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!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 🤠36th Annual Broken Arrow Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show 🐎South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
🎉 Get Ready for an Unforgettable Chicago Experience! 🎉
🎉 Father’s Day Rodeo + Potluck Picnic! 🐎
Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show
📅 Sunday, June 15, 2025
🕒 3:00 PM (meet time 1:00 pm but rodeo starts at 3pm)
📍 South Shore Cultural Center – 7059 S. Lake Shore Dr.
🎟️ Tickets: $12–$15 → Buy Tickets HereJoin us for a thrilling Father’s Day outing with live rodeo action by the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, Chicago’s oldest multicultural riding club! Skilled riders, serious cowboy flair, and good vibes guaranteed. It will be an unforgettable day of culture, competition, and community as the Broken Arrow Riding Club presents the 36th Annual Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show — a Father’s Day tradition like no other, held at the historic South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago!
🔥 What to Expect:
- Fast-paced rodeo events featuring speed & action categories
- Horse showmanship from one of Chicago’s oldest Black riding clubs
- Family-friendly fun, vendors, food, and community pride
- A celebration of Black cowboy heritage and urban horsemanship
📞 For More Info: 773-814-0545
This is more than just a show — it’s a movement. Bring your loved ones and let’s ride into tradition, together.🍽 Potluck Picnic Style – Just Like Ravinia or Millennium Park!
Bring food to share, something to drink, your own plates, silverware & napkins. Grills are allowed if you want to get fancy! They also have food trucks, so you can purchase onsite as well🪑 What to Bring:
• Lawn chairs or picnic blanket (seating is limited!)
• Sunscreen, hat, water
• Early arrival = best spot🚗 Parking: Metered lot on-site – fills up quickly! Chicago Park District Parking Info
🚌 Transit: #J14 Jeffery Jump & #6 Jackson Park Express. CTA Trip Planner
📍 Never been to this event or location before—stay tuned for the exact meetup spot.
🚕Drop a comment if you’d like to carpool or are driving and have room!🌐 Learn more:
🔹 Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club
🔹 Facebook GroupWe’re teaming up with several other Meetup groups for this fun event, so it’s a multi-group gathering! If you see my name with a large number next to it, that means lots of people are attending from various groups — it's going to be a great crowd!
The Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, established on January 15, 1989, is Chicago's first and oldest multicultural riding club. Founded by Murdock, known as "the Man with No First Name," the club aims to reintegrate horseback riding into the inner city, providing opportunities for riders of all backgrounds and abilities to engage with horsemanship.
With over 600 members, the club participates in demonstrations, community events, and philanthropy, including the annual High Noon Ride Picnic on Chicago's historic trails and the Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show at the South Shore Cultural Center, featuring various equestrian competitions.
Committed to supporting inner-city youth, Broken Arrow seeks to establish an equestrian center in Chicago to offer lessons and broaden its outreach. For more information, visit the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club website.
The South Shore Cultural Center, located at 7059 S. South Shore Drive in Chicago, highlights the city’s architectural and cultural heritage. Established in 1905 as the South Shore Country Club by the architectural firm Marshall & Fox, it served as an exclusive retreat for the elite, featuring a golf course, stables, tennis courts, and a private beach along Lake Michigan.
As the neighborhood demographics shifted in the mid-20th century, membership declined due to exclusionary policies. In 1975, the Chicago Park District purchased the property, and thanks to community activists, it was transformed into the South Shore Cultural Center.
Now a community hub, it houses the South Shore Cultural Center School of the Arts, the Paul Robeson Theater, and the Parrot Cage Restaurant, operated by the Washburne Culinary Institute. The grounds feature a public golf course, beach, nature sanctuary, and butterfly garden. The center also hosted significant events, including Barack and Michelle Obama’s wedding reception in 1992. It is recognized for its historical and architectural significance and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 2004. For more information, you can visit the Chicago Park District's official page for the South Shore Cultural Center.
⚠️ RSVP Policy Reminder:
❌ 3 no-shows without notice = 3-month RSVP restriction
⏰ Cut-off to change your RSVP = event start time
📲 If you arrive late or miss check-in, message the host directly - Live band karaoke / multi-group eventAll Star Seafood and sports, Chicago, IL
****Multi-Group Event with Deanna as Host!******
Come on out and be a rock star and sing with the band! So much fun and if you don't know how to sing, the band will help you out! Or if you just wanna watch, the band is absolutely awesome!
Because this is a multi-group event, more people come than signed up. In the past, this group usually averages 10 to 12 people.
Also if you are hungry when you come, there will be a Taco Tuesday special!
outstanding food, outstanding band, and your opportunity to sing with the band if you so like! singing with the band is so much fun! so come on out and join us! there is also a Tuesday taco special
Live Band Karaoke! Tuesday night! Starts at 8pm. Come join the fun & Bring your cheering Squad.
https://allstarseafoodandsports.com/
https://www.facebook.com/allstarseafood/
MENU: https://allstarseafoodandsports.com/menus/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/
If you drive, there's street parking nearby on Clark, Polk and Wells streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs. Parking can be tricky here. Best to use SPOT HERO or Parking Whiz to be safe.
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!
- 🍷 $10 Wine Down Wednesday with Sommelier Michael Roberts at Buzzed by ZEA! 🍷Buzzed By ZEA - Salon & Bar, Chicago, IL
🍷 $10 Wine Down Wednesday with Sommelier Michael Roberts at Buzzed by ZEA! 🍷
🗓️ Wednesday, June 18, 2025
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM (we will meet at 5:30 pm but can come earlier)
📍 Buzzed by ZEA Salon & Bar – 3707 N Halsted St, Chicago
💰 Only $10Unwind midweek with a relaxed and fun wine tasting experience hosted by the always engaging Michael Roberts, expert sommelier and chocolatier! For just $10, you’ll enjoy generous pours of up to 12 wines from around the globe—plus the chance to purchase your favorites (most bottles under $25). 🍷🍫
✨ Highlights:
- Casual, walk-around format—perfect for after work
- No food pairings, but chocolates are for sale 🍫
- All wines 🛍️ are available for purchase at discounted prices
- Great way to sample new wines and discover hidden gems
- Ideal for both newbies and wine nerds alike—Michael keeps it fun and informative!
- 🥂 Stay afterward if you’d like to grab a bite nearby—there are plenty of great options
🍽️ Buzzed by ZEA doesn’t serve food, but we’ll grab dinner nearby afterward for anyone interested.
💬 If you love Michael’s Wine Classes but can’t always make the big month-end sessions, this is your chance to experience his magic in a more casual, weekly Wednesday night setting—still fun, still informative, but more low-key. No food pairings, just great wine and great company!
🚫 No wine snobs here! Michael keeps things educational, approachable, and super enjoyable for all levels
📍 Venue Vibe:
Buzzed by ZEA Salon & Bar is a stylish neighborhood spot—a hybrid hair salon + craft cocktail bar where you can sip, socialize, and savor. During the day, it’s a salon; by night, the music goes up and the vibe turns lounge-y! Chic, cozy, and lively, it’s the perfect midweek escape.More info:
🔗 Buzzed by ZEA Website
🔗 Facebook Page
🔗 Michael’s Chocolate & Wine Classes – Divine Dales🚗 Getting There:
🚇 Easy by CTA: Use CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps
🚘 Driving? Metered parking on Halsted + limited free parking on side streets. Check signs carefully!
🅿️ For best parking: use SpotHero or ParkWhiz⚠️ RSVP & No-Show Policy:
🚫 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze
⏰ Cut-off to update RSVP = event start time
📲 Missed check-in? Message the host directly
❌ Repeated no-shows = removal from the group🍷 Come solo or bring a friend—Michael always makes it a great night. Whether you’re wine curious or wine obsessed, this is the perfect way to ease into summer Wednesdays!
- Weekly Wednesday Grant Music Festival 2025 @Pritzker Pavilion-BYOB & Potluck!Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
**WEEKLY WEDNESDAY CONCERT OF THE 2025 SUMMER SEASON AT MILLENIUM PARK! THIS IS MULTI-GROUP EVENT**
THIS IS A WEEKLY EVENT, BUT I (GIOVINA) WILL NOT HOST EVERY WEEK. WHEN I AM NOT THERE, THEN TOM, SUSAN OR NELSON WILL BE THE HOST SO PLEASE LOOK FOR ME OR TOM SUSAN OR NELSON! EITHER WAY WE ARE ALWAYS IN THE SAME SPOT!!
Join us for another season of concerts in Millennium Park! This concert begins at 6:30 PM. We begin to assemble about 5:45 PM. This event is weather dependent so please check back for updates! A lot of the original members will recall we have been doing this for a while & always have a great time! Let's continue the fun!
Gates open 90 minutes before start time. Please enter Park via Randolph, Monroe or Millennium Garage. Plan some extra time for security.
Bring wine, snacks, blankets, chairs if you like. Bottle opener or two for the wine. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw
This is a joint meetup with the 1001 Things, Windy City Wine & a few other meetups, so it is going to be a fun event! (Windy City Wine goes every Wednesday.) Tom Susan & Nelson are hosts for that event!
IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING THEN PLEASE DO! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT SINCE BIG GTOUP, WE WILL NEED SOME EXTRA!!! (if you been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)
Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.
It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can.
EVERY WEEK IS A DIFFERENT CONCERT LINEUP. CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR SCHEDULE
The entire festival lineup can be found here: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2025-season
The entire festival lineup can be found here: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2025-season
Please note these security details for the park: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/plan-your-visit/millennium-park-security-protocols
VENUE MAP: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/seating-venue/venue-map
We will meet way at the back of the great lawn, right next to the sidewalk. If you're early, just sit on one of the benches and wait for the group to assemble. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ - easily accessible by bus and train.
If you drive, use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage or the Harris Theater Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage.
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!
