Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Great burgers right around the corner. Fried cheese curds and the warm pretzels are a must.
20 locals recommend
Farm Bar
1300 W Wellington AveGreat burgers right around the corner. Fried cheese curds and the warm pretzels are a must.
Tiny breakfast/lunch spot famous for chicken and waffles- there is always a huge line outside, so go early in the morning.
52 locals recommend
Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln AveTiny breakfast/lunch spot famous for chicken and waffles- there is always a huge line outside, so go early in the morning.
Fish Bar
2956 N Sheffield AveDelicious cocktails and fresh fish prepared creatively
Not the best sushi you've ever had, but certainly the cheapest with rolls starting at $2.95.
Gorilla sushi
1408 W Diversey PkwyNot the best sushi you've ever had, but certainly the cheapest with rolls starting at $2.95.
Iconic local sandwich place that is going national but remains delicious
30 locals recommend
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
3424 N Southport AveIconic local sandwich place that is going national but remains delicious
Old school Italian deli with awesome made to order sandwiches- try the porchetta!
18 locals recommend
J.P. Graziano Grocery
901 W Randolph StOld school Italian deli with awesome made to order sandwiches- try the porchetta!
DAVIDsTEA
924 W Armitage AveSo many choices!
Exceptional dining with a seasonal menu in an absolutely gorgeous setting.
48 locals recommend
North Pond
2610 N Cannon DrExceptional dining with a seasonal menu in an absolutely gorgeous setting.
Charming, locally owned coffee shop where you can coincidentally also repair or buy a custom built bike.
36 locals recommend
Heritage Bicycles
2959 N Lincoln AveCharming, locally owned coffee shop where you can coincidentally also repair or buy a custom built bike.
This is our backup spot for when Batter & Berries wait is too long. Chilaquiles are great!
23 locals recommend
Bakin' & Eggs: A Lovely Idea
3120 N Lincoln AveThis is our backup spot for when Batter & Berries wait is too long. Chilaquiles are great!
Mario Batali's huge flagship marketplace featuring all things Italian- authentic ingredients and a handful of different restaurants, along with wine so you can eat, sip, shop- spend the whole day!
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StMario Batali's huge flagship marketplace featuring all things Italian- authentic ingredients and a handful of different restaurants, along with wine so you can eat, sip, shop- spend the whole day!
Delicious, fresh Italian, definitely recommended for summer since it has the most beautiful patio in the city.
48 locals recommend
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted StDelicious, fresh Italian, definitely recommended for summer since it has the most beautiful patio in the city.
The patio here is a total scene. Food is very good but many find it overpriced. It's still a great place to waste a Sunday afternoon drinking margaritas!
27 locals recommend
Barcocina
2901 N Sheffield AveThe patio here is a total scene. Food is very good but many find it overpriced. It's still a great place to waste a Sunday afternoon drinking margaritas!
While most would argue that Lou Malnati's serves the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza, our family favorite has always been Bacino's. The crust is light, almost like a saltine cracker, and the sauce is a little sweet, tastes like garden fresh tomatoes. You can even order unbaked frozen pies to take home with you at the end of your trip!
7 locals recommend
Bacino's of Lincoln Park
2204 North Lincoln AvenueWhile most would argue that Lou Malnati's serves the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza, our family favorite has always been Bacino's. The crust is light, almost like a saltine cracker, and the sauce is a little sweet, tastes like garden fresh tomatoes. You can even order unbaked frozen pies to take home with you at the end of your trip!
Great, fresh seafood in a super-casual, cozy atmosphere. When in season, the soft shell crab is a must.
15 locals recommend
Half Shell
676 W Diversey PkwyGreat, fresh seafood in a super-casual, cozy atmosphere. When in season, the soft shell crab is a must.
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company
2121 North Clark StreetPizza pot pie! To die for.
Yes, this is a restaurant inside of a Restoration Hardware store. The food is quite good but the atmosphere is beautiful- relax on RH furniture in a large, light-filled atrium while you enjoy the yummy food and a prosecco.
54 locals recommend
3 Arts Club Cafe
1300 N Dearborn StYes, this is a restaurant inside of a Restoration Hardware store. The food is quite good but the atmosphere is beautiful- relax on RH furniture in a large, light-filled atrium while you enjoy the yummy food and a prosecco.
Just awesome deep dish pizza. This place is known for its "caramelized" (some call it burnt) crust, and often for the long wait (both to be seated and for your pizza to come out).
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueJust awesome deep dish pizza. This place is known for its "caramelized" (some call it burnt) crust, and often for the long wait (both to be seated and for your pizza to come out).
Drinks & Nightlife
Coda di Volpe
3335 N Southport AveGreat people watching bar
Ella Elli
1349 W Cornelia AveFabulous chi-chi atmosphere
Awesome place to experiment with what seems like millions of craft beers.
16 locals recommend
Beermiscuous
2812 N Lincoln AveAwesome place to experiment with what seems like millions of craft beers.
Will's Northwoods Inn
3030 N Racine AveFriendly neighborhood bar with cozy beer garden
Replay Lincoln Park
2833 N Sheffield AveFree video games, pinball and Wednesday night Psycho Bingo!
Getting Around
Ventra cards can be purchased or reloaded at the station using cash or credit card
19 locals recommend
Diversey station
943 W Diversey PkwyVentra cards can be purchased or reloaded at the station using cash or credit card
Taking the El to Wrigley Field: take the brown or purple line north (towards Kimball or Linden, respectively) then transfer at Belmont to the red line towards Howard.
15 locals recommend
Wellington station
945 W Wellington AveTaking the El to Wrigley Field: take the brown or purple line north (towards Kimball or Linden, respectively) then transfer at Belmont to the red line towards Howard.
Divvy bike passes are $9.95 per day. Bikes can be checked out as many times as you want during the day for up to 30 minutes at a time. Bikes can be returned to any Divvy station- get the Chicago Bikes app, it locates the nearest Divvy station and tells you how many bikes (or spaces for return) are available.
Divvy Station: Lincoln Ave & Diversey Parkway
Divvy bike passes are $9.95 per day. Bikes can be checked out as many times as you want during the day for up to 30 minutes at a time. Bikes can be returned to any Divvy station- get the Chicago Bikes app, it locates the nearest Divvy station and tells you how many bikes (or spaces for return) are available.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
5313 N Sheridan RdClybourn Station
Commuter trains to get you to the suburbs if that's where you're headed.
Entertainment & Activities
Super challenging, but not impossible, escape game for 3-6 people where they do not mix you together with other parties.
Fox In A Box Escape Room Chicago
47 W Polk StSuper challenging, but not impossible, escape game for 3-6 people where they do not mix you together with other parties.
Power recliners, beer and wine. This place ruins you for all other movie theaters.
59 locals recommend
Regal Webster Place
1471 W Webster AvePower recliners, beer and wine. This place ruins you for all other movie theaters.
If you can score Hamilton tickets, it's a must-see- believe the hype!
19 locals recommend
CIBC Theatre
18 W Monroe StIf you can score Hamilton tickets, it's a must-see- believe the hype!
Charming old theater showing second run movies and serving beer, popcorn and candy. You can also occasionally catch a concert here- great small venue for music.
6 locals recommend
The Brew & View
3145 N Sheffield AveCharming old theater showing second run movies and serving beer, popcorn and candy. You can also occasionally catch a concert here- great small venue for music.
Iconic comedy club where seemingly most of the SNL cast got their start before being cast on the show.
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North AveIconic comedy club where seemingly most of the SNL cast got their start before being cast on the show.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyAmazing selection of seasonal produce and meat from regional farms. Come hungry and get a Gayle's Grilled Cheese, so good!
16 locals recommend
Green City Market Lincoln Park
1817 N Clark StAmazing selection of seasonal produce and meat from regional farms. Come hungry and get a Gayle's Grilled Cheese, so good!
Brand-new, gigantic flagship Whole Foods. You can spend the whole day in here.
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StBrand-new, gigantic flagship Whole Foods. You can spend the whole day in here.
The best grocery store in the world. Combines the best features of Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the big supermarket chains.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveThe best grocery store in the world. Combines the best features of Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the big supermarket chains.
Tide Cleaners
2936 N Lincoln AveQuick and convenient
While they don't stock every brand that a major supermarket would have, they do seem to carry just about anything you might need. Think more variety than a 7-11, but less than a supermarket. Excellent selection of beer and wine, and fantastic deli. And SO close to the house!
32 locals recommend
South Loop Market
1720 S Michigan AveWhile they don't stock every brand that a major supermarket would have, they do seem to carry just about anything you might need. Think more variety than a 7-11, but less than a supermarket. Excellent selection of beer and wine, and fantastic deli. And SO close to the house!
Parks & Nature
Wonderful place for kids and adults. The skating ribbon is ice in the winter, concrete in summer for rollerblading. Mini golf and epic playground also make this park a great family destination.
175 locals recommend
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StWonderful place for kids and adults. The skating ribbon is ice in the winter, concrete in summer for rollerblading. Mini golf and epic playground also make this park a great family destination.
Big, uncrowded and clean beach. The Dock is the cafe at the beach, where you can get a burger and a beer, and occasionally catch some live music in the summer. Stand up paddle boards are also available for rent at this beach.
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
Big, uncrowded and clean beach. The Dock is the cafe at the beach, where you can get a burger and a beer, and occasionally catch some live music in the summer. Stand up paddle boards are also available for rent at this beach.
Surprisingly pretty golf course right on the lake. Usually somewhat crowded, so expect to be paired with another twosome if you go as a pair. Tee times can be made online.
27 locals recommend
Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course
3701 N Recreation DrSurprisingly pretty golf course right on the lake. Usually somewhat crowded, so expect to be paired with another twosome if you go as a pair. Tee times can be made online.
2.7 mile long walking/biking trail built on a former railroad track, very cool way to check out the Wicker Park/Bucktown and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue2.7 mile long walking/biking trail built on a former railroad track, very cool way to check out the Wicker Park/Bucktown and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.
18 mile trail for pedestrians and bikers, easily accessible at the lakefront, just go east and you will run into it! Portions of the trail have separate jog and bike lanes.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront Trail18 mile trail for pedestrians and bikers, easily accessible at the lakefront, just go east and you will run into it! Portions of the trail have separate jog and bike lanes.
Rent electric boats by the hour, bring your food and drinks and tour the river.
Chicago Electric Boat Company
300 N State StRent electric boats by the hour, bring your food and drinks and tour the river.
Sightseeing
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StBeautiful zoo, and admission is free!
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StThe Bean!
So much beautiful architecture along the Chicago River, and these tour guides really know their stuff.
47 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
RiverwalkSo much beautiful architecture along the Chicago River, and these tour guides really know their stuff.