A Luxurious Long Weekend: A Glamorous Staycation in the Heart of Chicago!

Last month we decided to take advantage of a long weekend from school and trade in our usual routine for a little adventure right here in our own city—Chicago! With so much to explore, we booked a stay at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria, and it turned out to be the perfect base for a memorable family getaway.

Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised by our stunning suite. It had a beautiful separate bedroom for the adults, while the kids made themselves comfortable on the pull-out couch and a rollaway bed offered by the hotel. The suite included two TVs and a spacious 1.5 baths, ensuring we all had enough space to relax and unwind.

As a bonus for being Virtuoso clients, we enjoyed early check-in at 9:30 AM, $100 in hotel credits, and breakfast for two included. We couldn’t have started our staycation on a better note!

After settling in, we ventured out, leaving our car behind and hopping into an Uber to the Money Museum. There, we got the chance to see—well, “steal” (just kidding!)—$1 million in various denominations! The kids were entranced as we learned all about the history of money, how it’s made, and even how to spot counterfeits. It was fascinating for all of us!

Next up, we took another Uber to Maggie Daley Park for some ice skating on the ribbon. The weather was incredible! We skated in downtown Chicago in short sleeves—even in February! Afterward, we enjoyed a quick lunch, free lemonade slushies, and danced to the beats of a DJ. The kids were over the moon!

Following our fun on the ice, we enjoyed a beautiful walk along the lakefront to the aquarium. Since all the animal encounters were sold out for our last-minute plans, we opted for the aquarium’s "must-see" tour. My 12-year-old claimed it was the “best museum we’ve ever been to”—definitely a win in my book! Our amazing guide was so knowledgeable and full of energy, making the experience even more memorable.

During the tour, we couldn’t take many pictures as most of it was behind the scenes. However, we did manage to secure front-row VIP seats for the animal show, where we got to see dolphins! The highlight for everyone was touching the jellyfish; they feel surprisingly like mushrooms!

After a busy day, we enjoyed a bit of shopping and then headed back to our hotel for a relaxing swim in the pretty little pool, complete with floats for the kids.

Dinner at Adalina was the cherry on top of our incredible staycation! The staff treated our kids like royalty, and the food was nothing short of amazing. The kiddos devoured double helpings of gnocchi, and I highly recommend not missing the bread service and their fantastic mocktails for the kids. Of course, I treated myself to some bubbles!

Reflecting on our long weekend staycation, I can confidently say it was a huge success—a chance to check off bucket list items and create lasting memories right here in Chicago. Who knew there was so much we hadn’t yet explored, even after living here my whole life? We can’t wait for our next adventure!