Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
This is a brand new mini-Target just 3 blocks east of the apt. It's great and has everything you could possibly need. Open from 8am to 11pm every day, except they close at 10pm on Sunday nights.
35 locals recommend
Target
2901 S Cicero AveThis is a brand new mini-Target just 3 blocks east of the apt. It's great and has everything you could possibly need. Open from 8am to 11pm every day, except they close at 10pm on Sunday nights.
Just a few blocks east of the apt. They sell day or weekly guest passes. Nice equipment. Yoga classes. No pool unfortunately.
10 locals recommend
Wicker Park Athletic Club
1635 W Division StJust a few blocks east of the apt. They sell day or weekly guest passes. Nice equipment. Yoga classes. No pool unfortunately.
Food Scene
Just a block away. Perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch, coffee or some baked goods. Try the orange almond french toast. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm. Can be crazy crowded at brunch time.
94 locals recommend
Milk & Honey
1920 W Division StJust a block away. Perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch, coffee or some baked goods. Try the orange almond french toast. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm. Can be crazy crowded at brunch time.
Mirai Sushi
990 W Division StUpscale Sushi just around the corner from the apt.
Total hipster scene in the summer with their huge outdoor patio, great tacos and cocktails overlooking Damen. Worth a visit, but can be very loud if you sit inside.
1178 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTotal hipster scene in the summer with their huge outdoor patio, great tacos and cocktails overlooking Damen. Worth a visit, but can be very loud if you sit inside.
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveGreat place for breakfast or lunch. Huge, high quality portions.
Simple hole-in-the-wall burgers, fries and shakes. But the BEST BURGERS FRIES AND SHAKES! Cute patio in the summer, go here when Big Star's patio is full.
161 locals recommend
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveSimple hole-in-the-wall burgers, fries and shakes. But the BEST BURGERS FRIES AND SHAKES! Cute patio in the summer, go here when Big Star's patio is full.
Comfort food and incredible desserts. You won't regret overindulging here at least once on your visit.
108 locals recommend
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveComfort food and incredible desserts. You won't regret overindulging here at least once on your visit.
There are 3 good Italian restaurants within a block of the apartment, but Nando is the best. Charming little spot. Great food. They don't have pizzas, you will have to go to Parlor or Piece for that!
14 locals recommend
Nando Milano Trattoria
There are 3 good Italian restaurants within a block of the apartment, but Nando is the best. Charming little spot. Great food. They don't have pizzas, you will have to go to Parlor or Piece for that!
In case you need a steak and glass of Rioja! Just a block from the apt. Great patio in summer. Cozy and candlelit the rest of the year.
63 locals recommend
Folklore | Argentine Restaurant
2100 W Division StIn case you need a steak and glass of Rioja! Just a block from the apt. Great patio in summer. Cozy and candlelit the rest of the year.
Chic ristorante serving Neapolitan pizza & other Italian fare in a sleek, modern space with a patio.
10 locals recommend
Tocco
1266 N Milwaukee AveChic ristorante serving Neapolitan pizza & other Italian fare in a sleek, modern space with a patio.
Not a close as Mirai, but cheaper and more casual Japanese BYOB spot with a modern menu of maki, sashimi & more plus a few cooked dishes. About 5 blocks east of apt.
27 locals recommend
Seadog Sushi Bar
3344 1500 W Division StNot a close as Mirai, but cheaper and more casual Japanese BYOB spot with a modern menu of maki, sashimi & more plus a few cooked dishes. About 5 blocks east of apt.
Urbanbelly
1542 N Damen AveKorean-Asian fusion next to the Damen Blue line stop. Communal tables.
Hip hangout with gastropub eats, craft beer & signature cocktails in an industrial-chic setting.
28 locals recommend
Anker
Hip hangout with gastropub eats, craft beer & signature cocktails in an industrial-chic setting.
Hip, cozy haunt with a '50s train-car vibe serving American pub fare & specialty martinis.
36 locals recommend
Blue Line Lounge & Grill
1548 N Damen AveHip, cozy haunt with a '50s train-car vibe serving American pub fare & specialty martinis.
Casual cafe serving coffee & housemade baked goods made without bleached flours plus pizza & panini.
52 locals recommend
Letizia's Natural Bakery
2144 W Division StCasual cafe serving coffee & housemade baked goods made without bleached flours plus pizza & panini.
Chill, industrial coffee & tea bar with seating & live music set in a funky record store.
7 locals recommend
Purple Llama
2140 W Division StChill, industrial coffee & tea bar with seating & live music set in a funky record store.
Cafe at The Robey hotel offering American fare for brunch & dinner, plus a cocktail lounge upstairs.
27 locals recommend
Cafe Robey
1600 N Milwaukee AveCafe at The Robey hotel offering American fare for brunch & dinner, plus a cocktail lounge upstairs.
Cumin
1414 N Milwaukee AveThe only Indian place in Wicker Park!
Local high-end coffee bar chain serving daily roasted brews in an industrial-chic setting. Right across the street from the Division Blue line subway station.
53 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Wicker Park Coffeebar
1609 W Division StLocal high-end coffee bar chain serving daily roasted brews in an industrial-chic setting. Right across the street from the Division Blue line subway station.
Hip, modern cafe serving ground-on-demand coffee & specialty brews plus tea & pastries.
77 locals recommend
Caffè Streets
1750 W Division StHip, modern cafe serving ground-on-demand coffee & specialty brews plus tea & pastries.
Parks & Nature
The Bloomingdale Trail aka The 606 is a repurposed old rail line turned urban walkway. Great place for a stroll, jog or bike ride with interesting views of Bucktown & Humboldt Park neighborhoods. Walk north on Damen 6 blocks to Bloomindale to enter.
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueThe Bloomingdale Trail aka The 606 is a repurposed old rail line turned urban walkway. Great place for a stroll, jog or bike ride with interesting views of Bucktown & Humboldt Park neighborhoods. Walk north on Damen 6 blocks to Bloomindale to enter.
Just up the street a few blocks north is this charming triangular city park the neighborhood is named for. Take a stroll around the park and see the historic homes that surround it.
371 locals recommend
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveJust up the street a few blocks north is this charming triangular city park the neighborhood is named for. Take a stroll around the park and see the historic homes that surround it.
One of the last "free" zoos in the country. Super charming and great for all ages.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StOne of the last "free" zoos in the country. Super charming and great for all ages.
Arts & Culture
One of the best art museums in the world with an incredible collection of French Post Impression. Too big to see in a day. Try their restaurant Terzo Piano atop the new modern wing for incredible views of the city and good food.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveOne of the best art museums in the world with an incredible collection of French Post Impression. Too big to see in a day. Try their restaurant Terzo Piano atop the new modern wing for incredible views of the city and good food.
Independent theatre company 4 blocks from the apt. that produces theater, music, film & literary events on multiple stages in an almost 100 year old small theatre.
40 locals recommend
Chopin Theatre
1543 W Division StIndependent theatre company 4 blocks from the apt. that produces theater, music, film & literary events on multiple stages in an almost 100 year old small theatre.
Amazing museum that explains all things "Chicago". A fav and right by the Lincoln Park Zoo.
241 locals recommend
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StAmazing museum that explains all things "Chicago". A fav and right by the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Chicago's Modern Art showcase. Always has great new shows and there's an amazing restaurant called Marisol there too.
532 locals recommend
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveChicago's Modern Art showcase. Always has great new shows and there's an amazing restaurant called Marisol there too.
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrMy favorite museum in the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
GOLD STAR BAR
1755 West Division StreetClassic Chicago "dive bar" just two blocks east of the apt.
Touristy, but amazing views of the city. Great place to go for a drink at sunset. I especially love going here to watch thunder storms in the summer time.
527 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveTouristy, but amazing views of the city. Great place to go for a drink at sunset. I especially love going here to watch thunder storms in the summer time.
An old-school saloon with original furnishings houses this cozy, maritime-themed craft cocktail bar.
40 locals recommend
Queen Mary
2125 W Division StAn old-school saloon with original furnishings houses this cozy, maritime-themed craft cocktail bar.
Intimate bar/lounge with sing-alongs & stage shows plus special nights for open mike or karaoke.
6 locals recommend
Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret
1383 N Milwaukee AveIntimate bar/lounge with sing-alongs & stage shows plus special nights for open mike or karaoke.
Creative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar just a few blocks north of the apt. on Damen.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveCreative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar just a few blocks north of the apt. on Damen.
Indie music venue & bar hosting alternative bands in a somewhat small space with cheap drinks.
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveIndie music venue & bar hosting alternative bands in a somewhat small space with cheap drinks.
The vintage neighborhood bar just at the end of the block. You can either start or end your night here and walk home. Classic Chicago dive bar turned hipster bar. Photo booth! Kind of a must see.
81 locals recommend
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveThe vintage neighborhood bar just at the end of the block. You can either start or end your night here and walk home. Classic Chicago dive bar turned hipster bar. Photo booth! Kind of a must see.
Two-floor venue with a variety of live entertainment from musicians to DJs to burlesque dancers.
57 locals recommend
Subterranean
2011 W North AveTwo-floor venue with a variety of live entertainment from musicians to DJs to burlesque dancers.
Art deco lounge with late-night hours & a menu of cocktails, craft beers & burgers.
25 locals recommend
Estelle's Cafe & Lounge
2013 W North AveArt deco lounge with late-night hours & a menu of cocktails, craft beers & burgers.
Intimate penthouse lounge/ bar at the top of the newly restored historic landmark art deco Robey hotel. Craft cocktails and the BEST PANORAMIC VIEW of Chicago outside downtown. MUST SEE!
37 locals recommend
The Up Room
2018 W North AveIntimate penthouse lounge/ bar at the top of the newly restored historic landmark art deco Robey hotel. Craft cocktails and the BEST PANORAMIC VIEW of Chicago outside downtown. MUST SEE!
Sightseeing
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StYou have to go see Anish Kapoor's sculpture in Millenium Park.
Chicago's front yard garden. A must see especially in summer, less so in winter. Great free concerts at the Frank Gehry designed Pritzker Pavillion.
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StChicago's front yard garden. A must see especially in summer, less so in winter. Great free concerts at the Frank Gehry designed Pritzker Pavillion.
Chicago's "main street". Fun to walk from the Art Institute to the John Hancock across the Chicago River.
56 locals recommend
Michigan Avenue
Michigan AvenueChicago's "main street". Fun to walk from the Art Institute to the John Hancock across the Chicago River.
Go here to see a mini model of the entire city. They also have amazing architectural tours and boat cruises on the river.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrGo here to see a mini model of the entire city. They also have amazing architectural tours and boat cruises on the river.
Shopping
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveLocal Chicago record store chain.
Shuga Records
1272 N Milwaukee AveDusty Groove
1120 N Ashland Ave