In my last blog, I wrote about The Flip pinball museum in downtown Chicago. Since it was a beautiful fall day, I took the opportunity to continue my day meandering around the area.

My first stop was at One East Wacker. Overlooking the Chicago River, it is a 41-story office building where I worked all through college. While the façade remains the same, the inside has undergone massive renovations. My old office at 2410 no longer exists. This wasn’t just my college job, this is where I met Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc., although at the time I had no idea I would work for him many years later.

Across Wacker Drive is a statue of longtime newspaper columnist Irv Kupcinet. After an injury ended his NFL career in 1935, Kupcinet spent almost 70 years writing for the Chicago Sun-Times. He also was an occasional host in the early days of The Tonight Show before landing his own talk show. His statue points across the river to the former site of the Sun-Times (now occupied by Trump International Hotel & Tower).

On my way to my car, I made a couple stops in Old Town. Along the way, I was pleasantly surprised at the Halloween decorations in the area.

My first stop was Judy Maxwell Home, an eclectic gift and novelty shop. Owned by actress and Chicagoan Joan Cusack, it is named after Judy Maxwell, the character played by Barbra Streisand in What’s Up, Doc?, Cusack’s favorite movie. The store is crammed with a bit of everything including vintage items, gag gifts, candy, Chicago souvenirs and other fun items.

Before reaching my car, I wanted a treat, and Jeni’s is the perfect place. Recommended years ago by author friend Dirk Manning, I stop at any of the Jeni’s locations I pass. I don’t eat much ice cream, but Jeni’s is so amazing, I make the exception. This time I enjoyed toasted marshmallow crème brûlée.

I made one last stop at Carnival Foods for a quick bite for my car ride. I also never pass the chance to enjoy the inside artwork by my friend Ali Cantarella, who has done several murals inside and outside of buildings around Chicago.

I savored the treat and crisp afternoon as I reached my car and headed north on Lake Shore Drive. As I took in the beauty of the lakefront, I drove to Northwestern University for the last game of Fall Ball featuring the Wildcats against the DePaul Blue Demons, but more on that in the future.

— John Wroblewski, podcaster