Guidebook for Chicago

Melanie
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

LOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
78 os moradores locais recomendam
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California Ave
78 os moradores locais recomendam
LOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
The coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
42 os moradores locais recomendam
C.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta Blvd
42 os moradores locais recomendam
The coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
They have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
6 os moradores locais recomendam
Guerrero's Tacos & Pizza
2534 W Division St
6 os moradores locais recomendam
They have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
Laid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
59 os moradores locais recomendam
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California Ave
59 os moradores locais recomendam
Laid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
Inexpensive rotisserie and southern sides in no frills environment
63 os moradores locais recomendam
Feed
2803 W Chicago Ave
63 os moradores locais recomendam
Inexpensive rotisserie and southern sides in no frills environment
New in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
47 os moradores locais recomendam
Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California Ave
47 os moradores locais recomendam
New in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
Tasty bar food
21 os moradores locais recomendam
The Shelby
2759 West Augusta Boulevard
21 os moradores locais recomendam
Tasty bar food
Hands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
128 os moradores locais recomendam
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western Ave
128 os moradores locais recomendam
Hands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
Authentic Puerto Rican food in casual environment. BYOB.
29 os moradores locais recomendam
Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 W Division St
29 os moradores locais recomendam
Authentic Puerto Rican food in casual environment. BYOB.
Quiet spot for wine and cheese and light fare.
173 os moradores locais recomendam
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenue
173 os moradores locais recomendam
Quiet spot for wine and cheese and light fare.
Coffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
26 os moradores locais recomendam
Cup & Spoon
2415 W North Ave
26 os moradores locais recomendam
Coffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
Hands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
18 os moradores locais recomendam
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
2056 West Division Street
18 os moradores locais recomendam
Hands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
Phenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.
14 os moradores locais recomendam
West Randolph Street
West Randolph Street
14 os moradores locais recomendam
Phenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.

Drinks & Nightlife

Be transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
180 os moradores locais recomendam
The California Clipper
1002 North California Avenue
180 os moradores locais recomendam
Be transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
Recently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
40 os moradores locais recomendam
Queen Mary
2125 W Division St
40 os moradores locais recomendam
Recently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
Good for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
59 os moradores locais recomendam
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division St
59 os moradores locais recomendam
Good for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
Popular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
208 os moradores locais recomendam
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western Ave
208 os moradores locais recomendam
Popular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
Icon Chicago bar for fancy cocktails. An experience! Pricey.
355 os moradores locais recomendam
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 os moradores locais recomendam
Icon Chicago bar for fancy cocktails. An experience! Pricey.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
293 os moradores locais recomendam
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt Dr
293 os moradores locais recomendam
Beautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
Elevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.
241 os moradores locais recomendam
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue
241 os moradores locais recomendam
Elevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.

Essentials

Large beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
CTA Foods
2559 W Division St
Large beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
Great option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
20 os moradores locais recomendam
FAMILY DOLLAR
3748 N Elston Ave
20 os moradores locais recomendam
Great option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
Larger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
111 os moradores locais recomendam
Cermak Produce
2701 W North Ave
111 os moradores locais recomendam
Larger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
Just a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.
866 os moradores locais recomendam
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 os moradores locais recomendam
Just a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.

Sightseeing

The authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
114 os moradores locais recomendam
Centro de Arquitetura de Chicago
111 E Wacker Dr
114 os moradores locais recomendam
The authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
See the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
1243 os moradores locais recomendam
Parque do Milénio
201 E Randolph St
1243 os moradores locais recomendam
See the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.
111 os moradores locais recomendam
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave
111 os moradores locais recomendam
360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.

Arts & Culture

Beautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
1159 os moradores locais recomendam
O Instituto de Arte de Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 os moradores locais recomendam
Beautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
I feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.
33 os moradores locais recomendam
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
40 E Erie St
33 os moradores locais recomendam
I feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.

Shopping

Cute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
One Strange Bird
2124 W Division St
10 os moradores locais recomendam
Cute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
Men and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
50 os moradores locais recomendam
Penelope's
1913 W Division St
50 os moradores locais recomendam
Men and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
Great local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.
29 os moradores locais recomendam
Komoda
2559 W Chicago Ave
29 os moradores locais recomendam
Great local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.