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Course Charted: Your Guide to Slow, Sustainable, Savvy Travel

What began as a journey half-way around the world, into the courtroom, and behind a camera has brought me here - helping you chart a course for memorable, meaningful travel...

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midwest

Christkindlmarket Chicago: Your Guide to the Best Holiday Market in the Windy City

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Christkindlmarket Chicago is back and bigger than ever; get the inside scoop on the BEST things to see and eat at the Midwest’s merriest holiday market!

Categories Destinations, North America Tags chicago, midwest

Your Guide to the Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago

Vegan Restaurants Chicago

In this guide to the best vegan restaurants in Chicago I take you to 11 delicious restaurants where you can feast on incredible vegan dishes!

Categories Destinations, North America Tags chicago, coffee shops, midwest, restaurants

Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Michigan

Michigan Camping

Get ready for your next Michigan camping adventure with this mega-guide detailing everything you need to know to have a wonderful time!

Categories Destinations, North America Tags michigan, midwest
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Course Charted About Me

Hi! I’m Alana, a Chicago-based attorney turned travel writer, photographer, and travel content creator here to help you travel smarter to Chicago and beyond. Click below to learn how I escaped the 9-5 for the 24/7!

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alanainwanderland

TFW you realize it’s only Tuesday 😒 but then TFW you realize it’s only Tuesday 😒 but then you realize it’s Taco Tuesday 😁🌮🌮🌮
If you recognize this amazing @jcrivera mural then chances are you’ve been to @brokenenglishtacopub in Old Town, #Chicago! Even though Broken English has two other locations (one in the Loop and another in Lincoln Park), this one is the vibey-est imo (SWIPE to the end to see a video of the incredible interior!)
 My favorite tacos here are the Camarones (photo 2) and the Oh My Cod. And if you’re here for a good time, try the Churro Shot for dessert!
Have you been to Broken English Taco Pub? Where do you love to go for Taco Tuesday?! 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 and share it with your taco-loving friends! 🌮♥️// #AlanaInChicago #ChicagoTacos
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‪📍Broken English Taco Pub, Chicago, USA 🇺🇸‬
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#chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #chicagogram #windycity #chicagoandknow #ThingsToDoInChicago #SummertimeChi #sheisnotlost #chicagoexplore #wearetravelgirls #chicagostreetart #chicagohome #chicagorestaurants #chicagolife #chicagorestaurant #oldtownchicago #chicagothingstodo #chicagoinfluencer #visitchicago #chicagotravel #chicagosummer #chicagofood #tacotuesday🌮 #chicagofoodie ‬#ChicagoLifestyle #ChicagoFun #ChicagoBlogger
How many times have you visited #Chicago’s famou How many times have you visited #Chicago’s famous Bean🫘 (aka Cloudgate) this year?! I have no shame in admitting that even though I’m a local I keep coming back to my beautiful Bean over and over… it’s just hard to top the gorgeous reflections and views you can capture here!
Here are my 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 for having a magical experience at The Bean:
• This area is open at 6am until 11pm, and if you can get yourself up early enough, you won’t regret coming here for sunrise! It’s one of the most serene times to capture The Bean with a glowing skyline as a backdrop.
• Or you can try showing up late! Especially during the week, I’ve had luck showing up on a Monday or Tuesday around 10pm with very few people around. Plus the mood is always magical in the evening!
• The area right in front of The Bean’s opening is usually the busiest with people trying to see their reflections and get selfies, but step away 20-30 feet and you can get a great selfie with far fewer people by you!
• Speaking of ditching the crowds, just north of The Bean you’ll see a row of trees; head over there and play around with different perspective shots of The Bean through the branches!
• You can get another great shot of The Bean from the area just in front of Park Grill along Michigan Ave. Plus, in the winter there’s an ice skating rink there for a very cool foreground!
• And my favorite (but hard to follow) tip is — be patient!! Things move quickly so if you can wait around a bit chances are you’ll enjoy your time more and get a fantastic photo!
What are your best tips for visiting Chicago’s Bean? 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 for your next trip here! 🫘♥️// #AlanaInChicago #TheBean
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‪📍The Bean, Chicago, USA 🇺🇸‬
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#chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #chicagogram #windycity #chicagoandknow #ThingsToDoInChicago #SummertimeChi #chicagobean #chicagoexplore #cloudgate #chicagoarchitecture #chicagohome #chicagoskyline #chicagolife #downtownchicago #millenniumpark #chicagothingstodo #chicagoinfluencer #visitchicago #chicagotravel #chicagosummer #chicagoviews #chicagoloop #thebeanchicago #ChicagoLifestyle #ChicagoFun #ChicagoBlogger
I’m bringing you the inside scoop on #Chicago’ I’m bringing you the inside scoop on #Chicago’s sweetest museum opening — the @museumoficecream! 🍨🍦🍧
Located at Tribune Tower, the Museum of Ice Cream is serving up delicious, frozen treats (you can have unlimited ice cream here, you heard that right - UNLIMITED!) in a super fun, aesthetic setting. You can take all the pink-themed photos you want while learning a thing or two about America’s fav frozen dessert!
These were 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 about the Museum of Ice Cream:
🍦Looooved all the photo ops! Every room has a fun (very pink and red) aesthetic for photos, including a pink L train interior!
🍦My favorite ice cream treats were the dipped cone (photo 3) and the cotton candy sorbet (photo 5)! I would skip the “hot dog” ice cream 🤢 unless you have a very strong stomach. It was a no for me!
🐘 Had a blast riding and taking photos on the mechanical elephant (photo 4) and competing against my man in the game room!
🏊🏼‍♀️ The sprinkle pool (photo 6) is on another level, and I dove right in (but found it challenging getting out 🙃). If you have kids, they would absolutely LOVE the sprinkle pool room!
Have you been to the Museum of Ice Cream?? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 this place with your ice cream-loving friends and make plans to go! 🍦💕 // #AlanaInChicago #MuseumofIceCream
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‪📍Museum of Ice Cream, Chicago, USA 🇺🇸‬
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#chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #chicagogram #windycity #chicagoandknow #ThingsToDoInChicago #SummertimeChi #icecreammuseum #chicagoexplore #chicagofoodie #chicagofood #chicagohome #icecreamporn #chicagolife #downtownchicago #icecreamlove #chicagothingstodo #chicagoinfluencer #visitchicago #chicagotravel #chicagosummer #chicagoviews #chicagoloop ‬#pinkaesthetics #ChicagoLifestyle #ChicagoFun #ChicagoBlogger
If you thought #Chicago’s festival season was wi If you thought #Chicago’s festival season was winding down, August is here to tell you that it is most definitely NOT 🎶🤘
There is more packed into these coming weeks than the average human can do, but I believe in you… a Chicago legend who can complete this entire list is out there somewhere. Will it be you??
If I *have to* narrow things down, my TOP 3 would be: @windycitysmokeout, @marketdayschicago, and Retro on Roscoe!
Which August festivals are on your must-go list?? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 these Chicago fests with your crew and 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 ➡️ @alanainwanderland so you don’t miss out on part 7 (which will have the rest of August covered!)
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#chicagofestivals #summerfest #thingstodoinchicago #chicagofun #windycity #chicagoandknow #chicagothingstodo #chicagoevents #chicagoinfluencer #summerfestival #musicfestivals #summerfestivals #chicagoviews #chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #windycitysmokeout #chicagoexplore #chicagogram #chicagotravel #visitchicago #chicagolifestyle #chicagosummer #roscoevillage #summertimechi #chicagogirl #chicagobloggers #bestdestinations #alanainchicago #lakeviewchicago
This week’s neighborhood spotlight is #Chicago’s 🏮CHINATOWN🏮
Chinatown is a neighborhood that keeps me coming back with its unique culture, stunning views, interesting architecture, and of course delicious bubble tea and foooood! I recently did a Reel🎞 showing you how to get to Chinatown from downtown using the @chicagowatertaxi (the most scenic way to arrive!) so check that out if you haven’t seen it yet!
Here are the places you need to go when you visit Chicago’s Chinatown:
🌳Ping Tom Memorial Park — named after Chinatown’s most famous civic leader (see photo 2), this sprawling park has some of the best skyline views of Chicago you’ll ever see! Also, don’t miss the beautiful pagoda-style pavilion and the murals depicting scenes from ancient China.
🏡 Bushiest house on the block — by 19th and Wells you can see one of the most gorgeously overgrown houses in Chicago (see photo 4), adorned with cherub statues and golden dragons!
🧋Bubble tea taste testing — you can’t come to Chinatown without going on a bubble tea taste testing mission! Try two of my favs @teamobobabar and @tigersugar.usa (see photos 5 and 8 respectively)
🥡 Grab delicious Chinese food at one of my favorite spots @mccbchicago (the mango shrimp and spicy eggplant are a must!)
👣 Wander around Chinatown stopping at the interesting shops and bakeries, they’re also perfect for souvenirs and fun gifts!
Have you been to Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood?? What are your must see spots here? 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 explorations and share w your Chi friends! ♥️// #AlanaInChicago #ChicagoChinatown
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‪📍Chinatown, Chicago, USA 🇺🇸‬
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#chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #chicagogram #windycity #chicagoandknow #ThingsToDoInChicago #SummertimeChi #suitcasetravels #chicagoexplore #prettylittletrips #chicagoarchitecture #chicagohome #chicagoskyline #chicagolife #downtownchicago #chinatownchicago #chicagothingstodo #chicagoinfluencer #visitchicago #chicagotravel #chicagosummer #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #chinatownmarket ‬#ChicagoLifestyle #ChicagoFun #ChicagoBlogger
Have you been to @frothchicago yet?? ☕️🤍 Th Have you been to @frothchicago yet?? ☕️🤍 This West Loop #Chicago coffee shop is a true hidden gem, in fact it’s so hidden that you may have walked right by it without noticing the gorgeous, tucked-away courtyard off Monroe St!
Sure West Loop has a TON of wonderful coffee shops, but the vibes here are immaculate both inside and out. And there is so much comfy seating. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed coffee date with friends or a solo hang, getting some work done.
𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸: dalgona iced latte (the crunchy brown sugar topping dissolves so beautifully as you sip!)
𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀: relaxed, feels like you’re in a little town in France
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 8-10am during the week is the most chill (but there is enough seating to accommodate you whenever you get here!)
What’s your favorite coffeeshop in Chicago’s West Loop?! Share this spot with your coffee-obsessed friends! ☕️
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 ➡️ @alanainwanderland 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲!
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#chicagocoffee #chicagocoffeeshops #thingstodoinchicago #chicagofun #windycity #chicagoandknow #chicagothingstodo #coffeeshops #chicagoinfluencer #bestcoffee #bestcoffeeintown #coffeeshopcorners #chicagoviews #chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #coffeeporn #chicagoexplore #chicagogram #chicagotravel #visitchicago #chicagolifestyle #westloop #westloopchicago #summertimechi #chicagogirl #chicagobloggers #bestdestinations #alanainchicago #dalgonacoffee
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