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. 🤝
***
🗓 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.
***
💬 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
***
💰 Membership
• 90-day free trial
• Annual dues: $12/year after the trial
• 🎉 Host an event and your dues are waived!
***
🚨 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
***
🤝 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
***
💡 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 🌬️🚶♀️🚶♂️
Featured event
🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
🔥🎃 Fall Farm Fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze + Bonfire Bash! 🍂🌽
Going back for our third year! Come join us for an earlier-than-usual fall adventure—this year we’re kicking things off in early October rather than our usual mid-October outing.
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM–10:30 PM CT
📍 Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze
909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, IL
🍁🎃 Hey friends! Let’s kick off fall together with pumpkin-patch, corn-maze, and Halloween fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm! 🌽👻
We’re spending the afternoon into the evening at the farm—exploring the pumpkin patch, tackling the world’s largest corn maze, hopping on hayrides, enjoying wine tasting, and capping it all off with our own private bonfire party. 🔥🍷✨
We had such a blast the past two years that we’re bringing it back for year three. I hope you’ll join us! 🙌
🍂🔥 PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY DOWN — LOTS OF INFO! 🔥🍂
I’ve rented a large bonfire site so we can gather around the fire, enjoy good food and drinks, and spend time together. Some of you I haven’t seen in a while, so I’m especially looking forward to catching up!
The farm has tons of activities, so bring your kids, adult kids, grandkids, and even your leashed, well-behaved dogs. 🐶 The more the merrier!
📍 Meet-up plan
- We’ll gather around 1:00 PM at the entrance near the ticket booths.
- Coming later? That is fine just call or text me at 312-835-4259 so I can tell you where to find us.
- Our bonfire site opens at 5:00 PM, so please keep supplies in your car until then.
- Give my name—Giovina Romandine—at the ticket booth, and staff will tell you our bonfire-site location.
🔥 Our bonfire rental
🕔 Bonfire time: 5:00–9:00 PM
- We have a large bonfire site with picnic tables and electrical outlets—yes, you can plug in crockpots.
- Please contribute $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the bonfire and party-rental costs.
- This $8 bonfire contribution is separate from farm admission.
- Bring a folding chair plus a blanket or warm jacket; it gets chilly after sunset.
- I’ll bring plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. Backup supplies are always welcome!
- We’re planning on s’mores. 🍫🔥 If you have long roasting skewers, please bring them.
- We officially have the bonfire site until 9:00 PM, though we may be able to linger while packing up until around 10:30 PM.
✨ Bonus: Friends of mine are renting the campsite next to ours, so we’ll have a joint gathering of approximately 30 people! 🎉
🎟️ Tickets and costs
- Bonfire contribution: $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the private bonfire-site rental costs.
- Farm admission is separate and must be purchased individually online or at the gate.
- Saturday admission prices:
- Ages 13 and up: $32
- Ages 3–12: $26
- Age 2 and under: Free
- Tickets are available online or at the gate. Most people will likely buy at the gate:
https://richardsonadventurefarm.com/shop/
- If I find any local coupons or discount codes, I’ll share them with the group.
🍽️ Food and drinks
- Bring a dish to share—picnic-style and easy to serve is best.
- Please sign up with what you are bringing so we can avoid duplicates:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DAFA62EA5F8C07-65845354-richardsons
- BYO drinks; alcohol is allowed. 🍷🍻
- Coolers and ice are always appreciated.
- The farm also has food stands, a wine bar, craft beer, sweets, a country store, and other snacks if you prefer to buy food or drinks on site.
🚗 Carpooling
Need a ride? Have extra seats in your car? Please leave a comment so we can connect people.
When posting, please include:
- Whether you are arriving later or leaving early
- Whether you plan to stay for the full event
- Your neighborhood, pickup area, or general part of the city
Last year we had six or seven cars—let’s keep the carpool tradition going! 🙌
🅿️ Parking
- Parking is free in a large on-site lot.
- You may have a short walk from your car to the entrance, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. 👟🍂
🎡 Farm fun
The farm is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturdays in October, so there is plenty of time to explore before and after the bonfire.
Activities include:
- 🌻 Sunflower field, when in bloom, plus pumpkins and mums for sale
- 🌽 The “World’s Largest” Corn Maze
- 🚜 Wagon rides and train rides
- 🐷 Pig races and a small petting zoo
- 🎠 Antique carousel and giant slides
- 🧗 50-foot observation/climbing tower and zip line
- 🚲 Pedal bikes, trikes, and other play areas
- 🍷 Wine bar, craft beer, food stands, sweets, and country store
- 🎉 More than 30 family-friendly activities overall
🐾 Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and get along well with others.
🍁 See you there!
People will be coming and going throughout the day—some early birds, some night owls, and some joining for the full afternoon-and-evening adventure. Whether you can stay for a little while or the whole event, it will be great to connect.
🌞🎶 Expect cozy fall vibes, good food, pumpkin-patch fun, plenty of laughs, and a bonfire night under the stars. Let’s hope the weather cooperates! 🌤️🍻
Upcoming events
22
🏡🗝️ Open Doors, Hidden History: Edgewater Home Tour! 🌳✨
Immanuel Lutheran Church Edgewater, 1500 W. Elmdale, Chicago, IL, US🏡🗝️ Open Doors, Hidden History: Edgewater Home Tour! 🌳✨
🏡 35th Annual Edgewater Home Tour — Step Inside Historic Homes! 🏛️
Ever wondered what’s hiding behind the doors of some of Edgewater’s beautiful historic homes? Here’s your chance to step inside!
Join me for the 35th Annual Edgewater Home Tour, presented by the Edgewater Historical Society, and explore the Edgewater Glen Historic District from the inside out.
Discover beautiful historic residences, fascinating architectural details, and stories of the families and homeowners who helped shape this wonderful North Side neighborhood. 🏡✨
At each home, volunteer docents will share information about the exterior before groups head inside, where additional docents will highlight the home’s unique interior features, history, architecture, furnishings, and changes over the years.
📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026
⏰ 12:00–5:00 PM
📍 Registration: Immanuel Lutheran Church
1500 W. Elmdale Ave.
🎟️ $25 per person — tickets available at the door!
Cash or credit card accepted.
🌦️ Rain or shine***
📍 QUICK DETAILS
🎟️ No advance reservation required!
Simply come to Immanuel Lutheran Church between Noon and 4:00 PM to register and receive your souvenir Tour Booklet and neighborhood map.
🏠 Featured homes will be open for touring from Noon–5:00 PM.
📍 2026 featured homes: Norwood Avenue and Glenlake Avenue
(The list of homes is subject to change.)
👟 Visiting all the featured homes involves approximately 1 mile of walking from the registration table.***
🏡 WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
✨ Step inside several historic Edgewater Glen residences
🏛️ Discover architectural details you can't see from the sidewalk
📜 Learn about the history of each home and the people connected to it
🪟 See historic interiors, furnishings, renovations, and unique features
🌳 Explore one of Chicago's beautiful historic residential districts
🎤 Meet volunteer docents who bring each home and its history to life
📸 Plenty of beautiful architecture and photo opportunities along the way!***
📖 YOUR SOUVENIR TOUR BOOKLET
Your $25 admission includes a souvenir Tour Booklet created specifically for this year's tour.
The booklet includes:
🗺️ A map showing the featured homes
🏠 Photos or sketches and descriptions of each home
🏛️ Architectural highlights and interesting details
📜 Information about when each home was built and its architect, when known
🪑 Stories about furnishings and changes made over the years
✔️ A checklist of the homes on the tour
📣 Information from tour sponsors
It's the perfect keepsake for anyone interested in Chicago architecture and neighborhood history!***
🌿 ABOUT EDGEWATER
Edgewater is one of Chicago's most fascinating North Side neighborhoods, stretching along the shores of Lake Michigan just north of Uptown.Originally home to the Potawatomi, the area was later settled by Europeans and became part of Lake View Township. By the late 19th century, wealthy Chicagoans were building large estates and mansions along the lake.
🚋 Streetcars and the Northwestern Elevated Railroad — today's Red Line — helped transform Edgewater from a lakeside retreat into a thriving residential community.
🏨 The legendary Edgewater Beach Hotel, opened in 1916, became one of Chicago's most fashionable destinations before eventually being demolished in 1971.
As Edgewater developed, many of its original mansions disappeared or were replaced by apartment buildings.
Fortunately, neighborhoods such as Edgewater Glen retain many beautiful examples of historic residential architecture.
Today, Edgewater is known for its diverse communities, lakefront parks, historic homes, and active preservation efforts. 🌳🏡🌊
***
🏛️ WHY TAKE A HOME TOUR?
There's something special about seeing Chicago architecture from the inside.A building's exterior tells only part of its story. Inside, you'll see how these homes were designed, decorated, renovated, and adapted by generations of Chicagoans.
From architectural details to unexpected floor plans, furnishings, craftsmanship, and homeowner changes, the tour offers a glimpse into how people actually lived in these historic houses.
And unlike simply walking past them, you get to open the door and see what’s inside! 🗝️🏠✨
🔗 MORE INFORMATION
Edgewater Historical Society — 2026 Home Tour Preview:
https://www.edgewaterhistory.org/ehs/tours/home-tour-preview***
🎒 WHAT TO BRING
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🌦️ Weather-appropriate clothing
📸 Camera or phone
💵 $25 admission — cash or credit card accepted
📖 A little extra room in your bag for your souvenir Tour Booklet!***
🚇 GETTING THERE
🚇 CTA Red Line and nearby bus routes provide convenient access to Edgewater.
🌐 CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Please watch carefully for permit restrictions and posted signs.***
🍴 OPTIONAL POST-TOUR PLANS
After exploring the homes, some of us may grab a bite or drink somewhere nearby in Edgewater.
📍 Location TBD on the day of the event.***
📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!***
⚠️ RSVP / NO-SHOW REMINDER
✔️ Please keep your RSVP up to date.
✔️ Update your RSVP if your plans change.
✔️ RSVP changes should be made before the event begins.
❌ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month RSVP restriction.***
***
🌳🏠 Come step beyond the sidewalk and inside Edgewater's historic homes! 🗝️✨
Spend a beautiful Sunday exploring Edgewater Glen, discovering hidden architectural details, hearing the stories behind these remarkable residences, and experiencing a side of Chicago history you simply can't see from the street.🏡 Historic homes. Fascinating stories. Beautiful architecture. One great Chicago neighborhood!
— Giovina7 attendees
DATE CHANGE!🦅🏛️ Obama Center Revisited: A Monday Evening Exploration 🌿✨
Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL, US**RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY 9/21/26 DUE TO HOST DOCTOR APPT CHANGE!**
🦅🏛️ BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND—with a later start! 🌿✨
🦅🏛️ Obama Center Revisited: A Monday Evening Exploration 🌿✨
We’re going back for another look at Chicago’s newest landmark—and this time, we’re meeting later! 🙌
I couldn’t make our September 4 visit because I was under the weather, but several members of our group went and really enjoyed it. ❤️ So we’re returning to explore the Obama Presidential Center, spend more time on its remarkable campus, and see what we missed.
This evening visit is a chance to experience the Center’s free public spaces, architecture, gardens, artwork, athletic facilities, library, observation deck, gift shop, and restaurant. Come after work, join us for the full event, or arrive whenever you can!
🎟️ Important: This is not a museum-gallery tour. The main museum exhibitions require a separate ticket and are not included in this Meetup.
Event details
🗓️ Monday, September 14, 2026
⏰ 5:00–9:00 PM
📍 Obama Presidential Center
6001 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago
The Center’s free public areas and outdoor campus are open for us to explore. We’ll take our time rather than rush through the visit.⚠️ Important timing note: The observation deck, museum gift shop, and onsite restaurant are open until 8:00 PM. After 8:00 PM, we’ll continue exploring the outdoor campus and Jackson Park, weather permitting. Or grab dinner nearby!
ALSO IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE 5 PM MEET TIME - JOIN US LATER AS CENTER IS OPEN UNTIL 8 PM ON MONDAYS!
The Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center opened to the public in 2026 on a 19.3-acre campus in Jackson Park. It brings together presidential history, Chicago’s South Side, architecture, gardens, public art, education, athletics, and community gathering spaces.During our visit, we’ll explore:
🏛️ The Center’s architecture and public areas
🌿 The 19-acre campus
🏢 Free first-floor public spaces
🏀 Home Court and the basketball facilities
📚 Chicago Public Library branch
🔭 Observation deck, if available
🛍️ Museum gift shop, open until 8:00 PM
🍽️ Onsite restaurant, open until 8:00 PM
🎨 Public art installations
🚶 Plazas, paths, and outdoor gathering spaces
⚠️ Observation-deck access is not guaranteed. The Center may limit the number of visitors allowed upstairs at one time, but we’ll definitely try to visit before it closes at 8:00 PM.Museum galleries
The main museum galleries are not included in this event and require a separate admission ticket.
If you want the full museum experience, you can return another day to explore the exhibitions, museum tower, Sky Room, and other ticketed areas.Jackson Park setting
The Obama Presidential Center is located in historic Jackson Park, which was designed in 1871 by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and transformed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.Jackson Park’s history provides an important backdrop for the Center. Depending on time and conditions, we may also explore nearby landmarks and landscape features, including:
- Wooded Island.
- The Osaka Garden.
- The Statue of the Republic.
- The Museum of Science and Industry.
- The historic Midway Plaisance.
The Center adds a new chapter to this historic landscape, connecting Chicago’s World’s Fair history with presidential history, civic life, public art, architecture, gardens, and the cultural life of the South Side.
What we’re doing
✔️ Exploring the Obama Presidential Center’s free public spaces
✔️ Walking the outdoor campus
✔️ Visiting public art and gardens
✔️ Checking out Home Court and the athletic facilities
✔️ Visiting the library and other public areas
✔️ Trying for the observation deck before 8:00 PM
✔️ Visiting the gift shop or restaurant before 8:00 PM
✔️ Exploring Jackson Park if time allows
❌ We are not touring the ticketed museum galleries.Optional food afterward
The onsite restaurant is an option until 8:00 PM. If you want to continue the evening after our visit, we may also stop at one of these nearby places:
🍴 Bar David
🍽️ Truth Be Told
☕ Dawn AM Eatery
🍴 Salonica
Some restaurants may not offer separate checks, so please plan accordingly.Parking and transportation
🅿️ Obama Presidential Center parking lot: Paid on-site parking may be available. Parking validation policies can change, so ask about current requirements when you arrive.
🚗 Street parking: Street parking may be available within a few blocks. Allow extra time to park and walk to the Center.
Please check posted signs, current rates, and parking restrictions when you arrive.Public transit
🚌 #10 Obama Presidential Center / Museum of Science & Industry Express
🚌 #6 Jackson Express
🚌 #15 Stony Island
🚆 Metra Electric: 57th Street or 59th Street stations, followed by a walk
Plan your trip through the CTA Trip Planner.What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes.- Water bottle.
- Camera or phone.
- Weather-appropriate clothing.
👥 Multi-group event: We’re teaming up with several Meetup groups, so expect a good crowd and plenty of new faces!
Running late or lost?
Call or text Giovina at (312) 835-4259, and I’ll point you in the right direction.🚫 NO-SHOW POLICY
Please keep your RSVP updated if your plans change.
😬 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month event restriction.
⏰ RSVP cutoff is the event start time. If you're running late, message the host directly.🌙🏛️ Come explore the Obama Presidential Center on a relaxed Monday evening—inside, outside, and in the historic Jackson Park setting. We’ll discover the Center’s public spaces, gardens, artwork, athletic facilities, observation deck, and more before seeing what Jackson Park has to offer after dark. 🌿✨
17 attendees
🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke/Uno Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤
All Star Seafood and sports, 730 South Clark, Chicago, IL, US🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke /Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤
**⭐ Hosted by Deanna (**musiclovermay18) ⭐
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!
📅 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 seafood and desserts
✅ 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! 🎤🌮🍻
6 attendees
Past events
1057
