Our train was departing at 1:45. Since Chicago was the start of the line we were told it would leave on time and we would be able to get seats together for the whole trip.

We headed to the little coffee shop around the corner to get our morning cups of coffee.

The coffee was damn fine and I was thankful for it every morning.

Next door was an amazing bakery. Everything looked so good it was hard to choose. This was just one side.

I loved where our Airbnb was located. There was a sushi place on the corner. We grabbed dinner before the concert and it was awesome.

There was a grocery down the street where we were able to pick up some staples like juice, milk and cereal.

Across the street from the coffee shop was a record store that Jackson and I went to a few times where he bought a couple of albums he’d been looking for.

The street itself was just beautiful. There were always people out walking their dogs.

The Airbnb we found was perfect. It was spacious, clean and well, cute as can be.

Our last Uber ride and Hannah’s last time to play trivia games.

It started raining as soon as we got our bags into the station. Union Station is beautiful. We aren’t much for souvenirs, but I did pick up a postcard in the gift shop that I’m going to put in a little frame.

The train ride back was much easier than going there. I think it’s because when we woke up we only had about an hour and a half left to go. We didn’t bring any extra food, just what we had left from the trip there, so we did end up eating snacks, light food and drinks from the cafe car. They were expensive, but not crazy expensive.

We’ve been asked this question so many times.

Why Chicago? Well, the train from Longview goes there. We knew we wanted to take a train trip, so we just looked at direct trips. We actually booked the trip and Airbnb in December.

Chicago is huge. 3 days there is not enough to see everything. We wanted to go to the art institute, but it’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We didn’t know that when we booked.

Donny compared Chicago to Luby’s cafeteria. There’s a lot to choose from. Just pick what you like and enjoy it. We didn’t do a whole lot, but we did enough.

People are not as friendly as they are in Texas. You will find a few, but most people look startled when you say hello to them.

we had great Uber drivers. They were always willing to share what they liked best about their city.

We had a wonderful time, but I will say that seeing the hustle and bustle makes me appreciate Longview so much more than I did before the trip. I like our hardly any traffic, slower pace of life.