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Jessica Mlinaric and Geoffrey Baer with bicycles at the Illinois-Indiana State Line Boundary Marker
Chicago

Exploring Chicago Mysteries with WTTW

Explore three Chicago mysteries with me and Geoffrey Baer!

Author Jessica Mlinaric in Chicago
Chicago

Chicago Scavenger Featured in the Chicago Tribune

Jessica Mlinaric walks down Chicago's wood block alley
Architecture

Secret Spot: Chicago’s Wood Block Alley

Promontory Point during the fall in Chicago
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – November 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / November 1, 2024November 1, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for November 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Travel Guide

How to Spend 24 Hours in Hollywood

by Jessica Mlinaric / October 23, 2024March 3, 2025

Visit Hollywood to experience its historic locations and traces of LA’s moviemaking magic.

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Hector Duarte's studio in Chicago
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – October 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / October 1, 2024October 29, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for October 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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Fans at Riot Fest
Chicago, Culture, Music

Sublime, Something Corporate, Mastodon, and Gwar at Riot Fest 2024 Day Three

by Jessica Mlinaric / September 23, 2024January 7, 2025

A rainy morning didn’t dampen the energy at Riot Fest on Sunday.

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Corn dogs in the crowd at Riot Fest
Chicago, Culture, Music

Spoon, NOFX, Beach Bunny and More from Riot Fest 2024 Day Two

by Jessica Mlinaric / September 22, 2024January 7, 2025

The music and the sun were blaring on Saturday at Riot Fest day two.

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Riot Fest crowd
Chicago, Culture, Music

Riot Fest 2024 Friday: Fall Out Boy, Public Enemy, and More

by Jessica Mlinaric / September 21, 2024January 7, 2025

Music fans filled the park on a hot and sunny first day of the festival.

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6 chicago artists at Riot Fest 2024
Chicago, Culture, Music

Six Chicago Artists to See at Riot Fest 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / September 17, 2024January 7, 2025

Don’t miss these six Chicago artists at Riot Fest 2024 this weekend.

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Greetings from Chicago mural in Logan Square
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – September 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / September 1, 2024October 6, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for September 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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caryatids at the musuem of science and industry chicago
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – August 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / August 1, 2024August 13, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for August 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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Carly Rae Jepson at Pitchfork Music Festival 2024
Chicago, Culture, Music

Favorite Moments from Pitchfork Music Festival 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / July 25, 2024January 7, 2025

Alanis Morissette, Carly Rae Jepson, De La Soul and more took the stage.

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About Me

Urban Explorer is a travel blog highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems to inspire curious travelers by Jessica Mlinaric, author of 'Secret Chicago' and 'Chicago Scavenger.'
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Newsletter



Buy My Books

Chicago Scavenger book by Jessica Mlinaric
Secret Chicago book by Jessica Mlinaric

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Secret Spots

  • How Chicago Became the Birthplace of Gospel Music: Inside Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church
    January 14, 2025
  • Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville
    A Hidden Elevator and More Secrets at Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn
    January 8, 2025
  • Charlie Chaplin mural in Chicago
    Where to Find Hollywood History in Chicago
    November 20, 2024

Media Appearances

  • Jessica Mlinaric and Geoffrey Baer with bicycles at the Illinois-Indiana State Line Boundary Marker
    Exploring Chicago Mysteries with WTTW
    April 23, 2024
  • Downtown Chicago view from Bank of America Tower
    Swapping Chicago Favorites with Peter Greenberg
    February 26, 2022
  • Author Jessica Mlinaric at Oak Woods Cemetery
    Touring Chicago’s Mass Grave with WGN Morning News
    November 16, 2020

Travel Guides

  • Knoxville, TN in spring
    The Big Ears Festival Guide to Knoxville, TN
    March 2, 2025
  • Walls of Ston, Croatia
    How to Spend One Day in Ston, Croatia
    February 11, 2025
  • Sheep at Black Thorn Farms in Asheville
    Two Days in Asheville, North Carolina: Experience Arts, Brews, and Mountain Views
    January 10, 2025
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