Guidebook for Chicago

Melanie
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

LOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California Ave
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
LOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
The coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
C.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta Blvd
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
They have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Guerrero's Tacos & Pizza
2534 W Division St
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
Laid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California Ave
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Laid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
Inexpensive rotisserie and southern sides in no frills environment
63 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Feed
2803 W Chicago Ave
63 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Inexpensive rotisserie and southern sides in no frills environment
New in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California Ave
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
New in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
Tasty bar food
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Shelby
2759 West Augusta Boulevard
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tasty bar food
Hands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
128 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western Ave
128 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
Authentic Puerto Rican food in casual environment. BYOB.
29 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 W Division St
29 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Authentic Puerto Rican food in casual environment. BYOB.
Quiet spot for wine and cheese and light fare.
173 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenue
173 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Quiet spot for wine and cheese and light fare.
Coffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
26 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cup & Spoon
2415 W North Ave
26 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Coffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
Hands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
2056 West Division Street
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
Phenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.
14 (рекомендации местных жителей)
West Randolph Street
West Randolph Street
14 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Phenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.

Drinks & Nightlife

Be transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
180 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The California Clipper
1002 North California Avenue
180 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Be transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
Recently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Queen Mary
2125 W Division St
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Recently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
Good for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division St
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Good for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
Popular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
208 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western Ave
208 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Popular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
Icon Chicago bar for fancy cocktails. An experience! Pricey.
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Icon Chicago bar for fancy cocktails. An experience! Pricey.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
293 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Хамболдт-парк
1400 N Humboldt Dr
293 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
Elevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.
241 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue
241 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Elevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.

Essentials

Large beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
CTA Foods
2559 W Division St
Large beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
Great option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
FAMILY DOLLAR
3748 N Elston Ave
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
Larger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
111 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cermak Produce
2701 W North Ave
111 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Larger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
Just a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.
866 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Just a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.

Sightseeing

The authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Центр архитектуры Чикаго
111 E Wacker Dr
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
See the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
1243 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Парк тысячелетия
201 E Randolph St
1243 (рекомендации местных жителей)
See the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.
111 (рекомендации местных жителей)
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave
111 (рекомендации местных жителей)
360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.

Arts & Culture

Beautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
1159 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Художественный институт Чикаго
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
I feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей Ричарда Х. Дрихауса
40 E Erie St
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.

Shopping

Cute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
One Strange Bird
2124 W Division St
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
Men and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Penelope's
1913 W Division St
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Men and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
Great local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.
29 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Komoda
2559 W Chicago Ave
29 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.