HOW
Travel
The nearest airports are O'Hare and Midway, both with taxi and rental car options. Amtrak trains also arrive into Union Station in Downtown Chicago or the Joliet, IL station (~20 mins. from our wedding venue).
Accommodations
A room block has been reserved for a discounted rate at the Wingate by Wyndham in Tinley Park, IL. Call 708.532.9300 and reference "Slawkowski & Stroope Wedding" to make your reservation! Please be sure to book ASAP! Other events (concerts, festivals) take place the same weekend, and the hotel assures us it will quickly be at full capacity.
If our Wingate block is full, a second block has been secured at the neighboring La Quinta Inn & Suites (708.633.1200) under "Slawkowski/Stroope Wedding." Please also feel free to book on your own at another hotel in the Tinley Park area. Click the button below to see options within walking distance of both hotels.
Shuttle
Don't worry - you'll have a safe ride home! We'll be providing a shuttle back to the hotel area after our reception.
To get there
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
For those of you who are traveling from out of town, we are so grateful that you are making the trip to Chicagoland for our wedding celebration! Are you making it a long weekend for Labor Day? Here are some of our favorite places and events to check out.
Mokena / Frankfort
Each year over Labor Day weekend, we visit Frankfort Fall Festival to check out the more than 300 artisans from across the nation, try some great food and listen to live music. This FREE event will be taking place on September 3-5, 2016 in the charming area of downtown Frankfort. We won't be able to visit the fest this year due to the wedding -- but you definitely should! It has received continued recognition as one of the best shows, and has been ranked #1 in Illinois, and #8 in the United States by Sunshine Magazine.
Are you a craft beer lover? We are, too! If you're looking for a quick brew sometime over the weekend, this is one of our favorite spots in Lyndsey's hometown of Mokena. Lyndsey's beer of choice is the Allagash White, while Kevin's changes with the season :)
Kevin loves to golf with Lyndsey's family, despite his incredibly inconsistent game. If you're looking to enjoy some (hopefully) beautiful Labor Day weekend weather before our evening wedding, check out Odyssey Country Club, one of our favorite local courses - which also happens to be just down the road from local hotels.
City of Chicago
If you're turning the trip into a long weekend, you'll definitely want to go into the city to see the famous Chicago skyline. You'll find plenty to do in the downtown area -- Millenium Park and "The Bean," Buckingham Fountain, Magnificant Mile shopping, observations decks, multiple theaters, museums, parks, the lakefront and so much more! Along Michigan Avenue, you'll stumble upon the Chicago Tribune Building (where Kevin works), and looking just a bit to the East, the Aon Center (where Lyndsey works).
As a relatively new Chicago resident, Kevin loves exploring the city, and Lyndsey loves learning even more about the place where she grew up. One of the best ways to take in the Chicago cityscape is by boat on an architecture river tour. In 90 minutes, get the real story on Chicago and its history - with guides showcasing the more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Jump on board and find out how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world’s largest cities in less than 100 years!
Just a short walk from where Kevin and Lyndsey each reside is the Lincoln Park Zoo, billed as "a world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers" - and we couldn't agree more! When we'd like to enjoy a nice day outside, we love visiting this FREE zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory (home to the Lily Pool featured in our engagement photos!) on its north end, and the South Bridge that features spectacular skyline views. Plus, the zoo is home to young gorillas (two toddlers and a baby) that Lyndsey just can't get enough of!
Located just one mile north of Lyndsey and Kevin's neighborhood, the home of the Chicago Cubs is one of the best locations to take in a ballgame. One of Kevin's first Chicago experiences was a Cubs vs. Texas Rangers game, and we've spent many nights at the ballpark bonding over his love for baseball and Lyndsey's favorite team. See them take on the Houston Astros during the weekend of our wedding. GO CUBBIES!
Second City speaks for itself on the comedy scene. Check out a show at the place where the comedy careers of Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, John Belushi, Bill Murray and more got their start. This Chicago staple will leave you smiling - Kevin and Lyndsey have plans to see the Mainstage Revue soon!
This is our favorite attraction on the downtown museum campus. Lyndsey's first job in the city was as a marketing intern at Shedd Aquarium during college, and we love to go back whenever we have the chance to see our aquatic friends -- especially the playful otters! We personally think the all-access pass is worth it because the shark tank is JAWS-dropping :)