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Great Places to Go in the Chicago Area
41
items Great places to go to in my home city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs within Cook County.
Sections
3
Well Known Places and Public Attractions
Food
Fun Activities to Do
Well Known Places and Public Attractions
There's not a better riverwalk in all of America. It's free, it's exciting, and it's a journey where you'll find so many places, people and activities taking place.
Chicago Riverwalk
Regardless of who's performing and what day/night it is, spending time at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is memorable and worth the money. It's hard to find something else rival this if you want to see a show.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Free for everyone, Grant Park is a splendid area of nature that's right by Lake Michigan. Even in winter, it's worth going to.
Grant (Ulysses) Park | Chicago Park District
The massive park near Lake Michigan has so many fun places to go to. The Field Museum, a golf course, several beaches and the Wooded Island are the main attractions. It's easy to get lost through the park since it stretches a good part of the south-e...
Jackson (Andrew) Park
Home of the Bean, a ton of sky scrapers, concerts, and a lot of fun social places, Millennium Park is one of the best places to be in open space downtown. There are so many sites and plenty of room for videos, pictures, and live action memories to ma...
Millennium Park - City of Chicago
Unlike any other place in the city, state and region. Built during the World's Fair, Navy Pier has a lot of fun shopping areas, places to eat, lake and city scenery, a ferris wheel, and a movie theater. An absolute must for any tourist or new residen...
Navy Pier: Home | Chicago's Waterfront Destination
The most iconic building and landmark of the Windy City. It's everything a tourist and native loves. Massive close up, noticeable far away, fun to be in, and an incredible compass should you start to wander too far. Whatever name you call it, this is...
Sears a.k.a. Willis Tower
The mirror, bean-shaped statue designed by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor is a fascinating attraction near Chicago's lakefront. The history of this sculpture is fascinating enough if you'd never seen it before this review. In person, it's a un ...
The Bean (Cloud Gate) in Chicago
The well known Chicago Picasso has been one of the well-known public attractions in the Windy City for decades. The precursor of the Bean in many ways, the Picasso looks on by at Washington Street as rush hour traffic goes by. Many are still fascinat...
The Picasso
Food
The best food in Cook County, IL. If it's not from Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, it's NOT worth eating.
This breakfast and lunch restaurant is at the border of the southwest suburbs of Berwyn and Stickney. It's become quite popular despite being at the same location over four decades. Packed on the weekends, the pancakes, milkshakes, fruit, corn beef s...
Alexanders Restaurant & Pancake House
Being a resident, I've had this pizza all my life at least once a month or two. Despite some ingredient changes, it's fantastic and a traditional blue-collar pizza place. Underrated since it's not a big brand name.
Anthony's Pizza - Berwyn, IL - 6237 Cermak Rd - Hours, Menu ...
This Ethiopian restaurant is on the northern side of Chicago. The service and the food is fantastic. Great restaurant to go for a date.
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant - Chicago
If you're looking for quality food, great service and fantastic pie, this place (the last restaurant is on the northern side of the county) is perfect.
Bakers Square: Local Restaurant, Pie Shop, & Bakery
If you're into meats, authentic service and uncommon side dishes, Buona Beef is your place. Sides like macaroni salad compliment either Italian beef or hotdogs. The shakes and desserts after will leave you full.
Buona | Chicago's Original Italian Beef
This hilarious 1950s themed restaurant has it all: great food, quirky servers, and lots of snark. You should know that this is a place to have fun and expect sarcasm as the common greeting, not formal or polite mannerisms. Have fun and don't be tense...
Ed Debevic's: 50s Chicago Diner with Snarky Servers
Very hard to find pictures of/for, but the Cicero coffee, matcha and smoothie café is fun to stop at, socialize in and have some fantastic baked goods with your drinks. The staff is wonderful and nothing is overpriced.
fantasia cafe (@fantasia_cafe__)
The best lists of Chicago restaurants always have Giordano's. Despite heavy advertising in the city and county, this place is for tourists and residents who want to indulge once or twice a year. You must come on an empty stomach because the food fill...
Giordano's Pizza: Authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
One of the more famous hotdog places in Cook County, Henry's is an iconic eatery just outside of Chicago's Route 66. The street it's on is pretty busy, so it's better to park and eat in. Very 1950s themed.
Henry's Drive-In
Due to how many there are, no address is needed. Literally go to any you find in the county and they'll serve you some of the best ever pizza.
Home Run Inn
Located further west of Cook County in a town called Countryside, Honey Fluff is located in a mall. It's a must for any donut fanatic and shopaholic. Their constant, growing variety of pastries will want you coming back over and over.
Honey Fluff Donuts
This is one of my personal favorites. From going here with friends throughout middle school to throwing my 30th birthday party, Ledo's has fantastic service, wonderful food and a cool place to spread out and enjoy the afternoon or night. If you want ...
Ledo's Pizza: Voted Best in the Midwest | Countryside, IL
There are so many pizza places in Chicago but very few come close to or surpass the variety like Lou Malnati's. Ranging from succulent deep dish to tasty thin crusts, Lou Malnati's is an absolute must to any tourist or new resident.
Lou Malnati's, the Best Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Restaurant
If you want something latin-based, Mi Tierra is one of county's best. It used to be in Berwyn and moved to Little Village over a decade ago, so you'll be closer to the city and some cool sites. Service is fantastic and the mariachi bands liven the at...
Mi Tierra En La Villita
Located in Berwyn, this Chinese restaurant is newly remodeled and been a long-time favorite for many just outside Chicago. Service is great and the people who own it care about making customers satisfied.
N Joy Chop Suey | 7140 Windsor Avenue Berwyn | Order Online
Similar to Buona Beef. If you're into well seasoned and cooked Italian meats, this is another place to go. Pasta sides, quality milkshakes and good desserts make it a classic. The one along Route 66 is the best one.
Novi's Beef: Specializes In Beef
Settled in what was the old Bakers Square building in downtown LaGrange, the Original Pancake House serves some of the best breakfasts anyone could try in outer Cook County. The crepes, skillets and pancakes are fantastic.
The Original Pancake House La Grange
There's over a dozen Pepe's located throughout Cook County. Decent restaurant and good hours. Only a few are open around midnight, which could be a bummer for any new resident or tourist feeling undecided about what else serves before 8 p.m.
Pepe's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Food in Chicago and ...
If you're in the mood for well-seasoned hotdogs, great fries and a large drink, then Portillo's is your place. The hotdogs are unlike anything you'll have and the burgers are thick and juicy.
Portillo's: Order Unrivaled Chicago Street Food
While there are chains throughout the country, Red Robin's done right in the county. Unfortunately there's only one in the county, located in the village of Norridge. The creativity from sides and main courses, to desserts and drinks makes this an in...
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
If you're looking for a smaller food place that's excellent in quality, look no further than White Fence Farm. They're well known in Romeoville (out of county) and Riverside (in county at Berwyn's border). The fried shrimp, chicken and fish are some ...
White Fence Farm
Fun Activities to Do
While the above have public places to see, enjoy and possibly eat at, this section is for fun activities for anyone wanting creativity. Be prepared to pay for some of these.
Located in the suburb of Brookfield, this county famous zoo is one of more promoted, advertised and better suburban sights. The animals are well cared after by the workers and it's rare to have anything go wrong. Great for any age.
Brookfield Zoo
Great building that's headlining concerts weekly. While the wait can be long, it's worth going to, wandering in and seeing an artist you like.
Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Tickets & Schedule | Chicago ...
Once considered a vital part of the I&M canal, the Chicago Portage National Historic Site is one of only two National Historic Sites in Illinois. The statue marks the western end of the historic portage linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi ...
Chicago Portage National Historic Site
If you're native to Cook County, you've been here at least once. If you're new resident or a tourist, this is a must to visit and spend time in. The Field Museum features many scientific exhibit, and is renowned for it's dinosaur section led by Sue t...
Field Museum
Almost like the Field Museum but switch out the dinosaurs for business, architecture and agriculture. Us natives know a lot about this place. A must for new residents and tourists.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
If there's a library anyone should go to at least once, it's the Harold Washington. The full-service building has at least 10 levels, and each is very different. Whether for kids, interests in history, technology, geography or fun reads, Harold Washi...
Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library
If you're into tricks, illusions, puzzles and bring friends, this can be one of the funnest places anyone goes to. You'll leave wanting to return.
Museum of Illusions Chicago
A crowned jewel located in the Chicago's western suburb North Riverside. The shopping mall has a lot of fun shops and places to get lost in. The surrounding stores, restaurants, craft outlets and business areas feed into the giant (and revamped) mall...
North Riverside Park Mall
Shedd Aquarium is the water version of the Field Museum. Residents are always on the lookout for free-days and tourists/new residents should look up what fun events happen year-round. There's a lot of wildlife; whether it's the octopi trying to escap...
Shedd Aquarium
If you're down for an activity of casual drinking, learning/wanting to spray paint and in an artful mood, this is for you. Located in a mall, the drive is nice and it's super fun to spray paint. Time will fly, even for newbies.
Spray Paint 'n' Sip - Chicago | Native 312 Events - Studio W.I.P.
The crowned jewel of art in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. Here you'll see all kinds of wonderful works on display on the numerous floors. Whether contemporary, vintage, prehistoric, futuristic, or even just to shop, this building is one of the p...
The Art Institute of Chicago