Author of What Happens In College Vanessa M. Knight shares 10 fun things to do in her hometown, Chicago.
Thank you so much for having me here today and I absolutely love my topic. I’m a Chicago girl through and through. And I love my city. There are so many cool things to do in the Windy City and surrounding suburbs it’s almost impossible to nail down just ten. But I had a job to do, name ten fun things to do where I grew up. So here it goes…
Water Tower Place – I love to shop, so it’s no surprise a mall is near the top of my list. But this also has a nostalgic factor as my family would head to Water Tower Place every family shopping trip. This was our goto for the day after Thanksgiving when I was a kid, so I can’t walk in without remembering my family and the hours of fun.
Navy Pier & Chicago Children’s Museum – We have been going to the pier for years. Between the fireworks, the museum, rides and dining, there is always something to do for all ages. I spent my teen years hanging out with friends on the pier and when I had my son I spent time there introducing him to the city of Chicago. Good memories.
Chicago Parks – Maggie Daley Park, Millenium Park, and Grant are awesome places to sit and relax after a busy day in the city. If you love to people watch, then any park in Chicago is the place for you. You will see so many different people engaging in so many different conversations. It’s an observation mecca.
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield) – I might be biased about this zoo, I know that there is also the Lincoln Park Zoo, but my son loved the Brookfield Zoo. We’d spend hours roaming the grounds, watching the animals. We could get lost for an entire day, over and over again, and see different things each time.
Chicago Theatre – I love the theatre and Broadway in Chicago does not disappoint. There’s just something about getting dressed up and watching the exquisite performers do their thing. It’s fun and emotional and I can’t get enough.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago (Rosemont) – Another Mall? I have to say, “CHARGE IT!” I love the outlet mall in Rosemont. There are so many stores and so many great dining options in the area, it’s hard to stay away. So why bother?
Great America (Gurnee) – RIDES! Need I say more?
Wrigley Field – Catching a Cubs game is always a great way to spend a day in Chicago. They might not win, but as Chicagoans we are absolutely sure “this is their year.” Until they prove that this year is absolutely not their year, and then you’ll hear us say, “we always have next year.” Ever the optimists!
North Avenue Beach – The beaches of Chicago aren’t the turquoise blue of the Caribbean, but they offer world class views of the skyline. And after playing a game of sand volleyball or building a sandcastle, Lake Michigan offers a cool place to take a quick dip.
Morton Arboretum (Lisle) – Species and species of trees adorn the grounds of the Morton Arboretum. There is so much green and in the Spring so many flowers, it’s hard to look away. In the fall, the leaves turn various shades of red. The colors are fantastic and make a fantastic backdrop to a day of hiking or relaxing with a picnic.
I’ve shared some of my favorite Chicago experiences. How about you? Have you been to Chicago? What did you like? Would you like to visit us here in the Windy city? Why? For those of you that respond, we’ll be drawing one winner to receive an ebook copy of the first book in the Ritter University series, Major Renovations.
What Happens in College… by Vanessa M. Knight(Ritter University #2)
Publication date: August 25th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Ritter University Novel – Book Two
Egged house, keyed cars, and lawsuits all behind her, Karina Wolfe needs to bury her past deep beneath the skeletons in her closet. No one can ever find out what she did. No one.
Her freshman year at Ritter University is the perfect opportunity to re-invent a better, shinier, more responsible Karina. Her goal? Keep her head down and stay away from the thing that screwed up her life in the first place—guys. It shouldn’t be that hard, in theory. If only Ryan Kent wasn’t so darn gorgeous.
Ryan Kent is the poster child for responsibility. He’s always done what’s expected of him. He didn’t have much choice. But now that his mother’s cancer is under control, he finally feels free. Almost. If he could only convince his dad to trust him to make his own choices, life would be good. If he could get Karina to take a chance on him, life would be perfect.
Ryan doesn’t know what Karina did before they met. Karina doesn’t know how to protect Ryan. When taking chances collide with trust, can what happens in college endure, or will it stay in college?
*Reader Note*
This Ritter University book is part of series of interconnected but stand-alone books.
Add What Happens in College to your Goodreads shelf.
| About Vanessa
I write contemporary romance novels with a dash of suspense. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and Windy City RWA.
Living in Chicagoland with my husband, son and menagerie of dogs and cats, keeps me on my toes. When not writing or working or playing wife and mom, I love to scrapbook, watch movies and read anything I can find.
Connect with Vanessa: Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Giveaway
Enter to win: 2 x signed copies of What Happens in College…
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Thank you so much for having me here today. I had a great time making the list and checking it twice.
Glad to have you. Thanks for stopping by.