I’m here!!!
It was so sad to say goodbye to Matt – it was worse that we were at the airport together but going to different parts of the country!
BOY the RDU new terminal is nice!!!
Outlets everywhere and really nice bathrooms!
Matt and I hung out together until his flight left
He was reading an article about Kanzi, who he is named after!!
See any similarities?
Read this second-to-last paragraph and see what Kanzi has to say about KALE!! Starting with “Honeydew…” LOL!
Bye Kanz!
My flight left a bit after that. I got a month long Boingo internet pass for $9.95 to cover all 4 of my airport stays this month. So worth it!
In the air, I was hungry really soon. Enter packed lunch:
One of the best PB&J sandwiches I’ve had in ages because I only used once piece of bread so the Nat Nutty Almond Butter and homemade plum jam was super concentrated!! On ARNOLD bread my dad got in honor of the Healthy Living Summit!
+ Grapes
+ my vegetable – a carrot in a pool of almond butter that got all sticky in transit
Because they all can’t be as cool as Delta (I was flying American..)
Chicago from the sky!
A lot of you recommended taking the L (train) over a cab from the airport. Cost really isn’t enough to sway me with a giant suitcase in tow, but then someone mentioned that is more GREEN to take the train and you just can’t argue with green. So I took the train!
Then Heather Said did an AWESOME post on transit with step by step instructions that made this trip SO easy. I took it even further with a photo description of the trip.
From baggage claim, look for the signs that say “Trains To City – CTA”
Take the elevators or escalators down, following the signs
At the bottom, you’re spit out to moving escalators. Hop on or walk!
After those, you come to the pay stations. Choose the one that says “cash or credit” and not cash only if you don’t have cash. I always go to the far side and use that one.
I got a 3-day pass – did the math and it’s worth it for Thursday – Sat. transit.
The platform is a bit confusing, but my advice is to follow the people who look like they know what they’re doing. I did and found a train ready to depart. ALL of the trains are leaving O’Hare (since it’s the last stop) so you really can’t get on the wrong one. Look for one with open doors!
This is the blue line towards Forest Park
Sit on the train for about 30 minutes and play on your phone:
Your 43 pound suitcase WILL fall over. Hold it tight with your legs
Note that the hotel stop is JACKSON station
When you exit the train at Jackson, go towards Van Buren (lots of presidents!)
Find the escalator at the end
Go out of the turnstiles (you might need to take the family one if you have a 43 pound suitcase and you do need to push a button to get out!)
Go to the left to find another escalator
You will be spit out onto Dearhorn Street. Walk straight about 2 blocks – towards the Subway sign and scaffolding. Walk under the scaffolding.
You will come to Congress. Make a left here.
Pass the Chicago Library!
Cross a few streets that require waiting in the hot, bright sun with your 43 pound suitcase
Go under the L
Under the auditorium
The Congress Plaza appears on the right!
Cross Congress at Michigan and you’ll be there.
The hotel is nice – historic – and feels like a old college dorm!
The bathroom is huge
Just ate an apple and now I must get down to swag bag duty!!
Can’t wait to see the rest of you here!!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a very thorough post on your trek to the hotel! So cute 😉
Bethany @ More Fruit Please says
I hate airport goodbyes… even if it’s just for a few days! Have fun at the HLS!!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Ahhhh this post made me SO EXCITED for tomorrow!! Good luck with all the last minute preparations!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
The hotel is very pretty! The city looks gorgeous too.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Thank you so much for the picture by picture description – now I’m definitely taking the train! See you soon!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
Gah! I wish I was there! The hotel is cool, and I hear it’s SUPER hot in the Midwest right now. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Is it not so hard to say goodbye at an airport? I cry almost every time.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
love the hotel room! and that article about kanzi cracked me up…so cute!
Evan Thomas says
Can’t wait to meet you in a few days!
Stina says
I love this post! It might be important to point out it’s DearBorn St. not Dearhorn St. (Just don’t want anyone looking for the wrong street!)
christie says
RANDOM- i stayed at that hotel when i went to chicago on spring break in 08! its in a great location!
also, i admire your photo taking skills while lugging a suitcase, walking a busy city and disregarding strangers’ looks! 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
It’s kind of convenient you guys are going on trips at the same time, even though it’s never fun to be apart. But at least it won’t be like he’ll be home while your away then he’s gone when you’re back or something like that. 😛
That bathroom’s INSANE for a hotel! Daggum! Hope you have fuuun!! 😀
Heather says
I think Chicago public transit is SUPER easy! You’re gonna be on the Blue Line for most of your trip it seems which is the biggest and easiest to figure out. I lived in Chicago for awhile and always felt more comfortable with the blue line because it’s a straight shot. I LOVE THE EL! If you get a chance (but you probably won’t because it’s going to be CRAZY!!!) check out Sultan’s Market, a tiny little middle eastern deli in Wicker Park right off the Blue Line (Damen stop). Yummy falafel and hummus!
Marilou @ Mostly Healthy says
Airport looks a lot like Toronto’s .. Meh, I guess al airport are pretty much the same (I haven’t travelled much and I don’t count Cuba’s airport .. too many coconut trees)
R @ Learning As I Chop says
So jealous you’re in Chicago! I love it there! And good job on the train. I’ve done it before. Definitely worth it
Lily says
Welcome to Chicago!
Beth @ Will Run for Books says
Dude! What is in your suitcase? Wow!
Glad you made it safely – I am super cheap so the cost is always enough to get me to take the blue line, even with a heavy suitcase (I’ve done this for two trips to Asia that lasted two weeks), but the fact that it is GREEN is a great reason to use it too!
Transit in Chicago is really easy – I’ve lived here for 4 years and have never had a car! 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Glad you got there safely but wow… how confusing!
melissa says
great chicago tour, that’s some dorm
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
Yay for making the green choice! You probably also got there faster than you would have in a cab, not to mention cheaper. Plus, you fit a bit of extra exercise into your day. In my experience, Chicago has a pretty great p-trans system. I hope your tutorial will encourage other HLS attendees to go green 🙂
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
You little photo tour is great! Maybe all the presidential info helped Then Heather Said to become obsessed with our national leaders.
Heather says
i don’t know about obsessed. ahem 😉
Ella @ The Princess and the P says
Phew! You’re much braver than I am.. I would’ve taken a cab ESPECIALLY with that huge suitcase!! Glad you made it safely, can’t wait to see more of HLS behind-the-scenes 😉
Stacey says
What a great post – love it! If I were attending HLS this would be really useful. Glad you arrived safe and sound and look forward to reading all about HLS. Have fun! 🙂
stephanie@Avocado Nation says
Wow! Chicago looks really fun! I have never been there. Can’t wait to see the rest of your posts about it.
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
That post was like my life in reverse deja vu- I’ll be making my way from RDU to the Congress hotel tomorrow! Yay!
jamie @ jamelafamela says
Welcome to Chicago- Such a great city!!!!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Oh this is the most useful post ever!! I can’t believe I’ll be doing all that tomorrow, when right now I’m sitting in England…MAD!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
Oh, how I long to visit Chicago one of these days. My boss is from there and is always talking up its wonders.
That almond butter saturated carrot looks pretty drool-worthy, I must say!
Rachael @ Mrs-Adventure says
OOOOOH I want to be there so bad!!!!
Jenna says
Welcome to my city!! You did a great job figuring out the CTA. I’m so bummed I’m foingto be out of town this weekend or I so would have joined you guys on a run or for some sightseeing. You really need to make it down to the Lakeshore path!
Sarah (OC2Seattle) says
So with you on hating airport goodbyes. For my husband’s b’day two years ago (and it was a big one ending in 0) I was flying in and he was flying out on the big day. We met up in the food court and I had to give him his present there – a present I had bought 7 months earlier (a VIP trip to the Indy 500) – so not the same as if we could have been out to dinner or at home even.
Tina says
That was a good move on the internet pass. Internet while traveling can really be expensive. Which is crazy!
Love the idea of super concentrated pbj. Just how I like it.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I’m getting more jealous of all the ladies attending HLS by the second – looks amazing and it hasn’t even started yet! Have a great time, and ps, Matt’s Kanzi face is excellent! 🙂
Courtney (Delightful Devours) says
Great post! I love seeing what everyone eats while flying 🙂
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I wish MN had trains like Chicago does — I love the trains whenever I travel to bigger cities. They are so much fun for me!
I wish wish wish I was going to HLS. Next year I will be!
Kelly says
Yay, Chicago! Looks like home 🙂 Have fun, I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
ari says
that was so nice of you to do a little tutorial! public transportation always confuses me.
Chelsea says
It’s the EL, not the L. 😉
I saw you asking on twitter.
I love Chicago! It’s my second home and I would totally live there if there was any career possibilities there for me. lol
Katy(The Balanced Foodie) says
You’re so great Kath, this is so thoughtful for everyone who will be navigating! See you tomorrow, can’t wait!
Nicole - yuppie yogini says
Nice room! That bed looks crazy comfy!!
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
Wow, no one can get lost with those great directions! Have a fun time; can’t wait to read all about it!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Have fun Kath! I have no doubt through all the work…there will be fun to be had! Enjoy your evening!
Esse says
Oh my gosh, you did a great job with public transportation in our city! It can be a little daunting! For anyone wondering, the El is the “elevated train”. It’s a great city for walking too. On Saturday you might see/hear some of the planes in for the Air/Water show. Have a good time!
Heather says
wasn’t too hard at all, eh? Even with the large suitcase. (extra workout?)
SEE YOU SOON! xo
Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) says
Wow, very thorough recap. Are you ever nervous about taking out the big SLR camera in new places (when you don’t know your way around/the quality of the neighborhood or don’t want to look touristy)? I only ask because that thought always comes to my mind in those situations — not that anyone should live in fear, but there is a practicality/reality aspect to it. Anyway, sad to miss this year’s HLS — great summary and good luck!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
What a great ‘travel guide’ 🙂
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
Haha what a fun journey though Chicago!
Jenny says
Wow! I didn’t know the HLS was in Chicago! Wasn’t paying enough attention… I used to live in the Chicago subs! Near Lake Ave. – which I saw was listed on the L’s train-line-diagram-thingy. 🙂 Enjoy the Windy City! Don’t forget to enjoy some onions while you’re there, too — after all, Chicago was named after an onion 😉
It’d be nice if you had time to check out the Navy Pier – it can be such fun if you go with friends! Have a great stay!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’ve never been to chicago before – won’t be making it to the HLS but looks like it’s gonna be a blast.
BroccoliHut says
I know! The new part of RDU is super nice. I remember the first time I arrived at one of those gates, I thought I had taken the wrong plane. Goes to show how, ahem, un-nice the other part of the airport is:)
Kat says
Hi Kath!
I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and I just love it! I noticed that you’re staying the Congress Plaza, I’ve stayed there before as well, it’s a really nice place.
When I went there in December 2008, I stopped in at a health food store that also had a small restaurant upstairs that was pretty decent. Here’s the address in case you’re interested (it’s within walking distance to the hotel!)
Kramer’s Health Food Shoppe
230 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604-2311
Enjoy your stay!
Kim says
I loved using the EL to get around in Chicago, in 2001 my husband worked a short term job there and I visited and enjoyed it so much. I had taken a cab when I first arrived since he was working and that was the only cab I took. I was scared the entire time, the cab driver drove so fast, tailgated and cut people off. I was so stressed by the time I got to my husbands office. Never again! 🙂
You all should consider Denver, Colorado for a future HLS or Boulder, the happiest, healthiest city in the county. 🙂
Have fun!
Mom says
I had to close my eyes in a cab we took in NYC last weekend. I was in the front and it was just too much.
Liz says
Worst cab ride I ever had was from Playa Del Carmen back to our cruise ship. The driver was going over 80 mph in a car that looked like it could barely move. My SIL and I were so scared and prayed the entire time!
Have fun in Chicago.. I’m about 3 hours away in Iowa, enjoy the heat!
Daniel says
Nice guide and walking tour of the city, very thoughtful of you!
I wish I had packed nice food like that for when I had to fly… airplane food is depressing haha.
Did you get any weird looks or questions when you were taking pictures of lunch on the flight? I know some of my classmates gave me some odd looks when I did it 😛
Kath says
Not really! I’m pretty sly
Maren @ Simply Maren says
Chicago is my favorite! I’ve been exactly where you are and I’m so sad and envious. Hope you have a blast.
Wendy Heath says
I used to take the L from Midway airport and walk to the Amtrak station when I was going to school in Kalamazoo MI. Much cheaper to fly to Chicago and train it in to MI! Loved that journey… did it several times a year for breaks, etc. And yes, it is a screaming b*tch to hang onto a large suitcase… hated that part, loved everything else! Have fun in Chicago!
Laura Ann says
does the healthy living summit provide deep dish pizza? because if it doesn’t, you must go get some!
Dorry says
Thanks for this Kath! So thorough. 🙂 See you Friday!
Camille says
Wow, looks like quite the adventure!
I have never been to Chicago, but my boyfriend is from about 30 minutes outside of the city, so we are looking forward to a trip soon! It looks very cool!
Kathryn says
You are going to laugh. My 2-year-old was “reading” your blog with me when we came upon the picture of Matt waving goodbye at the airport. She smiled pointed at him and said, “Cute!” lol
Kath says
Haha -cute!!
Anne @ the doctor takes a wife says
So super jealous — I love Chicago!! Hope I can make HLS next year. Have a blast!!
Hannah says
Haha, that bathroom is probably bigger than my bedroom! Glad you flight went okay – can’t wait to hear about your week/end!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Enjoy your duties at the healthy living summit. Have a great time in the windy city.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
i hate having to say goodbye to my husband 🙁 so sad! but at least you’ll be having a ton of fun with friends now!
Stacia W. says
Hey Kath. I read your blog every day so of course when I saw this recipe I thought of you. http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/biscoff-cookie-cheesecake-bars/
I know you don’t really eat this sort of thing but thought perhaps you might make an exception one day if biscoff cookies were involved 🙂
Joanna @ landanimal.wordpress.com says
Whoa! I hope all your posts are this pic heavy so people like me who couldn’t go can feel like we are there 🙂
Mel says
welcome to chicago!!! best food in the world!!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Thanks for the little photo tour, but I’m still a tad confused… you took the train… is that different than than L!?!?
Rose-Anne says
The train is the L, as in elevated train 🙂 Most of the tracks are above ground.
Rose-Anne says
Oh, I’m so SAD that I couldn’t go to the Healthy Living Summit! I considered it, but I just can’t take the time off of work right now. Sigh!
And the fact that it’s in Chicago is making me feel nostalgic. I’m a Northwestern alum! And I spent many hours riding trains to and from the airports–good times.
One more thing: I’m SO PROUD of you for taking the train, Kath! That was so brave of you 🙂
Paula says
Good for you, taking the mass transit. I have never been to Chicago and would have to be honest and say I would have been intimidated.
Nicole, RD says
Chicago..home sweet home! I lived right by Forest Park growing up! Have a blast!
hemp jogger says
thank you for the flash flood of memories! i was in school in chi-town for 3.5 yrs, and every holiday/break/etc, i’d fly home or to visit others…anywho, i always battled w/ my huge suitcase and trying to get through the turnstyles in the el, and then hanging onto it so it didnt topple as the el bashed around, and then toting it around the streets, ha. but oh it is so convenient…i’m glad you took it instead of the cab. fun, and green 🙂 tell the streets i said hi, and have fun! would love to be there…maybe next year.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Yikes! All that transportation looks confusing!
I can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip. 😀
Rachel says
I will be departing RDU tomorrow. I feel like I’m inadvertantly following you but I swear I’m not lol. I will be arriving in NY though, so this is the last time paths will somewhat cross 🙂 Have a great time in Chicago!
Stephanie c says
Loved the photo tutorial!! Just checked Twitter and so happy you checked out Xoco! Hope you got the churros; can’t wait to check out the eats. 🙂
Terri says
Your nails still look perfect, how have you NOT chipped them at all..Do Tell!!!
Kath says
OMG, they are SO chipped!
Jessica says
Oh fun! I stay at the Congress PLaza whenever I’m in Chicago because it is really inexpensive for SUCH a perfect location… I love Chicago, I like it WAY more than NYC…
Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting you at BlogHer on Friday – enjoy HLS! Wish I was there!
Wei-Wei says
Wow, what a great directions post! I’m sad that I’m not there 🙁
Wei-Wei
Sara says
hey kath,
i’m a current chicago-an (although not in town for the summer) — really disappointed to see they are putting you up/having the conference at the Congress hotel — which has been in a nasty contract dispute with their workers (maybe you saw them picketing outside?) for almost 5 years. i’m sad to see that the healthy living summit apparently doesn’t care about ethnical treatment of the people who serve your food, make your bed, and do everything else that allows others to have a relaxing and enjoyable lifestyle. i’m definitely not saying this is your fault (i’m sure you didn’t know), but just wanted you to be aware…
Kath says
Of course we have no idea about this. And of course we care about ethical treatment! Why would you assume we would not!? I always strive for respectful treatment and will do so all weekend here myself.
jessica says
Then why does anyone work there/Why is the hotel still operating if they don’t treat their employees ethically?
Simply Life says
Oh I’m so excited to see your adventures in Chicago 🙂
Ashley says
What an awesome post. Loved the narrated directions. Definitely will be missing you this weekend.
Erica says
What great photo instructions 😀 ! How handy is that for others coming into Chicago unfamiliar?! That’s awesome.
And I had to grin at your mention of Van Buren street…we live in Van Buren! Missouri, that is 😉 Have a great time at HLS! I hope I can come sometime.
kate says
These directions are perfect + must needed! Cant wait to meet everyone tomorrow!
Sarah says
good job with the el kath:) i live in chicago and i get confused all the time haha
Amber K says
Wow, I wish I could have packed food to take on the airplane the last time I traveled. But at least at our airport, they don’t let you take food in! There was NO healthy food, except for a banana I was able to buy and the nuts they gave me on the plane!
Ann says
I love Kanzi’s comment on kale!!