About us
🎉 Welcome to & Windy City Wanderers! 🌆
We’re so glad you’re here!
Whether you’re new to Chicago or a lifelong local, these sister groups are all about being a tourist in your own city—discovering hidden gems, rich history, fun facts, and unforgettable experiences across Chicagoland. 🗺️✨
Windy City Wanderers is the sister group to 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die, and we host many joint events together—so you’ll often see crossover adventures and shared outings. 🤝
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🗓 What to Expect
We host fun, social outings year-round (yes, even in winter ❄️). Expect:
• Walking tours & neighborhood explorations
• Concerts, lectures & theater
• Pop-up dinners, trivia & social nights
• Museums, festivals & special events
Events take place throughout Chicago and nearby suburbs like Evanston, Oak Park, and Park Ridge.
🚇 All events are CTA-accessible.
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💬 Why Join?
• Discover new places all over Chicagoland
• Meet new people and make real connections
• Enjoy an active, well-curated event calendar
• Try the group FREE for 90 days
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💰 Membership
• 90-day free trial
• Annual dues: $12/year after the trial
• 🎉 Host an event and your dues are waived!
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🚨 RSVP / No-Show Policy (Please Read)
To keep events fair and running smoothly:
• A no-show without updating your RSVP = 1 strike
• 3 strikes = a 3-month pause from events
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🤝 Stay Connected
📘 Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576822533554
👥 Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571684466442303
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/1001thingstoseeinchicago/
🌬️ !001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die Meetup (sister group)
https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers
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💡 Have an idea for an event? Want to host or co-host?
Just message me—I’d love to hear from you!
Can’t wait to explore, wander, and discover Chicago together 💙
Cheers,
Giovina Romandine
Organizer, Windy City Wanderers 🌬️🚶♀️🚶♂️
Upcoming events
24
🍣🔥 HIBACHI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT RON OF JAPAN! 🎂🥢
Ron of Japan, 230 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA, Chicago, IL, US# 🍣🔥 HIBACHI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT RON OF JAPAN! 🎂🥢
Let's celebrate HALLE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY! 🥳🎉 Halle is hosting, and she'd love to have you join her for a fun evening of Japanese food, hibachi-style cooking, and birthday festivities!
FOUR SEATS ARE AVAILABLE! Come celebrate this milestone birthday!
📍 RON OF JAPAN
230 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611🍽️ ABOUT THE RESTAURANT
Ron of Japan is a longtime Chicago dining institution, opening on Ontario Street in 1968. It's known for its teppanyaki-style dining, where chefs prepare steak, seafood, chicken, and vegetables right in front of you on a large iron grill. Expect sizzling food, tableside cooking, and a fun, interactive dining experience! 🔥
🌐 RESTAURANT WEBSITE:
https://ron-of-japan.com/website/
📖 MENU:
https://ron-of-japan.com/website/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ROJ-Chicago-takeout-menu-30922.pdf🍽️ IMPORTANT DINING DETAILS
- Reservation is under Halle.
- Halle is the birthday girl AND your host! Please check in with her when you arrive.
- Please arrive ON TIME. The restaurant is expecting our entire group.
- Keep your RSVP up to date! Extra spots have been added, and the restaurant will not be happy if we reserve seats that go unused.
💵 BRING CASH — NO SEPARATE CHECKS!
Please calculate your own total and add 32% for tax and tip (12% tax + 20% tip).Servers are limiting card transactions for large groups, so PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH CASH AND ENOUGH SMALL BILLS. 💵
🚆 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation is a convenient option for getting to Ron of Japan.- CTA Red Line: Grand station is the closest Red Line stop, followed by a walk east toward Ontario Street.
- CTA Buses: Michigan Avenue bus routes 3, 4, and 10 serve the nearby area.
- Check your route and departure times before heading out.
CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/🚗 PARKING
There are paid parking garages in the Streeterville area, along with metered street parking where available. Consider reserving a spot in advance through SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
Public transportation is likely your easiest option!📌 PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP!
⚠️ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = a three-month freeze from future events.- RSVP updates close at the event start time.
- Running late or unable to attend? Update your RSVP and message the host.
- Please check in with Halle when you arrive!
Let's make Halle's 50th birthday a memorable celebration! 🎂🍣🎉
23 attendees
Explore Six Corners: Historic Gems, Movie Palaces & Behind-the-Scenes Access!
Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA, Chicago, IL, US🎭🏬 Explore Six Corners: Historic Gems, Movie Palaces & Behind-the-Scenes Access! 🏛️
A SPECIAL complimentary, sponsored walking tour of the 6 Corners Shopping District!
Discover the history, architecture & hidden gems of the Northwest Side’s legendary shopping district!
🌳 Think you know Six Corners? Come see it with a guide! Join me for a FREE walking tour of what was once the largest shopping district in Chicago outside the Loop. We’ll see old movie palaces, grand department stores, historic banks, and businesses that have faded into memory, while discovering how new energy is bringing the district back. 🎭🏬
🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide (that’s me!), this walk is perfect for architecture lovers, history buffs, photographers, and anyone who enjoys being a tourist in their own city! 😊
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🌟 SPONSORED BY THE PORTAGE PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
This walk is sponsored by the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization, and SSA 28-2014 (Six Corners). That means a break from my usual paid tours—this one is FREE and open to all! Includes complimentary lunch after the walk provided by Clarendale Six Corners!For those who missed my summer tours of Portage Park East and West, here’s another chance to explore the area, this time focusing on Six Corners. 🏡
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📍 QUICK DETAILS
🗓️ Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
☕ START: Clarendale at Six Corners, 4715 W. Irving Park Rd.
🏁 END: Clarendale at Six Corners, 4715 W. Irving Park Rd. (end where we start)
👟 Approximately 1.8 miles, outdoors
💰 FREE TOUR BUT REGISTRATION REQUIRED
🎟️ Register here on Evenbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-six-corners-historic-gems-movie-palaces-behind-the-scenes-tickets-2004096219742🌦️ Casual pace | Rain or shine
👥 Multi-group event! Expect a great crowd.
⚠️ SPACE IS LIMITED, SO REGISTER NOW!***
🎁 WHAT MAKES THIS WALK SPECIAL?
🔑 Behind-the-scenes access! We’ll get inside several buildings.
🥪 FREE boxed lunch! Complimentary boxed lunches are included after the walk. Provided by Clarendale Six Corners. Enjoy yours with a scenic view of the Six Corners intersection at one of Six Corners' most recognizable buildings or take it home.
🎉 Treats and surprises along the way.
📸 Not a strict photo walk, but there will be plenty of photo opportunities!***
🌿 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
🏡 Chicago’s famous Bungalow Belt
🎭 Historic movie palaces & entertainment venues
🏬 Classic Six Corners shopping corridors
⛪ Historic churches & neighborhood institutions
🏦 Historic banks & commercial buildings
🌳 Parks, green spaces & community gathering spots
📎 Local trivia & unexpected hidden gems
👥 Meet fellow Chicagoans, history lovers & curious explorers!🗺️ POINTS OF INTEREST (stops subject to change)
🏦 Former Inland Bank, now Clarendale at Six Corners (tour starts here!)
☕ City News Café
🗿 Portage Indian Sculpture
🎎 Fantasy Costumes
🍺 Former site of the old Dickinson Tavern
🎭 Portage Theater
🏛️ National Veterans Art Museum
🎭 Filament Theater
🛁 Distinct Bath & Body
☕ Junebug Café
🍻 Community Tavern
🏢 Former Klee Store, now Klee Plaza at Six Corners
🎨 Portage Park Makers Market
🌮 Tata’s Tacos
🍦 Culver’s & the Six Corners Mural
🏦 Former site of Northwest Federal Savings and the Northwest Chicago Film Society, now Binny’s
🧵 Singer Factory Distributor
💡 Former People’s Gas Store, now Lydia Home
💊 Former Borovik Drugstore site, now a mattress store
🎭 Former Grayland Theatre, now Rasenick’s
🌭 Jeff’s Red Hots
🏬 Former Sears Store, now Six Corners Lofts
🏦 Former Inland Bank, now Clarendale at Six Corners (tour ends here!)We’ll explore several of these in detail, including behind-the-scenes access! ✨
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📜 WHY SIX CORNERS?
Six Corners gets its name from the meeting of three major thoroughfares: Irving Park Road, Cicero Avenue, and Milwaukee Avenue.The area developed into a major commercial hub and became known as Chicago’s largest shopping district outside the Loop. Its stores, theaters, banks, and neighborhood businesses attracted shoppers from across the Northwest Side and beyond.
The district features significant architectural landmarks, including the Art Deco Sears and Klee buildings, the classical-style Portage Theater, and the distinctive former People’s Gas Irving Park Neighborhood Store.
Like many traditional shopping districts, Six Corners has faced challenges as shopping habits have changed. But new development, historic preservation, and independent businesses are helping write its next chapter. 🏬✨
We’ll look at how this neighborhood evolved, what made it such a destination, and what its historic buildings reveal about Chicago’s commercial and cultural history.
🏡 A LITTLE ABOUT PORTAGE PARK
Portage Park is known for its classic Chicago bungalows and its namesake park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The park hosted the 1959 Pan-American Games and the 1972 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.
The neighborhood is also home to a vibrant Polish community, the National Veterans Art Museum, the Portage and Patio theaters, and Merrimac Park. 🌳🏊♀️
There’s a lot more to this Northwest Side neighborhood than meets the eye!
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🍂 Weather-appropriate clothing for Chicago in November
📸 Camera or phone***
🚗 PARKING & TRANSIT
🅿️ Metered parking is available along Irving Park Road, Milwaukee Avenue, and Cicero Avenue. Free parking may be available on nearby side streets—watch for permit restrictions and no-parking signs!
🚇 Taking public transportation? Use the CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps.
🌐 https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/***
📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!✨🏡 Come explore beyond Six Corners! Discover the theatres, bungalows, businesses, churches, parks, architecture, and hidden stories that make Portage Park one of Chicago’s most fascinating neighborhoods. 🌳🎭🏛️
Whether you're a longtime Northwest Sider or visiting Portage Park for the first time, come see the neighborhood through fresh eyes — and be a tourist in your own city! 🌆😊
— Giovina📍 How to Find Us – Meet OUTSIDE the Clarendale at Six Corners near the large window, 4715 W. Irving Park Rd. Look for the group gathered - we are hard to miss!
🛑 Note: This is an outdoor walk. Remember walk ends where we start so plan your parking or transit accordingly.
📞 Lost or running late? Call or text me at (312) 835-4259.
Want to Learn More About the Group? Check out our Meetup page here:🔗 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/26 attendees
🎉🎂🥳 GIOVINA’S 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH — SIXTY & FABULOUS! 🥳🎂🎉
American Legion Tattler Post 973, 4355 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA, Chicago, IL, US🎉🎂🥳 GIOVINA’S 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH — SIXTY & FABULOUS! 🥳🎂🎉
🎈 SIXTY & FABULOUS! LET’S CELEBRATE! 🎈
It’s a BIG birthday, and we’re going to celebrate in style! 🥂🎊
Every October, I love celebrating my birthday with my Meetup family and longtime friends. This year, we're wrapping up the festivities with a 60th Birthday Party Blowout! 🎉
My actual birthday is October 22, but with Halloween in the mix, we're celebrating together in November.
The final details are now ALL SET, so see updates below & mark your calendars. Get ready to party! 🥳
📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ 6:00–11:00 PM
📍 American Legion Tattler Post #973
4355 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
https://www.tattler973.org/🍽️ FOOD & DRINKS — IT'S A POTLUCK! 🍕🥗🍰
We're having a potluck, so please bring a dish to share! Picnic-style food that's easy to serve is best.📝 PLEASE SIGN UP FOR WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING!
Let's coordinate so we have a nice variety of food and don't end up with 15 bags of chips and no dessert! 😂
👉 Potluck Signup:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DAFA62EA5F8C07-66901705-giovinasPlease sign up with the dish you're planning to bring so everyone can see what's already covered. Let's have a little bit of everything!
🍲 KITCHEN NOTE: The hall has a small kitchen with a microwave and sink, but NO STOVE. Please plan your dish accordingly. Crockpots may be an option, but kitchen space is limited. Coolers and ice are always appreciated!
🥂 DRINKS — CASH BAR! 🍺🍷🍹
The hall will have a cash bar, and everyone will run their own tab. They accept both cash and credit cards.🍻 Expect a limited drink menu with basic well drinks, beer, wine, and cider. This isn't an elaborate cocktail bar, so please plan accordingly!
🍸 MOST IMPORTANTLY: PLEASE TIP YOUR BARTENDERS
WELL! ❤️ They’re helping make our celebration special, so let's show them some appreciation for their service. 💵👏🎉 WHAT'S ON THE PARTY AGENDA?
🥳 Giovina Trivia — how well do you REALLY know me? 😂
🎶 Party music to get us in the celebratory spirit
📸 Old photos and plenty of reminiscing
🎂 Birthday cake, of course!
🥂 Great food, good friends, laughs, and perhaps a cocktail or two!
Sixty years of adventures, friendships, and making memories—and I'm just getting started! ❤️🎁 GIFTS? PLEASE DON'T FEEL OBLIGATED! ❤️
Honestly, your presence is the present! 🥰 I really just want to celebrate this milestone, hang out with my friends, share some laughs, and make more great memories together!That said, several people have asked about gifts, so I'm sharing my Amazon Wish List for anyone who would like a few ideas. 🎁
🛍️ Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/31OXCI8EWBM8?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_6MEPR439832RVJDKKAYDPlease know that there is absolutely NO obligation to bring or send a gift! Having you there to celebrate my 60th birthday with me is what matters most. ❤️🎂🥳
🚆 GETTING THERE — PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The party is at American Legion Tattler Post #973 on Western Avenue.
🚌 CTA buses:- #49 Western
- #X49 Western Express
- #78 Montrose
- #81 Lawrence
The #49 and #X49 travel along Western Avenue, and the #78 and #81 may be useful depending on where you're coming from. Check your route and stop locations before heading out.
🚆 Brown Line: The Western Brown Line station is at 4648 N. Western Avenue, north of the venue. Allow extra time for the walk from the station.
📱 CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/🚗 PARKING INFORMATION
🅿️ Metered parking: Metered spaces are available along Western Avenue and Montrose Avenue near the American Legion Post.
🚗 Free street parking: You may find free parking on nearby side streets, but watch carefully for permit parking restrictions! Check all posted signs before leaving your car to avoid a ticket.
Please allow extra time to find a spot, especially on a Saturday evening. 🎉📌 PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP!
If you previously marked yourself as interested or said you'd attend based on the original save-the-date, please update your RSVP so I have a better idea of how many people to expect.
⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY
😬 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month event restriction.
⏰ RSVP cutoff is the event start time. Running late? Message the host directly!Come ready to eat, drink, laugh, socialize, and help me celebrate SIX DECADES! 🎂🎈🥳
I can't wait to celebrate this milestone with my Meetup family and longtime friends. The location is confirmed, the potluck signup is ready, and now all we need is YOU!
Let's make this a birthday bash to remember! ❤️🥂🎉87 attendees
Past events
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