While our wedding is sure to be the highlight of your Labor Day weekend, we realize you may want to explore a bit before and/or after the festivities. All of the wedding day events will take place at
The Monte Bello Estate in Lemont, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.
To help you plan your weekend, we’ve included some ideas for places to check out and places to eat, both in the Lemont area and in Chicago.
For more information and recommendations, check out
Choose Chicago and
Enjoy Illinois
Lemont/Southwestern Suburbs
What to Eat
You won’t go hungry at our wedding, so bring your appetite! If you are exploring the area on Saturday or during the day on Sunday, here are a few local favorite places to eat:
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Vault Café and Bar serves American fare and is housed in a historic bank building in downtown Lemont
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Old Town Restaurant in Lemont is a family-owned eatery specializing in hearty Polish and Eastern European comfort foods (such as goulash, potato pancakes, and blintzes)
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Los Burritos Tapatios in Bolingbrook is a solid choice for over-stuffed burritos and cheap eats
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Mago Grill and Cantina at The Promenade in Bolingbrook is a more upscale option for Latin and Mexican cuisine such as freshly smashed tableside guacamole, seafood ceviches, and suiza-style Burritos, Enchiladas, and Fajitas
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MingHin Cuisine Naperville: A great place for traditional Chinese dim sum
Check it Out
• Saturday, Sept. 2nd happens to be the annual
Lemont Heritage Fest! There will be a parade at 2 pm in downtown Lemont, followed by food, family fun, and entertainment! Eric and I had a great time there last year in the historic downtown area.
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The Promenade Bolingbrook: This outdoor mall is perfect for window-shopping or grabbing a bite to eat.
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Naper Settlement: This outdoor history museum in Naperville makes you feel like you are stepping back in time!
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The Morton Arboretum: We love taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Chicago to visit this peaceful arboretum in Lisle, IL. It is home to hundreds of thousands of live plants, and is a perfect place for a leisurely nature walk.
Chicago
If you have time to explore Chicago before heading to the suburbs, here are some suggestions for things we like to do and eat!
Where to Eat
We live in Chicago and we LOVE to eat out. We’ve listed a few of our favorite restaurants below. If you’re looking for recommendations for a specific type of cuisine or in a specific neighborhood, let us know and we’ll send some suggestions.
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Portillos: A Chicago staple, this fast food chain offers delicious Chicago style hot dogs, fries, and Italian beef sandwiches.
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Quartino: Located right downtown, this is a bustling small plates Italian restaurant with affordable dishes and great ambiance.
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Shaws Crab House: This classy restaurant has stellar seafood and has an old school feel, perfect for a date night.
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Imperial Lamian: This restaurant features Hong Kong style soup dumplings, which are delicious!
Check it Out
• Hancock Tower: The Hancock Tower has amazing views of the city. Instead of taking the formal tour, take the elevator to
the bar on the 96th floor and take in the view while sipping a cocktail. Ladies, the best views of Chicago are from the women’s restroom!
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Wrigley Field
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Lincoln Park Zoo: A free zoo located just north of downtown. It has great views of downtown and a brand new polar bear exhibit.
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Chicago’s Magnificent Mile: North Michigan Ave in the heart of Chicago is famous for its shopping and people watching!