Before we get too far into 2016, I want to reflect on the projects that made 2015 awesome.
Back in the Game: A World’s Fair Sports Club in Chicago returns as a Plush Hotel
Old school Chicago glamour was revived with the opening of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in a former gentlemen’s leisure club. I detailed architectural challenges and engineering triumphs of the restoration for Architect’s Newspaper, from reproducing historic light bulbs to constructing a new rooftop bar.
Capturing Chicago and Community Building Through Instagram
Instagram is one of my favorite sources of inspiration, so I was thrilled to explore Chicago’s photography community in this piece and get advice from my favorite local ‘grammers. It was even featured in Instagram’s newsletter!
Chicago’s Best Fried Chicken
For my tastiest assignment ever, I tackled six fried chicken restaurants in seven hours. No wings were left behind as we tried everything from white tablecloth restaurants to a Wal-Mart parking lot picnic.
Haitus Kaiyote Displays Their Musical Arsenal at Double Door
The Australian quartet brought their “Shaolin Monk Motherfunk” to the Double Door in one of the year’s most memorable shows. Both playful and soulful, Haitus Kaiyote is a lesson in musical maximalism.
Weekend Getaway: The Best Things to Do in Madison
Madison became my new favorite getaway this year, boasting a great local food scene, arts, and small town charm. Wisconsin’s reverence for beer and cheese curds never hurts either.
Inside the Chicago Architecture Biennial Opening Weekend
It was a privilege to cover North America’s largest architecture exhibition, and I took full advantage of the biennial’s programming. In just the opening weekend, I toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s “last prairie home” and watched a drill performance at Federal Plaza!
For Further Exploration
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
