Insider tip: Your wellness guide to Chicago
Born and raised in Chicago, I couldn’t be more excited that Greenbuild is in the best city this year! While Chicago may have a reputation for cold weather and comfort food, there are certainly great ways to stay active and eat healthy here. So, whenever you’re looking for a break from McCormick, head a bit north and check out my favorite wellness spots.
If you’re a morning exercise person like me, I’d recommend you start your day with either a run or a Divvy bike ride along the lakefront (weather-permitting). For yoga, go to Studio Three in River North - if you’re inspired by the photo on the homepage, that is my sister, Mar, and you should take her class! Their strength classes are great too, and if you’re neither a yoga or weights person, they also have a Peloton cycling studio on the ground floor for cardio junkies. My second favorite Chicago fitness studio is Studio Lagree, also in River North, which is a megaformer pilates class that will certainly fire up the core if you have a beach vacation coming up. To refuel, grab a smoothie nearby at Protein Bar, Chicago Raw or Real Good Stuff Co.
Now that you have your workout out of the way, you can eat whatever you want for the rest of the day (just kidding)! For a casual working breakfast or lunch, check out Beatrix in River North or the West Loop for a wide array of healthy selections to suit all diets. They also have a grab and go version, “Beatrix Market”, which features a hummus bar and has two locations in the Loop. Another favorite is The Allis in the West Loop, especially for afternoon tea.
After an inspiring day of educational sessions (and visits to the IWBI booth!), head over to Restoration Hardware in the Gold Coast to experience 70,000 square feet of innovative repurposed retail and hospitality. End your visit with a drink in the grand courtyard of the 3 Arts Club Cafe, and then head over to Somerset for seasonal cuisine.
When it’s time to wine and dine, make a reservation at a classic American steakhouse, Swift and Sons, which was once a cold storage facility right in the center of the historic meatpacking district of Chicago. If you’re feeling Italian, you can’t go wrong with Formento’s, which is also in the area. Both use fresh ingredients and have options that are accommodating to various diets.
Ready for your indulgence (pizza Friday anyone)? Get a classic Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s. Make sure you have time for a nap after this one!
To top off an incredible week, I highly encourage you to stay the weekend and take in some biophilia on an architectural river cruise, see Sue for yourself at the Field Museum and get your steps in at the Art Institute of Chicago (my favorite museum as a kid).
I hope you enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer, almost as much I know you’ll enjoy Greenbuild 2018!
