As you may have read, I just returned from New York
City from a family vacation. A few short
days later, this road warrior embarked on a special journey to Chicago. Kimpton Hotel Allegro invited me to stay
with them and participate in their Allegro Kids Rule summer program.*
Seriously?! I
was so excited to take part in this adventure!
First of all, the hotel is amazing! The décor is elegant yet fun and
playful.
During their Kids’ Hour, lemonade
and popcorn are served in the lobby along with a Wii station and board games to
play. Then, directly afterwards is Wine
Hour. Did I mention that they are both
complimentary? How cool is that?!
The Allegro Kids Rule program also includes a
scavenger hunt which was a great way to see the city and introduce me to the kid-friendly sites of Chicago.
 |
| Fun Fountains! |
 |
| Lots to see walking around! |
 |
| Sue at the Field Museum |
 |
| Top of Sears (Willis) Tower with Marie's new friend Sami |
 |
| Chicago-style hot dog (my first ever), and it was deliciously spicy!
|
 |
| Chocolate chip pancakes at 312 |
Fun times, but when I return with Harrington and
Thomas, I would break up the scavenger hunt into two days because Marie had a
blast playing at the fountains and wanted to see *everything* in the Field
Museum.
To be honest, after the series of five-alarm
meltdowns Marie had in New York, I was a tad bit nervous to take her on this
trip. Turns out, I really didn’t have
that much to worry about (minus a three-alarm meltdown in the Field Museum! Thank
goodness that my new friend Lynsey from Moscato Mom and her daughter were very understanding). I think what really helped was the location
of Hotel Allegro. It’s a short walk to
State Street and Millennium Park, but it is tucked away from the hustle and
bustle of the city. I could be shopping
at the Disney Store and eating Garrett’s Popcorn one minute, and relaxing in our
super cool room the next.
Also, 312, the restaurant adjacent to the hotel, was
amazing! Not only was the food delicious
(best brioche French toast I have *ever* had), but the service was incredible. They didn’t have chocolate chip pancakes on
their menu, but I asked if they could please make some for Marie. They totally did, and they were the yummiest,
gooiest she had ever eaten (guess I’m going to have to step it up and put more
than three lonely chocolate chips in each pancake).
Traveling is one of my most favorite things to do in
the whole entire world. It does
something for my soul; I feel renewed and energized experiencing life outside
of my little suburb. I was so excited to
share my passion and this adventure with Marie.
I place a premium on stretching the boundaries of life beyond my Babes’ backyard,
and this was a wonderful opportunity to do so.
I am now plotting and scheming on a return visit to
show Harrington and Thomas all the amazing sites we saw!
And to be quite honest, I think Chicago is my new
favorite city.
How’s your summer vacation? Have you been on any adventures?
*Kimpton Hotel Allegro picked up the tab for the
room, parking, and some meals; however, these opinions are all mine!
