Home Alone House in Winnetka, Illinois

Located just north of downtown Chicago in the affluent community of Winnetka, Illinois you'll find the iconic house from Home Alone (1990). There have been a few changes to the property over the decades, but the 'Home Alone House' is still immediately recognizable as the McCallister family home that Kevin defended from the invading Wet Bandits. I have to say it's pretty surreal to find yourself standing inside the familiarity of a Christmas classic. Awesome, but surreal.
   

Even the power pole is still here.

The house the Wet Bandits were arrested in is just across the street.

The garage is gone. As is the U-shaped driveway.

"Kevin! What have you done to my room!?"

Downtown Chicago Views on Lake Michigan

Always take the water taxi. It's worth it just for the views. Here are a few visual highlights of downtown Chicago, Illinois as captured from Lake Michigan.

Field Museum

Navy Pier

Graduate Minneapolis Hotel in Minnesota

In the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' and on the campus of the University of Minnesota, you'll find the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel. From key cards that resemble student IDs to decor that takes inspiration from Minnesotan activities like fishing, snowshoeing, and hockey, the upbeat and trendy designs of the Graduate Minneapolis playfully remind you exactly where you are.
  

Graduate Hotels are located in college towns across the United States, and each have their own signature, location-specific designs that make for some really engaging spaces to explore. At the Graduate Minneapolis this was reflected in bold choices, like a central chandelier made out of fishing net and lures, to kitschy additions like a vintage portrait of Loni Anderson (who was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota) that hung in my room. As a travel photographer it should surprise no one that these visual touches all won me over. My stay at the Graduate Minneapolis was A+.