Happy Holidays Hawkeyes!!!!
The holiday season always seems to bring out the best in people. There’s something about the twinkling lights, the festive atmosphere, and the promise of new memories that makes it the perfect time to slow down and soak in the joy of life. This year, I was lucky enough to experience a magical day in Chicago with three of my closest friends: Megen, Noah, and Conner. We packed so many holiday activities into one day that it almost felt like we were living in a holiday movie montage.
From drinking hot cocoa at the German Christmas market to taking photos at The Bean, our day was filled with laughter, spontaneity, and plenty of moments to treasure. And while we saw all the sights and did all the activities Chicago had to offer, what really made it special was the simple joy of spending time together as friends. Here’s a glimpse into our unforgettable day!
Our adventure started in the heart of the city at the Christkindlmarket, the German Christmas market located in Daley Plaza. The air was crisp, and Chicago’s skyline loomed overhead as we wandered through the market, which was decked out in all its holiday glory. The smell of gingerbread cookies and bratwurst filled the air, and there was a sense of warmth amidst the cold as we made our way to the hot cocoa stand.
We each grabbed a mug of rich, steamy hot cocoa and sipped it slowly, savoring the warmth against the chill. The market was so overcrowded you had to hold on to each other. It was the perfect introduction to our holiday-filled day in Chicago. Megen and I got Hot cocoa and when we were done we gave the rest to the boys!!!!
After the market, we headed over to a mall. The decorations inside were stunning, with towering Christmas trees and sparkling lights that made everything feel even more festive. We didn’t have any major shopping plans—we were just enjoying each other’s company and exploring the stores, which, honestly, is one of the most fun things to do during the holidays. Plus, as college students, we need to save money!!!!!!
No visit to Chicago is complete without stopping by Cloud Gate, affectionately known as “The Bean.” We made our way over to Millennium Park, where the massive, reflective sculpture gleamed in the cold winter sunlight. We took turns snapping photos
under its mirrored surface, laughing as we tried to capture the perfect shot with the city skyline in the background. It’s funny how something as simple as a giant, shiny bean can turn into the backdrop for so many memories. We also watched all the ice skaters at the temporary rink below the bean skate. We made a promise to ourselves to all skate next time!!!!
By 1:00, we were all feeling pretty hungry—and there’s no better place to refuel than the Hard Rock Café in Chicago. The atmosphere was electric, with music blaring and vintage rock memorabilia decorating the walls. We were seated at a table where we could see the entire restaurant, and it was the perfect spot to relax and reflect on our day, and planning to go to Zoo Lights!!!!
As if we hadn’t packed enough into our day, we ended it with a visit to ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a bit chilly, but the crisp air didn’t matter as we wandered through the zoo grounds, which were lit up with thousands of colorful lights. The animal exhibits were open too, so not only did we see some penguins and weird bugs (which ew) it was a good end to our day!!!!
We took our time walking through the twinkling paths, stopping for photos with the illuminated animals, and just soaking in the beauty of it all. There was something magical about walking through the zoo with the festive lights shimmering around us.
As we made our way home that evening, back to Clinton, Iowa, I couldn’t help but reflect on what made the day so special. Sure, the activities were fun—the hot cocoa, the ice skating, the lights—but what made it unforgettable was the time we spent together. There’s something about Christmas that makes everything feel warmer, even in the coldest of weather, and that warmth came not just from the cocoa or the lights but from the laughter and love that we shared throughout the day. It was a day full of laughter and joy!!! Happy Holidays!!!!
Cheers,
Rose
