Mom visits are the BEST visits because it’s time spent with many laughs, hugs and fun. I love taking my mom around my city because seeing the city from her eyes makes me feel like I am seeing it for the first time too. She gets to walk my walk to work, see where I shop, experience my favorite city spots, and so much more. All of the stories I tell her come to life when I get to reference a location and BAM. We are there in real life- TOGETHER!
What was super special about my mom (and dad too!) visiting Chicago is that we got to celebrate Mother’s Day early and went to a few of my Chicago musts, along with a few new activities that we were able to experience together (because life is always better when we are together!). Is your mom coming to Chicago this week for Mother’s Day? Or does she have a trip planned to visit you in the future? My guide below goes over everything from brunch to dinner, perfect for Mother’s Day or a mom and daughter weekend in the best city EVER.
Moms should be celebrated everyday, so give your mom an extra big hug and cherish the time you have together at one (or all!) of my favorite spots. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the AMAZING moms out there.
Love you mom! You are so special to me.
Lex
Brunch, Lunch and Dinner
Cochon Volant: My mom and I started our Mother’s Day weekend in Chicago by brunching at one of my all time favorite spots: Cochon Volant. Their blueberry quinoa pancakes, corned beef hash and avocado toast never disappoint and had my mom and I full for the rest of the day! It is so picturesque and their outdoor seating is wonderful!
Beatrix: The menu at Beatrix has something for everyone, with healthy ingredients that make dishes just as tasty as they look. My favorite location is the one in Fulton Market.
Remington’s: I would recommend Remington’s to anyone with family in town. Remington’s was the perfect place to celebrate my family being together to celebrate Mother’s Day, and to top off the night we walked through Millenium park together afterwards. A few of my favorite dishes included the tuna rolls (with coconut and macadamia nut… foodie heaven), the crab cakes and turkey burger. They have great options for everyone and the atmosphere is classy and relaxed. I can’t wait for my mom to come back to Chicago and we can grab one of Remington’s picnic baskets to enjoy during movies in the park in the summer.
Mother – daughter sweet tooths?
Cocoa + Co. has you covered! My mom and I stopped in for a private chocolate tasting with the Cocoa+Co. owner, Kim, and it was lovely. Cocoa + Co. is seriously perfect for any event and I was so impressed by Kim’s cocoa knowledge, and the biggest thing I learned was that there is a story behind the making of every chocolate bar. If your mom is visiting for Mother’s Day, go to Cocoa + Co!
For Mother’s Day, Cocoa + Co. is hosting a “Women in Chocolate” tasting event that will feature selections from celebrated international female chocolatiers like Cecilia Tessieri of Amedei and Chantal Coady of Rococo along with domestic makers like Mackenzie Rivers of Map Chocolate and local favorites Mary Miller and Sara Ervin of Ethereal. It is THIS Sunday at 3 PM. Stop by Cocoa + Co. to learn the process of bean-to-bar while tasting and sipping on chocolate varities! Also it’s only $25 per person. It was a wonderful time to go with my mom.
Spa Date with Mom: Relaxation at its Finest
Spa @ Dana: I would recommend a spa date with mom anytime and any day when she visits Chicago, and Spa at Dana is the perfect spot to go. My mom and I got the duo massage which was a 50 minute couples massage (Mother/ Daughter!). The staff is so friendly and from the second we sat in the plush relaxation room with their velvet blue chairs, we were on cloud nine. My mom was so sad the massage was over because she enjoyed every second of it! After the massage we clinked with champagne, went in the steam room, and most importantly we relaxed! Also, my mom loved her massage so much she booked an appointment for my dad to go the same day! Spa at Dana also has other amazing Mother’s Day offers like their Relax and Rose mani/pedi combo or their All About Mom 80-minute aromatherapy massage. Book your appointments soon as they are filling up! (Give them a RING: 312.202.6040)
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Rush and State Street: A few of my favorite shops in Gold Coast are Aritzia, Madewell and Club Monaco. My mom and I got sunnies at Madewell thaty we LOVE and I will be thinking of all our memories every time I wear them :).
The Shops at North Bridge: A pit stop at Nordies is a must, along with Charming Charlie and White House Black market for a few extra goodies here and there!
See Chicago
Chicago Architecture Tour: Every time I mentioned to a friend that my mom and I went on the architecture tour responded with “Oh my gosh that is THEE best thing to do!” It really is. The tour is about an hour and a half and takes you down the Chicago river. This past weekend in Chicago was absolutely perfect and we had an amazing time sipping on drinks while watching the sunset. (Pro tip: You can bring your own food and drinks aboard!)
I am already planning what my mom and I will be doing next when she visits in the summer! A few hints include Ferris wheel rides, Chicago’s best vegetarian restaurants, and shopping Chicago’s best local boutiques!