Sara's Guidebook for Chicago
Entertainment & Activities
Famous improv theater where many of the greats got their start including Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Alan Alda, Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Chris Farley, Bill Murray, Shelley Long, and many more! The troupe, which started back in the 1950s, has trained and featured hundreds of comedians. Multiple stages are available from which to choose. Visit secondcity.com for more info.
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North AveFamous improv theater where many of the greats got their start including Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Alan Alda, Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Chris Farley, Bill Murray, Shelley Long, and many more! The troupe, which started back in the 1950s, has trained and featured hundreds of comedians. Multiple stages are available from which to choose. Visit secondcity.com for more info.
Zanies Comedy Night Club
1548 N Wells StIntimate standup theatre. Some of the best in the city!
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St Open year round and free of charge. Children welcome.
Parks & Nature
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2430 N Stockton Dr Most beautiful flower displays. It's free. Just go!
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
125 W Fullerton Pkwy Sweet and peaceful place to relax with nature.
Nature and butterfly museum with modest entry fees (only $9 for adults) - a great place to go experience nature if the weather doesn't allow outdoor activities
140 locals recommend
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon DrNature and butterfly museum with modest entry fees (only $9 for adults) - a great place to go experience nature if the weather doesn't allow outdoor activities
Fantastic beach with boathouse, restaurant, and great bike and walking paths! (You can rent bikes there, too!) Also, a terrific tented restaurant at Oak Street Beach in the summer months. Use the North Avenue pedestrian bridge to pass over Lake Shore Drive and get to the beach.
44 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach station
Fantastic beach with boathouse, restaurant, and great bike and walking paths! (You can rent bikes there, too!) Also, a terrific tented restaurant at Oak Street Beach in the summer months. Use the North Avenue pedestrian bridge to pass over Lake Shore Drive and get to the beach.
Food Scene
If only the walls here could talk! Known for cooking Frank Sinatra's favorite ribs! Neighborhood casual feel. Only 1 block west of the apartment on Eugenie. The movie "Return to Me" was filmed here. Established 1932!
71 locals recommend
Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
1655 North Sedgwick StreetIf only the walls here could talk! Known for cooking Frank Sinatra's favorite ribs! Neighborhood casual feel. Only 1 block west of the apartment on Eugenie. The movie "Return to Me" was filmed here. Established 1932!
Intimate French bistro right across the street from Lincoln Park, with an extensive gluten free menu. Valet parking available.
30 locals recommend
Mon Ami Gabi
2300 N Lincoln Park WIntimate French bistro right across the street from Lincoln Park, with an extensive gluten free menu. Valet parking available.
Amazing selection of chocolate bars and drinks - and you can get a shot of espresso in any hot chocolate! The cafe is located at 1651 N. Wells Street. Hours vary based on season.
11 locals recommend
Cocoa + Co. Coffee and Chocolate Cafe
1651 N Wells St Amazing selection of chocolate bars and drinks - and you can get a shot of espresso in any hot chocolate! The cafe is located at 1651 N. Wells Street. Hours vary based on season.
Renowned New American restaurant - one of only two restaurants in Chicago with Michelin recognition!
97 locals recommend
Alinea
1723 N Halsted StRenowned New American restaurant - one of only two restaurants in Chicago with Michelin recognition!
Combined coffeehouse, wine bar, and restaurant located inside the Restoration Hardware - this building was once home to women artists including Katherine Hepburn.
54 locals recommend
3 Arts Club Cafe
1300 N Dearborn StCombined coffeehouse, wine bar, and restaurant located inside the Restoration Hardware - this building was once home to women artists including Katherine Hepburn.
Just 3 short blocks from the apartment is Marge's Still on Sedgwick. Established in 1885, it is the oldest running tavern in Chicago. (During prohibition, the Speakeasy's second floor had a distillery where gin was made.) In 1957, Marge Landeck took ownership of the bar, becoming the first woman in the city of Chicago to obtain a liquor license. Neighborhood feel. Terrific chicken pot pie. Good burgers.
20 locals recommend
Marge's Still
1758 N Sedgwick StJust 3 short blocks from the apartment is Marge's Still on Sedgwick. Established in 1885, it is the oldest running tavern in Chicago. (During prohibition, the Speakeasy's second floor had a distillery where gin was made.) In 1957, Marge Landeck took ownership of the bar, becoming the first woman in the city of Chicago to obtain a liquor license. Neighborhood feel. Terrific chicken pot pie. Good burgers.
Old fashioned neighborhood diner with really, really great omelettes, french toast, sandwiches, salads and home made soups. Good coffee and tea. Can get crowded on Sundays. Outdoor seating in the summer months. This family-run diner is located at 1746 N. Wells Street.
46 locals recommend
Nookies
1746 N Wells StOld fashioned neighborhood diner with really, really great omelettes, french toast, sandwiches, salads and home made soups. Good coffee and tea. Can get crowded on Sundays. Outdoor seating in the summer months. This family-run diner is located at 1746 N. Wells Street.
Arts & Culture
The museum is only 3 blocks east of the apartment. A must-see! (Ask about the political history of the "children's" fountain on the park! Otherwise, see Borzo's newly published "Chicago's Fabulous Fountains" guidebook in the apartment!)
241 locals recommend
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StThe museum is only 3 blocks east of the apartment. A must-see! (Ask about the political history of the "children's" fountain on the park! Otherwise, see Borzo's newly published "Chicago's Fabulous Fountains" guidebook in the apartment!)
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StFascinating museum tracing the history of medicine located inside a classic Gilded Age mansion modeled after Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon
21 locals recommend
International Museum of Surgical Science
1524 N Lake Shore DrFascinating museum tracing the history of medicine located inside a classic Gilded Age mansion modeled after Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon
Founded in 1879, The Art Institute of Chicago, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Its collection comprises approximately 300,000 works of arts — ranging from ancient art through to work being created by today’s foremost artists. Located in the heart of Chicago, just a block from Lake Michigan and adjacent to Millennium Park, the Art Institute is composed of eight buildings, covering nearly one million square feet.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveFounded in 1879, The Art Institute of Chicago, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Its collection comprises approximately 300,000 works of arts — ranging from ancient art through to work being created by today’s foremost artists. Located in the heart of Chicago, just a block from Lake Michigan and adjacent to Millennium Park, the Art Institute is composed of eight buildings, covering nearly one million square feet.
Getting Around
Sedgwick station
It's a short ride from here to the Loop or to Wrigley Field
Essentials
Groceries and fitness
A 24-hour gym just steps away - the facility has an in-ground swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, climbing wall, and yoga classes. Day passes are available. The facility is located right around the corner at 230 W. North Avenue.
57 locals recommend
XSport Fitness
2310 W Logan Blvd A 24-hour gym just steps away - the facility has an in-ground swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, climbing wall, and yoga classes. Day passes are available. The facility is located right around the corner at 230 W. North Avenue.
Farmers market selling local farm produce, baked goods, dairy, meats & pantry items (Saturdays, May-October).
14 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Farmers Market
724 West Armitage AvenueFarmers market selling local farm produce, baked goods, dairy, meats & pantry items (Saturdays, May-October).
This 24-hour drug and convenience store has an assortment of groceries, health & beauty items, plus first-aid supplies and household products. There is also an "immediate care" clinic in the store open 9am to 4pm, run by Advocate Health. The store is only one block south of the apartment and is located at 1601 N. Wells Street.
123 locals recommend
Walgreens
953 W Irving Park RdThis 24-hour drug and convenience store has an assortment of groceries, health & beauty items, plus first-aid supplies and household products. There is also an "immediate care" clinic in the store open 9am to 4pm, run by Advocate Health. The store is only one block south of the apartment and is located at 1601 N. Wells Street.
Features a wide selection of grocery items including many European delights, pastries, full kitchen, plus a wine bar. Delivery available in under one hour. Free two-hour parking with purchase.
64 locals recommend
Plum Market Old Town
1233 N Wells StFeatures a wide selection of grocery items including many European delights, pastries, full kitchen, plus a wine bar. Delivery available in under one hour. Free two-hour parking with purchase.
A full service grocery store with bakery, deli, butcher and liquor section.
139 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
4250 N Lincoln AveA full service grocery store with bakery, deli, butcher and liquor section.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Old Town Ale House is located at 219 W. North Avenue and is known as the "best dive bar in Chicago" - in operation since 1958. The tavern is totally Chicago. The walls feature murals of prominent politicians painted on the walls--including a nude of past Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich--also a nude of past vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. (Plus nudes of the owner's favorite mistresses over the years.) You won't want to miss this.Just keep in mind it smells like old ale. If you stay late enough, you just might run into a few Second City celebrities after their latest show. Drinks only. No food. Juke box included. (The Pour House is not the ALE house.)
27 locals recommend
Old Town Ale House
219 W North AveThe Old Town Ale House is located at 219 W. North Avenue and is known as the "best dive bar in Chicago" - in operation since 1958. The tavern is totally Chicago. The walls feature murals of prominent politicians painted on the walls--including a nude of past Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich--also a nude of past vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. (Plus nudes of the owner's favorite mistresses over the years.) You won't want to miss this.Just keep in mind it smells like old ale. If you stay late enough, you just might run into a few Second City celebrities after their latest show. Drinks only. No food. Juke box included. (The Pour House is not the ALE house.)
Wide selection of wines and spirits. Butterscotch brandy? Yes, they have it!
9 locals recommend
The House of Glunz
1206 N Wells StWide selection of wines and spirits. Butterscotch brandy? Yes, they have it!