WHAT | A quick, chill (or chill-y, if you go in the winter) Michigan Avenue-based getaway WHY | Chi-Town – The Windy City, the home of America’s largest Polish population, Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza, Chicago blues music, and of course the Broadway musical that bears its name – is perhaps the best (only?) true “Big City” in the Midwest.  And the location of its main shopping district just off of Lake Michigan’s shoreline – urban, yet scenic at the same time – makes it even more unique. There are loads of different, quirky neighbourhoods in Chicago proper, but the Michigan Avenue area, known as The Magnificent Mile (of shops and cafes, that is), is perhaps the most accessible spot in town for a short visit, especially for a first-timer. Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district. Wear comfortable shoes or suffer the consequences. STAY | Just a couple of blocks from Grant Park (aka “Chicago’s Front Yard”), Michigan Avenue, and the always-worth-a-stop Intelligentsia Coffee (which is headquartered in the city), the Hampton Majestic teams up old-school theatre district charm with chain reliability and reasonable prices (our rate: $159 US.) For our stay, we had a cushy room with plush linens that looked out an upper-level window surrounded by sculpted flourishes, the concierge was attentive and friendly without being either elitist or overbearing, and we easily walked to pretty much everything, including what claims to be “Chicago’s Oldest Italian Restaurant,” the vintage-y Italian Village. Espresso in the making at Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee.  Free hipster conversation with every purchase. LOOK | Navy Pier is fun… but crowded, the Sears Tower (sorry – Willis Tower – we still can’t get used to that) is fun… but overpriced – so instead, head over to Grant Park’s sculptures and outdoor...

Do we want an excuse to travel? Duh. Of course we do. But even more so, we want to simplify travel for you, by visiting the places that you’ll want to go, and then telling you what’s best and coolest about them in a short-form, easy to read fashion. And since we’re always on a budget, these trips will be ones you can actually afford sooner rather than later. So look for PyxTrips starting soon here on Pyxis Mag – and start packing your suitcase now! We’ll tell you where to...

Candy fans, bring your wallets and make sure you’ve set aside plenty of time for Aji Ichiban, a unique and wacky standout stop among the plethora of markets and food shops in NYC’s Chinatown. Sleek clear plastic bins wrap around the entire interior of these stores, in which the staff are helpful and don’t mind if you meander around for a while. The candy bins encourage you to sample the wares free of charge – seriously, you can try dozens of candies without the clerks even lifting an eyebrow – which is a good thing, since you probably haven’t heard of half of the candies and, erhm, treats offered for sale. Willy Wonka – as innovative as the man was – would definitely be taken aback by more than a few of Aji Ichiban’s candies. Dried Salted Plums are a unique contrast in flavors, while a few bins away are Wasabi Cashews and Chocolate “Rocks,” shaped like pebbles, of course. Gummis in varieties like Sweet Corn and Durian (beware) are a mere step away from Fruit-Flavored Beef Jerky; Sesame, Mango, and “Pudding” flavored Marshmallows; and Green Tea Latte lozenges. The shop’s a visual treat, too – literally candy for the eyes, as the saying goes. Dried flavored spicy miniature crabs smaller than a dime rest in one bin, with candy chews, Mochi cakes, and boxes with bright labels all stacked up in the middle of the store.  (The artwork on much of the candy is as interesting to look at as the candies themselves.) Once you get your eyes to settle, you’ll find it easiest to start at one end of the store and work your way around to the register. For the skittish, there are – yes, Skittles – as well as more...