Chicago Guide for Locals and Visitors
Explore all Chicago has to offer from restaurants to entertainment to museums.
Map
Favorite Things to Do as a Local
Love this Chicago magic bar with a secret entrance.
Love going to Whirled News or Improv Shakespeare shows. I prefer it over Second City.
Indoor mini golf with a bar
Check out a cubs game. It seems like ticket prices have been lower on seat geek than they are on stub hub recently.
Another fun magic spot. BYOB
Spend the day in Chinatown. Get some soup dumpling and grab some treats from a bakery.
Love seeing a musical.
Cool bar with tons of games and activities to keep you entertained
Love playing whirlyball or renting out the laser tag room
If you're feeling a lil bit creative.
Love this arcade bar. Free games, no cover.
Fun shuffleboard bar
Another fun arcade bar with free games.
I especially love their Christmas shows
A full day itinerary of what to check out around Wrigley Field.
Speakeasy with burlesque and fire dancing on Thursdays. Reserve ahead of time.
Free admission
Things to Do for First Time Visitors
The Architecture Tour is a must do when visiting Chicago
Chicago City Pass to see multiple museums and attractions
Love the views at Hancock, especially at sunset/night
Interesting historical walking tour
Great view from the ferris wheel at Navy Pier
I prefer the view at Hancock, but the Skydeck at Sears Tower is really cool.
This tour was really interesting about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and notorious criminal H.H. Holmes that Devil in the White City is based on.
Chicago Food Tour
Walking tour exploring Chicago's architecture
Check out the Blue Man Group at this small theater on the north side
Graceland Cemetery Walking Tour
Hotels and Hostels
River North Location by the Riverwalk
Location near Maggie Daley Park and Michigan Avenue.
Great hostel option in the River North area
Affordable option on Mag Mile
Love the West Loop neighborhood and this gorgeous hotel. They have a speakeasy in the basement and two other restaurant/bars.
Gorgeous hotel across from Wrigley Field
Unique hotel with spacious suites in Lakeview
Hotel in Old Town/Lincoln Park Area
Restaurants
Excellent restaurant in Wicker Park. The goat cheese oxtail ravioli is to die for.
Best duck in the city! Order the duck feast that feeds 3-4 people. Call to make a reservation
Stephanie Izard is incredible and knows how to integrate flavors in a unique way. Trust me and try the pig face!
Love their ribs and pulled pork. Best bbq in the city.
Beautiful restaurant with excellent food
Another Stephanie Izard restaurant that I love. Get the pork shank.
Check out the rooftop in the summer for a freshly grilled brat and beer.
Get the chocolate cake shake and the beef and cheddar croissant.
Get the quesabirria!
Pizza
My favorite pizza in the city is the Standard Bearer. Soppressata, pickled jalapeños, and a rosemary infused honey drizzle.
Love this place. The goat cheese, fig jam, and proscuitto pizza is sooo good.
Tons of locations and it's the best deep dish in the city
Amazing pizza pot pie
Cocktail Bars
My favorite cozy cocktail bar. Located in Lincoln Park
Another great cocktail bar in Lincoln Park
Beautiful rooftop cocktail bar downtown
Love this cocktail bar at Hotel Zachary across from Wrigley
Cocktails and fish tanks, who knew they go so well together?
Live Music
Intimate concerts in unique venues with 3 local artists. This is one of my favorite ways to see live music.
Great spot for blues.
Jazz spot that Al Capone used to go to.
Chill bar with live music
Museums
Love how interesting this art museum is.
Enjoy an afternoon strolling through the Art Institute.
Check out the Field Museum
Don't forget to check out the murals in the neighborhood after your museum visit.
Unique museum for those looking for something different
Excellent museum
Adler Planetarium
Museum of Science and Industry has a lot to see. Don't miss the U-boat and look for the baby chicks hatching.
Ice cream
Amazing hot fudge sundaes. Multiple locations
The honey cinnamon graham cracker ice cream is my favorite! Amazingly unique flavors.