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 🌬️🚶♀️🚶♂️
🕺 Harper Court Live Music & Dance | Hyde Park Steppers Contest 💃
🎶 Outdoor Music & Dancing Night at Harper Court (Hyde Park)
Bring your dancing shoes for the 2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest! Come watch even if you don't step (dance)
📅 Thursday, September 4, 2025
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Harper Court, 5235 S. Harper Court, Hyde Park (53rd St. & Lake Park Ave.)
FREE – REGISTER HERE:
2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest Tickets
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Let’s head to Hyde Park for a lively evening of live music, dancing, and neighborhood vibes! We’ll be attending the Harper Court Summer Music Series, a free monthly outdoor concert series in the heart of Hyde Park’s 53rd Street shopping and dining district.
🎵 This Month’s Lineup:
✨ 2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest with DJ Eric “ET” Taylor
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🪑 Seating
Seating is not provided—please bring a folding chair if you’d like to sit. Space is limited, so we’ll leave plenty of room for dancing!
🍴 Dining
Feel free to bring your own food (liquor is technically not allowed). Or enjoy food tents and nearby restaurants, including:
- Bob’s Pizza
- Chipotle
- Daisy's Po' Boy & Tavern
- Deep Purple
- Ja’ Grill
- Roti Modern Mediterranean
- Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
- Strugglebeard Bakery
Explore more Hyde Park favorites along 53rd Street: welcometohydepark.com
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🛍 Shop Local
Check out unique shops like Recycled Modern, Suuri Design, and the iconic Silver Room, all nearby.
🚗 Transportation & Parking
- Public Transit: #6 Jackson Park Express bus or Metra Electric line (Millennium Station → 53rd Street stop). CTA Trip Planner
- Parking: Paid options in Harper Court garage (entrance on Lake Park Ave, south of McDonald’s), surface lot on Harper Ave, or metered street parking. For cheaper rates, check SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
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🌟 About the Series
The Harper Court Summer Music Series started in 2015 as a collaboration between the University of Chicago and Eric Williams of The Silver Room. Paused during 2020–2021, it’s now back as a Hyde Park summer tradition. More info: harpercourtmusic.com
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⛔ No-Show Policy
- 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = suspension from events for 3 months.
- Please check in with the host upon arrival.
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👉 Come enjoy a summer night of music, dancing, and Hyde Park energy!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Labour Day Potluck Picnic at Foster Ave BeachFoster Avenue Beach, Chicago, IL
☀️ Summer is almost gone!
We'll have a POTLUCK picnic on Foster Ave. Beach area. Bring chairs, tables, blankets, food to share, and your beverages of choice. This will be a joint Meetup with the Chicago Dining Out Meetup, other Meetup groups, and friends.
A small GRILL and charcoal will be available for those who wish to grill veggies, meats, seafoods, etc 🌽🥒🦐🐟🍗 . . . It's GYOB -- Grill Your Own BBQ🔥
If you have an extra grill and charcoal, feel free to bring it too.
We're tracking the weather. Updates will be posted as we get closer.
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We are at the north end of the beach under the trees, east of the (Berwyn) pedestrian underpass.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/86HJX8HX%2BWH/@41.9798125,-87.6532512,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.9798125!4d-87.6510625
Or enter: X8HX+WH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
in https://www.google.com/maps
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This event is also posted in other Meetup groups, the more the merrier!OFFICIALLY, Alcohol is not allowed on Chicago Park District property. Should you chose to ignore that, please be discreet
NOTE: This is an outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather, we may change the details of this event.
Parking is available but come early. If parking lot is full, CPD may not allow any more vehicles inside the parking lot. If that happens, please find parking elsewhere in the side streets.
For those taking Uber/Lyft, use the address:
950 W Berwyn Ave., Chicago IL 60640
...Then walk further EAST on Berwyn. Follow the path and walk THRU the underpass. We will be under the shade trees a few yards EAST of the LSD underpass (See map above)
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Closest CTA transport are (See map above):
http://www.google.com/transit- Buses 147, 146 & 151
- Red line L Berwyn stop.
- Yes, you can bring BIKE! The venue is along the Lake shore path. Friendly dogs (and cats) are welcome too!
Potential food/drinks supplies: Argyle Ave. is walking distance away. Same with Jewel-Osco and Mariano's grocery stores.
Be seeing you!
- 🏰✨ Mansions, Mimosas & Gossip: Stroll the Glittering Gold Coast 🍾🏛️Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL
🏰✨ Mansions, Mimosas & Gossip: Stroll the Glittering Gold Coast 🍾🏛️
Join us for a special Labor Day Walk of Chicago’s Gilded Playground on the Near North Side!
Step into Chicago’s Gilded Age and explore the Gold Coast Historic District, one of the city’s most affluent and architecturally stunning neighborhoods. Stroll past grand mansions, historic townhomes, and elegant row houses, built by industrialists, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures of the late 19th century. Hear stories of the families, immigrants, and visionaries who shaped this vibrant lakeside community.
✨ Tour Highlights:
· 🏘️ Gilded Age mansions & exquisite architecture (Queen Anne, Romanesque, and Italianate)
· ⛪ Historic churches & preserved streetscapes
· 🍺 Legendary Astor Street and iconic Gold Coast hotspots
· 🏛️ Insights into Chicago’s elite social & political historyLed by a passionate local guide, this tour brings Chicago’s rich Gold Coast past to life.
📅 Date & Time:
Monday September 1, 2025
🕚 12:15 pm – 2:30 PM (~1.8 miles walking)
📍 Start: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
🎯 End: St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church & Day School 1424 N Dearborn St
💰 Cost: $20 (cash preferred; Zelle/Venmo/PayPal accepted)
🌦️ Casual pace | Outdoors | Rain or shine⚠️ Walk ends ~3 blocks from start — plan parking accordingly
📍 Route & Highlights
· 🏛️ Chicago History Museum – 1601 N Clark St
· ⛪ Archdiocese of Chicago – Cardinal Mansion – 1555 N State Pkwy
· 🏠 John Lewis Cochran House (George Maher, architect) – 1521 N State Pkwy
· 🌳 1535 Wooden Alley
· 🏰 Madlener House – 4 W Burton Pl
· 🏡 Edward Tyler & Ruby McCormick Blair Home – 1516 N Astor St
· 🏛️ Former Home of Robert Todd Lincoln – 1525 N Astor St
· 🏰 Patterson-McCormick Mansion – 20 E Burton Pl
· 🏥 International Museum of Surgical Science – 1524 N Lake Shore Dr
· 🏠 Howard Van Doren Shaw Designed Home – 1451 N Astor St
· 🏰 Grandiose Château – 1449 N Astor St
· ⛪ Maryknoll Fathers (Catholic missionary order) – 1421 N Astor St
· 🏛️ Charnley-Persky House Museum – 1365 N Astor St
· 🏘️ Astor Court – 1355 N Astor St
· 🏨 Astor House– 1340 N Astor St
· 🏛️ John Wellborn Root House – 1310 N Astor St
· 🏨 Astor Tower Hotel - 1300 N. Astor St
· 🏨 Ambassador East Hotel – 1301 N State Parkway
· 🎉 Original Playboy Mansion – 1340 N State Pkwy
· ☕ 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago – 1300 N Dearborn St
· 🏠 Augustus Warner House – 1337 N Dearborn St
· 🏢 MCNALLY & QUINN Architects – 1366 N Dearborn Pkwy
· ⛪ St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church & Day School – 1424 N Dearborn St🎒 Bring:
- 👟 Comfortable walking shoes
- 💧 Water bottle
- 🌦️ Weather-ready gear
- 💵 $20 tour fee
🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour
Grab food & drinks nearby:
☕ 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago – 1300 N Dearborn St – https://rh.com/us/en/chicago/restaurant
🍻 Woodie’s Flat – 1535 N Wells – https://woodieschicago.com/
🍝 Topo Gigio Ristorante – 1516 N Wells – https://topogigiochicago.com/
🌮 Adobe Grill – 215 W North Ave – https://www.adobochi.davinci-group.com/
🍺 Corcoran’s Pub – 1615 N Wells – https://corcoransoldtown.com/
💵 Bring cash — some restaurants don’t split checks!🚗 Getting There
🚆 CTA: Brown Line / multiple buses — plan via CTA Trip Planner
🚘 Driving: Metered Street parking along Wells, North Ave, Dearborn & LaSalle
💡 Tip: Gold Coast parking is tricky — SpotHero / ParkWhiz recommended📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Keep your RSVP updated — no-shows prevent others from joining
❌ Please cancel if you cannot attend🌟 Why Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast is one of Chicago’s most treasured neighborhoods—famous for quiet, tree-lined streets 🌳, stately mansions 🏰, and deep ties to the city’s history 📜.
🏠 Early Development:
Once called the Astor Street District (late 1800s), it stretched from North Ave. to Division (then Bishop St). Today, the Gold Coast runs North Ave. ➝ Oak St. and lakefront ➝ Clark St. Astor Street honors John Jacob Astor—one of America’s richest men, though he never lived in Chicago.
💼 Potter Palmer’s Vision:
After the Great Chicago Fire (1871), Palmer bought swampy land up north while others flocked to Prairie Ave. He built his Lake Shore Drive mansion 🏰 (the “goldfish bowl castle”) and developed the Palmer House Hotel for his wife, Bertha.
🌊 Lakefront Living:
When Lake Shore Drive opened (1875), the Gold Coast took off. The Palmers’ home became a hub of high society, and Bertha’s Impressionist art collection now lives at the Art Institute 🎨. Though demolished in 1950, their mansion helped define the Gold Coast’s glamorous legacy.💫Step back in time, explore stunning architecture & rich local history, and experience Chicago’s Gold Coast like never before! 💼💎
- RESCHEDULED! 🏖️ 💃 Queens, Cards & Cocktails: Drag Bingo on the Beach!Aura On the Lake, Chicago, IL
**DUE TO RAIN & THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT 7/30/25 AND SINCE THE VENUE OUTSIDE ON THE BEACH - EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAY 9/3/25!**
🏖️💃 Queens, Cards & Cocktails: Drag Bingo on the Beach! 🎲🍸
Where the queens are fierce, the prizes are fabulous, and the beach is your runway!
📅 Wednesday, July 30 • 6:00–8:00 PM
🕠 Arrive by 5:45 PM to grab seats
📍 Aura on the Lake – Hollywood Beach (aka Kathy Osterman Beach)🎉 Join us for an evening of fierce queens, beach breezes, and bingo balls!
Hosted by glamorous and hilarious Chicago drag stars, this FREE event is pure summer fun at one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ beaches in the city.
We’re heading to the lakefront for BINGO night at Aura, the breezy beach bar tucked into the dunes of Hollywood Beach. Free to play with fabulous prizes, cold drinks, and plenty of laughs—this is low-stakes, high-fun summer magic! 🌈💃
💅 What to Expect:
- 🎤 Live Drag Performances
- 🎲 Campy, Competitive Bingo
- 🍹 Full Bar with Tropical Drinks & Tasty Bites
- 🌊 Chill Lakefront Vibes with Skyline Views
- 🎁 Fun Prizes & Surprises!
🏳️🌈 All are welcome! Whether you’re there to slay bingo or just soak in the sunshine and sass, this is the perfect midweek way to celebrate summer.
👙 Come for the BINGO, stay for the beach views and cocktails!
Let us know you’re coming so we can save you a beach chair or blanket spot! 🌴
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📸 Follow & Explore:
📍 Instagram – @aura_onthelake
📘 Facebook – Aura on the Lake
🍷 Venue Info via Uvae Chicago
🍔 Beach Bar Menu
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🚇 Getting There:- Public Transit: Use CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps
- Driving: Limited street parking. Consider using apps like SpotHero or ParkWiz. Note: Parking near Hollywood Beach can be pricey and challenging.
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🚫 No-Show Policy (Please Read!):
We love our members and want to keep events accessible and respectful to all. Please note:- ❌ 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = a 3-month event hold
- ⏰ The cut-off time to update your RSVP is the event start time
- 📩 If late, message the host directly to keep your RSVP in good standing
- ✅ Check in with the host upon arrival (especially for large events)
- 👋 Repeat no-shows may be removed from the group
Let’s make the most of summer nights in the city together! ☀️
🎟️ RSVP today and join us for some beachside drag & bingo magic!
