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It is time to hit the road with the Chicago Bears. Welcome to football season. I know some people would never attend a preseason game. So why did we travel to Nashville to see the Chicago Bears? We are fans, and we always support our team. Bear Down, Chicago Bears!
I was at ORD when PreCheck was not open at 4:00AM. However, when I went through the regular line, TSA acknowledged my status, and I did not take off my shoes, show liquids, or pull out electronics. At MDW, the line was open when we arrived at 4:20AM, but TSA shut down the line without warning at 4:30 for a shift change. My flight boarded at 5:05. We made it in time. Of course, I had to tweet because I did not understand why PreCheck opened to have us wait in line for 15 minutes.
Let me start with a disclaimer. I do not know if this hotel is pricey or if the football game impacted the rate. Because I had not used all of my Marriott Bonvoy points, I applied 20,000 points to the cost of the room so that we only had to pay $75 each. We were on the 23rd floor with a city view. This hotel is beautiful, and the attention to detail was noticeable. The ice bucket matched the tissue holder, and I enjoyed the Aveda products in the bathroom. I found the extra roll of tissue in a unique container. There are charging cords for iPhones and Android users. You can also use the Marriott Bonvoy app to order extra towels, blankets, or toiletries. Finally, we had a very early flight, and the front desk clerk allowed us to check in at 8:00AM. Definitely worth the reservation.
We asked our Uber driver for suggestions, and he recommended Prince’s Hot Chicken and Martin’s BBQ. Both places were on my list. Besides, I saw Martin’s on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The driver also gave us a few suggestions for music venues. When we arrived at the Renaissance, the front desk clerk told us about a few breakfast spots. At the time, we were unaware Kitchen Notes was in the Omni Hotel. We went for the bougie breakfast and ordered a round of mimosas. Lynn and Renee ordered the two-egg breakfast with blueberry sausage and bacon, and I ordered sourdough pancakes with cherrywood bacon. While we waited on the entrees, our server teased us with plain and peach cobbler biscuits. My pancakes were delicious; I enjoyed the bacon, and the peach cobbler biscuit was tasty.
Sports outings can be expensive. We wanted to eat before heading to Nissan Stadium. The Renaissance is in a great location, and the Assembly Food Hall is accessible from the hotel. You place your order, pay, and provide a phone number. Each restaurant will text you when the food is ready. Although the line at Prince’s moved quickly, there was a 15-minute wait for orders. I ordered chicken strips with a side of pickles, and Lynn and Renee ordered wings. There are several levels of hotness. Get ready. We had to ask for water from the bar. The chicken was well seasoned, the fries were crispy, and the old fashioned I ordered from the Assembly Bar was delicious.
Bears vs. TitansI booked the reservation. Renee purchased game tickets. We learned the hotel shuttle could drop us off at the stadium. We were in the East Club section of Nissan Stadium. Why is that important? If it rained, we had somewhere to hang out until it stopped. It did not rain, but it was sunny in our section for about 45 minutes. I know it is preseason, but the Bears won, and we had a good time at the game. I was happy we decided to hit the road with the Chicago Bears. After the game, we walked back to the hotel. We stopped at Tootsie’s, but it was COVID-19 Delta variant crowded.
Of course, we had to try a barbecue place in Nashville. After watching an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I wanted to try Martin’s. Although the food was well seasoned, I did not enjoy the finishing rub on the ribs and wings. I ordered the brisket sandwich. I will not order hush puppies again. When I visit San Antonio, I will try the ribs there. Stop by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and try a standard scoop on a waffle cone. Donut Distillery reminded me of Duck Donut in Virginia. However, Donut Distillery sells mini donuts. The sugar cinnamon and maple whisky donuts were quite tasty.
Booking a trip to Nashville allowed me to support the Chicago Bears and try new food, and I discovered new places like the Museum of African American Music. We also noticed the Pedal Taverns. I reminisced about our Pedal Pub adventure in Chicago. I forgot about the bridal showers in Nashville. Brides-to-be were everywhere. The trip was quick, but I will return to Nashville. Will you hit the road with the Chicago Bears? Do you want more travel ideas? Visit my website.
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