Katie, my sister-from-a-related-mister, is on a mission to go everywhere and see everything—and lucky for me, she takes me along every couple of years! This July, we decided to change things up from our usual national park adventures and head to Chicago to visit her brother, Will. It was a week of quirky, fun times that offered both big-city energy and peaceful nature escapes. Here’s a peek into what made it such an incredible trip—and why you should consider it for your next Midwest getaway!
We kicked things off at King’s Spa, a magical sanctuary filled with healing energies, rock formations, and serenity. After a long day of travel, this was the perfect way to unwind and start our trip. I left feeling like a new person—completely replenished. And then there was Wicker Park—a charming neighborhood where we strolled, taking in the eclectic vibe and vibrant culture.
Of course, no trip to Chicago is complete without indulging in the local food scene. Vegan Chicago dogs and deep-dish pizza? Absolutely. We even got to drive on LSD (Lake Shore Drive)—which I enjoyed immensely, giggling every time we said it... which was a lot. But one of the highlights had to be our visit to The Point, where we swam in Lake Michigan, just steps away from the bustling city skyline. There’s something surreal about floating peacefully in the Great Lakes while gazing at skyscrapers.
For a dash of the bizarre, we visited a funeral-themed bar and sipped on Morgue-aritas while listening to Slayer. We rode The L, goofed off beneath The Bean at night, and stood on The Skydeck Ledge at Willis Tower, which was equally thrilling and terrifying for Will, whose expression said it all. Watching Will face his fear and feel exhilaration at the same time as he stepped onto glass that overlooked the city was pure joy.
Another unexpected thrill was visiting the Color Factory, where every sense was engaged. Taste, smell, touch, sight, sound—this place hit them all! I usually stick to nature adventures, but this experience had me reconnecting with the child inside me, laughing and embracing the moment. Highly recommend!
But no Midgley trip would be complete without some time in nature. We ventured out to Indiana Dunes National Park for a gushy, sloppy, wet hike through the bog, searching for carnivorous plants (seriously, who knew?) and scaling the Succession Trail—270 stairs of dune-trekking bliss. The stairs turned out to be another man-made challenge that I ended up loving.
Even though we had a blast, we didn’t let our workout routine slide. Thanks to BODi’s downloadable workouts, we stayed on track—whether in the Airbnb, the hotel, or the great outdoors. It was especially inspiring to see Katie working out to support her body’s healing after a recent accident. Her dedication is not only helping her recover but inspiring others to take action on their own healing journeys.
Katie’s influence doesn’t stop there—she hosts a Wellness Book Club on the first Wednesday of every month, and you're invited to join us! It’s an incredible space for learning, growing, and connecting. [Click here to register for the next session.]
This trip was a reminder to embrace the balance between urban excitement and nature’s calm. Whether you’re heading to Chicago or elsewhere in the Midwest, may this adventure serve as inspiration for your next trip—and a reminder to find joy in every moment, even the most unexpected ones.
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