Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Awesome Brunch place! Especially if you are a hockey fan! A lot of the decor here is geared towards the Chicago Blackhawks! It's a long time owned mom-and-pop diner ( cash only, they have ATM). The burgers are fantastic!
12 locals recommend
Palace Grill Restaurant
1408 W Madison StAwesome Brunch place! Especially if you are a hockey fan! A lot of the decor here is geared towards the Chicago Blackhawks! It's a long time owned mom-and-pop diner ( cash only, they have ATM). The burgers are fantastic!
Forget your typical Starbucks, I highly recommend this dog friendly coffee shop. Completely local, and the coffee is fantastic.
This coffee shop operates in what used to be a bar! Prepare to have iced coffee on tap!
135 locals recommend
Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveForget your typical Starbucks, I highly recommend this dog friendly coffee shop. Completely local, and the coffee is fantastic.
This coffee shop operates in what used to be a bar! Prepare to have iced coffee on tap!
Drinks & Nightlife
Dueling Pianos in downtown Chicago!? This is a great place! Prepare to dress up just a tad more, and there is a $10-20 cover charge that goes towards the musicians!
Well worth it!
24 locals recommend
Howl at the Moon Chicago
26 W Hubbard StDueling Pianos in downtown Chicago!? This is a great place! Prepare to dress up just a tad more, and there is a $10-20 cover charge that goes towards the musicians!
Well worth it!
Amazing Blues bar/snacks/music venue! This place has two stages with amazing local and national performers! Once of the best and oldest blues/jazz bars in Chicago.
458 locals recommend
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StAmazing Blues bar/snacks/music venue! This place has two stages with amazing local and national performers! Once of the best and oldest blues/jazz bars in Chicago.
This is one of my favorite local bars in Chicago. It is a little small with only local regulars , pool table and music, great selection of Chicago craft beers and great food!
I've been coming to this bar for nearly a decade! I love it.
39 locals recommend
The Beetle Bar and Grill
2532 West Chicago AvenueThis is one of my favorite local bars in Chicago. It is a little small with only local regulars , pool table and music, great selection of Chicago craft beers and great food!
I've been coming to this bar for nearly a decade! I love it.
Aside from being a killer live music venue feature many Jazz and Blues musicians, it also happens to be a popular hang out spot for the infamous gangster Al Capone!
Fun Fact: This bar also happens to be an entrance to the underground Chicago tunnels where Al Capone used to smuggle alcohol during the prohibition. Unfortunately it is not open to the public... but it is still really cool trivia!
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayAside from being a killer live music venue feature many Jazz and Blues musicians, it also happens to be a popular hang out spot for the infamous gangster Al Capone!
Fun Fact: This bar also happens to be an entrance to the underground Chicago tunnels where Al Capone used to smuggle alcohol during the prohibition. Unfortunately it is not open to the public... but it is still really cool trivia!
Sightseeing
My personal favorite view of Chicago. You can see the entire lake shore and even part of Indiana! It has a restaurant on the 95th floor, Cocktail bar on the 96th, and the top floor is the viewing with the Chicago Tilt!
157 locals recommend
John Hancock Center
875 North Michigan AvenueMy personal favorite view of Chicago. You can see the entire lake shore and even part of Indiana! It has a restaurant on the 95th floor, Cocktail bar on the 96th, and the top floor is the viewing with the Chicago Tilt!
I feel like Chinatown has become slightly forgotten in Chicago. After living in China for over a year this is my go to when I crave authentic Chinese food. You can find something for everyone here its great to walk and look around the area as the architecture matches the style of it's inhabitants.
Go for some Dim Sum in the morning !
217 locals recommend
Chinatown
I feel like Chinatown has become slightly forgotten in Chicago. After living in China for over a year this is my go to when I crave authentic Chinese food. You can find something for everyone here its great to walk and look around the area as the architecture matches the style of it's inhabitants.
Go for some Dim Sum in the morning !
You can definitely spend a few hours walking around this park. It is a Chicago classic! Go see the Bean, walk through the garden and the arts surrounding the park! It's huge!
I recommend renting a Divi Bike ($3 for the day) and biking the entire park (if weather permits).
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StYou can definitely spend a few hours walking around this park. It is a Chicago classic! Go see the Bean, walk through the garden and the arts surrounding the park! It's huge!
I recommend renting a Divi Bike ($3 for the day) and biking the entire park (if weather permits).
Getting Around
This is the closest "L" - subway stop. The blue line can take you directly to O'Hare airport as well as downtown!
This stop is only a 15 minute walk from my Condo or a 5 minute bus ride.
51 locals recommend
Western Blue Line Station
This is the closest "L" - subway stop. The blue line can take you directly to O'Hare airport as well as downtown!
This stop is only a 15 minute walk from my Condo or a 5 minute bus ride.
This is a bus stop that operates North/South bound on Western Ave. This bus is best used to go to the Western Blue line (5 minute ride) or to go the northern Chicago neighborhoods.
Western & Washington station
This is a bus stop that operates North/South bound on Western Ave. This bus is best used to go to the Western Blue line (5 minute ride) or to go the northern Chicago neighborhoods.
Entertainment & Activities
Famous stadium for many hockey games, basketball games, concerts and more!
200 locals recommend
United Center
1901 W Madison StFamous stadium for many hockey games, basketball games, concerts and more!