Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
Bring re-usable shopping bags or you will be charged $.10 per plastic bag the store provides. (re-usable bags in your closet)
62 locals recommend
Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western AveBring re-usable shopping bags or you will be charged $.10 per plastic bag the store provides. (re-usable bags in your closet)
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayPharmacy, Food, Liquor, Photo
Target
4466 N BroadwayParks & Nature
Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley Ave606 Trail
Entrance on Leavitt and Milwaukee
Fullerton Beach
North Avenue Beach
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveFarmers Market every Saturday morning
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StIts free!
Indoor conservatory, free! Direct transportation by train.
Not in the most attractive neighborhood however it is steps from the train station (safe and patrolled by police) I recommend visiting with a friend during daylight hours.
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveIndoor conservatory, free! Direct transportation by train.
Not in the most attractive neighborhood however it is steps from the train station (safe and patrolled by police) I recommend visiting with a friend during daylight hours.
Sightseeing
Willis Tower Skydeck
Food, Boat rides, dinner cruises, Fireworks show every Wednesday and Saturday
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveFood, Boat rides, dinner cruises, Fireworks show every Wednesday and Saturday
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StTHE BEAN
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrFountain show every evening after desk
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Shopping
Jane Bryne Plaza
180 E Pearson StPromontory Point
5491 S Shore DrIconic view of Chicago skyline. Best to go by car.
Milton Lee Olive Park
East Ohio StreetGreat photo opportunity. View of John Hancock tower
Ferris wheel, fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday, boat tours, art exhibitions, live entertainment, shopping
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveFerris wheel, fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday, boat tours, art exhibitions, live entertainment, shopping
Food Scene
hipster coffee shop, my favorite! They have a signature latte called the ipsento- it will not disappoint.
109 locals recommend
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western Avehipster coffee shop, my favorite! They have a signature latte called the ipsento- it will not disappoint.
BEST Sushi! BYOB Open for dinner and a nice walk from the apartment.
80 locals recommend
Coast Sushi Bar
2045 North Damen AvenueBEST Sushi! BYOB Open for dinner and a nice walk from the apartment.
toast
2046 N Damen AveBREAKFAST, BYOB
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveBest burger you will EVER have. Great outdoor patio.
Has a huge outdoor seating area, they also have some amazing fried fish and chicken. Try one of the frozen cocktails, aka adult slushies!
658 locals recommend
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveHas a huge outdoor seating area, they also have some amazing fried fish and chicken. Try one of the frozen cocktails, aka adult slushies!
Best tex-mex tacos
Their patio is by far one of the most popular on weekends, so try to go during the weekday or early happy hour if you're looking to sit.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveBest tex-mex tacos
Their patio is by far one of the most popular on weekends, so try to go during the weekday or early happy hour if you're looking to sit.
Best Japanese style Ramen in town , serve sushi , and is BYOB.. Open for lunch and dinner, close for a short time in between so check the website!
134 locals recommend
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveBest Japanese style Ramen in town , serve sushi , and is BYOB.. Open for lunch and dinner, close for a short time in between so check the website!
Need a 21 or older ID to get in. Pizza by the slice or the whole. PBJ Special (Pizza, Beer, Shot of Jameson), cash only
152 locals recommend
The Boiler Room
2210 North California AvenueNeed a 21 or older ID to get in. Pizza by the slice or the whole. PBJ Special (Pizza, Beer, Shot of Jameson), cash only
Cafe and coffee shop, homemade marshmellows, iced hot chocolate
108 locals recommend
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveCafe and coffee shop, homemade marshmellows, iced hot chocolate
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveGreat craft beer
The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen AveAuthentic Coasta Rican food, BYOB, outdooor seating only.
109 locals recommend
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveAuthentic Coasta Rican food, BYOB, outdooor seating only.
Anker
Great cocktails and meat focused meals
Mahalo
1501 North Milwaukee AvenueHawaiian Eats and drinks
Red June Cafe
2020 N Leavitt Stquaint coffee shop
Arturo's Tacos
2001 N Western AveMexican food, open late! VERY HOT salsa.
AMK Kitchen Bar
1954 West Armitage AvenueGreat food, comfort food, delicious drinks.
Great selection of sushi rolls and full bar! (most places in the area are BYOB)
18 locals recommend
Enso Sushi & Bar
1613 N Damen AveGreat selection of sushi rolls and full bar! (most places in the area are BYOB)
Table, Donkey and Stick
2728 W Armitage AveSilom 12
1846 N Milwaukee AveGreat thai food with modern and sleek interior.
Ipsento 606
1813 N Milwaukee AveCoffee spot that turns into a bar in the evening.
Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveMediterranean food - cheap and delicious
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveHistoric fountain and candy shop.
Dark Matter Coffee - The Mothership
738 N Western AveDelicious coffee spot right by train station.
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenuePizza! There will be a wait, they deliver
Jr’s Red Hots
2345 W Armitage AveBudget friendly grill. Hotdogs, burgers, etc.
Drinks & Nightlife
Whiskey Business
1367 N Milwaukee AveRooftop
East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveSlippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveSki ball
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveAdult arcade
The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee AveLogan 11 Bar & Kitchen
2230 N California AveGreat atrium
Double Door
Concord Music Hall
2047 N Milwaukee AveLottie's Pub
1925 W Cortland StDannys
Hipster, dark, and dancing, cash only.
Northside Bar & Grill
1635 N Damen AveDebonair Social Club
1575 N Milwaukee AveStunning views of the city from the top of the John Hancock
525 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveStunning views of the city from the top of the John Hancock
Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division StCraft beer selection
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark StGreat rooftop
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveGreat patio and board games!
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveThe Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveCocktail bar. strong drinks, chill vibes, no tvs
Speakeasy bar, strong drinks. There can be a line if you go too late.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveSpeakeasy bar, strong drinks. There can be a line if you go too late.
Innjoy
2051 W Division St90s music
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveLive Jazz and Blues
This is where the cool kids hang out! They have open mic comedy nights and live music. Only 2 block walk.
33 locals recommend
Gallery Cabaret
2020 N Oakley AveThis is where the cool kids hang out! They have open mic comedy nights and live music. Only 2 block walk.
Its a bar dedicated to Seinfeld (sort of) they have drinks and menu items that reference the show, hence the name. They only let in a fairly small number of people to maintain a good atmosphere so i recommend going early.
584 locals recommend
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveIts a bar dedicated to Seinfeld (sort of) they have drinks and menu items that reference the show, hence the name. They only let in a fairly small number of people to maintain a good atmosphere so i recommend going early.
Zanies Comedy Night Club
1548 N Wells StKingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StThe Charleston Bar Chicago
Locals bar, close walk.
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveLive entertainment, budget friendly, cash only ATM inside
Arts & Culture
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveFree on Tuesdays!
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrShedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrAdler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrScience, space, and great place to take photos of city skyline
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveClose to Lincoln Park
Museum of Science & Industry station
Interactive and interesting
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Upper Wacker Drbeautiful architecture and opera shows
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S Michigan AveChicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StFree! Wonderful architecture
Entertainment & Activities
Regal City North IMAX & RPX
2600 N Western AveBottle & Bottega
2900 N Lincoln AveBYOB Painting
Fireside Bowl
2646 W Fullerton AveiFLY
800 W Scott StIndoor skydiving- check groupon for deals
Red Square Spa
1914 W Division StRussian bath house, sauna with food and drinks
First Ascent Avondale
3516 N Spaulding AveIndoor rock climbing - check Groupon for deals!
SPIN Chicago
344 N State StPing pong bar
WhirlyBall Chicago
1825 W Webster AveKrypton VR Lounge
2828 N Clark StVirtual Reality Bar - BYOB check Groupon for deals! read fine print
Bad Axe Throwing
165 N Loomis StAx throwing bar
The Second City
230 W North Aveimprov comedy shows