Urban Explorer is a travel blog highlighting arts and culture, history, and hidden gems to inspire curious travelers. I’m Jessica Mlinaric, and I founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to share travel tips and stories from around the world.
How it Started
Growing up, my family took road trips around my native Ohio and beyond digging into little-known natural and historic sites. These early travels taught me that you don’t need a faraway trip to capture the thrill of discovery—every place holds adventure worth exploring.
How it’s Going
Connecting with people and places through travel is my passion. After moving to Chicago in 2009, I was so excited to explore the city’s history, arts, music, and food that I started writing about it for this blog and other publications.
Today, I share the stories I encounter through my freelance writing, blog, and photos to inspire others to travel near or far. I’m based in Chicago as a freelance writer and photographer. I also have 16+ years of experience as a marketing strategist working with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
In 2018, my first book Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure was published by Reedy Press. My second book, Chicago Scavenger invites readers on a scavenger hunt of 17 neighborhoods and was published by Reedy Press in 2022.
My freelance work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveller, GQ, Architect’s Newspaper, Midwest Living, Chicago magazine, Consequence of Sound, October, Chicagoist, Tasting Table, and elsewhere.
I’ve appeared on-air as an expert on WBEZ, WGN News, WGN Radio, NBC5, Fox 32, WTTW, and more.
Have a question? Send me a message at hello[at]jessicamlinaric.com.
