CHICAGO — The weather in Chicago was picture-perfect Sunday, with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees and only a few scattered clouds in the sky.
My son, Gregory, and I were sitting at home trying to figure out what we wanted to do with the day.
On one hand, we have more than $1,000 in flight credits spread across a couple of airlines, and Southern California was tempting us. On the other hand, it was a school night, and I had work Monday morning.
Finally, I looked at Gregory.
“You know what, son? Let’s explore Chicago.”
And just like that, our Sunday adventure began.
We hopped in the car and drove downtown, finding street parking near Wabash Avenue and Jackson Boulevard in The Loop. From there, we set out on foot.
Although Gregory and I live in the south suburbs, we’ve never really experienced Chicago together. That’s kind of crazy when you think about it. We live next door to a city known around the world for its architecture, museums, food, sports, and neighborhoods, yet so much of it remained unexplored territory for the two of us.
One thing Gregory had been talking about was seeing Cloud Gate — better known as “The Bean.” He had never seen it in person, and I wanted him to have that experience.
So, we headed toward Millennium Park.
We crossed Michigan Avenue and walked into the park, where we first came across Crown Fountain. Gregory and I watched the massive digital faces towering over the plaza as water flowed from the structures.
Then we continued through the park, walked up the steps, and there it stood:
The Bean.
Gregory posed for pictures as I pointed out the different buildings reflected across its massive, mirrored surface. We took a selfie together, with Chicago’s skyline and hundreds of people distorted in the reflection behind us.
And somewhere in that moment, I stopped being the tour guide and became a tourist myself.
I tend to think that experiencing the world means getting on an airplane. I’ll fly to New York City for breakfast or head to Los Angeles for a pedicure without thinking twice. Yet here I was, standing with my son in the middle of a world-class city that is roughly a 40-minute drive from home.
Maybe adventure didn’t always require a boarding pass.
After taking in Millennium Park, I told Gregory we should head to Tuco and Blondie, a Mexican restaurant near the Southport Brown Line station.
That idea would kill two birds with one stone: Gregory had never ridden the “L,” and both of us were hungry.
We walked back toward Wabash Avenue and climbed the stairs to the Brown Line. As the train made its way north, Gregory watched through the windows as it navigated between downtown skyscrapers high above the streets.
Something I’ve done countless times suddenly felt new again because I was watching my son experience it for the first time.
About 25 minutes later, we stepped off the train at Southport and immediately heard loud music. There were people everywhere.
We didn’t know exactly what was happening, but our stomachs came first.
We walked over to Tuco and Blondie and grabbed a table on the patio. Gregory ordered a quesadilla, while I went with three steak tacos.
After our early dinner, we continued north on Southport Avenue to investigate the crowds and music.
That’s when we realized we had stumbled right into the Lakeview Taco Fest.
Sometimes the best parts of an adventure are the things you never planned.
Gregory spotted funnel cake and asked for one. I’m watching my carbs these days, but I wasn’t about to deny the kid — or myself — a little funnel cake on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We grabbed one to share and found a bench.
For a few minutes, we just sat there and took everything in.
Thousands of Chicagoans were out enjoying a random sunny Sunday on the North Side. Music was playing. People were eating and laughing. Gregory and I were sitting there sharing funnel cake.
And I had another realization.
This is exactly the kind of thing we’d travel to New York or Los Angeles to experience.
Except today, we were doing it at home.
From Southport, we continued north to Addison Street and made our way toward Wrigley Field. Now, Gregory and I are White Sox fans — and our hats made that abundantly clear — but I still wanted him to see one of the most iconic ballparks in America.
Naturally, we had to take a selfie in front of the Wrigley Field marquee while proudly representing the South Side.
From there, we walked to the Red Line, rode one stop to Belmont and transferred back to the Brown Line, conveniently waiting right across the platform.
On the ride back downtown, Gregory and I sat together in the front car.
I put my arm around him and told him I loved him.
There were no plane tickets. No airport lounges. No hotel reservations. No elaborate itinerary.
Just a father and his son exploring their hometown.
We saw The Bean. We rode the “L.” We ate tacos. We stumbled into a street festival. We shared funnel cake. We visited Wrigley Field. And somewhere along the way, I was reminded that an adventure doesn’t have to take you thousands of miles from home to matter.
Best of all, the entire day didn’t even cost us $100.
So, here’s my challenge to you: Take some time to experience the world around you.
Sure, sometimes a day trip can mean Los Angeles or New York City. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting on that plane and seeing the world.
But every once in a while, look at what’s right outside your own front door.
You might discover that one of the best adventures — and one of the best memories — was waiting for you at home all along.
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