What we’re about
🎉 Welcome to Windy City Wanderers! 🌆
We’re so excited to have you here!
Whether you’re new to Chicago or a lifelong local, this group lets you explore the city in fresh, unforgettable ways. Think of it as being a tourist in your own town—discovering hidden gems, fun facts, and unique experiences across Chicagoland. 🗺️✨
This group is the sister to our original, "1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die," and we’ll be hosting lots of joint events together! 🤝
🎟️ Membership Info:
- Enjoy a 90-day FREE trial
- After that, it’s just $12/year
- Want to skip the dues? Host an event, and your annual fee is waived! 🙌
🚇 Most events happen in the city or nearby suburbs like Oak Park, Evanston, and Park Ridge—and all are CTA-accessible.
❗Group Policy: We have a “3-strikes” no-show policy. Miss three events without updating your RSVP, and you'll be suspended for 3 months. This keeps things fair and respectful for everyone.
🎉 This is a year-round group—winter won’t slow us down! We’re all about meeting new people and having fun through one-of-a-kind outings all over the Chicago area.
💬 Got questions or ideas? Want to lead an outing? Message us anytime—we’d love to hear from you!
Let’s stay connected:
📘 Facebook Page
👥 Facebook Group
📸 Instagram
🌟 Sister Group on Meetup
Can’t wait to wander with you!
Giovina R.
Organizer, Windy City Wanderers 🌬️🚶♀️🚶♂️
Upcoming events
37
🎅🎄*SPECIAL* Holiday LUNCH Under the Great Tree at the Walnut Room! 🎁🍽️
The Walnut Room, 111 N. State St., Chicago, IL, US**TIME CHANGE LUNCH IS AT 2 pm NOT 1:30 PM"*
🎅🎄*SPECIAL* Holiday LUNCH Under the Great Tree at the Walnut Room! 🎁🍽️
🎄✨ A Chicago Holiday Tradition: Dinner Under the Great Tree at the Walnut Room! 🍽️🎁
Let’s kick off the holiday season with a Chicago classic — a traditional Christmas lunch beneath the Great Tree inside Macy’s (forever known as Marshall Field’s!) in the gorgeous Walnut Room. 🌟 One of our members was able to get a 2nd reservation for the group but on Tuesday afternoon for lunch so some new spots have opened up!
For the 5th year in a row, we’re keeping this beloved 1001 tradition alive! 🎉 Normally, we dine on Black Friday, but this year we have trouble with the reservations so we’ll be celebrating a bit early — while the Christmas décor inside and outside Macy’s will be already in full swing! 🎅🎄✨
> 💡 The Christkindlmarket opens on Nov 21, but you’ll still enjoy all the magical holiday lights, décor, and festive spirit!
Laura was able to get a 2nd reservation on a Tuesday afternoon. 😢 Please only RSVP if you are 100% sure you can attend!
***
### 🍽️ LUNCH& DRINKS DETAILS
📅 Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
🕔 Time: 1:30–3:300 PM (arrive on time — the restaurant will not seat us until our full group has arrived; allow extra time for traffic & parking!)
📍 Location: The Walnut Room, Macy’s (111 N State St, Chicago)
👥 Group Size: Limited to 8 guests only! (1 tables of 8)
⚠️ LAURA WARD IS THE HOST OF THIS EVENT - CHECK IN WITH HER
💵 Bring Cash! The Walnut Room cannot do separate checks for groups.
👉 Please total your meal cost and add 32% (12% tax + 20% tip) for simplicity.***
### 🕯️ ABOUT THE WALNUT ROOM
The world-famous Walnut Room was the first restaurant ever opened inside a department store (est. 1905). With Circassian walnut paneling imported from Russia, Austrian chandeliers, and its signature Mrs. Hering’s Chicken Pot Pie, it remains one of Chicago’s most cherished holiday dining experiences. 🍗🎁✨
📖 Learn more:
🔗 Main Site → https://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/
🔗 Holiday Info → http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/holiday2025/
🔗 2025 Holiday Menu → http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/holiday-menu-2025/***
### 🚆 GETTING THERE
🚇 Public Transit: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving? Metered parking on Randolph, Monroe, and nearby streets (watch for signs).
💰 Save money: Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for cheaper parking options.
⏰ Be on time! They will only seat us once the full party has arrived.***
### 🚫 NO-SHOW POLICY
To keep things fair for everyone:
❌ 3 no-shows = 3-month RSVP suspension
⏰ RSVP updates must be made before event start time
📲 Check in with the host upon arrival
⚠️ Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the group***
🎁✨ A little sparkle, a little nostalgia — and a whole lot of holiday cheer! 🎄🥂
7 attendees
🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke + Taco Tuesday! Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤
All Star Seafood and sports, 730 South Clark, Chicago, IL, US🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke + Taco Tuesday! Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤
⭐ Hosted by Deanna ⭐
Come on out for an incredibly fun Tuesday night—join multiple Meetup groups for Live Band Karaoke at All Star Seafood & Sports!
If you've never done live band karaoke before, you're in for a treat! This isn't your standard machine karaoke—the band plays live and helps you out if you don't know all the words or need support. Whether you want to take the mic or just watch and cheer on others, it's a blast either way.
✅ No experience necessary! The band will back you up and keep the energy high.
✅ Or just hang out and enjoy! Watching people perform with a live band is half the fun.
✅ Multi-group event: Expect a bigger, livelier crowd than the RSVP count—these typically average 10–12 people from our group alone, plus attendees from other groups.We want laid-back, non-judgmental, fun-loving folks who want to have a good time and support each other—even if someone can't carry a tune in a bucket!
🎉 TACO TUESDAY SPECIAL!
Come hungry and enjoy their awesome Tuesday Taco specials. Pair your food with drinks from their full bar.***
📅 WHEN:
Tuesday night! Live Band Karaoke starts at 8 PM.
🕗 Arrive early to get a good spot, hang out, grab food and drinks before the singing starts!***
📍 WHERE:
All Star Seafood & Sports
730 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL
✅ Website
✅ Facebook
✅ Menu***
🚗 PARKING INFO:
Street parking on Clark, Polk, and Wells Streets (watch for no parking and permit-only signs—it can be tricky).
⭐ Highly recommend using SpotHero or Parking Whiz for the safest and easiest option.
🚇 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Plenty of CTA options—plan your route here: CTA Trip Planner***
✨ WHAT TO EXPECT:
✅ Sing with a live band (they’ll help you!)
✅ Amazing taco specials
✅ Drinks, friends, fun vibes
✅ A supportive crowd from multiple Meetup groups
✅ Outstanding food & a full bar
✅ Even if you don't sing, it's a great show!***
⚠️ OUR NO-SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if you can’t make it!
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month hold from events.
✔️ Cut-off to update is the event start time.
✔️ Message the host if you’re running late.
✔️ Always check in with the host when you arrive.***
✨ Come sing your heart out, try some delicious tacos, cheer on your friends, and have an unforgettable Tuesday night with great people. Whether you’re the next Beyoncé or just want to laugh and clap along, this event is for you.
See you there! 🎤🌮🍻
5 attendees
🥪🍕 Fontano’s Feast: Quick Dinner Before Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! 🎙️🍽️
Fontano’s Subs & Pizzeria, 332 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, US🥪🍕 Fontano’s Feast: Quick Dinner Before Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! 🎙️🍽️
🍽️ Part 1 of 2 – Quick Dinner Before the show!
📅 Date & Time: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 5:45 PM
📍 Location: Fontano’s Subs & Pizzeria, Chicago
🔗 Website & Menu: https://www.fontanosonmichigan.com/Important: Only 4–6 people per table. No reservations, first-come, first-served. We’ll grab several tables, but seating is limited! COUNTER SERVICE — everyone pays on their own.
💵 Payment: Please take the total of your order and add 32% (12% Chicago tax + 20% tip). Cash or credit accepted.
Why Fontano’s: Fontano’s has been a neighborhood favorite for decades, known for hearty Italian subs, thin-crust pizzas, and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Casual, welcoming vibe perfect for a quick, fun pre-show dinner!
🥗🥪 About the Spot: Cozy, casual Italian pizzeria & sub shop! Famous for hearty sandwiches, fresh ingredients, and classic pizzas 🍕🍅. Counter service—everyone pays separately 💵💳.
RSVP: Only sign up if you are 95% sure you can attend — small group size due to limited seating.
🚆 Public Transit: Easily accessible via CTA bus or train — check CTA Trip Planner
🚗 Parking: Metered spots on Michigan Ave & nearby streets; limited free spots. Use SpotHero or Parking Whiz for easiest options.Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me Show: Sign up separately here: https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/311635852/
⚠️ No-Show Policy:
- 3 no-shows without updating RSVP → 3-month sign-up restriction
- Update RSVP by event start or message host directly
- Not checking in may result in removal from future events
🎉 Quick, fun meetup before the show! Perfect for a pre-show bite 🍽️😋.
16 attendees
😂 NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” LIVE–Laughs & News @Studebaker Theater!🎙️
Studebaker Theater, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, US😂 NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” LIVE–Laughs & News @Studebaker Theater!🎙️
🎉*NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” LIVE – Hilarious Night at Studebaker!*🎭
PART 2 of 2 as we will do dinner before the show!
Let’s go back for more fun! A Chicago favorite, NPR’s hit show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! is back this fall & winter — with regular live tapings at the beautiful Studebaker Theater in the historic Fine Arts Building! We’ve done this event several times and always had a blast!
🎟️ TICKETED EVENT — BUY ASAP!
Discount tickets are selling fast!
👉 Pick Thursday, Nov 13, 2025 @ 7:30 PM💸 DISCOUNT OPTIONS:
- HotTix: $25 + $5.25 fees = $30.25 total
Access here:
Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! – Hot Tix - TodayTix: $25 + $7.00 fees = $32.00 total
Access here:
Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Tickets | Chicago | TodayTix
(Note: Seats are assigned; you cannot choose them, so we may not sit together. Still, both are $22–$24 off the regular price!)
🎫 Regular Tickets: $44.50 + $9.50 fees = $54 total → Fine Arts Building Tickets
⚠️ Be careful — it defaults to 2 tickets! Adjust to 1 ticket if coming solo.
***
📻 About the Show:
Hosted by Peter Sagal with announcer Bill Curtis, NPR’s Peabody Award-winning Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! is the hilarious news quiz where celebrity guests, panelists, and contestants tackle the week’s wildest headlines. Contestants compete for the most coveted prize in public radio — a voicemail greeting recorded by a cast member!
🔗 Learn more: NPR Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!***
🍽️ Optional Pre-Show Dinner (Separate RSVP!)
Join us before the show at Fontano’s Subs & Pizzeria!
RSVP here → https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/311635800/***
🏛️ About the Venue – Fine Arts Building & Studebaker Theater
A Chicago landmark since 1898, the Fine Arts Building is home to artists, musicians, craftspeople, and performers. Inside is the gorgeous Studebaker Theater, once a vaudeville stage and now a restored performing arts venue full of history and charm.
🔗 Fine Arts Building Website
🔗 Studebaker Theater Info***
🚇 Getting There:
Use Google Maps or the CTA Trip Planner for directions.
If driving, parking downtown can be tough — use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for the best nearby garage rates.***
⚠️ No-Show Policy
To keep our events fair for everyone:
• 3 no-shows without RSVP updates = 3-month hold on joining new events
• Update RSVP before event start time
• Message host if running late or can’t find group
• Continued no-shows may result in removal***
🎭 Join us for laughs, witty commentary, and a night of pure Chicago charm — live public radio, laughter, and local history all under one roof!
19 attendees- HotTix: $25 + $5.25 fees = $30.25 total
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