✦   A little getaway for two   ✦
Pack your bags, sweetheart

Chicago,
Here We
Come! 🍀

St. Patrick's Weekend · March 12–15, 2027

Four days. One incredible city. A river that turns green. And my favorite person to explore it with. 💚

Our adventure begins in
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
✦   The Windy City is calling   ✦
01 / The main event

Wait… they turn the
whole river green?!

Oh yes, they do. On Saturday morning, boats cruise the Chicago River dyeing the water a spectacular emerald green. And we'll have a front-row view of the magic.

CHICAGO RIVER
9:00 AM Our bridge arrival
10:00 AM The river turns green!
Noon-ish Downtown parade
📍 Our viewing spot: Columbus Drive or Michigan Avenue bridge

The dyeing runs between Columbus Drive and State Street.
Fun fact: the river stays green all weekend! 🍀

Our home by the river ♡
02 / Our home away from home

A room with
a view.

Swissôtel Chicago · 323 E Wacker Drive

We're staying right on the Chicago River, where Columbus Drive crosses it — the exact spot where the dye boats start. Talk about a perfect location.

🛏️ King bed + river view. Because we're doing this getaway right.
😴 Early check-in is booked. Yes, there's a nap after we land.
☕ AMUSE lobby café. Morning coffee without going far.
🧖 43rd-floor gym + sauna. No pool, but we have the city!
🚶 The Riverwalk is out the front door. Everything is wonderfully walkable.
03 / Four days of us

Our little
Chicago adventure.

A little sightseeing, a lot of good food, some well-earned naps, and one very special date night.

Friday · March 12

Arrive & Date Night ✨

  • 8:35 AM: Nonstop flight from Dulles. Touchdown at O'Hare at 9:39 AM (Chicago time).
  • Take the train downtown, drop our bags, and get brunch at Wildberry Pancakes & Café.
  • Walk to the Bean (Cloud Gate) in Millennium Park. Selfie required!
  • Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk, check in, and take a glorious little nap. 😴
7:30 PM · Just you and me

Dress-up date night 💃🕺

Location: a surprise ✨

Dress-code hint: jackets & cocktail attire

Saturday · March 13

Green River Day 🍀

  • Start with an early breakfast at Eggy's Diner or La Catedral Café.
  • 9:00 AM: Claim our viewing spot on the bridge.
  • 10:00 AM: Watch the Chicago River turn emerald green!
  • Around noon: Downtown St. Patrick's parade.
  • Grab lunch, then sneak away for an afternoon nap while the crowds keep partying.
  • Evening mission: authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza at Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. 🍕
Sunday · March 14

Lake, Pier & River 🌊

  • Slow morning together. Coffee at AMUSE in our hotel.
  • Walk along the lakefront to Navy Pier and its enclosed Centennial Wheel.
  • Afternoon: a 90-minute Architecture River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady. The boats dock across from our hotel.
  • Stroll the famous Magnificent Mile.
  • One more cozy night together near our hotel. 💚
Monday · March 15

Homeward Bound ✈️

  • 10:25 AM: Our flight departs O'Hare.
  • 1:14 PM: Home again, with a whole weekend of memories.
04 / The sights

Oh, the places
we'll go!

A little sightseeing checklist, Chicago edition.

The Bean

Cloud Gate: a giant mirrored sculpture. We absolutely need a selfie in it.

Navy Pier

A 3,300-ft pier on Lake Michigan, complete with an enclosed Ferris wheel.

Chicago Riverwalk

Beautiful riverfront wandering, right outside our hotel.

Magnificent Mile

Shops, the Wrigley Building, and the iconic Tribune Tower.

Architecture Cruise

The magnificent Chicago skyline, seen from the water.

Art Institute

Rainy-day backup: American Gothic and Nighthawks.

05 / The delicious part

Come hungry.
Leave happy.

Because half the fun of exploring a new city is figuring out what we're eating next.

🥞☕

Breakfast & Coffee

Wildberry Pancakes & Café

Eggy's Diner

La Catedral Café

AMUSE — right in our hotel.

🍕

Deep-Dish Mission

Giordano's: stuffed, extra cheesy Chicago goodness.

Or Lou Malnati's: famous Buttercrust.

One thing's for sure: we're getting pizza!

🥂✨

A Special Date Night

Friday · 7:30 PM

A surprise. Dress up. That's all you're getting out of me.

Some secrets are worth keeping. ♡

Bonus adventures · Totally optional Feeling brave? 🫣 Tap to peek. Absolutely zero pressure, promise.
🍸 Cindy's Rooftop

Cocktails overlooking Millennium Park. And yes, we can sit inside under the glass!

🏙️ Skydeck at Willis Tower

The old Sears Tower, 103rd floor. We can skip the glass Ledge entirely.

Or we can stay on solid ground and get more pizza. Both excellent plans. 💚
🧣
A tiny packing reminder

Bring warm layers and a cozy coat that works over date-night clothes. March by the lake is windy!