Frontiers: 8 Reasons You Must Visit Chicagoland

Introducing a new series at Life Between Weekends: Frontiers! We’re convinced that everyone has their own version of the city they live in — places they love to eat, visit and hang out at that you absolutely can’t miss — so in each edition, we’ll ask one person to give us a tour of their town. Don’t see your city represented? Want to offer another take on your hometown? Email us.

Frontiers: Chicagoland

 If you’re visiting Chicago, you better make a trip outside of the official city limits to Chicagoland. It encompasses all of the towns within a 50-mile radius of the Windy City, including Woodstock, Illinois, where our first Frontiers contributor, Sheila Blackwell, lives. Sheila, take it away:

I just moved this gem of a town about 4 months ago to seize a new opportunity that came my way, and in the process, my boyfriend and I discovered some funky, cool places (psst…did you know Groundhog Day was filmed here?!). Plus, you can also take the train into Chicago and enjoy free, 24-hour parking at the station, so you don’t have to worry about huge parking garage fees or panic about your car getting towed.

Okay, now let me tell you guys about some groovy places my boyfriend and I have discovered on our date nights:

FOOD:

Porkies Pig Roast
1010 North Seminary, Woodstock, IL 60098

Porkies was one of the first places my boyfriend and I ate when we moved to Woodstock. OMG! It is the best barbecue I have been to in my life! The owner, Jakes, is so nice and his staff is really friendly, so you really feel at home while you’re there. You must order the Bacon Candy Sandwich. Oh thank heaven for this creation. It is 8 pieces of hickory-smoked bacon cut thick and candied, topped with mayonnaise and a fried egg. Are you drooling right now?! I know I am. The moment you bite into it your taste buds will go crazy!

Porkie’s is closed on Mondays, so make sure to plan your trip to Chicagoland any other day of the week so you don’t miss this spot. Every time I go I swear it tastes better and even more amazing than the last time.

 

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
8515 Redtail Drive, Lakewood, IL 60014
(8.22 miles from Woodstock)

Lou is a Chicago-style pizzeria with class and style. The pizza there is to die for. I have had their deep dish and thin crust. My favorite style is the thin crust, to be honest, but if you like deep dish you will not be disappointed. We have always gotten takeout service, but the next time we go out, I want to sit down there and try more than just the pizza—they have a full Italian menu! I have Italian in my blood, so I can never turn that kind of food down. The Lakewood restaurant is spacious, with beautiful lighting and barn-style decorations, and they have a few locations throughout the Chicago area, so you’re never too far from incredible pizza.

What’s just as amazing as the pizza is the service though: One night my boyfriend and I went to pick up food to-go and we accidentally left our debit cards at home…so, the manager trusted us to take our food and call in our card number! Who does that!? I was won over with that.

 

Kyoto Steak and Sushi Bar
5690 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake,IL 60014
(8.5 miles away from Woodstock)

I am a sushi fanatic! I always want it and crave it, but it’s an expensive habit to have. My boyfriend and I had a great date night at this place. We went during the weekend and it was super busy, but surprisingly, there was no wait and we were seated right away. I was shocked.

Our server was very personable, nice, and didn’t nag us to hurry up and order. I can’t stand waiters who are impatient. It’s your job to make our experience a good one…if it is not I usually don’t go back.

The restaurant features open-bay style food preparation, so you can watch chefs make your sushi, which is unbelievably fresh and delicious. I was 100 percent satisfied with it. (Plus, with rolls as cheap as $5, the prices are very reasonable.)

Kyoto also has a Hibachi area, which I’ll have to try next time I’m there. They also do at-home catering. Hmm, maybe I’ll host a sushi party one day? That sounds amazing. Anyway, as a picky sushi lover, I can honestly say I’m a fan.

 

FUN:

The Place(s) Where Groundhog Day Was Filmed
100 Cass Street, Woodstock, IL 60098 (Among other areas)

Nope, that Bill Murray classic wasn’t filmed in Punxatawney, PA. It was right in Woodstock, and the city celebrates that fact every Feb. 2nd (and every day, really). You can tour many of the sites featured in the movie, and there’s an official plaque where Bill Murray stood! I was so excited to see the marker, since it’s one of my favorite movies, and I appreciate the film even more now.

Here are directions to take a walking tour of the film’s major locations.

 

Liquid Blues Bar
126 N Benton Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

My boyfriend stumbled upon this groovy bar when searching for local bars online, and we were sold after watching their funny, inviting commercial. It’s right near the theater, so you could easily turn it into a full date night. When I walked in, I noticed right away was no stinky cigarette smoke wafting around. (Proud to say I no longer smoke! Bad habit — never do it!) You won’t leave this place smelling like a stale cigarette. The bartender and locals were so friendly. They make very smooth, not-too-strong drinks which I was able to enjoy, and instead of cringing at every sip.

Liquid Blues Bar is warm and comfortable, which is key in an area where the temperature regularly dips below freezing in the winter. It’s very 60’s groovy-funky, with their with the random decor that I actually loved. Come on, they have lava lamps! I love those things! The best decoration is the stained glass sign featuring the Cheshire Cat (from Alice in Wonderland) and bar’s name underneath. As if that weren’t enough to convince you to go, this place was featured in Thrillist’s list of the “Top 12 Best Illinois Bars Not Located in Chicago.”

The Navy Pier
600 East Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
(62 miles from Woodstock; it’s technically Chicago proper, but come on, we know you’re going to visit Chicago when you’re in town)

One evening at the Pier isn’t enough time to explore all it has to offer. (Honestly, it’s so packed with tourists we didn’t get to see all of the gems there.) When we were there last September, we caught a boat parade, complete with lots of live music, photo opps and all kinds of food while out enjoying the crisp, cold air.  There’s also a 150-foot ferris wheel, a mini golf course, an IMAX theater, and plenty of shops and restaurants.

 

FULFILLMENT:

Woodstock Theater: Classic Cinemas
209 Main Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

My boyfriend and I are total movie buffs! One of first dates was to this theater. It was so breathtaking when we walked inside, like walking into a dream land. The ceilings are high and look like a masterpiece and chandeliers light up the main entrance. It is something you have to see for yourself! The building it is housed in is over 100 years old. They did renovating back in 2012 and added 4 more screens. They completed all of the construction in May 2014, doubling its size to 8 auditoriums with stadium high-back rocker chairs, 7.1 digital sound and projection throughout. My favorite screen room is # 8 because the ceiling looks like an old-style opera house (there actually is a real historic opera house in Woodstock; I just haven’t been to it yet). The seats are so roomy and comfortable.

Hands up for this place and five-star rating! I almost don’t ever want to go to a modern theater again.

 

Deluxe Tattoo
1459 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613
(56.6 miles from Woodstock)

When people want to experience local art, they typically think of galleries and museums, but a great tattoo parlor can be every bit as eye-opening. The ink-loving community has grown so much over the past few years, and some people like to get local artwork done when they visit someplace new.

I love getting tattoos — I got my last one in Florida more than 2 years ago. I used to watch LA Ink when Kat Von D was on the show, and her really good friend Hannah Aitchison is from Chicago, and she tattoos there and in LA. I always wanted to find a great shop around here to get my next one. I’ve heard great things about Deluxe Tattoo’s work.

 

You can follow Sheila on Twitter at @OMGItsBones, and catch her on YouTube at MilanoDynamite.