Summer 2021 Chicago Bucket List

#HotAlissaSummer is in full swing over here. We are out here in the streets of Chicago, sweating and trying to soak up the sunny days. One thing I didn’t formally announce I that I moved to straight-up downtown around Memorial Day. I’m now in the heart of downtown and I love it so much. It’s hard to sit down and enjoy my new location because I want to be always in motion, the FOMO is real. In fact, it was hard to even narrow this down because there are so, so, so many things to do.

If you want to see my somewhat successful spring 2021 bucket list, check it out here. I am proud that I was able to overhaul my bedroom almost exactly a month before I moved out. Additionally, I started a garden and patio overhaul and then…. moved. But I digress, basically the bucket list was somewhat of a wash and I am learning to not make a Chicago bucket list that is based on my physical home since I move once a year.

Attend a Cubs Game

I got to attend my first Cubs game last weekend! For a first game, it was one of the best! Cubs vs Cardinals will always draw out intense passion which is really the only exciting thing about baseball. Lots of excitement, it actually moved quickly and it was a beautiful, beautiful night. Plus it made me realize that I have mastered the art of making a Chicago-style dog myself. (It was only right that I pile on the sport peppers and well, a sports game.) (I really feel like there’s a good joke in there but it has yet to reveal itself. I’ll keep workshopping it and let you know when I find something.)

While a LOT of the whole experience was lost on me, I had a really great time. Do I want to do it again when it’s even hotter and I’m not in the shade? Absolutely not. I am a literal fair-weather fan. Everything about Wrigleyville is an experience and people were wildin’ out (Chicago opened up last weekend) in the middle of the streets. I think my favorite part was walking to Clark Street Dog for a greasy burger and then biking back home at midnight. It was like we had the city to ourselves and I felt joy (once we got out of Wrigleyville and I had a satisficed stomach).

Take An Architecture Tour

This is arguably one of the most touristy thing that locals told me was actually worth doing. My friends and I wanted to wait until the weather would be more enjoyable and if we don’t do this soon, it’s going to be a fall 2021 bucket list item. There are so, so many architecture tours that have special interests or niches, night time, Navy Pier fireworks ones, brunch, etc. So don’t think it’s just architecture (and even if it is, it’s a good tour and has a lot of really good Chicago history) We just want the classic tour this time, but I can foresee myself doing these tours a lot when I have friends start to visit me.

Kayak on the River

Approximately ONCE a year I have this thing where for 48 hours I am hell-bent on kayaking. I mean drive-to-another-state-if-that’s-what-it-takes. Have I ever done this? Not once. Does the idea of being responsible for guiding myself on a LAKE in my OWN VESSEL terrify me? ABSOLUTELY. Am I going to do this and then act like an enlightened kayaker who does things outside all the time? You better believe it!

Catch a Sunrise at the Wrigley Building

I have dreams of a sunrise shoot at the Wrigley building. I hate, hate, hate the Riverwalk area for shooting content. It’s crowded, filled with tourists and no one minds their business. Just two blocks over everyone minds their business and I can shoot content without a blink from anyone. The Wrigley building is stunning and I’ve wanted to do a session there since I’ve moved, but I want it EMPTY. I mean, ghost town and all to myself. The only option I think I have is sunrise and I just envision it as such a peaceful moment.

Create a Candle

Yes, this is carryover from the spring bucket list! I still want to create my own candle at Aura (I think this trend is a little like paint by numbers the more I think about it, which is absolutely miserable for someone like me.) I just have this daydream of a perfect mix of honeysuckle, cognac, tobacco and well, it goes on.

Work on Self-Discipline

Well, well, well, look who reared their head again. Yes, showing up for myself and the correlation to self-discipline is at the front of my mind (never really left it, try as hard as I did to outrun it). Now that I’m downtown I need to find new self-discipline for the temptations I have to distract me from my long-term goals. Honestly, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, this means I’m growing. I’m in a place where I can now truly put my money into experiences instead of things. I’m not buying things as an experience, but rather actually getting to put my money into experiences.

A few of those goals:

• Respecting myself enough to move at least 30 minutes a day.
• Wake up early, consistently.
• Set myself up for success by tidying my condo every night so I can wake up happy and focused.
• Building my savings.

Anyway, all that to say, I’m now permanently WFH and I need to figure out what this summer looks like for the benefit of both Eleanor and I’s sanity. I may assign some June-September goals to try and see what I can really do in a short period to give me the motivation to focus long-term.

Free Experiences Worth Noting

• Navy Pier fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
• Picnic in Humboldt park while listening to the bands that show up and jam out.
• Join the Chicago library and pick up on my current must-reads.
• Bike the 606.
• Visit the Art Institute.
• See Art on the Mart during a bike ride or evening walk!
• Explore the local parks as they open up!
• Visit the zoo (apparently one of the last remaining free ones).

As I write this it is 68 degrees. I am in the minority here but I am sooooo happy with the lower temps that Chicago has offered this spring and summer. I know it’ll be hitting the 90s in July so I am SAVORING the cooler days I have now and trying to remain a slightly-more-outdoorsy-person than I was in Kansas when the summers would put us into 105 already.

Happy Summer!