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Chicago’s Best! 🌸
27
items Sections
4
Outdoors!
Museums!
Food!
Other!
Outdoors!
The best places to for yourself, friends, and family that are outdoors!
Description: A cultural and artistic hub in the heart of downtown, with the famous mirrored “Bean,” Crown Fountain, lush gardens, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion for concerts.
Review: Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you still need a photo with The Bean. The ...
Millennium Park
Description: A lively lakefront entertainment district with shops, restaurants, boat tours, live music, and a massive Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan.
Review: Touristy? Sure. But there’s a reason that it’s so popu...
Navy Pier
Description: A sandy beach along Lake Michigan with sweeping skyline views, beach volleyball, bike paths, and plenty of space to chill.
Review: Where else can you sunbathe with skyscrapers in the background? The water’s cold but refreshing. Such a c...
North Avenue Beach
Description: A beautifully landscaped zoo located near the lake. Includes big cats, primates, reptiles, and a peaceful nature boardwalk.
Review: You’d never guess this is in the middle of a big city. Clean and great for a casual stroll. The quality ...
Lincoln Park Zoo
Description: Located just outside Chicago, Brookfield Zoo is a massive, 216-acre wildlife park home to over 2,000 animals from around the world. Known for its wide open habitats, animal encounters, and conservation efforts, it's a favorite for famili...
Brookfield Zoo
Description: The second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and a Chicago institution. Whether you're a Cubs fan or not, the charm and history are undeniable.
Review: Pure Americana. The ivy, the fans, the old-school vibe — it’s baseball at its...
Wrigley Field
Description: A vibrant stretch of North Michigan Avenue, home to luxury boutiques, iconic department stores, fine dining, and historic landmarks.
Review: Even if you’re not shopping, the architecture is stunning. Feels like Fifth Avenue with a Midwe...
Magnificent Mile
a whimsical little green space themed entirely around The Wizard of Oz. It’s not just your average park—here you’ll find bronze statues of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion scattered through tree-lined paths and manicured gardens...
Oz Park
Museums!
Description: A massive natural history museum, home to “Sue” the most complete T. Rex ever discovered, along with ancient mummies, gems, and world cultures.
Review: This is a personal favorite of mine. I could go multiple times and it would never ce...
Field Museum
Description: One of the top aquariums in the world, featuring beluga whales, penguins, stingrays, and immersive aquatic exhibits from around the globe.
Review: It’s like walking into an underwater world. The belugas were the highlight, so graceful. ...
Shedd Aquarium
one of Chicago’s best-kept cultural secrets. It offers an immersive dive into Mexican art, history, and culture with an impressive permanent collection and vibrant temporary exhibits. The museum showcases everything from traditional folk art to conte...
National Museum of Mexican Art
a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in art or history. The building itself feels like a temple to creativity, blending grand classical architecture with modern spaces. Walking through its galleries is an experience of discovery — from ...
The Art Institute of Chicago
Food!
Description: Chicago’s signature deep dish pizza is a must-try. Giordano’s is known for its stuffed crust, while Lou Malnati’s wins fans with its buttery, flaky base.
Review: Lou’s has that golden crust and gooey cheese: you can’t go wrong. It’s hea...
Lou Malnati's
Description:
This cozy brunch spot in Rogers Park mixes neighborhood charm with Instagram-worthy dishes. The menu leans toward hearty American fare with a few fun twists.
Review:
The pancakes are enormous, fluffy, and taste homemade in the best way....
Honeybear Cafe
Description: Los Arcos is a cozy, warm Mexican restaurant with rustic touches and bright splashes of color. The patio (weather permitting) adds a relaxed outdoor element. It’s casual but with attention to detail: homemade tortillas, a lively drink me...
Los Arcos Street Tacos | Saint Joseph MO
Description: Cleo’s is soul food done proud: comforting, hearty, rich flavors, warm hospitality. Lots of fried chicken, catfish, wings, sides that mean business (mac & cheese, candied yams, cornbread muffins). Spaces are often smaller or more cas...
Cleo's
Review: Momotaro is the kind of place that makes you slow down and appreciate each bite, not just for the flavor, but for the craftsmanship. Tucked into the industrial-chic landscape of Fulton Market, the space is sleek without feeling cold — think p...
Momotaro
a tiny, family-owned Irish bar tucked away in the Andersonville neighborhood. It’s cozy, unpretentious, and full of character, with dark wood interiors, vintage Irish decor, and a lineup of classic Irish whiskeys and beers. The bartenders here are li...
The Hidden Shamrock menu photos - Chicago, Illinois
Other!
a landmark both architecturally and culturally. Walking through its marquee-lit entrance feels like stepping into Chicago’s entertainment history. The interior dazzles with vintage glamour — ornate moldings, plush seats, and the famous “C-H-I-C-A-G-O...
The Chicago Theatre | Official Site
gives you a jaw-dropping, panoramic view of the city and lakefront from 94 floors up. The elevator ride itself feels like a thrill, whisking you up in seconds. Once at the top, the expansive windows create a near-360-degree view where you can spot la...
360 Chicago
an intimate magic show tucked inside the Palmer House Hilton that feels like a secret club for those who love mind-bending illusions with a classy twist. Hosted by Dennis Watkins, a master magician with a flair for storytelling, this show isn’t just ...
The Magic Parlour - Chicago
One of Chicago’s most unusual and intriguing museums. Located in a historic Gold Coast mansion, it houses a collection of medical instruments, surgical tools, and fascinating exhibits on the history of surgery. The setting itself—a grand old mansion ...
International Museum of Surgical Science
a hidden lakeside oasis located in Hyde Park. It’s a stretch of landscaped parkland jutting out into Lake Michigan, offering stunning views of the city skyline without the crowds of Navy Pier or Millennium Park. Locals come here to picnic, jog, or ju...
Burnham Park Promontory Point
a cocktail bar that’s all about craft, ambiance, and discretion. It’s not marked by bright signs or flashy décor but by a muted facade and a reputation for stellar drinks. Inside, the vibe is moody and intimate, with soft lighting, comfortable seatin...
The Violet Hour
darkly atmospheric theater in Logan Square specializing in immersive and avant-garde performances. It’s not your typical theater experience — the space itself is intentionally unsettling, with dim lighting, gothic touches, and a focus on pushing the ...
The Charnel House – Former funeral parlor repurposed as a multiarts ...
a cozy, independently owned haven for book lovers who want more than just the usual bestseller lineup. It’s the kind of place where the staff know their stuff and actually recommend books based on your personality or mood, not just what’s trending. T...
Unabridged Bookstore
a hidden oasis on Chicago’s West Side, often overshadowed by Lincoln Park Conservatory. It’s a stunning collection of glasshouses featuring tropical jungles, desert landscapes, and vibrant floral displays all year round. The scale and variety here ar...
Garfield Park Conservatory