Soft life Diary: Chicago

3 days 2 nights in The Chi for beginners.

Hotel: The Gwen.

Transportation: Walking (lots of walking).

Must do:

Chicago Architecture Cruise - Beautiful views of the city! ($60 pp)

The Bean - A must when you visit Chicago!

Skydeck - Even if you’re scared of heights, DO ITTT!! ($50 pp)

The Gwen was in the heart of the city and centrally located to food, attractions, and shopping. It is connected to Nordstrom 😊

Chicago
2025/6/5 Edited to

... Read moreChicago, known as The Windy City, is a vibrant destination packed with stunning architecture, rich history, and unforgettable experiences. For those visiting for a short stay, the Chicago Architecture Cruise offers a unique perspective on the city's illustrious skyline, showcasing its historical and modern buildings. With tickets priced around $60, this attraction is a fantastic way to appreciate the city’s aesthetic beauty from the water. Another iconic spot you can't miss is Cloud Gate, affectionately known as The Bean. This enormous, reflective sculpture is perfect for photos and is located in Millennium Park, right in the heart of downtown. Visiting this landmark is free, making it an accessible must-see for every traveler! For those seeking a thrill, the Skydeck at Willis Tower provides breathtaking views from one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Tickets are approximately $50, and standing on the glass ledge while looking down at the city below is an exhilarating experience that should be on every traveler's Chicago itinerary. Staying at The Gwen positions you centrally for easy access to these attractions, along with a plethora of dining and shopping options, including a direct connection to Nordstrom. Navigating the city on foot not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also allows you to immerse yourself in the cultural vibes and streetscapes that make Chicago truly unique. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and enjoy the myriad of discoveries that await you!

Related posts

CHICAGO TRAVEL
If you’re visiting, here are some of my favorite spots in Chicago (or around). #chicagotravel #chicagotrip #chicagoexplore #Lemon8Diary #chicagoitinerary Bonchon Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM Shedd Aquarium Ume Tea Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse Th
diana

diana

847 likes

🌸Soft Girl Affirmations ✨
🌸 Save this for when you need a reminder 💕 #SoftGirlAffirmations #feminineenergy #HealingInStyle #affirmations #Lemon8Diary Chicago
SoftBaddieEra

SoftBaddieEra

807 likes

A low-angle view of modern skyscrapers in Chicago under a blue sky, with the text overlay "Chicago 3 Day Itinerary" in white and black outline. The Lemon8 logo and username are in the bottom left corner.
A street view of Chicago with tall buildings, cars, and traffic lights. Text overlay reads "WHERE TO STAY" with arrows pointing to "Park Hyatt Chicago," "The Langham," and "The Gwen." The Lemon8 logo is in the bottom left.
A four-panel collage for Day 1. Top left: "DAY 1" text. Top right: People viewing art at the Art Institute of Chicago. Bottom left: The Chicago Riverwalk with city buildings. Bottom right: The Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park at dusk.
Save for your Next trip to Chicago 📍🫶🏽
Day 1 Millennium Park Visit the iconic Cloud Gate home of “The Bean” and explore Crown Fountain and Lurie Garden. Highly recommend dressing warmly as it can be windy near the lake The Art Institute of Chicago One of the best museums I’ve been to, featuring works from Monet, Van Gogh an
GetawayGuide

GetawayGuide

992 likes

Places To Visit In Chicago🛬
HI GUYS!!! I’m from Chicago so I thought I could show y’all a few places to visit!!🥰 1. Millennium Park(Cloud Gate a.k.a The Bean) 2. Museum of Ice Cream 3. Chicago Riverwalk 4. 360 Chicago 5. Buckingham Fountain 6. Navy Pier 7. Chicago Theater #Lemon8Diary #chicago #unfiltered #chi
BratzWrld😝

BratzWrld😝

996 likes

A title image with "CHICAGO INTERACTIVE Museums +PRICES" in bold white and brown text, set against a blurred background of city buildings.
An interactive exhibit room at Color Factory Chicago, featuring a large ball pit filled with light green balls and geometric wall art. Text indicates the ticket price and Willis Tower location.
The Museum of Ice Cream features a pink-themed room designed like a pool, filled with pink and red sprinkles, where three people are playing. Text shows the ticket price and Tribune Tower location.
Chicago Interactive Art & Museums
1. Color Factory 🎨 Color Factory Chicago ☆ Take a journey through 14 immersive art exhibits as stunning as they are colorful. Fun for all ages, Color Factory Chicago is the place ☆ INCLUDES SWEET TREATS AND SNACKS 2. Museum of Ice Cream MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM ☆ 14 interactive installatio
♡︎ 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚔 ♡︎

♡︎ 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚔 ♡︎

372 likes

A woman with long dark hair wears a black cropped t-shirt featuring 'IT GIRL PROVERBS 31:25 SOCIETY' and a lip icon, paired with black sweatpants. Text overlays include 'EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE SOFTLY.' and 'Soft and Comfy Outfits,' promoting the brand's message.
✨ Soft Girl Energy, Rooted in Strength ✨
She’s soft, but never fragile. She’s graceful, but grounded. She’s that girl—wrapped in wisdom, clothed in strength, and radiating effortless confidence. The “It Girl Proverbs 31:25 Society” isn’t just a vibe; it’s a declaration. For the girls who embody strength with softness, who lead with g
Rooted in 31:25 Collective™️

Rooted in 31:25 Collective™️

1 like

CHICAGO, IL📍
Chicago is everything & more! So excited to go back. The food and scenery was amazing. Felt like a kid all over again🏙️♥️ #lemon8challenge #Lemon8Diary #chicago #chicagoexplore #travelrecommendations
Jamiyah LaFaith

Jamiyah LaFaith

65 likes

A detailed calligraphy artwork of the word 'Chicago' in a flowing, shaded script on white paper, placed on a dark desk. The lettering features intricate swirls and a star embellishment, signed 'Lupe. C'.
Chicago Lettering🌃🏙️🌃
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #chicanoart #chicagoart #letterart #artworkoftheday #artgallery
Lupe Castro

Lupe Castro

285 likes

Does Kilwins have the best in Chicago?
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #chicagofood #chocolate #chicagofoodie Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge Chicago
b.Uniqu3

b.Uniqu3

131 likes

Chicago Dump🛫🏙️
#chicagoviews #lemon8bookclub #Lemon8Diary #fyplemon8 #minivlog
ꨄ 𝙶𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝙶𝙸𝚁𝙻 ꨄ

ꨄ 𝙶𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝙶𝙸𝚁𝙻 ꨄ

10 likes

CHICAGO
This is your sign to book the trip to Chicago 🌃🫶🏼 #lemon8diarychallenge #chicagotrip #chicagotravel
Andrea Bataz

Andrea Bataz

10 likes

Chicago 💙
Chicago has my heart forever 🥰 #chicago #Lemon8Diary #aesthetic #girlthings #skyline #chicagogirl #girltherapy
Fab_nanc23

Fab_nanc23

25 likes

Visual diary 📔
#visualdiary #aesthetic #lifestyle #minivlogs #chicago
Mz.Davis

Mz.Davis

36 likes

CHICAGO PHOTO DUMP 📸
Photo Dump 🫶🏼 Here's what I got up to! 📷 1: In Millennium Park 🏙️ 📷 2: On a bike ride on Michigan Avenue 🏍️ 📷 3: On an architecture boat ride 🛥️ 📷 4: On a stroll through the city 🌆 #embracevulnerability #fyp #Lemon8Diary #bodytransformation #beautyfinds Chicago
𝒳𝒾𝓂ℯ𝓃𝒶 ✨

𝒳𝒾𝓂ℯ𝓃𝒶 ✨

15 likes

Lego Art collection Chicago
Check out the other Arts 😍 #art #creativity #unaesthetic #lemon8challenge #unfiltered #chicago #embracevulnerability #Lemon8Diary #shareyourthoughts #video Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Janet Chase

Janet Chase

768 likes

A Chicago Girly🌃🫶🏾
Where are my Chicago Girlies?🌃👋🏾 Although I no longer live in Chicago, being born and raised here, this will always be my favorite place to visit!🫶🏾 From the food to the art, music, visiting my childhood neighborhood, nighttime drives down Navy Pier, and the smell of a Chicago dog or Italian
SoftlyTeeᥫ᭡

SoftlyTeeᥫ᭡

327 likes

A vibrant display of orange ranunculus flowers in a planter, surrounded by smaller yellow and white blooms and green leaves. A person's legs are partially visible in the background on a sidewalk.
A garden bed filled with numerous deep purple pansies, some small orange flowers, and green foliage. A paved walkway is visible on the left side of the image.
A garden bed featuring light purple and pink pansies, with a tree trunk and lush green bushes in the background. The ground is covered with dark mulch.
chicago flowers
i miss chicago so much ! i can’t wait until i move back in august ! #lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #flowers #nature #foryou #Lemon8Diary
gabby ♡

gabby ♡

13 likes

A scenic view of a wooden bridge over a pond, surrounded by weeping willow trees and a stone lantern, with text overlay "Things to do Summer Events Botanic Gardens" at Chicago Botanic Garden.
A vibrant pink water lily with a yellow center floats on calm blue water, reflecting its image below, captured during a visit to the botanic gardens.
A picturesque wooden bridge arches over a tranquil pond, framed by lush green trees, including weeping willows, under a partly cloudy sky at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS
Some photos of my visit to the botanic gardens today #lemon8diarychallenge #lemon #Lemon8Diary #lemon8travel #lemon8creator #Lemon8PhotoStudio #lemon8challenge #Lemon8 #lemon8beauty #summeraesthetic Chicago Botanic Garden
Oh What A Colorful World 🎨🌎

Oh What A Colorful World 🎨🌎

26 likes

Travel: chicago il🌬️
#citys #chicago #trip #healthylifestyle2024 #Lemon8Diary
Genesis Marin

Genesis Marin

18 likes

IN CHICAGO
My fav places to visit for the summer 📍Chinatown 📍Sheed Aquarium 📍Lake walks 📍The chicago bean 📍Chicago, Pilsen #lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #chicagosummer
Andrea Bataz

Andrea Bataz

11 likes

Fun spring break ideas🍋 | Downtown Chicago 📍
#Lemon8Diary #chicagolife #chicagoexplore #shareyourthoughts #chicagolifestyle #springbreak #embracevulnerability #healthylifestyle2024 places to go: 📅 Aesthetic hot girl walk : Garfield Park Conservatory 🌅Dinner & Games with friends : Punch Bowl Social 🌤Catch some sun
Ari✨

Ari✨

6 likes

🙌🏾 The best maze in Chicago
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #navypier #aesthetic #placestovisit #fyp #explore #fireworks #juneteenth #independenceday Check out navy pier in Chicago ‼️🎉 Best place to visit $15.99 just to go through a maze.
Glow&HealEsthetics

Glow&HealEsthetics

11 likes

A night view of ornate buildings in Chicago, with a tall building shrouded in fog in the background. The image has an overlay text 'Photos on my Chicago Trip'.
A low-angle shot of two historic, ornate buildings in Chicago against an overcast sky, with a street light and a Ukrainian flag visible.
A view looking up between two ornate buildings, revealing modern skyscrapers in the foggy distance, connected by a skybridge.
Come to chicago w/ me 🍋
#lemon8diarychallenge #travelwithme2024 #chicago #chicagotravel #chicagoexplore #chicagolife #photography Chicago
Alyssia

Alyssia

10 likes

Chicago 📍 Always 🖤
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #chicagolife #unfiltered #Lemon8Diary #skyline #lakeshoredrive #hometown
♠️Ivonne♠️

♠️Ivonne♠️

6 likes

Things I did in Chicago
My friend and i went out today and these are just some of the things that we did. 📍 City/Country: Chicago 💸 Price Range: Free/ How ever much you want to spend #Lemon8Diary #chicago #downtown
LaNaiya

LaNaiya

13 likes

Chicago Food Must Haves 🏙️
Chicago has the yummiest food — 1. 🍕 Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop 2-5. 🍔 Jake Melnick's Corner Tap 6. Cinnaholic - highly recommend building your own cinnamon roll 🤤 7. Stan's Donuts & Coffee 🍩 Downtown Chicago #travelwithme2024 #Lemon8Diary #chicago #trip
Kalee Williams

Kalee Williams

114 likes

A sunny outdoor scene at a bike event, showing a large grassy area filled with numerous people and their bicycles. White tents are set up in the background, with trees and distant city buildings under a clear blue sky, capturing the atmosphere of Chicago's Bike the Drive.
Chicago’s Bike the Drive 🚲
On Sunday before Labor Day, Chicago hosts its annual Bike the Drive event downtown! Watching all the bikes take over Lake Shore Drive gave me major FOMO 🚴‍♀️🌆 The views of the lake early in the morning and skyline looked magical, and the energy seemed like such a perfect Chicago moment ✨
asher jade 💫

asher jade 💫

23 likes

A hand with pink nail polish holds a jar of rose-scented body polish and a jar of rose-scented body cream. Pink roses are in the background, with text indicating 'Hand care favs' for exfoliation and moisturization.
Soft Hands 🌹
My favorites for soft hands and they smell soooo good! My go to for years plus cuticle oil, especially in colder months where my skin dries up expeditiously. 😫 #nailcare #rose #selfcareroutine #beautyproducts #beautyroutine #lemon8creator #Lemon8Diary #Jomalone #herbivore
Marcy

Marcy

11 likes

Who has the best caramel cake in Chicago?
#chicagodesserts #chicagoeats #chicago #chicagofoodie #Lemon8Diary
b.Uniqu3

b.Uniqu3

103 likes

First day of Spring in Chicago 😂❄️
#kimberlyann __23 #Lemon8Diary #chicago #snowbunny #redhead Chicago
Kimberlyann__23

Kimberlyann__23

28 likes

A person stands under the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (The Bean) at night, with the Chicago skyline reflected above. The word "Chicago" is overlaid on the image.
A blurred night view of a city street with illuminated buildings and streetlights, seen from a moving perspective.
A large Ferris wheel, illuminated in purple with an American flag design, stands next to a classic carousel at night.
Chicago🫶
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #chicagoskyline #thebean #chicagoexplore #chicagotrip #Lemon8Diary #gothtarget #fun #chicagoweekend
🍃Mel 🐌

🍃Mel 🐌

16 likes

Beautiful sunset in Chicago
Went to Chicago for St.PaddysDay #chicago #stpatricksday #chicagoriver #londonhousechicago #Lemon8Diary
Taylor🩷

Taylor🩷

9 likes

Can’t wait to visit Chicago again 💕
#chicagotrip #chicagodowntown #chicagolifestyle #unfiltered #Lemon8Diary Chicago
Anthonisha 💕

Anthonisha 💕

15 likes

Chicago
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicagoskyline #summer #traveling
Nessa🦋

Nessa🦋

25 likes

A panoramic view of the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan, featuring numerous skyscrapers, including the John Hancock Center, and a Ferris wheel under a partly cloudy sky. The word 'Chicago' is overlaid on the water.
Chicago
Sweet Home Chicago ! Chicago #chicagoskyline #chicago #Lemon8Diary #chicagocontentcreator #chicagocreator #Lemon8 #blogger
Marlene D

Marlene D

10 likes

A woman in a pink cap, sunglasses, black jacket, and ripped jeans smiles for a selfie outdoors. She is by a body of water with a clear blue sky, likely at Navy Pier in Chicago.
Chicago is always a great plan!
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #trip #vacation #selfie #navypier #pizza #chicagolife #chicagogirl #giordanospizza
Just Pamela

Just Pamela

11 likes

Pretty hike 3 hours from Chicago
If you love adventure like me, you’ll love Kohler-Andrae State Park ! 🏕️🥾🌿🌊 The park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and swimming! There’s never a shortage of things to do! And if one day isn’t enough to enjoy the park, pitch a
Rachel

Rachel

36 likes

A vibrant red maple tree in full autumn color, with hints of yellow and green leaves, stands in front of residential houses under a bright sky, capturing a beautiful Chicago fall scene.
Chicago fall
#lemon8diarychallenge #chicago #mycity #myhome #falltime #leaves
Ashelina147

Ashelina147

34 likes

Chicago views ✨
#chicago 📍 City/Country:downtown Chicago #chicagoviews #nightview #unfiltered #Lemon8Diary #travelwithme2024 #chicagolife
Aylin G

Aylin G

4 likes

Chicago 💙
Waking up to this every morning 🥹 #chicago #chicagoskyline #imjustagirl #citylife #diml #sunrise #Lemon8Diary
Fab_nanc23

Fab_nanc23

22 likes

CHICAGO
some very horrible pictures of my city 💕🌃 #chicagovibes #Lemon8Diary #chicago
Alexis M

Alexis M

238 likes

See more