What we’re about
Welcome to our fun & active group!
Whether you are new to Chicago or have been around awhile, by becoming a member of this group you will get a chance to explore the Chicago area beyond what the typical Chicago area resident normally does. It is like being a tourist in your city, as we discover a lot of hidden gems and unique experiences .
This is a sister group to the original, 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die so we will be doing a lot of joint events together.
We want to have a club where we can have many enjoyable events; giving you the opportunity to meet new people while partaking in unique & diverse outings all over Chicagoland. This will also be a year round group as winter does not slow us down!
Annual dues are $12 per member. You get a 90 day free trial to see if you like the group! If you decide to become an event host, then your annual dues are waived. We are an extremely active and social group with a wide range of activities all over Chicago.
Most of our events take place in Chicago or nearby suburbs like Evanston, Oak Park and Park Ridge. ALL events are accessible by public transportation, which is why we mainly focus on Chicago.
Please note that we also have a firm 3 strikes, no show policy. If you do not show up for an event without updating your RSVP, you earn a strike. After 3 strikes, you are put on 3 months suspension. We do not want to be disciplinarians but are trying to keep things fair and fun for all our members.
If you have any questions about the group, suggestions on events or, would like to lead an outing, please let me know. Those who host an event, get their annual dues waived.
Giovina Romandine
Organizer for Exploring Chicago with Friends!
Let's visit the vibrant and renowned St. Paul's Church, located in the Pilsen area. This church is considered one of the first Gothic-style churches built in the United States and is famously known as the "church built without a nail." It truly is a hidden gem in the Pilsen neighborhood. Additionally, there is a lovely coffee shop on the premises that is run by the students of the school!
We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. After the tour, we will be allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the St. Paul's Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. Please check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~
There is a student run coffee shop on site if you want to grab a coffee before or after the tour!
After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Martin's Corner Bar & Grill 2058 W 22nd Pl, https://www.martins-corner.com/food-menu
Carnitas La Michoacana 2049 W Cermak Rd, https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoCarnitasLaMichoacana/
All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH AS SOME VENUES WON'T DO SEPARATE CHECKS!
St. Paul Catholic Church was originally established in 1876 to serve 40 German families living in East Pilsen. Three years later, the parish purchased a large wooden building on 18th Street and Carpenter from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This building was moved to its current location in 1880. When the need for a school arose in 1892, parishioners began construction, and it opened a year later. The construction of the church building took a bit longer. In 1899, the first Gothic-style church in America—built by skilled volunteers—was dedicated and has since been known as the “church without a nail.”
St. Paul Catholic Church is a stunning blend of brick, showcasing Gothic design, unique craftsmanship, and vibrant mosaics. The 245-foot-tall brick spire towers were designed by architect Henry Schlacks and modeled after those of the Cathedral of St. Cortin in Quimper, France.
Designed by Henry J. Schlacks between 1897 and 1899, St. Paul parish represents a rich heritage. It began with a small German community that established the church in 1876. These newly arrived immigrants brought a strong work ethic and a deep faith in God's providence. They fostered a vibrant civic community enriched by the culture of their homeland.
The school was the first structure built in 1892, followed by the laying of the cornerstone for the church in 1897. Remarkably, the exterior was completed in three years and was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not as “the church built without a nail.” The two exceptionally tall church spires and the school building reflect a faith community dedicated to nurturing responsible leaders ready to serve.
A significant renovation, including the addition of a banquet hall and a courtyard, was completed in 2013. Additionally, a coffee shop opened on-site in 2022, and the St. Ann Chapel, featuring stained glass from St. Ann Church, opened in early 2024.
https://stpaulchgo.org/
HOLY GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP: https://stpaulchgo.org/holygrounds/
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ easily accessible by bus and train
If you are driving, there is free street parking and a lot for the church. It should be pretty easy to park here!
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- *RESCHEDULED!* Fall Walk of the 606 Trail with drinks/food after (Happy Hour)Walsh (John) Park, Chicago, IL
**EVENT RESCHEDULED TO FRI 11/15/24 DUE TO ILLNESS**
Let's do a FALL Friday afternoon walk on the famous 606 Trail. Check out the scenery, see all the different neighborhoods and get some steps in!
We will walk from Walsh Park and end at the Ridgeway Trailhead
We did this walk in June but let's go again! We will walk of the 2.7-mile-long trail. We will walk on a beautiful FALL FRIDAY afternoon for a few hours when it's not so crazy busy, to check out what's new with the park.We can view the current fall landscaping and soak in all the local flavor of each neighborhood we pass (Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Bucktown & Wicker Park). NOTE WE WILL DO THE FULL 2.7 MILES OF THE TRAIL, but people can drop out wherever they like.
WE WILL NOT END WHERE WE STARTED SO IF DRIVING, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND AND PARK AT HALFWAY POINT OR YOU WILL HAVE WALK ALL THE WAY BACK. End is 2.7 miles from where we begin! We start at Walsh Park at 1722 N Ashland Ave. and end at the Ridgeway Trailhead next to the McCormick YMCA 1834 N. Lawndale Ave.
Tentative Itinerary
3:00 – 3:10 pm – Meet in the front entrance of Walsh Park (there is a 606 trail access point here)
3:15 pm – 4.45 pm – Walk the 606-2.7 miles (some walk fast & some slow)
5 - 6:30 pm - grab a drink and some food at Outside Voices (optional)After the walk, some of us may grab a bite at Outside Voices 3204 W Armitage Ave. All are welcome to join! Happy hour until 6 pm https://www.outsidevoiceswine.com/
Chicago's elevated park and trail system, featuring the 2.7-mile long Bloomingdale Trail and ground-level parks. This park and trail system runs along Bloomingdale Ave. The entire 2.7 miles of the Bloomingdale Trail, as well as four of the six ground-level neighborhood parks have been open for 7 yrs now. The 606 connects four ethnically and economically diverse Chicago neighborhoods: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square. There are 12 access points, approximately every quarter-mile, and a total of 17 access ramps, all of which are accessible to people with disabilities.
The 606 was a decade in the making. As train traffic slowed on the Bloomingdale Line in the 1990s, attention turned to how the train line might be used to increase much-needed green space. Despite the neighborhood’s historic boulevards, Logan Square needed an additional 99 acres of active open space just to meet the City’s minimum standard. The City’s proposal to convert the Bloomingdale Line to a park was included in the 2004 Logan Square Open Space Plan,
The 606 brings together arts, history, design, trails for bikers, runners, and walkers, event spaces, alternative transportation avenues, and green, open space for neighbors, Chicagoans, and the world. We look forward to sharing The 606 with you and your family.
For more info on the 606 trail see below sites:
https://www.facebook.com/The606Chicago/
https://www.the606.orgIf you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use google maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
Make Sure to use the Walsh Park address that I listed as that is easier to find on GPS.
Street parking is available but may be limited so make sure to pay attention to signage as some areas may be metered or PERMIT ONLY spots. Be careful where you park and remember you will have to walk back to your car!
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festivals type of events)
- continual no shows will result in removal from the group!
- Private Guided Tour of St Paul's Catholic Church in PilsenSt Paul's Catholic Church, Chicago, IL
Let's visit the vibrant and renowned St. Paul's Church, located in the Pilsen area. This church is considered one of the first Gothic-style churches built in the United States and is famously known as the "church built without a nail." It truly is a hidden gem in the Pilsen neighborhood. Additionally, there is a lovely coffee shop on the premises that is run by the students of the school!
We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. After the tour, we will be allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the St. Paul's Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. Please check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~
There is a student run coffee shop on site if you want to grab a coffee before or after the tour!
After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Martin's Corner Bar & Grill 2058 W 22nd Pl, https://www.martins-corner.com/food-menu
Carnitas La Michoacana 2049 W Cermak Rd, https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoCarnitasLaMichoacana/
All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH AS SOME VENUES WON'T DO SEPARATE CHECKS!St. Paul Catholic Church was originally established in 1876 to serve 40 German families living in East Pilsen. Three years later, the parish purchased a large wooden building on 18th Street and Carpenter from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This building was moved to its current location in 1880. When the need for a school arose in 1892, parishioners began construction, and it opened a year later. The construction of the church building took a bit longer. In 1899, the first Gothic-style church in America—built by skilled volunteers—was dedicated and has since been known as the “church without a nail.”
St. Paul Catholic Church is a stunning blend of brick, showcasing Gothic design, unique craftsmanship, and vibrant mosaics. The 245-foot-tall brick spire towers were designed by architect Henry Schlacks and modeled after those of the Cathedral of St. Cortin in Quimper, France.
Designed by Henry J. Schlacks between 1897 and 1899, St. Paul parish represents a rich heritage. It began with a small German community that established the church in 1876. These newly arrived immigrants brought a strong work ethic and a deep faith in God's providence. They fostered a vibrant civic community enriched by the culture of their homeland.
The school was the first structure built in 1892, followed by the laying of the cornerstone for the church in 1897. Remarkably, the exterior was completed in three years and was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not as “the church built without a nail.” The two exceptionally tall church spires and the school building reflect a faith community dedicated to nurturing responsible leaders ready to serve.
A significant renovation, including the addition of a banquet hall and a courtyard, was completed in 2013. Additionally, a coffee shop opened on-site in 2022, and the St. Ann Chapel, featuring stained glass from St. Ann Church, opened in early 2024.
https://stpaulchgo.org/
HOLY GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP: https://stpaulchgo.org/holygrounds/If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ easily accessible by bus and train
If you are driving, there is free street parking and a lot for the church. It should be pretty easy to park here!
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Festive Holiday Dinner @the Walnut Room in Macy's to Kick Off the X-Mas Season!Walnut Room, Chicago, IL
Let's get into to the holiday season & do a traditional Christmas dinner in the gorgeous Walnut Room with the GREAT TREE inside Macy's (forever known a Marshall Field's!!) For the 4th year in a row now, they are allowing reservations so I made a few so we can enjoy a Chicago favorite & for many of us a favorite childhood tradition! This has become a 1001 tradition now for the last few years so let's keep it going! Only glitch is I could not get reservations on Black Friday after Thanksgiving like we normally do, so we are doing a couple weeks early. Christmas decor will be in the store and outside. The Christkindlmarket will not be open until the 21st but at least decor will be up for viewing!
Keep in mind the Walnut Room is already totally booked for the holidays so if you really want to see the Giant Tree, the Princesses and the whole holiday vibe, then come on Tuesday 19th as it will probably be your only chance in 2024!
DINNER & DRINKS - only 10 people per table. I have FOUR reservations so this will have to be 4 small groups (10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40 ppl). We might not be able to sit near each other. BRING CASH!
If you are joining us for drinks & bites, then PLEASE BRING CASH AS THEY CANNOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS FOR GROUPS. I kindly ask that everyone take what you ordered (the total dollar amount) & add 32% to that amount, which includes 12% for Chicago taxes and 20% for tip. It is much easier in large groups to split the bill with cash!
The world-famous Walnut Room was the first restaurant ever opened in a department store. With Circassian wood paneling imported from Russia and Austrian chandeliers, the 17,000 square foot dining room is both elegant and comfortable. Conveniently located in the heart of the Chicago theatre district, the Walnut Room is an excellent choice to take a break from shopping or for a meal and a glass of wine before the show.
Established in 1905. First restaurant within a retail environment. Serving their legendary chicken potpie. The Walnut Room is the flagship restaurant of what is now Macy’s in downtown Chicago at State and Washington Streets. The building opened in 1907, and the Walnut Room existed from the start, though it was initially named the South Grill Room. Eventually, the restaurant was renamed for its Circassian walnut paneling, though the exact date of the switch is unclear. For decades, hungry shoppers have enjoyed favorites such as millinery clerk Mrs. Hering’s chicken pot pie, which she started serving in an earlier Field’s restaurant in 1890.
https://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/
HOLIDAY MENU: http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/holiday-menu-2024/If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ - easily accessible by bus and train
MAKE SURE TO ALLOW YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO FIND PARKING IF DRIVING BUT SINCE IT IS NOT BLACK FRIDAY, IT WILL NOT BE TOO CRAZY! BEST TO USE SPOTHERO or PARKWHIZ FOR CHEAPER OPTIONS!
If you drive, there is metered street parking on Randolph & Monroe plus surrounding streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs. Best to use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for cheapest options as parking can be tough in this area!
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festivals type of events)
- continual no shows will result in removal from the group!
- Open mic/ Multi group meetupAtlantic Bar & Grill, Chicago, IL
****Multi-Group Event with Deanna as Host!*****
Bring your instrument, voice, or just your enthusiasm for music and the arts!
A full band and sometimes instruments are available.
Because this is a multi-group come up more people come than just signed up on this group we usually average 10 to 12 people. Singing with the band is so much fun, but if you don't want to sing, come out anyways cuz the band is awesome!
Also if you are hungry when you come, they have food.
Come join the fun & bring your cheering Squad.
https://theatlanticbarandgrill.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheAtlanticBarChicago
MENU: https://theatlanticbarandgrill.com/chicago-the-atlantic-bar-and-grill-food-menuIf you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use google maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive, there's street parking nearby on Lincoln, Foster or Western streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs. Might find some free parking on side streets
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festivals type of events)
- continual no shows will result in removal from the group!
