Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
This is a beautiful coffee shop - great coffee and a lovely space to sit and write!
162 locals recommend
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StThis is a beautiful coffee shop - great coffee and a lovely space to sit and write!
Great selection of Middle Eastern groceries + the best spinach cheese pies and hummus! Get groceries here, and go across the street to the Taste of Lebanon for a falafel.
32 locals recommend
Middle East Bakery & Grocery
1512 W Foster AveGreat selection of Middle Eastern groceries + the best spinach cheese pies and hummus! Get groceries here, and go across the street to the Taste of Lebanon for a falafel.
Taste of Lebanon Restaurant
1509 W Foster AveLove this spot for a quick lunch - great falafel!
Ba Le Sandwich Shop
5014 N BroadwayBest Bahn Mi!
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveNice Italian spot for pizza
Parks & Nature
This is the closest beach to the apartment - I like to run here in the mornings - it's a 3 mile run there and back.
101 locals recommend
Foster Beach
This is the closest beach to the apartment - I like to run here in the mornings - it's a 3 mile run there and back.
This is my favorite beach in Chicago! The bathrooms have been recently redone, and the southern part of the beach is the GLBT beach.
96 locals recommend
Kathy Osterman Beach House
5800 N Lake Shore DrThis is my favorite beach in Chicago! The bathrooms have been recently redone, and the southern part of the beach is the GLBT beach.
Montrose Point and the Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful spot to walk around - it's like disappearing from the city - there are lots of small trails through the sanctuary that wind around and back to the lakefront. You'll be sure to spot lots of birders in here.
31 locals recommend
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Montrose Point and the Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful spot to walk around - it's like disappearing from the city - there are lots of small trails through the sanctuary that wind around and back to the lakefront. You'll be sure to spot lots of birders in here.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great beer selection, beautiful space, good food! They usually have a harder to find Allagash beer on tap - which I always get.
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StGreat beer selection, beautiful space, good food! They usually have a harder to find Allagash beer on tap - which I always get.
Great cocktail bar! I like to meet friends here, either on the patio out back or the upstairs bar - I usually get their whiskey cocktails, but basically I've been happy with every cocktail I've gotten here.
19 locals recommend
The Brixton
5420 North Clark StreetGreat cocktail bar! I like to meet friends here, either on the patio out back or the upstairs bar - I usually get their whiskey cocktails, but basically I've been happy with every cocktail I've gotten here.
Great bourbon and beer list - a good place for dinner and a drink or just to meet up for a drink. There's also a rooftop bar.
72 locals recommend
Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose AveGreat bourbon and beer list - a good place for dinner and a drink or just to meet up for a drink. There's also a rooftop bar.
Classic LGBT bar - they have good food (even gluten-free/veg options), and front and back patios. There's usually djs on the weekends.
70 locals recommend
Big Chicks
5024 N Sheridan RdClassic LGBT bar - they have good food (even gluten-free/veg options), and front and back patios. There's usually djs on the weekends.
Neighborhood dive bar with a great jukebox and occasionally live bands too. And around the holidays you can order some glogg.
55 locals recommend
Simon's Tavern
5210 N Clark StNeighborhood dive bar with a great jukebox and occasionally live bands too. And around the holidays you can order some glogg.
Arts & Culture
There is always a great show here - not to miss. And if you're looking to do some shopping too while you're here, it's right off of Michigan Ave. You can take the red line here - to the Chicago stop.
532 locals recommend
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveThere is always a great show here - not to miss. And if you're looking to do some shopping too while you're here, it's right off of Michigan Ave. You can take the red line here - to the Chicago stop.
They have a great collection! I'm biased, since I went to school here and have roamed the halls for hours and hours - but definitely worth a visit.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThey have a great collection! I'm biased, since I went to school here and have roamed the halls for hours and hours - but definitely worth a visit.
They consistently have great shows, a nice (small) art bookshop - and the building itself is beautiful.
Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
4 W Burton PlThey consistently have great shows, a nice (small) art bookshop - and the building itself is beautiful.
Essentials
Mariano's
3358 W Touhy AveThey have a great selection. I do most of my shopping here.
Getting Around
The Red Line is the fastest public transit option for heading downtown.
35 locals recommend
Argyle station
The Red Line is the fastest public transit option for heading downtown.