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
25
🎤🌮🎶 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! 🎤🌮🍻
7 attendees
🎷🎸 Chicago Summer Blues Bash: Rico McFarland at Historic Chess Records! 🌆🎶
Chess Records, 2120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, US# 🎷🎸 Chicago Summer Blues Bash: Rico McFarland at Historic Chess Records! 🌆🎶
🎵 Record Row Concert Series Featuring Rico McFarland 🎵
Let’s head back to one of Chicago’s most historic music landmarks for an evening of incredible live blues at the legendary Willie Dixon Blues Garden next to the historic Chess Records building!
Join us for a FREE Record Row Concert Series performance featuring acclaimed Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist Rico McFarland. 🎸🔥
This is a chance to enjoy live music, Chicago blues history, and great company at one of the most important addresses in American music!
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📅 WHEN
🗓️ Thursday, September 10, 2026
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 WHERE
Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
🎟️ FREE admission***
## 🎶 TENTATIVE ITINERARY
🕕 6:00 PM — Meet & greet in the Blues Garden and grab seats
🎸 6:00–7:30 PM — Live concert featuring Rico McFarland
🍻 7:30–9:00 PM — Optional socializing afterward***
## 🎸 ABOUT RICO McFARLAND
Rico McFarland is a Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist known for his powerful guitar work, soulful vocals, and energetic performances. His style draws from the deep traditions of Chicago blues while bringing his own modern edge to the music.
🎶 Expect an evening filled with electric guitar, blues grooves, and the unmistakable sound of Chicago's South Side blues tradition.
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## 🪑 SEATING
The Blues Garden typically provides chairs, but seating is first come, first served.
Feel free to bring:
✅ Lawn chair
✅ Folding chair
✅ Small cushion***
## 🏛️ ABOUT THE VENUE
The concert takes place at the historic Chess Records building, one of the most important sites in American music history.
Founded by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, Chess Records became one of the world's most influential blues and R&B labels, helping launch and shape the careers of legends including:
🎸 Muddy Waters
🎸 Howlin' Wolf
🎸 Chuck Berry
🎸 Bo Diddley
🎸 Little Walter
🎤 Etta James
Willie Dixon was one of the label's most important creative forces, working as a songwriter, producer, arranger, musician, and mentor behind countless legendary recordings.The famous studio at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue became an international musical landmark and was even immortalized by The Rolling Stones, who recorded there during their first U.S. tour.
Today, the building is home to Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation, which preserves and celebrates Chicago's blues heritage. 🎶🏛️
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## 🍽️ OPTIONAL DINNER & DRINKS AFTERWARD
If anyone wants to continue the evening after the show, we may head to a nearby restaurant or bar for food and drinks.
Possible nearby options:
🍗 Jerk Villa Bar & Grill
🍺 Fatpour Tap Works
🍕 Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar
🍝 Il Culaccino
🍕 Pizano's Pizza & Pasta***
## 🚇 GETTING THERE
🚉 CTA: Red Line & Green Line nearby
🚌 #1 Bronzeville
🚌 #3 King Drive
🚌 #4 Cottage Grove
🚌 #29 State Street
🗺️ CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving: Metered street parking is usually available nearby, along with several parking garages.***
📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina: 312-835-4259***
## ⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated.
✔️ Cutoff to update RSVP is event start time.
✔️ Running late? Contact the host directly.
❌ 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event restriction.
🚫 Continual no-shows may result in removal from the group.***
🎶🎸 Come enjoy FREE live blues, incredible Chicago music history, and great company at one of the most legendary addresses in American music! 🌆🔥
Chess Records + Chicago blues + Rico McFarland = a true Chicago night! 🎷🎸✨
10 attendees
🏙️✨ Books, Bites & Literary Delights – Printers Row Lit Fest! 📚🎉
Dearborn Station, 47 West Polk Street M11, Chicago, IL, US🏙️✨ Books, Bites & Literary Delights – Printers Row Lit Fest! 📚🎉
✍️📖 41st Annual Printers Row Lit Fest 🏙️🎤
One of my favorite yearly events! As some of you know, I work for a children’s book publisher, so we’ll definitely check out my company’s booth. Come explore the festival with us! 📚😊
📍 QUICK DETAILS
🗓️ Sunday, September 13, 2026
⏰ 2:00–7:00 PM
📍 Meet at Dearborn Station
47 W. Polk St., Chicago, IL
🎟️ FREE admission
📚 Festival: 2:00–6:00 PM
🍽️ 6:00–7:00 PM: Optional group meal after the festival### 📖 ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The 41st Annual Printers Row Lit Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary festivals, featuring:
📚 200+ booksellers
✍️ Author talks & signings
🎤 Multiple stages with free literary programs
📖 New, used & rare books
🎭 Storytelling and literary performances
🏙️ Chicago history & architecture
🆕 Storytelling Stage: Featuring DO NOT SUBMIT
OPEN MIC STORYTELLING! from the team behind This Much is True and Story Lab at Mrs. Murphy's Irish Bistro.🌐 Official Website:
http://printersrowlitfest.org/
🌐 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PrintersRowLitFest/### 🗺️ OUR PLAN
🕑 2:00 PM — Meet at Dearborn Station
📚 2:00–6:00 PM — Explore the festival, browse booksellers, attend author talks, and break into small groups of 4–5 people.
🍽️ 6:00–7:00 PM — The festival officially ends at 6 PM, but I'm extending our event until 7 PM for anyone who wants to grab a meal together nearby.
Possible options include Meli’s Cafe, Half Sour, or Flacos Tacos. Final location will depend on wait times and group size.### 🎤 FESTIVAL STAGES
• Center Stage
• North Stage
• Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation Stage
• Plymouth Court Stage
• Grace Place Stage
• Born Again Consignment Parlor Loft
• Storytelling Stage
🎟️ FREE admission — no tickets required!🌐 Official Website:
http://printersrowlitfest.org/
🌐 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PrintersRowLitFest/### 🚇 GETTING THERE
🚇 CTA, Metra and multiple bus routes are nearby.
🚗 Street parking is limited. SpotHero or ParkWhiz may be helpful.### 📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259.
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!### ⚠️ RSVP REMINDER
✔️ Please 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 event restriction.📚🏙️ Come for the books, stay for the authors, storytelling, architecture, and an optional bite to eat afterward! ✨🎉
5 attendees
Past events
1046
