cons: In theory, this sounds great. In practice, keeping a group of anywhere between 4 and 8 people together is a logistical nightmare that will leave Carrie pouting in the corner while Kramer runs off with the sexy bumblebee.
5. Hipster
Pros: You have an excuse to get a jump start on your moustache pre-Movember. You can finally put that flannel in your closet back into your style rotation.
Cons: You won’t be able to tell anyone what you are. A hipster never identifies as a hipster.
6. Secret Service Agent
Pros: You’ll be the mysterious one in all black. Bonus points for staying in character and pretending to be an actual agent to freak people out.
Cons: A full suit can be a hinderance on the dance floor.
7. Obama
Pros: Chicago icon. Timely.
Cons: Be prepared to find yourself in a fistfight with those dudes un-ironically wearing Romney masks.
We’re all about discovering the unexpected and having incredible experiences wherever you live. And while we generally don’t need a guide to get us out and about, we still think this Guidebook To Getting Lost is pretty cool.
It starts out with a question: “How do you get from point A to point B?” and continues with, “What if there was no point B?”
We have a feeling that these Flaneur Society guys and girls are our kind of people.
In honor of our upcoming Chicago launch later this month and a few Friends and Family experiences happening this week, we caught up with a few people who can’t get enough of The Windy City. Here’s a list of 9 things they say you need to do in Chi-town.
1. Chase the Story
Spend an afternoon in the editorial offices at the Chicago Tribune after having traveled around the city with a reporter/cameraman.
Thanks to Author Michele Howe for the tip.
2. Get Your Heart Rate Up
Thanks to Robert Smith and Kimberly Eberl for the tips.
3. Respect Your Elders
Go to Hemingway Museum in Oak Park. He’s a fascinating figure and one of America’s finest authors and journalists.
Thanks to Daniel Lobring for the tip.
4. See Green
Attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Thanks to Sophia Mitchell for the tip.
5. Blow Some Bubbles
Visit the Shedd Aquarium.
Thanks to Artist Pablo Solomon for the tip.
6. Look Up
Go on the River Architecture Cruise hosted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Thanks to Kat Podmolik for the tip.
7. Look Everywhere
Participate in Chicago Scavenger Hunt. It pairs interests in history/architecture with geeky game show personas. A race to the end!
Thanks to Kelly Daugherty for the tip.
8. Grab a Bite
Over eat at the Purple Pig and Moto.
Thanks to Analisa Shah for the tip.
9. Save Room for Dessert
Head to Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, which is in a really nice neighborhood restaurant with GREAT desserts and maybe the best hot chocolate I have ever had, anywhere! Don’t forget to try the homemade marshmallows.
Thanks to Joe Harberg for the tip.
1. The Big Apple Goes Big
NYC extends the traditional German festival by almost half a month. The actual Oktoberfest in Munich is only 16 days long. Any excuse to continue drinking beer out of a boot, right?
2. A Guaranteed Traffic Jam
Oktoberfest is the largest people’s fair in the world. Over 6 million people attend annually.
3. Oktoberfest Moves Onward
Chicagoans and Washingtonians, along with countless other cities across the US, have gotten into the Oktoberfest celebrations and now dedicate special days for beer, brats, and bands.
4. Not Just for Weddings
The largest chicken dance was held during Oktoberfest. Around 48,000 people participated.
5. Meat for Miles
Over 120,000 pairs of pork sausage is consumed during the festival.
6. Don’t Be That Guy
People that pass out at the festival are called Bierleichen, which is German for beer corpses.
7. A Tented Affair
In 1913, the largest Oktoberfest beer tent ever was founded and held about 12,000 people.
Now that we’re headed to Chicago, we wanted to do a little research into what makes this one of the greatest cities in the Midwest. We’re sure this list is just the tip of the iceberg, but we’re still very impressed.
1. True Love’s Found Through a Smartphone
The first couple to find love and get married because of Words with Friends resides in Chicago.
2. There’s Always Something To Do
The city is home to around 40 museums, 200 theaters, 200 independent art galleries, and over 7000 restaurants.
3. A (Special) River Runs Through It
Not only is the River dyed green on St. Patty’s Day, it also flows backwards! It was reversed in 1900 to empty into the Mississippi River instead of Lake Michigan.
4. An American Favorite Got a Start Here
Chicagoans invented the Twinkie.
5. Chicago’s a Natural Talent
ER, Family Matters, Married with Children, Batman Begins, The Dark Night, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off were all set in Chicago.
6. The Lincoln Park Zoo’s Always Free
Probably because they only had to pay $10 for their first animal, a bear cub.
7. Going Postal Is Easier
Want to drive your car through the post office? The Chicago outpost is the only one in the country where you can.
