THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Hey guys! For my post today I want to talk about all the best things to do in Chicago, Illinois. I know my blog website is titled, "Out of Illinois," but I feel like I need to make an exception just this one time. Chicago is a very special place to visit and there is so much to see and do. That's why I feel like I need to let you guys know about all the fun things you can do in Chicago if you are ever there. Maybe you're going to Chicago for business or maybe just for a relaxing day trip. Whatever the reason is, there is enough to keep you amazed. Be on the lookout in the near future for blogs posts about me visiting Nashville, TN and San Diego, California. Without further ado, let's begin!

Side Note: All of the pictures you see in this post were taken by me.

Visit the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

When I first saw this in Chicago I had no clue what it was. I don't think my brother even knew what it was. That's when we asked our good friend who knows EVERYTHING: Google. That's when we found out it was the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The place is known to play music. It sure was a sight to see! I remember music being played on stage when we were visiting and it was so relaxing. When you stand under the structure, it feels like there is a monster over you with a whole bunch of tentacles. It's pretty amazing. 

Explore Lake Michigan

I think it was about 85 degrees out the day my brother and I visited Chicago, so we got hot pretty fast with all the walking around. It felt so good once we got to Lake Michigan because there was a really nice breeze that cooled us down and the sound of the water made me want to take a nap. That's not the only reason you should visit Lake Michigan! It also has such a beautiful view. When I say explore Lake Michigan, I mean walk around the edge of the lake as much as you can because it's something truly special. You can't see this in my photo above, but to the right of this photo about a mile down there is a very long dock that takes you a long way out onto the lake.

Visit Cloud Gate 

This sculpture is called Cloud Gate, but my brother and I call it the "Mirror Bean." We don't know what it is or where it came from, but that doesn't really matter because this was one of the reasons why we went to Chicago in the first place! We mainly wanted to see it because it looks pretty amazing and everyone says it's really cool to stand under it because it mirrors your reflection around for a full 360 degrees. If you are interested in knowing where it came from or who built it, then please click HERE. Not only does it list the history behind Cloud Gate, but the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is on there too if you're interested in knowing the history behind that as well! 

Visit Skydeck Chicago

This was my favorite thing to do in Chicago. This was the MAIN reason my brother and I went to Chicago in the first place. We wanted to visit Skydeck Chicago. It's the tallest building in Chicago standing at 1,353 feet in the air. The glass boxes that extend out from the building are 4.3 feet long. The view is incredible! I don't know if you can see the traffic below my feet in the picture above, but my brother and I are really high up. It took some convincing for me to go because I am afraid of heights. It's not a serious fear, but it still bothers me here and there. Before I went I kept on saying, "What if the glass breaks?" It had me worried. However, the glass is very thick and almost impossible to break. There was a story released on the Internet back in 2014 about the protective coating cracking under a whole bunch of tourists and they were scared because they thought it was the glass. However, there hasn't been any reported cracks on the glass since it's been built. It's totally safe. If you would like to plan a visit, then please click HERE.        

 

 

 

THE HOTTEST TIPS TO KNOW WHEN VISITING UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

Hey guys! Before I get started on the topic today, I wanted to let you guys know why I keep posting about Universal Orlando. There is a lot of content to talk about when it comes to Universal Orlando and I want to make sure you are all absolutely prepared when you take your first trip to this wonderful place. I thought I knew everything the first time I visited, but I was so WRONG. I'm 90% sure this will be my last post about Universal Orlando because I'm pretty sure after reading this post, you'll be fully prepared for the adventure that awaits! I might do one more post talking about an experience I had, but we'll see. Today I am going to be talking about the hottest tips you should know when visiting Universal Orlando. I want to make sure you guys don't make the same mistakes my brother and I made!

Side Note: I don't have any pictures for what I am about to discuss, so I used pictures from free image sites.

1. Bring a Backpack 

ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS bring a backpack when you visit Universal Orlando. The first time my brother and I went to Universal Orlando we didn't bring a backpack and we regretted it. The reason you should bring a backpack is because so you can carry everything in it. Your tickets to everything in the park, sunscreen, drinks, Advil (or whatever medicine you prefer), souvenirs, extra clothes, etc. You'll need pain medication because of headaches you can get for staying in the park all day long (The trip back and forth to the park and the hotel is too much of a hassle) or if your feet start to hurt from so much walking. You'll also need extra clothes because if you go on a day that is really hot outside, then your clothes will be drenched it sweat and you'll want to change them. This is why you need to bring a backpack!

2. Always Rent a Large Locker 

   

At Universal Orlando there are different size lockers that you can rent for the day to keep your items in whenever you go on rides. You have to scan your finger print (more on that later) and then it randomly chooses a locker for you. It opens up and you put your stuff inside and then you close it and it locks shut. However, when my brother and I visited for the second time and remembered to bring a backpack, we had no clue there were different size lockers (we didn't use lockers the first time we visited). We only thought there was one size. We ended up stuffing the backpack in the locker. It took a lot of pushing. Unfortunately, it ended up ruining my brother's backpack for good. The thing that made us feel bad was the fact that we eventually found out that there were different size lockers in different areas of where the lockers were kept. We felt like idiots. Click HERE if you want a simple walkthrough on how to rent a locker at Universal Orlando. 

3. Use the Same Finger for the Fingerprint Scanner

  

Before you enter the park, you have to scan your finger AND show them your ticket for early park admission (if you decide to purchase that before your visit). They do this in case someone finds a pass on the ground because then they could just show the people at the entrance the pass and be let into the park for free. The fingerprint scanner identifies you. You have to use the fingerprint scanner when entering the park, using lockers and taking the Hogwarts Express train from park to park. You must use the same finger when using the fingerprint scanner because it won't identify you with any other finger. Also, it won't identify you if your finger is wet, which could be caused by sweat. Just make sure to wipe your finger off before using the fingerprint scanner. If you follow these steps, then everything should work out fine.

4. Still Arrive Early with the Early Park Admission Pass

If you decide to purchase the early park admission pass when visiting Universal Orlando, then I would HIGHLY advise that you still arrive even earlier to wait in line for the early park admission. Let me explain. If the park's planned opening was 9am, then they would open at 8am for early park admission since it is one hour earlier. Now, the bus at your hotel starts picking people up and taking them to the park at 7am for the early opening at 8am. BE THERE WAITING FOR THE BUS AT 7AM! There are a lot of people who get early park admission, so if you arrive around 7:30am waiting for the park to open at 8am for early admission, then there will already be a LONG line. That just increases your wait time on rides because all of those people in front of you will hightail it to the main attractions leaving you in the dust. If you follow all of these steps, then I guarantee you will be one of the first to arrive at the main attraction you are most looking forward to.  

 

  

 

THE BEST PLACE TO STAY AND THE BEST PLACE TO EAT WHEN VISITING UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

Hey guys! First, I want to take the time to apologize to you all because this post is not going to be about the Nashville, Tennessee trip that I said to keep a lookout for in the near future in my last post. My brother and I were suppose to head over there for our spring break, but something came up with my dad. A few weeks ago, he was trying to move a desk by himself and he lost his balance and half of the desk fell on him and he hit his back on the concrete! OUCH! He had to have tests done to see if everything was okay and those tests were on the same week my brother and I were suppose to go to Nashville, Tennessee. However, we decided to stay with our dad while he had the tests done because my brother and I didn't feel right just leaving him here while he was going through all of that. The tests did come back fine and now he's just resting up. He should be 100% soon. Now, onto my next topic. I'm going to be talking about what I think is the BEST place to eat and stay when visiting Universal Orlando. Here we go!

Side Note: Like my last two posts, all the pictures you see here were taken by me.

Cabana Bay

  

I've been to Universal Orlando three times and have stayed in a different hotel each time and I would say that Cabana Bay definitely knocks it out of the park for being the best hotel to stay at during your visit. It is INCREDIBLE. From the moment my brother and I got there we knew that Cabana Bay would be our favorite. It has a very fun retro theme and it feels like you are living life in the 50's. If you want to find out more information about Cabana Bay, then click HERE. 

When you arrive at Cabana Bay, if you look to your left, then you can see about four or five cars lined up that are very old fashioned. No other hotel in my previous trips had a display like this. This was that defining moment when my brother and I knew this hotel would be our favorite. This is just the parking lot. Just wait until you see what we saw as soon as we walked into the lobby!

As soon as we walked in we were blown away by the huge tree that was enclosed in the middle of the lobby! Not a small tree, not a medium tree, but a LARGE tree. I've never seen a tree of this size in a hotel lobby before, so it caught my brother and I off guard. 

 

Last but not least, this was our view from our hotel room. We were in a room that was facing Volcano Bay, which is the third park at Universal Orlando. We couldn't have asked for a better view. I think we were on the eighth floor, so it was pretty high. It was the best view I've seen yet at Universal Orlando. I can't recommend this place enough. 

Hard Rock Cafe

I want to apologize for the bad picture above. It was night, so all of the pictures that I took had a glare on them. Before you actually enter the two parks at Universal Orlando, there is Universal CityWalk. This is a collection of restaurants and stores that you can visit before entering the parks. The BEST place to eat, in all of Universal Orlando combined, would have to be the Hard Rock Cafe. The food is to die for!

Not only is the food to die for, but the lobby is to die for too if you are a HUGE music fan. Talk about nostalgia. Guess what is displayed in the center of the restaurant? Give up? Elvis Presley's pink Cadillac! The real one. It's not fake. They have so much memorabilia in the restaurant that it is a joy to look at while eating. If you want to see a tour of the restaurant and get an idea of what it is like inside, then click HERE. 

 

Last but not least for the Hard Rock Cafe, this is what I would advise you to get when ordering food here. It is HANDS DOWN the BEST cheeseburger I have ever had! It was so juicy that the grease runs down your chin. The fries didn't even have to be dipped in any sauce. I usually always dip my fries in sauce or have to season them, but these fries were perfectly seasoned that I didn't even need sauce for them. Make sure you get this when eating at the Hard Rock Cafe!  

 

 

THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT OUTSIDE OF THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

Hey guys! I know I talked about the top 5 things to do at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in my previous post, but today I'm actually going to be talking about all the fun and exciting things you can do outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando Resort is most popular for its Harry Potter attractions, but not everyone goes just for the Harry Potter experience. A lot of people visit to experience other parts of Universal Orlando Resort. In my opinion, these are the best things to do outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that you DO NOT want to pass up. Here we go!

Side Note: Just like in my previous post, all of the pictures you see here were taken by me.

 Jurassic Park River Adventure

Talk about a FUN, FUN, FUN experience. At first, I didn't really have much interest in going on this ride, but my brother ended up convincing me. From the moment the boat took off, it was an incredible experience. It takes you on a tour through the water while getting up close and personal with lifelike dinosaurs. It made me feel like I was in the actual movie. I don't want to spoil anything for the newcomers, but there is a HUGE surprise at the end that I never saw coming. Let me just say that if felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest!

Blue Man Group 

  

I had never seen the Blue Man Group perform until my visit to Universal Orlando Resort in December 2017. That was my third time visiting this wonderful place and first time seeing the Blue Man Group. They weren't there the first two times I visited. I didn't know much about them until I saw their show and I did something that I went in expecting not to do. I LAUGHED. They were hilarious! I only ever saw them being advertised as a music group that played incredible music on the drums. I never thought they did comedy. This was how my brother and I ended our second night there in December 2017 and let's just say that it ended with a bang.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

First, I want to apologize for the picture that is shown above. It was pretty hard to get a decent picture because the sun was out and interfering with my phone camera, which resulted in the picture being slightly darker. This is the best of the ones that I took. Anyway, this might just be the best thing to do outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'm so glad I didn't sit in the front row of the roller coaster because there would have probably been a mess. Ewwww. There really isn't anyway I can describe it in words because you just have to experience it yourself. However, I HIGHLY recommend that you watch THIS before deciding whether or not you want to ride this monster.

Revenge of the Mummy

I don't think I've ever ridden a roller coaster that has gone as fast as this. I was screaming the entire time. It's one of those rides where 50% of you doesn't want it to end and the other 50% of you does want it to end because you're scared out of your mind. There is this one part where fire makes the face of the mummy and you can feel the heat on your face. It's pretty cool. Uh, hot I mean. It's cool that it's hot. Nevermind, you guys get the point. After the ride ended, I guess I could say it really felt like the mummy got his revenge on me.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium 

The best chocolate milkshake that I have ever had came from this place and I've had some incredible chocolate milkshakes! I wasn't planning on stopping in Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, but it was on the way to another attraction my brother and I were heading to. The whole milkshake was probably gone within 5 minutes. Not only was I thirsty, but it was just that good. Make sure you don't pass this place up if you ever visit Universal Orlando Resort! 

P.S. Be on the lookout for my Nashville, Tennessee blog coming in the near future. My brother and I are going for spring break (if everything works out) and it will be our first time there. We are really excited!  

  

  

 

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AT THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

Hey everyone! I have decided to do my first blog post on one of the hottest destinations in the United States. Yes, you guys already know what I'm talking about if you read the title of this blog. It's none other than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort! I just got back from my third time of visiting in December 2017, so I thought I would share what, in my opinion, are the TOP 5 things to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, before I start this exciting adventure, I wanted to give a shout out to another blogger by the name of Amanda who helped me decide what attractions she recommended before I took my first visit to Universal Orlando Resort. I would highly recommend you guys check out her blog HERE. Now it's my turn to let you guys know what I think you should definitely do if you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful place. Let's get started!

Side Note: All of the pictures shown in this post were taken by me.

 1. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

You MUST, and I repeat, MUST do the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. You are not a true fan of Harry Potter if you go to Universal Orlando Resort and do not go on this ride. It's a truly incredible experience. It makes you actually feel like you are riding a broomstick as a witch or wizard on the Hogwarts grounds. My brother LOVES this ride and he isn't even that big of a fan of Harry Potter. This might take the cake for being my favorite thing at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

2. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

This is another HUGE attraction that you should definitely visit multiple times when at Universal Orlando Resort. The ride itself takes you through the tunnels of Gringotts while Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange are after you. The longest my brother and I waited in line for this ride was 90 minutes! You might be saying to yourself right now, "Dillon, that is way too long to be standing in line for a ride." Let me just say this: EVERY MINUTE IS WORTH IT. You'll come back to my blog and thank me for it later.  

3. Try a Butterbeer

There's multiple Butterbeers to try at Universal Orlando Resort. There's Cold Butterbeer, Hot Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, Butterbeer Fudge, Butterbeer Potted Cream and Butterbeer Ice Cream. However, through all three times that I have visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I would say my favorite one is the Cold Butterbeer. The first word I said after I took a drink of it was MMMMMMMMMMMM. If that is even considered a word. After I finished it, I went back for seconds. It is that good. In fact, they're all really good. This one is just my favorite.

4. Ride the Hogwarts Express Both Ways

You might be saying to yourself, "Why both ways?" Well, because it's a different experience going from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley and vice versa. When you ride the Hogwarts Express there is a little video that plays on the window that makes it seem like it is actually happening outside the train. It's pretty cool. Even if the video on the window doesn't interest you, then you should still ride the Hogwarts Express just for experience. You might have been like me when I was younger. It was always a dream to ride the Hogwarts Express and now I can say that I have lived that dream multiple times since I've been to Universal Orlando Resort three times. 

5. Knockturn Alley

I wish I could have provided you all with a better picture, but Knockturn Alley is extremely dark when you visit it, so the images don't turn out that great. No worries though, it just adds that much more to the experience because you aren't seeing anything about it. You step into the dark with nothing but mystery on your mind. It's represented as the "evil" side of Diagon Alley and it's pretty incredible to see it in person. If there is one piece of advice I would give for Knockturn Alley, it would be to make sure the CREATURES don't get you!