Things to Do in Chicago
Welcome to my hometown - City on the Lake, City of Big Shoulders (see Carl Sandburg), the Windy City (for it's politicians, not its weather), the Second City (for its former population status), and the "most American city." Home to Ferris Bueller, the Mean Girls, Batman, Home Alone, Urkle, Oprah, Steve Harvey, almost every John Hughes movie, and of course, the Blues Brothers.
It showcases some of the best examples of Modern Architecture (due in part to the Chicago Fire of 1871) and the worst examples of racial segregation (as arguably the most segregated city in the country). It's promoted Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama to national prominence, as well as the Daley Machine, Rod Blagojevich, and Chicago politics.
But welcome and enjoy!
Large Exhibits
Millennium Park
Sears (Willis) Tower
Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings
Lincoln Park Zoo
Brookfield Zoo (much better, but in the suburbs)
Art Institute
Adler Planetarium
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago History Museum
Field Museum
Wrigley Field
Shedd Aquarium
Garfield Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Botanical Gardens
the El
Architecture tour 312-922-3432
Free concerts in the park
Theater
Hubbard Street
Joffrey Ballet
Lyric Opera
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Blue Man Group
Kiss Kiss Cabaret
Gorilla Tango Burlesque
Steppenwolf
Goodman
Looking glass
Improv
Second City (training ground for SNL with alumni including Alan Arkin, Fred Willard, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, etc)
Baby Wants Candy (Fully Improvised Musical)
TJ and Dave (Best Improvisers in the Country)
Deltones (Fully Improvised Musical)
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Longest Running Show)
Improv Shakespeare (Fully Improvised Shakespeare)
Music
Buddy Guy's Legends (Great Blues Music)
Green Mill (Formerly owned by Al Capone's top killer)
California clipper (1940s style and Music)
Kingston Mines
Rosas
The hideout
Jazz showcase
Gospel - Chicago is the Birthplace of Gospel (due to the combination of churches and blues)
- Trinity United Church of Christ
- Acme Baptist Missionary
- House of Blues Sunday Brunch
- Salem Baptist Church
Foods
-Hot Dog (Chicago Style), Italian Beef (wet), Sausage with peppers, and a Slice of Deep Dish are must-dos
Hot dog Chicago style
- Wiener Circle (get a chocolate shake too)
- Hot Dougs (gourmet hot dogs)
- Jean and Judes
- SuperDawg
Italian beef
- Mr. Beef (666 N Orleans)
- Portillos
Gyro
Burgers
- Kumas Korner
- Owen and Engine
- Nightwood
BBQ - Tomato-based sauce, as opposed to the South's Vinegar-base
- 1) Twin Anchors (Ribs absolutely)
- 2) Smoke Daddy-2nd best ribs, best corn bread, live music
- 3) Fat Willy's
- 4) Smoque BBQ
British
- Pleasant House Bakery
Brunch
- Lula Cafe (2537 N. Kedzie)
- Ann Sather
Creole
-Norman's Bistro
-Heaven on Seven
Diners
- Mannys
- Ellys
- Lou Mitchells
French
-D&J Bistro
Greek
- Pegasus
Italian
- La Gondola
- Tufano's Vernon Park Tap (Founded by Capone's personal chef)
- A Tavola
- Rosebud
Indian
- India House
Moroccan
- Shokran Moroccan Restaurant
Pho
- Hai Yen
- Pho Row (Vietnamese area of town on Argyle)
- Pasteour
- Saigon sisters at the French market
- Bai-le (Vietnamese sandwiches)
Pie
- Hoosier Mama
- First Slice
- Bang Bang
- Sweet potato pie - new pine valley family restaurant 1600 s Pulaski Chicago (4:30am-7:30pm)
Pizza
- Great Lakes Pizza
- Coalfire
- Piece
- Medici Pizza
- Lou Malnatis (deep dish)
-Pizzeria Uno (the original deep dish?)
Pork
-Purple Pig
-Pork Shop (Steak or Pork Belly Pastrami)
Ramen
- 1) Slurping Turtle
- 2) Noodles at Takashis
- 3) Wasabi
- 4) Uni Sushi
- 5) Oiistar
- 6) Four Belly
Russian
-Russian Team Time (77 E Adams)
Seafood
- Shaw's Crab House (21 E Hubbard)
Shrimp
- Goose Island Shrimp Shack (1011 w division)
- Lawrence's Fisheries 24 hr (fried catfish)
Sushi
- 1) Arami
- 2) Marai
- 3) Kaisan
- 4) Coast
Soul Food
-Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles
Tacos
- Big Star
- Antique Taco
- Rubis (Sunday only?)
- Del Seoul (Asian tacos)
Thai
- Noodles in the Pot
Mandy Bs (cupcake)
Julius Meinel (coffee/chai)
Marges (ice cream)
Harold's chicken shop
Ninety mile (Cuban)
Happy village ( beer garden)
Indian Village (Best Indian Food)
Chicago pizza tour 800-979-3370
Upscale
La Gondola
Next
Alinea
Publican
Topolobambo
Sierra
Frontera
Mercadito
Bars
Brewpubs
- The Hop Leaf
- Goose Island Brewery
Hubbard inn (Hemingway inspired)
Twisted Spoke
Violet Hour
Untitled
The Aviary (best bartender)
Barrelhouse Flat
Sable
Bridget Albert (mixologist)
Welcome to my hometown - City on the Lake, City of Big Shoulders (see Carl Sandburg), the Windy City (for it's politicians, not its weather), the Second City (for its former population status), and the "most American city." Home to Ferris Bueller, the Mean Girls, Batman, Home Alone, Urkle, Oprah, Steve Harvey, almost every John Hughes movie, and of course, the Blues Brothers.
It showcases some of the best examples of Modern Architecture (due in part to the Chicago Fire of 1871) and the worst examples of racial segregation (as arguably the most segregated city in the country). It's promoted Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama to national prominence, as well as the Daley Machine, Rod Blagojevich, and Chicago politics.
But welcome and enjoy!
Large Exhibits
Millennium Park
Sears (Willis) Tower
Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings
Lincoln Park Zoo
Brookfield Zoo (much better, but in the suburbs)
Art Institute
Adler Planetarium
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago History Museum
Field Museum
Wrigley Field
Shedd Aquarium
Garfield Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Botanical Gardens
the El
Architecture tour 312-922-3432
Free concerts in the park
Theater
Hubbard Street
Joffrey Ballet
Lyric Opera
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Blue Man Group
Kiss Kiss Cabaret
Gorilla Tango Burlesque
Steppenwolf
Goodman
Looking glass
Improv
Second City (training ground for SNL with alumni including Alan Arkin, Fred Willard, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, etc)
Baby Wants Candy (Fully Improvised Musical)
TJ and Dave (Best Improvisers in the Country)
Deltones (Fully Improvised Musical)
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Longest Running Show)
Improv Shakespeare (Fully Improvised Shakespeare)
Music
Buddy Guy's Legends (Great Blues Music)
Green Mill (Formerly owned by Al Capone's top killer)
California clipper (1940s style and Music)
Kingston Mines
Rosas
The hideout
Jazz showcase
Gospel - Chicago is the Birthplace of Gospel (due to the combination of churches and blues)
- Trinity United Church of Christ
- Acme Baptist Missionary
- House of Blues Sunday Brunch
- Salem Baptist Church
Foods
-Hot Dog (Chicago Style), Italian Beef (wet), Sausage with peppers, and a Slice of Deep Dish are must-dos
Hot dog Chicago style
- Wiener Circle (get a chocolate shake too)
- Hot Dougs (gourmet hot dogs)
- Jean and Judes
- SuperDawg
Italian beef
- Mr. Beef (666 N Orleans)
- Portillos
Gyro
Burgers
- Kumas Korner
- Owen and Engine
- Nightwood
BBQ - Tomato-based sauce, as opposed to the South's Vinegar-base
- 1) Twin Anchors (Ribs absolutely)
- 2) Smoke Daddy-2nd best ribs, best corn bread, live music
- 3) Fat Willy's
- 4) Smoque BBQ
British
- Pleasant House Bakery
Brunch
- Lula Cafe (2537 N. Kedzie)
- Ann Sather
Creole
-Norman's Bistro
-Heaven on Seven
Diners
- Mannys
- Ellys
- Lou Mitchells
French
-D&J Bistro
Greek
- Pegasus
Italian
- La Gondola
- Tufano's Vernon Park Tap (Founded by Capone's personal chef)
- A Tavola
- Rosebud
Indian
- India House
Moroccan
- Shokran Moroccan Restaurant
Pho
- Hai Yen
- Pho Row (Vietnamese area of town on Argyle)
- Pasteour
- Saigon sisters at the French market
- Bai-le (Vietnamese sandwiches)
Pie
- Hoosier Mama
- First Slice
- Bang Bang
- Sweet potato pie - new pine valley family restaurant 1600 s Pulaski Chicago (4:30am-7:30pm)
Pizza
- Great Lakes Pizza
- Coalfire
- Piece
- Medici Pizza
- Lou Malnatis (deep dish)
-Pizzeria Uno (the original deep dish?)
Pork
-Purple Pig
-Pork Shop (Steak or Pork Belly Pastrami)
Ramen
- 1) Slurping Turtle
- 2) Noodles at Takashis
- 3) Wasabi
- 4) Uni Sushi
- 5) Oiistar
- 6) Four Belly
Russian
-Russian Team Time (77 E Adams)
Seafood
- Shaw's Crab House (21 E Hubbard)
Shrimp
- Goose Island Shrimp Shack (1011 w division)
- Lawrence's Fisheries 24 hr (fried catfish)
Sushi
- 1) Arami
- 2) Marai
- 3) Kaisan
- 4) Coast
Soul Food
-Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles
Tacos
- Big Star
- Antique Taco
- Rubis (Sunday only?)
- Del Seoul (Asian tacos)
Thai
- Noodles in the Pot
Mandy Bs (cupcake)
Julius Meinel (coffee/chai)
Marges (ice cream)
Harold's chicken shop
Ninety mile (Cuban)
Happy village ( beer garden)
Indian Village (Best Indian Food)
Chicago pizza tour 800-979-3370
Upscale
La Gondola
Next
Alinea
Publican
Topolobambo
Sierra
Frontera
Mercadito
Bars
Brewpubs
- The Hop Leaf
- Goose Island Brewery
Hubbard inn (Hemingway inspired)
Twisted Spoke
Violet Hour
Untitled
The Aviary (best bartender)
Barrelhouse Flat
Sable
Bridget Albert (mixologist)
