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Unique and Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to do in Chicago
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items What can you do in Chicago that’s different from what everyone else does… wonder no more!
Sections
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Classes and Activities
Chicago Film, Theater, and Other Entertainment
Classes and Activities
Eat and walk it off! Special and classic donuts. Bring your appetite.
Chicago Original Donut Tour - Best Chicago Donut Tour Experience
Create your own signature scent! 1, 1.5, and 2 hour bookings. Learn about fragrances notes, mix up your faves, and leave with something uniquely YOU.
Perfume | The Aroma Labs
You’ve read the book, now take the tour. If you were fascinated by the historical story about a serial killer preying upon Chicago citizens and visitors, with a backdtop of the 1893 Worlds Fair, come see the locations!
2025 The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour (Chicago) - with Reviews
Make your own wallet - 3 hour class. Beginner level that is suitable for you alone, with friends, or as an event - corporate, birthday. etc. Always fun to have something to take with you at the end.
Wallet Making Workshop — Alexandria Wills
Huge, beautiful, great for taking botanical pictures. Also very affordable. It's in a bit of a sketchy neighborhood, but plenty of parking and very safe at the location.
Garfield Park Conservatory - Garfield Park Conservatory
Avoid if you are sensitive to sassy language. Hot dogs and sides are tasty enough, but the draw is the insults from across the counter. The staff will make you laugh at your own expense. Great after a corporate event to surprise your hard-to-offend c...
The Wieners Circle
A little pricey, but they provide all the materials and tools. Worth it if you want to learn mosaic art.
The Chicago Mosaic School Classes & Workshops
Great daytime activity in the Spring and Summer. Check out the map and see if you think it's for you. The trail also hosts events like “Arts on the Trail” that you can look into.
Bloomingdale Trail
Funky shop, with an every-changing roster of clases - Tarot, Spell-casting…
Sideshow Gallery - Art, Shop, Classes
Records, tapes and assorted unique items. Fun for a lackadaisical shopping day.
Bric-a-Brac Records & Coll…
Chicago Film, Theater, and Other Entertainment
Cool film houses, and unique or distinct events, and activity locations in and around Chicago
So much fun - you go in through the laundromat, behind a secret door, into a 1920s deco bar, and then - when the show's ready to start, escorted into the theater. Super fun!
Chicago Magic Lounge | Magic Bar and Theater | Andersonville
Good food, full bar, super comfortable seats and movies galore!
Alamo Drafthouse Ci…
Year-Round Scares. Of course they do a Halloween house, but they also have a Krampus Christmas, Love Bites Valentines house, and a half-yearly Halloween in Spring. It’s one of the best haunted attractions I’ve been to, and I’m an aficionado 😀 I’ve g...
13th Floor Haunted House Chicago
Can bring kids ages 6-12. I think they need to do an adult’s-only version, but for now, it’s a family event. Super fun!
Dozin' with the Dinos - Spend the Night at the Field Museum