🇺🇸 Weekend Chicago Guide | Shop, Explore & Caffeinate! 🛍️☕️🏙️

Chicago’s unique industrial charm is still alive and well since its rebuild after the Great Fire! One of the most iconic features? The elevated trains rumbling through the heart of the city—giving downtown an authentic, gritty vibe you can feel as much as hear. 🚆✨ The underground steam system is another fascinating piece of urban history—definitely worth looking into! Walking along Michigan Avenue, especially near the DuSable Bridge, felt like stepping into Tianjin’s Century Clock Plaza or even Paris’s Champs-Élysées! 🌉🇫🇷 Having traveled to over 30 countries, I often experience moments of déjà vu—scenes that feel familiar or almost replicated—and Chicago delivered exactly that kind of magical crossover. 🎒 Visiting universities and understanding the education system was a top priority for this trip. Beyond the famous University of Chicago and Northwestern (both a bit far from the downtown core), the most fun stop had to be… Hamburger University! 🍟🍔 Yes, it’s real—it’s McDonald’s headquarters’ training center! You can’t miss this playful “school” dedicated to the art of food, service, and fun. Here, you can taste global favorites and even grab limited-edition menu items! ☕️ After that, take a stroll to the nearby Starbucks Reserve Roastery—the largest Starbucks in the world! 🌍🏢 With five full floors of coffee experiences, the second floor offers the best street views. Sipping a crafted coffee while gazing at the greenery and city life outside is truly therapy for the soul. 🍃💚 Have you been to any of these iconic Chicago spots? Which would you visit first—Hamburger University or the Starbucks Reserve? Let me know below! 👇🤩 📍 Hamburger University: 1045 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 #ChicagoExploration #FoodieFinds #TravelDiaries #IndustrialChic #CityVibes #CoffeeCulture #GlobalEats #UrbanAdventure #ArchitectureLover #MustVisitChicago #HiddenGems #DejaVuMoments #ShopLocal #WindyCityWonders