Guidebook for Chicago
Parks & Nature
Large with many trails, tennis courts, a fieldhouse, and a hill. There's also a library at Oriole Park Library, 7454 West Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL. 1/2 mile away.
Oriole Park
5430 N Olcott AveLarge with many trails, tennis courts, a fieldhouse, and a hill. There's also a library at Oriole Park Library, 7454 West Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL. 1/2 mile away.
The city's free zoo with exotic animals and a farm. There's a pond for paddle boats. There is a park for picnics and a restaurant. It's even open during the Christmas holiday where the entire zoo is lit up with a light display. It's also surrounded by the Rookery and the beach nearby.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StThe city's free zoo with exotic animals and a farm. There's a pond for paddle boats. There is a park for picnics and a restaurant. It's even open during the Christmas holiday where the entire zoo is lit up with a light display. It's also surrounded by the Rookery and the beach nearby.
This free public beach is connected to all the other beaches along Lake Michigan with a trail for bicyclists and runners.
101 locals recommend
Foster Beach
This free public beach is connected to all the other beaches along Lake Michigan with a trail for bicyclists and runners.
Oak Street Beach
The beach where the young and beautiful go to be seen, lol.
located at Caldwell and Devon Avenues on the east and Milwaukee and Devon on the west border, this forest perserve has a bike trail that runs all the way into Lake County. It ends at the Chicago Botanic Gardens!
9 locals recommend
Caldwell Woods
West Devon Avenuelocated at Caldwell and Devon Avenues on the east and Milwaukee and Devon on the west border, this forest perserve has a bike trail that runs all the way into Lake County. It ends at the Chicago Botanic Gardens!
Huge botanic garden consisting of a Japanese garden, a edible research garden, a rose garden, and many more.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdHuge botanic garden consisting of a Japanese garden, a edible research garden, a rose garden, and many more.
Morton Aboretum is less manicured and more nautral than the Chicago Botanic. If you love the outdoors, then this will be enjoyable.
51 locals recommend
The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL-53Morton Aboretum is less manicured and more nautral than the Chicago Botanic. If you love the outdoors, then this will be enjoyable.
Arts & Culture
Always has a special exhibit going on. One of the largest collections of Monet paintings in the world. https://www.artic.edu/
14 locals recommend
Art Institute of Chicago
Always has a special exhibit going on. One of the largest collections of Monet paintings in the world. https://www.artic.edu/
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StLots of free concerts, dance, and other arts.
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrDomed display of the planets, etc.
Beluga whales, Carribbean reef, Jellyfish, and many more exhibits. The building's architecture is enough of an attraction.
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrBeluga whales, Carribbean reef, Jellyfish, and many more exhibits. The building's architecture is enough of an attraction.
State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. Other exhibits:
Inside Ancient Egypt
Evolving Planet
Underground Adventure
The Ancient Americas
Grainger Hall Of Gems...
657 locals recommend
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrState-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. Other exhibits:
Inside Ancient Egypt
Evolving Planet
Underground Adventure
The Ancient Americas
Grainger Hall Of Gems...
Lots of award-winning plays. Easy to access via CTA on the Lake/Clark station.
51 locals recommend
Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn StLots of award-winning plays. Easy to access via CTA on the Lake/Clark station.
Amazing art. Sections of the museum in modern, impressionism, ancient art, even miniatures, and so much more.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveAmazing art. Sections of the museum in modern, impressionism, ancient art, even miniatures, and so much more.
Shopping
Not just for shopping, but people watching, too! This is more touristy because of the stunning views of the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue.
327 locals recommend
Water Tower Place
835 Michigan AveNot just for shopping, but people watching, too! This is more touristy because of the stunning views of the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue.
Stores, restaurants, and a food court. Kohls, Best Buy, Target, and many others.
41 locals recommend
Harlem Irving Plaza
4104 N Harlem AveStores, restaurants, and a food court. Kohls, Best Buy, Target, and many others.
Huge mall with lots of parking. Great place when you have time to kill. L'Occitaine, Nordstrom Rack, Lucky Jeans, Crocs, etc. etc. Food Court and more. Only 3 miles away. You can take the Blue Line to Rosement/ River Road and pick up the FREE Pace 811 Bus to the mall!
99 locals recommend
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
5220 Fashion Outlets WayHuge mall with lots of parking. Great place when you have time to kill. L'Occitaine, Nordstrom Rack, Lucky Jeans, Crocs, etc. etc. Food Court and more. Only 3 miles away. You can take the Blue Line to Rosement/ River Road and pick up the FREE Pace 811 Bus to the mall!
Bank of America, Baker's Square, Planet Fitness, Jewel (grocery store), and more. Nearby is Walgreens, & Liberty Bank.
Fast food 2 blocks away.
Harlem-Foster Shopping Center
7240 West Foster AvenueBank of America, Baker's Square, Planet Fitness, Jewel (grocery store), and more. Nearby is Walgreens, & Liberty Bank.
Fast food 2 blocks away.
Entertainment & Activities
Local theaters listed here.
This beautiful art deco building is also one of the oldest little movie theaters around here.
9 locals recommend
Pickwick Theatre
5 S Prospect AveThis beautiful art deco building is also one of the oldest little movie theaters around here.
The Chicago Theatre
175 N State StLots of big name entertainers here.
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
50 East Ida B. Wells DriveTheater, ballet, music.
AMC Village Crossing 18
7000 Carpenter Rd18 cinema theaters with stadium seating.
Movies with assigned seating and many nearby restaurants and nightclubs in the mall. Parking garage.
13 locals recommend
AMC Rosemont 18
9701 W Bryn Mawr AveMovies with assigned seating and many nearby restaurants and nightclubs in the mall. Parking garage.
Only 2.1 miles away or 6 minute drive. Closest movie theater with 6 inside and some with IMAX and 3D.
AMC Norridge 6
4520 Harlem AveOnly 2.1 miles away or 6 minute drive. Closest movie theater with 6 inside and some with IMAX and 3D.
This is a nice gym. there are machines, weights, coaching, and a salon, which offers tanning and a vibration plate, etc.
Planet Fitness
7300 W Foster AveThis is a nice gym. there are machines, weights, coaching, and a salon, which offers tanning and a vibration plate, etc.
Getting Around
Harlem station
only 5 blocks away. $2.75 will get you around!
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
5451 N Northwest HwyNorwood Park Metra Station. There's lot of street parking. Leave your car and travel downtown, etc.
Norwood Restaurant
6101 North Northwest HighwayNorwood Park Metra Station. There's lot of street parking. Leave your car and travel downtown, etc.
A major transfer stop from the Blue Line to Orange, Red, Brown, Green, Pink Lines. The Brown Line has stunning views of the city.
14 locals recommend
Clark/Lake station
A major transfer stop from the Blue Line to Orange, Red, Brown, Green, Pink Lines. The Brown Line has stunning views of the city.
Divvy Station
Great way to see the city on bicycle.
Zipcar is located at the Cumberland Station and many other stops if you'd like to drive for only several hours.
Zipcar - Mini
Zipcar is located at the Cumberland Station and many other stops if you'd like to drive for only several hours.
Segway Experience of Chicago
2 E 8th StUnique way to experience the lake shore on a motorized segway.
Drinks & Nightlife
A historic place and beautifully kept with the tin ceilings from the 20s. Lots of jazz and other music. Also, the Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays. Worth the trip.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayA historic place and beautifully kept with the tin ceilings from the 20s. Lots of jazz and other music. Also, the Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays. Worth the trip.
Teaser's Pub
7123 W Higgins AveKingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StFamous blues club.
Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueHilariously ad-libbed skits. Lots of fun and budget-friendly.
Fun entertainment for the avant garde. Drag queens perform nightly at this upscale American restaurant with a lengthy cocktail menu.
19 locals recommend
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 North Halsted StreetFun entertainment for the avant garde. Drag queens perform nightly at this upscale American restaurant with a lengthy cocktail menu.
Subterranean club with DJ and dancing. Djs like Black Madonna, Mark Farina, and Derrick Carter.
Metro / Smart Bar
3730 North Clark StreetSubterranean club with DJ and dancing. Djs like Black Madonna, Mark Farina, and Derrick Carter.
This River North club is where the young, beautiful, famous crowd hangs out and dances.
42 locals recommend
Underground
56 W Illinois StThis River North club is where the young, beautiful, famous crowd hangs out and dances.
Sightseeing
Willis Tower Skydeck
Once was the tallest building. Still an amazing view.
Amusements, shops, Restaurants, Boat cruises, Theaters, IMAX movie theater, Fireworks in warm weather & New Year's Eve, and live performances. Tall ships exhibit in summer.
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveAmusements, shops, Restaurants, Boat cruises, Theaters, IMAX movie theater, Fireworks in warm weather & New Year's Eve, and live performances. Tall ships exhibit in summer.
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StCultural events and beautiful garden.
Great variety of Italian restaurants up and down Taylor street. It's near the University and Medical Campuses so you get neighborhood people, patients, students, and tourists.
45 locals recommend
Little Italy
Great variety of Italian restaurants up and down Taylor street. It's near the University and Medical Campuses so you get neighborhood people, patients, students, and tourists.
A myriad of shops and restaurants. Good place for Chinese New Year Parade on February 4th, 2017. I always hit the bakeries and stock up on the lotus cakes and red bean pastries! :-)
217 locals recommend
Chinatown
A myriad of shops and restaurants. Good place for Chinese New Year Parade on February 4th, 2017. I always hit the bakeries and stock up on the lotus cakes and red bean pastries! :-)
Lots of good Greek restaurants and shops. There's a neighborhood festival in the Fall.
56 locals recommend
Greektown
Lots of good Greek restaurants and shops. There's a neighborhood festival in the Fall.
This area is crowded and filled with Indian restaurants and shops of all sorts. The grocery stores are a wonderful experience where you can find all sorts of teas and spices. Expect traffic to slow down here as there are many pedestrians, like yourself, going from shop to shop. It's a feast to all your senses. Don't forget to samply a mango lassi!
13 locals recommend
Little India
This area is crowded and filled with Indian restaurants and shops of all sorts. The grocery stores are a wonderful experience where you can find all sorts of teas and spices. Expect traffic to slow down here as there are many pedestrians, like yourself, going from shop to shop. It's a feast to all your senses. Don't forget to samply a mango lassi!