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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

Lincoln Park Pavilion by Studio Gang
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – July 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / July 1, 2024July 1, 2024

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

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Nation of Language at Pitchfork Music Festival
Chicago, Culture, Music

Pitchfork Music Festival Tips from a Concert Photographer

by Jessica Mlinaric / June 11, 2024January 7, 2025

I’m sharing my best Pitchfork Music Festival tips from more than a decade of attending.

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Fierce mural by Sam Kirk
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – June 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / June 1, 2024June 1, 2024

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

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Historic hotel pool at InterContinental Chicago
Chicago

9 Unique Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Chicago

by Jessica Mlinaric / May 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Fun and unexpected ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Chicago

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Vivian Maier mural in Wicker Park
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – May 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / May 1, 2024June 1, 2024

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

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Gold dome of the InterContinental Chicago hotel
Architecture, Chicago, Secret Spot

Secrets of the InterContinental Chicago Hotel

by Jessica Mlinaric / April 9, 2024March 1, 2025

A historic hotel with lavish design and secrets in every ballroom.

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Chapel altar at St. John Cantius in Chicago
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – April 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / April 1, 2024May 2, 2024

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

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John Paul Jones and Thurston Moore at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Four: Thurston Moore and John Paul Jones, Laugh Ash, Medeski Russo Ribot, and More

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

Venues filled up around Knoxville as attendees savored every last moment of Big Ears.

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Herbie Hancock at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Three: Herbie Hancock, Digable Planets, The Messthetics, Colin Stetson, and More

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 24, 2024March 1, 2025

The sun returned for a jam-packed day of music.

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Laurie Anderson at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Two: André 3000, Laurie Anderson, Carl Craig, and Sam Amidon

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

Day two of Big Ears had many surprises along the way.

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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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  • About
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