Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Typical sports bar with decent food. Good place to watch the game, and very walkable from the house.
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Leader Bar
3000 W Irving Park RdTypical sports bar with decent food. Good place to watch the game, and very walkable from the house.
LGBTQ+ friendly local spot (especially for the ladies) with live small band music on the weekends. It almost feels suburban. Walkable. It's just about 3-4 blocks east on Irving.
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Lizard's Liquid Lounge
3058 W Irving Park RdLGBTQ+ friendly local spot (especially for the ladies) with live small band music on the weekends. It almost feels suburban. Walkable. It's just about 3-4 blocks east on Irving.
Late night local spot with cheap drinks and karaoke. Open till 4 AM, 5 AM on Saturdays
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Alice's Lounge
3556 W Belmont AveLate night local spot with cheap drinks and karaoke. Open till 4 AM, 5 AM on Saturdays
Our favorite spot for dancing! Open till 4 AM, 5 AM on Saturdays. If you like alternative or new wave music, and just a touch of goth this is your spot! CASH ONLY, but there is an ATM
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Late Bar
3534 W Belmont AveOur favorite spot for dancing! Open till 4 AM, 5 AM on Saturdays. If you like alternative or new wave music, and just a touch of goth this is your spot! CASH ONLY, but there is an ATM
Late night local option. A tad seedy. Good beer selection, and great Jukebox. Open till 4 AM and 5 AM on Saturdays. Very walkable from the house straight down Kedzie about two blocks.
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Christina's Place
3759 N Kedzie AveLate night local option. A tad seedy. Good beer selection, and great Jukebox. Open till 4 AM and 5 AM on Saturdays. Very walkable from the house straight down Kedzie about two blocks.
Great beer! The tap room is straight south on Kedzie about 3/4 of a mile before you get to the highway. It does not have food. It's really chill. They also have a brewpub in the heart of Logan Square with food options. They also do brewery tours at the tap room location!
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Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie AveGreat beer! The tap room is straight south on Kedzie about 3/4 of a mile before you get to the highway. It does not have food. It's really chill. They also have a brewpub in the heart of Logan Square with food options. They also do brewery tours at the tap room location!
Dancing. This place is dark, clubbier, and funky. There is an eclectic crowd and the music varies from night to night. Kinda hard to find the entrance--it's around the side of the building off Milwaukee. In the heart of Logan Square. When it closes, you go down the street to The Owl, or Late Bar in Avondale. Both are open until 4 or 5.
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East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveDancing. This place is dark, clubbier, and funky. There is an eclectic crowd and the music varies from night to night. Kinda hard to find the entrance--it's around the side of the building off Milwaukee. In the heart of Logan Square. When it closes, you go down the street to The Owl, or Late Bar in Avondale. Both are open until 4 or 5.
Loungy inside. Kind of reminds me of the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland-just kinda. Good drink selection with DJ's. Sometimes they have live music in the back room. There is also a great 150 person patio for outdoor drinking. A good mix of hipsters and neighborhood folks.
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Sleeping Village
3734 W Belmont AveLoungy inside. Kind of reminds me of the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland-just kinda. Good drink selection with DJ's. Sometimes they have live music in the back room. There is also a great 150 person patio for outdoor drinking. A good mix of hipsters and neighborhood folks.
This is an iconic punk rock bar. Good Whiskey and beer selection.
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Delilah's Chicago
2771 North Lincoln AvenueThis is an iconic punk rock bar. Good Whiskey and beer selection.
Great place to day drink. It's like a really cool backyard. The crowd is 20 somethings and 30 somethings. It's Logan Square, so there is a lot of other options close by.
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Park & Field
3509 W Fullerton AveGreat place to day drink. It's like a really cool backyard. The crowd is 20 somethings and 30 somethings. It's Logan Square, so there is a lot of other options close by.
Awesome somewhat "hidden in plain sight" local tiki bar. The drinks are pricey, but strong and well made (two will do you!).
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Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveAwesome somewhat "hidden in plain sight" local tiki bar. The drinks are pricey, but strong and well made (two will do you!).
Parks & Nature
Horner Park
2741 W Montrose AveGreat for biking, tennis, basketball, or a picnic
It's the closest beach, and it's nice. Walk 3 blocks north on Spaulding to the Montrose bus. It will take you straight down.
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Montrose Beach
It's the closest beach, and it's nice. Walk 3 blocks north on Spaulding to the Montrose bus. It will take you straight down.
If you have a child, this is the best park for a playground. Lots of kids in the neighborhood, nice playground, and a safe area. There is also some green space for a picnic, or running around. There are usually softball games to watch.
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Welles Park
2333 W Sunnyside AveIf you have a child, this is the best park for a playground. Lots of kids in the neighborhood, nice playground, and a safe area. There is also some green space for a picnic, or running around. There are usually softball games to watch.
North Avenue Beach
If you're hot and you know it.
Foster Beach
LGBT friendly beach aka "boys in Speedos looking for love"
Food Scene
Cafe Con Leche
2714 N Milwaukee AveIf you love big, Mexican breakfasts, this is the spot!
They have decent BBQ and a good whiskey selection, and it's easily walkable from the house.
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Pitchfork Food & Saloon
2922 W Irving Park RdThey have decent BBQ and a good whiskey selection, and it's easily walkable from the house.
Your inner foodie will love it. From chicken & waffles to bone marrow, this place does not disappoint. Long waits sometimes, grab a drink at the bar around the back of the building. Just a tad pricey, but worth it! Two people can dine with a drink each for $100.
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Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveYour inner foodie will love it. From chicken & waffles to bone marrow, this place does not disappoint. Long waits sometimes, grab a drink at the bar around the back of the building. Just a tad pricey, but worth it! Two people can dine with a drink each for $100.
FRIED CHICKEN. Just do yourself a flavor and go. You won't regret it.
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Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveFRIED CHICKEN. Just do yourself a flavor and go. You won't regret it.
Mom and pop Mexican joint. My favorite steak burrito in the city. Bourdain knows about it!
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Taqueria El Asadero - Chicago
2213 W Montrose AveMom and pop Mexican joint. My favorite steak burrito in the city. Bourdain knows about it!
Stephanie Izard's restaurant (top chef). Try something new (like duck tongues). This place serves up small, shareable plates, so take a friend or two. You can never get a reservation, but they do take walk ins. Not as pricey as you would think. Two or three can dine for around $100-$150 depending on if you have drinks.
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Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StStephanie Izard's restaurant (top chef). Try something new (like duck tongues). This place serves up small, shareable plates, so take a friend or two. You can never get a reservation, but they do take walk ins. Not as pricey as you would think. Two or three can dine for around $100-$150 depending on if you have drinks.
This is a great place to have awesome tacos, and a Lonestar beer in the middle of the "see and be seen" neighborhood of Wicker Park. Think "hipster taco joint"
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveThis is a great place to have awesome tacos, and a Lonestar beer in the middle of the "see and be seen" neighborhood of Wicker Park. Think "hipster taco joint"
They have great food, and a great outdoor space. Go here for a picnic that someone else makes and serves. You HAVE to get the Negroni Slushy.
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveThey have great food, and a great outdoor space. Go here for a picnic that someone else makes and serves. You HAVE to get the Negroni Slushy.
They are serving up great Japanese fare. A tad pricey. Very walkable from the house.
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Raisu Japanese Fine Dining
2958 W Irving Park RdThey are serving up great Japanese fare. A tad pricey. Very walkable from the house.
The doughnuts are great. However, go very early and expect to wait.
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Doughnut Vault
401 N Franklin StThe doughnuts are great. However, go very early and expect to wait.
This is the best breakfast place close to us. Great food, good selection and huge portions. It's also very clean and the servers are good.
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Original Alps Pancake House
3637 W Irving Park RdThis is the best breakfast place close to us. Great food, good selection and huge portions. It's also very clean and the servers are good.
Not Chicago deep-dish, but in my opinion, the best pizza in town. The thing is here is the caramelized crust.
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Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueNot Chicago deep-dish, but in my opinion, the best pizza in town. The thing is here is the caramelized crust.
Once voted by GQ as the best burger in America. If you love burgers, beer and heavy metal, you gotta go! They are serving up massive burgers named after metal bands like "The Slayer". I took Tom Araya's niece here and she said uncle Tom would approve! They also serve up a few vegetarian options.
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Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont AveOnce voted by GQ as the best burger in America. If you love burgers, beer and heavy metal, you gotta go! They are serving up massive burgers named after metal bands like "The Slayer". I took Tom Araya's niece here and she said uncle Tom would approve! They also serve up a few vegetarian options.
If you are traveling from Korea, or just like Korean food and cool stuff, this market has a lot. From seafood to packaged Asian goods. Also, you HAVE to get dumplings from the stand out front. They are the size of your fist and cost $2.50. The spicy pork kimchi is my favorite!
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Joong Boo Market
3333 N Kimball AveIf you are traveling from Korea, or just like Korean food and cool stuff, this market has a lot. From seafood to packaged Asian goods. Also, you HAVE to get dumplings from the stand out front. They are the size of your fist and cost $2.50. The spicy pork kimchi is my favorite!
This place was made for Insta. If you want some gorgeous pics, head here for brunch and soak up the ambiance. The food is good, not great. The cocktails are better. It is a tad pricey....but the pics! There is also a river location on Upper Wacker.
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Beatnik
1604 W Chicago AveThis place was made for Insta. If you want some gorgeous pics, head here for brunch and soak up the ambiance. The food is good, not great. The cocktails are better. It is a tad pricey....but the pics! There is also a river location on Upper Wacker.
It's actually called Tom Lee's Chop Suey. It's on Western Avenue. This is not a dine-in place. It is our favorite Chinese delivery though. Get one of the dinner combo specials. It comes with entree, fried rice, egg roll and a soft drink for under $10.
Tom Lee
4660 North Western AvenueIt's actually called Tom Lee's Chop Suey. It's on Western Avenue. This is not a dine-in place. It is our favorite Chinese delivery though. Get one of the dinner combo specials. It comes with entree, fried rice, egg roll and a soft drink for under $10.
Great Byob brunch! Expect to wait though. Take a bottle of bubbles and order their fresh squeezed juices to make mimosas!
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m.henry
5707 N Clark StGreat Byob brunch! Expect to wait though. Take a bottle of bubbles and order their fresh squeezed juices to make mimosas!
Trendy new Mediterranean/Croatian restaurant from Top Chef winner Joe Flamm. Make a reservation. This place is hot!
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Rose Mary
932 West Fulton StreetTrendy new Mediterranean/Croatian restaurant from Top Chef winner Joe Flamm. Make a reservation. This place is hot!
This is Chicago's favorite fast food. You can walk on a nice day.
It is around 1/2 of a mile straight south on Kimball at Addison. Go and grab Chicago style hotdog, and a chocolate cake shake. Dine in, drive thru or take out.
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Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StThis is Chicago's favorite fast food. You can walk on a nice day.
It is around 1/2 of a mile straight south on Kimball at Addison. Go and grab Chicago style hotdog, and a chocolate cake shake. Dine in, drive thru or take out.
Date night. If you want a sexy restaurant and a good steak, and are willing to pay for it, head here. The food, drinks, and service are stellar. Make sure to ask for a table downstairs for a little more ambiance.
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Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
218 W Kinzie StDate night. If you want a sexy restaurant and a good steak, and are willing to pay for it, head here. The food, drinks, and service are stellar. Make sure to ask for a table downstairs for a little more ambiance.
Great dinner or brunch spot specializing in a wood-fire grill menu with pastas, pizzas and a few entrees. Not too pricey!
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etta
1840 W North AveGreat dinner or brunch spot specializing in a wood-fire grill menu with pastas, pizzas and a few entrees. Not too pricey!
Entertainment & Activities
CUBS BABY!! Walk 1/2 a block south on Spaulding and take the Irving Park bus to the Sheridan stop on Sheffield. The stadium is 2 blocks south.
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Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StCUBS BABY!! Walk 1/2 a block south on Spaulding and take the Irving Park bus to the Sheridan stop on Sheffield. The stadium is 2 blocks south.
Comedy Club. I know everyone wants to visit the Second City when in Chicago, but this is one of our favorite date nights. The comedians are great, and the tickets and drinks are priced decently.
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Laugh Factory
3175 N BroadwayComedy Club. I know everyone wants to visit the Second City when in Chicago, but this is one of our favorite date nights. The comedians are great, and the tickets and drinks are priced decently.
The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveCheap, and they have food and booze.
Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveCheap, family friendly. They have food and booze.
If you like plants, flowers, and such, OR if you have ever seen Biodome, check this place out. It's easy to get to on the el. Spend the afternoon checking out cacti in the desert room, or taking pics in front of the Mosaic in Horticulture Hall. This place is beautiful. They host tons of weddings, so if you go on the weekend, you are bound to run into a bride or two. Bonus: it's free! Get out of Dodge after closing though. I don't suggest walking around in East Garfield Park if you are not a local.
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Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveIf you like plants, flowers, and such, OR if you have ever seen Biodome, check this place out. It's easy to get to on the el. Spend the afternoon checking out cacti in the desert room, or taking pics in front of the Mosaic in Horticulture Hall. This place is beautiful. They host tons of weddings, so if you go on the weekend, you are bound to run into a bride or two. Bonus: it's free! Get out of Dodge after closing though. I don't suggest walking around in East Garfield Park if you are not a local.
Lions and Tigers and Bears! It's a good, but smaller zoo. Admission is free, but you will pay to park. It has great views of the city, and is close to the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is also free.
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Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StLions and Tigers and Bears! It's a good, but smaller zoo. Admission is free, but you will pay to park. It has great views of the city, and is close to the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is also free.
Sightseeing
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StThe Bean and the Fountain
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StBecause everyone does!
Chicago looks amazing from the water. You can do a shorter 40 min skyline tour, architecture tour or a fireworks sail on certain days. Prices start around $25, but look around, and you may find a discount code.
https://shorelinesightseeing.com/tours-taxis/classic-lake-tours/
Shoreline Sightseeing's Navy Pier RIVERFRONT Water Taxi Dock (SEASONAL: May 26 – Sep 3)
800 East Grand AvenueChicago looks amazing from the water. You can do a shorter 40 min skyline tour, architecture tour or a fireworks sail on certain days. Prices start around $25, but look around, and you may find a discount code.
https://shorelinesightseeing.com/tours-taxis/classic-lake-tours/
Arts & Culture
It's right off the pink line (you will have to transfer downtown), and it's free. Lots of great art.
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National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th StIt's right off the pink line (you will have to transfer downtown), and it's free. Lots of great art.
My favorite museum in Chicago. There is a wide variety of exhibits, so give yourself at least 2-3 hours, although, you could spend much longer.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveMy favorite museum in Chicago. There is a wide variety of exhibits, so give yourself at least 2-3 hours, although, you could spend much longer.
Smaller gallery that usually has very interesting exhibits.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveSmaller gallery that usually has very interesting exhibits.
Cool Chicago stuff. It's also close to the zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory, so it's easy to visit all in an afternoon.
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Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StCool Chicago stuff. It's also close to the zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory, so it's easy to visit all in an afternoon.
Getting Around
Direct Blue line to O'hare. The Irving Park bus #80 picks up 1/2 a block in front of the house on Irving and Kimball, and will take you straight to there (it's about a mile west). If it is late at night, or early morning, we advise you to Uber to the Blue Line instead of waiting for the bus.
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Irving Park station
3931 N Avondale AveDirect Blue line to O'hare. The Irving Park bus #80 picks up 1/2 a block in front of the house on Irving and Kimball, and will take you straight to there (it's about a mile west). If it is late at night, or early morning, we advise you to Uber to the Blue Line instead of waiting for the bus.