What we’re about
Welcome to our fun and active group!
Whether you're new to Chicago or have lived here for a while, becoming a member of this group allows you to explore the Chicago area in ways that most residents may never experience. It’s like being a tourist in your own city as we uncover hidden gems and unique experiences.
This group is a sister to the original, "1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die," and we will be hosting many joint events together.
Our goal is to create a club filled with enjoyable events, giving you the chance to meet new people while participating in unique and diverse outings throughout Chicagoland. This is a year-round group, and winter won't slow us down!
The annual dues are $12 per member, but you get a 90-day free trial to see if you enjoy the group! If you choose to host an event, your annual dues will be waived. We are a highly active and social group with a wide range of activities throughout Chicago.
Most of our events take place in Chicago or nearby suburbs like Evanston, Oak Park, and Park Ridge. All events are accessible via public transportation, which is why we primarily focus on Chicago.
Please note that we have a firm "three strikes" policy regarding no-shows. If you don't attend an event without updating your RSVP, you will receive a strike. After accumulating three strikes, you will be suspended from the group for three months. We aim to maintain fairness and fun for all our members.
If you have any questions about the group, suggestions for events, or would like to lead an outing, please let me know. Hosting an event allows you to waive your annual dues!
Please also check out & join our Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571684466442303
We also have an Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/1001thingstoseeinchicago/
Giovina Romandine
Organizer for Windy City Wanderers!
Do you love soul, R&B, and the smooth sounds of legends like Al Green and The O’Jays? Then this is the show for you! Let’s see the iconic Al Green and The O’Jays live at Ravinia! We’ll sit on the lawn and turn it into a party — bring your chairs, blankets, food, and wine. We’ll picnic under the stars and groove the night away to timeless hits! These shows tend to sell out quickly, so I recommend grabbing your tickets soon — you don’t want to miss this unforgettable night of music and memories!
**Tickets are $57 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12.Just add before checkout. I already rented 1 table, so maybe we only need 1 more table? Go here to purchase a ticket, Pick SATURDAY 6/28/25, GENERAL ADMISION LAWN
"Al Green with special guest The O’Jays"
https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/al-green#showing_81
REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT, YOU CAN ADD A CHAIR AND/OR A TABLE SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LUG ONE ALONG ON THE TRAIN!
ALSO KEEP IN MIND THERE IS A $24 SERVICE PROCESSING FEE, BUT IT IS FOR THE WHOLE CART, SO IF YOU ARE ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE SHOW, IT IS STILL $24! OR SEE IF YOU WANT TO BUY TICKETS WITH OTHER MEMBERS TO SAVE FEES! ALSO, YOU CAN GO TO THE HIGHLAND PARK BOX OFFICE FOR NO FEES!
We are doing the following shows this season at Ravinia, so click on the links below to sign up for those shows as well:
- 6/6/25 An Evening with Heart https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/307492148/
- 6/28/25 Al Green with special guest The O'Jays https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/307492430/
- 7/5/25 Chicago with special guest Stevie McVie https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/307492244/
- 8/7/25 Earth Wind & Fire https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/307492561/
- 8/21/25 Lenny Kravitz https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/307492834/
All of these are posted on Meetup, so sign up for one or all of them! Best to purchase all at once to save fees if attending several shows! It will be a fun summer!
Please try to come early so it is to meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when the gates open!
If you drive, it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they may send you to satellite lots, so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise, you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. Can also park at the Highland Park Metra station after 4 pm for free & shuttle over. More details here:
https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train
I will most likely take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc. If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station, or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer, we can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info go here
https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train
PLEASE, BRING FOOD OR DRINKS TO SHARE. WE DO THIS PICNIC POTLUCK STYLE SO ALL MUST BRING SOMETHING! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT AS TO WHAT YOU WILL BRING! I WILL RENT A TABLE, BUT BRING A TABLE IF YOU CAN, SO WE CAN SET UP EVERYTHING!
Al Green is a legendary American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor, best known for his smooth vocals, emotionally rich delivery, and timeless love songs. Rising to fame in the early 1970s, Green became one of the defining voices of Southern soul, blending gospel, R&B, and pop into a deeply expressive and sensual sound. His most iconic hits—such as “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” “I’m Still in Love with You,” and “Love and Happiness”—cemented his place in music history as the “Prince of Soul.”
Born in Arkansas in 1946 and raised in Michigan, Green began performing with his brothers in a gospel group before transitioning to secular music. His career took off after teaming up with producer Willie Mitchell at Hi Records in Memphis, where he developed his signature sound. By the mid-1970s, after a string of chart-topping successes, Green experienced a spiritual awakening and shifted his focus toward gospel music, eventually becoming an ordained pastor and founding the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis.
Despite this change, Green continued to record and perform both sacred and secular music, and his influence spans generations of artists across genres. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and remains one of the most celebrated soul artists of all time. His voice, often described as both tender and electrifying, continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of passion, vulnerability, and grace.
https://www.al-green.com/
Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
https://ravinia.org/
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
If you drive, see the info I gave above on parking, or check Ravinia's website
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Spring Walk of Old Irving Park's Historic District4200 W. Irving Park, Chicago, IL
Spring is here, and so is Chicago walking tour season—time to step outside and explore! If you’re looking for a fresh and engaging way to spend a Sunday afternoon, join us for our latest neighborhood walking tour. This week, we’re heading to Old Irving Park’s Historic District, where a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the area’s charming streets. You’ll uncover hidden gems, admire stunning architecture, and learn about the rich history behind the neighborhood’s homes, schools, businesses, and churches. It’s the perfect way to soak up the spring sunshine while discovering a new side of Chicago.
The walk promises to be delightful on this beautiful spring afternoon. It’s an event that brings together multiple meetup groups! Although it's not exclusively a photo walk, there will be plenty of chances to take photos!
Experience the charm and history of Chicago’s picturesque Old Irving Historic District on a private walking tour led by an expert in the city’s cultural heritage. For just $20 per person, you’ll be immersed in captivating stories, striking architecture, and the unique character that defines this iconic neighborhood. This thoughtfully curated tour reveals hidden gems and little-known details that bring Old Irving to life. Don’t miss your chance to explore one of Chicago’s most beloved areas—
Beginning on the famous Irving Park Road, we will walk throughout the historic older section of the Irving Park neighborhood. The tour will take you through the rich history of the area, beautiful boulevards, turn-of-the-century architecture, schools, and churches
The tour involves about 2.1 miles of walking outdoors, so please wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the Chicago spring weather.
Please note that the tour ends about one block away from the starting point, so plan your parking accordingly if you are driving. We begin at 4200 W. Irving Park Rd and finish at Eris Brewery & Cider House, located at 4240 W. Irving Park Rd. It will be a short walk back to your car, depending on where you park.
To join this engaging experience, a $20 fee is due at the start of the tour (cash, PayPal, Zelle or Venmo accepted). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Old Irving in a whole new light—let’s embark on this exciting journey together!
After the walk, some of us will get dinner at Eris Brewery & Cider House, a lovely women-owned business in OIP inside a historic building.
https://www.erischicago.com/All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES DON'T ACCEPT SEPARATE CHECKS!
Old Irving Park is a neighborhood within Chicago’s Irving Park community. Many who live in OIP will tell you they feel like they have the best of both worlds—the conveniences of the city combined with the charm of the suburbs. Iconic Chicago architecture lives in Irving Park, from Victorian mansions to turn-of-the-century bungalows — some buildings predate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The original name chosen for the suburb was “Irvington” after author Washington Irving, but it was discovered that another town in Illinois had already used the name, so the name “Irving Park” was adopted. The original developers built substantial mansions along Irving Park Boulevard between 1870 and 1874
Initially, Irving Park attracted Chicago's moneyed families seeking large parcels on which to construct mansions. The Great Chicago Fire of October 1871 proved a boon to Irving Park development, as Chicago residents moved in droves to areas outside the city that had not been ravaged. In 1889, Irving Park was annexed into the city of Chicago as part of Jefferson Township. City streets, streetcar service and waterlines lured more residents. Between 1895 and 1914, new owners erected more than 5,000 buildings.
A few places we will stop at:
· 4200 W Irving Park Rd – The Whistle Stop Inn
· 3926 N Keeler - Charles Loucks House
· 3900 N Keeler - C.O. Loucks House
· 3945 N Tripp - The Race House
· 3916 N Tripp - Nuveen House 1892
· 3850 N Tripp - Mt Olive Church
· 3801 N Keeler – Irving Park Methodist Church
· 3601 N Milwaukee - Carl Schurz High School,
· 4362 W Grace - John Gray Mansion
· 3854 N. Kostner – John & Clara Merchant House
· 3857 N Kostner - St John's Episcopal Church
· 4041 N Lowell - Emeril Jensen House
· 4251 W Irving Park Rd. - Irving Park YMCA
· 4240 W Irving Park Rd - ERIS Brewery and Cider HouseIf you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use Google Maps or the CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you are driving, there is plenty of street parking along Irving, Keeler, Pulaski & surrounding side streets, but pay attention to parking signs, especially permit parking.
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Mayfest Lincoln Park w/ Starlight City & Dancing Queen-An ABBA Salute bands!!Armitage @ Sheffield, Chicago, IL
The summer festival season begins! Mayfest kicks off the Chicago Festival season, we will see Starlight City at 5:15 pm and Dancing Queen at 7:30 pm! Meet at 4:15 pm, and we will go in and have some time to spend at the fest before the band starts. It's time for some OUTDOOR LIVE MUSIC again!!
Starlight City is a hot new musical experience from Chicago, playing a mix of 2000s pop, dance, rock, and more, paired with a high-energy live show! And Dancing Queen is the U.S. Midwest's resident #ABBA tribute band of over 20 years, out of Chicago. The music of ABBA touring the top fests, theaters, concerts, & more!
https://starlightcityband.com/
https://www.dancingqueenband.com/Chicago Mayfest has been a staple of the community for 28 incredible years, and this year promises to be the best one yet! From May 17th to May 19th, prepare to experience a weekend full of all the best Chicago has to offer in both art and music, as we kickoff the summer season with a bang in the heart of Lincoln Park.
Join us as they turn every inch of Armitage into an endless celebration showcasing all the amazing talent and businesses based in Chicago! Featuring two stages of the city’s most acclaimed bands and up-and-coming house talent. Indulge your taste buds with mouthwatering bites from your favorite local restaurants, browse through endless paintings and sculptures in the Armitage Art Show, and discover unique treasures and one-of-a-kind finds at our artisan market.
Featuring Chicago’s top party bands on the west end and our Artist’s Lounge on the East end. These two stages will showcase Chicago’s most acclaimed musicians. In addition to the two stages, Mayfest offers delicious summertime food and all the libations needed to light up your weekend.
Please support RANCH Triangle Community Conservation Association and offer the suggested donation of only $10. (Since it is a suggested donation, you are not obligated to pay to enter or can give a lesser amount!)
Meet at 1000 W. Armitage, the corner of Armitage and N. Sheffield at 4:15 pm & please be on time! We will go in together. If you come later, then meet us inside by the Racine Main Stage.
If you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use Google Maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
Note that parking can be difficult during the festival in Lincoln Park in general, so it is best to use public transportation. brown line trains run near the restaurant & several CTA bus routes. Use SpotHero or Parking Whiz for the cheapest & safest options. Metered parking on Armitage & Sheffield., Plus, side streets but it can be a challenge if not familiar with the area
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO-SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp, and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festival-type events)
- continual no-shows will result in removal from the group!
- Trivia Tuesdays with Mike @Lizard’s Liquid Lounge in Irving Park EastLizard's Liquid Lounge, Chicago, IL
We had so much fun in April, we are going back! We will do some more pub trivia on a Tuesday evening in the Irving Park East neighborhood. Every 2nd & 3rd Tuesday, they have "Tuesday Trivia Nights with Mike!" The hosts are Mike Kennedy & Paul Tobin. It's free to play, there will be drink specials, and the 1st place team will win a gift certificate. Plus, everyone wins a prize for just playing! What's not to love about it?
Depending on the number of people will have to split into several teams as they only allow 5 per team! We will get tables near each other! THEY ARE PRETTY STRICT ABOUT ONLY 5 PER TEAM, SO WE WILL HAVE TO SPLIT INTO 2-4 GROUPS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY WHO ATTEND WANT TO PLAY!
There is no better way to spend an evening out than having tasty food and drinks with friends and family at trivia night!
They do not serve food in-house, but you can bring outside food in. I will grab something from one of the many nearby places!
Here are a few of the places close by that you can call in & pick up, or easily walk over to grab something & bring to the bar!
- Mima's Cuban Cafe 2925 W Irving Park Rd, www.mimastoc.com
- Easy Street Pizza 2922 W Irving Park Rd https://easystreetpizzachicago.com/
- Blue Fish Seafood 4009 N Albany Ave Front 1D (order before 7:15 pm) https://www.seamless.com/menu/blue-fish-seafood-4009-n-albany-front-1d-chicago/9954960
- Rinconcito Ecuatoriano 3041 W Irving Park Rd https://www.allmenus.com/il/chicago/664890-rinconcito-ecuatoriano/menu/
- Pete's Pizza 3737 N Western Ave (they will deliver unless someone has a car to pick up) www.pizzapetes.com
Trivia starts at 8. It's always free to enter. There will be drink specials. The 1st place team will win a gift certificate. Everyone wins a prize. We will go at 7 pm to get good seats & eat the food we bring.
Darts, Live Music, and Great Artwork by local artists. Ask the wonderful bartenders about the tasty drink specials, games, and events happening every week at Lizards Liquid Lounge.Lizard's is a dog friendly bar that frequently hosts Live Music with no cover, Karaoke on Thursdays and Saturdays, Trivia Nights, and Bingo. Lizard's also has a variety of board games and two dart boards. Check our website calendar for Special Events and Live Music!
Established in 2008. Lizard's Liquid Lounge is a neighborhood bar with a very eclectic mix; gay, straight, artists, musicians... Everyone is Welcome. Even dogs!
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. Near the Blue Line and the Irving Park #80 Bus or the #53 Pulaski bus
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/If you are driving, there is metered street parking on Irving Park Rd and free on side streets. Very easy parking in the area. Just watch the no parking or permit only signs.
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festivals type of events)
continual no shows will result in removal from the group! - Golden Hour @Epiphany Center w/Live Blues, Art Show & DJEpiphany Center for the Arts, Chicago , IL
We had such a good time on last year, that we are going back for more at the Epiphany Center for the Arts to check out all the stuff going on! They do Happy Hour Outside in their Courtyard with live music (inside the café/Sanctuary, IF too cold outside). They refer to it as the Golden Hour with SELECT 1/2 price house bottles of wine, SELECT $4 Craft Beers, and SOME 2 for 1 "Lite Bites." If you cannot come until after 6 pm, that's fine as long a most get there early to grab tables. We can hang out from 6-7 pm in the bar/café area to listen to the live DJ and then pop to the galleries to view some of the art. Then go upstairs at 7:30 pm to the sanctuary for live blues! Happy hour specials end @8pm.
As mentioned above, they will have DJ MWELWA & Free Friday live blues from BEAR WILLIAMS, and they have a few art exhibits!
MUST REGISTER FOR THE GOLDEN HOUR HERE. Click register & make sure to PICK FRI 5/23/25: https://epiphanychi.com/events/golden-hour-featuring-bear-williams-5-23/Golden Hour – The hour of light before sunset that produces a warm natural light. Golden Hour at Epiphany Center for the Arts is accentuated by free live music, food and drink specials, and good friends… creating a magical aura that will help you, our valued patron, wind down or up your day!
Mwelwa Musambacine is influenced by cultures and people across the globe. He is recognized across music circles as one of Chicago's best international and world music DJs. Mwelwa's assorted global mix includes reggae, kizomba, salsa, bachata, samba, kompa, merengue, afrobeat(s), semba, jazz, funk, son, amapiano, punta, soukous, makossa, calypso, afropop, zouk, house, reggaetón, coupé décalé, soca, blues, cumbia and various types of Arabic, Indian & African varieties. Mwelwa also plans and promotes events as a part of Akasuba./Sunny Side Up.
Free Blues Fridays featuring Bear Williams Band - Founded in Chicago in 2017, Bear Williams Band is led by the longtime bass player and musical director of the Platinum-Selling R&B Band, “Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly”. Bear spent many years working in the recording studios in Chicago & Los Angeles. He's played on over 400 CDs and his body of work is recognized and admired the world over.
Bear Williams Band is The very best in blues and Americana. Proud Recipient of The 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and Volunteer Services Award. https://www.bearwilliamsblues.com/
Current ART Exhibits
- Melissa Weber ODE TO COMMON THINGS BARCELONA ROOM
- Laurie LeBreton INSISTING AND MAINTAINING Slemmons Gallery
- Margot McMahon RING OF FIRE: FRIENDS, REEFS, AND BOUNCING BACK The Guild Room
- Laurie Buman SANTOS Y MILAGROS (SAINTS & MIRACLES)
THE LIGHT WITHIN THE DARKNESS SERIES The Sacristy Gallery - Marianne Lovink COUNTERWEIGHT CATACOMBS GALLERY
https://epiphanychi.com/
CAFE BAR & MENU: https://epiphanychi.com/cafe-bar-menu/Conceived with the vision to return Epiphany to a place for people to once again congregate in, the shuttered, historic Church of the Epiphany has been preserved and adapted into an iconic cultural hub ‘For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events’. Thoughtfully designed, the exemplary 42,000 square foot campus boasts three distinct venues and a stunning array of amenities, including art studios, classroom, exhibit space and gallery, a commercial and catering kitchen, café, VIP suite and a collection of artistically appointed outdoor spaces: a charming quarter-acre courtyard, spacious terrace and stunning patio.
David Chase and Kimberly Rachal were married at the historic Church of the Epiphany 23 years ago. Now they’ve turned it into a massive arts Campus for the West Loop. The architecturally significant property was acquired by Chicago Developer David Chase. He and his wife, Kimberly Rachal, have spent $15 million preserving the historic church and its adjacent buildings while making big additions.
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive, there is metered street parking on Ashland and Adams plus some free spots on side streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs.
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
