Madeleine & Andrew's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Our Airbnb is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, which was recently named one of the “12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World” by Forbes.
Located in the Lower West Side of Chicago, Pilsen has a rich history of being settled by immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy, and, most recently, Mexico. Indeed, Pilsen's rich Latino culture is palpable, as reflected in the neighborhood's award-winning restaurants, music venues, block parties, and colorful murals and street art, which dominate the area.
Start with a trip heading east down 18th Street toward Halsted Street to get strong dose of what Pilsen has to offer! As you navigate Pilsen, you will notice colorful murals throughout the neighborhood. Take a walk down 16th street (from roughly Laflin St to Halsted St) to see a wide array of murals by local, national, and international artists, and then explore further from there!
103 locals recommend
Pilsen
Our Airbnb is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, which was recently named one of the “12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World” by Forbes.
Located in the Lower West Side of Chicago, Pilsen has a rich history of being settled by immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy, and, most recently, Mexico. Indeed, Pilsen's rich Latino culture is palpable, as reflected in the neighborhood's award-winning restaurants, music venues, block parties, and colorful murals and street art, which dominate the area.
Start with a trip heading east down 18th Street toward Halsted Street to get strong dose of what Pilsen has to offer! As you navigate Pilsen, you will notice colorful murals throughout the neighborhood. Take a walk down 16th street (from roughly Laflin St to Halsted St) to see a wide array of murals by local, national, and international artists, and then explore further from there!
Food scene
Our favorite tacos -- and just a short walk from our Airbnb!
15 locals recommend
El Taco Azteca - Mexican Restaurant of Chicago
2151 W Cermak RdOur favorite tacos -- and just a short walk from our Airbnb!
Authentic Mexican food by a Michelin-Starred Chef -- in walking distance!
43 locals recommend
5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StAuthentic Mexican food by a Michelin-Starred Chef -- in walking distance!
Pizza Nova - W 18th St
1842 W 18th StGreat, late-night pizza option!
Our favorite Chicago deep dish pizza. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueOur favorite Chicago deep dish pizza. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Located on a vibrant section of 18th St in Pilsen, this is our favorite local brunch spot!
156 locals recommend
Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W 18th StLocated on a vibrant section of 18th St in Pilsen, this is our favorite local brunch spot!
Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StBritish-style pub with excellent pies and beers!
While we prefer Pequod's deep dish pizza, Lou Malnati's is a deep dish favorite among locals and visitors.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StWhile we prefer Pequod's deep dish pizza, Lou Malnati's is a deep dish favorite among locals and visitors.
Breweries
Massive brewery located just a couple miles from our Airbnb. The most unique brewery we've visited, with a wide variety of beer and food options.
125 locals recommend
Lagunitas Brewing Company
2607 W 17th StMassive brewery located just a couple miles from our Airbnb. The most unique brewery we've visited, with a wide variety of beer and food options.
Our favorite local brewery, with an eclectic selection of beers and food, as well as outdoor seating.
29 locals recommend
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin StreetOur favorite local brewery, with an eclectic selection of beers and food, as well as outdoor seating.
Cool atmosphere with interesting beer and food options, located in the industrial section of the nearby Bridgeport neighborhood.
34 locals recommend
Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StCool atmosphere with interesting beer and food options, located in the industrial section of the nearby Bridgeport neighborhood.
Loft-style Pilsen-based brewery with a good selection of craft beers.
30 locals recommend
Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom
2101 S Carpenter StLoft-style Pilsen-based brewery with a good selection of craft beers.
Attractions
If you desire to take in as many classic Chicago attractions as possible during your stay, we strongly recommend purchasing the Chicago CityPASS (https://www.citypass.com/chicago). The CityPASS gives you discounted access to many of Chicago's top attractions, such as the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Skydeck Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, and Adler Planetarium (due to COVID-19, some attractions may be closed or require reservations; we recommend checking in advance).
CityPASS also has a Fast Pass/VIP feature, which allows you to bypass the long lines at several of the attractions -- potentially saving hours of time!
10 locals recommend
Chicago CityPASS
233 S Wacker DrIf you desire to take in as many classic Chicago attractions as possible during your stay, we strongly recommend purchasing the Chicago CityPASS (https://www.citypass.com/chicago). The CityPASS gives you discounted access to many of Chicago's top attractions, such as the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Skydeck Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, and Adler Planetarium (due to COVID-19, some attractions may be closed or require reservations; we recommend checking in advance).
CityPASS also has a Fast Pass/VIP feature, which allows you to bypass the long lines at several of the attractions -- potentially saving hours of time!
Chicago is famous for its improvisational comedy organization, The Second City, which has produced vast comedic talent, including Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Del Close, Eugene Levy, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley, and Stephen Colbert, among many others.
Visit The Second City website (https://www.secondcity.com/) to explore the many shows they have to offer (COVID-19 may impact availability).
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North AveChicago is famous for its improvisational comedy organization, The Second City, which has produced vast comedic talent, including Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Del Close, Eugene Levy, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley, and Stephen Colbert, among many others.
Visit The Second City website (https://www.secondcity.com/) to explore the many shows they have to offer (COVID-19 may impact availability).
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, regularly featuring masterpieces from legendary artists like Monet, Degas and van Gogh.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveOne of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, regularly featuring masterpieces from legendary artists like Monet, Degas and van Gogh.
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrOne of the largest natural history museums in the world!
America's first planetarium, dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics!
393 locals recommend
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrAmerica's first planetarium, dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics!
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrIndoor public aquarium!
Located well south of the City center in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, the Museum of Science and Industry features over 2,000 exhibits, displayed in 75 major halls.
483 locals recommend
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrLocated well south of the City center in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, the Museum of Science and Industry features over 2,000 exhibits, displayed in 75 major halls.
One of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the nation!
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveOne of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the nation!
Observatory on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, offering stunning 360 degree views from 1000 ft. up.
111 locals recommend
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan AveObservatory on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, offering stunning 360 degree views from 1000 ft. up.
A 35-acre zoo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Lincoln Park Zoo is the fourth oldest zoo in North America, and one of the few free admission zoos in the United States.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StA 35-acre zoo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Lincoln Park Zoo is the fourth oldest zoo in North America, and one of the few free admission zoos in the United States.
A totally unique "edutainment" museum featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind.
18 locals recommend
Design Museum of Chicago
72 E Randolph StA totally unique "edutainment" museum featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind.
Sightseeing
We strongly recommend taking advantage of the Chicago Architecture Center's "First Lady" architecture river boat tour (https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-foundation-center-river-cruise-aboard-chicago-s-first-lady/)!
This tour provides amazing views of the city from the perspective of the Chicago River, and is packed with fascinating details regarding the city's rich architectural history.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrWe strongly recommend taking advantage of the Chicago Architecture Center's "First Lady" architecture river boat tour (https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-foundation-center-river-cruise-aboard-chicago-s-first-lady/)!
This tour provides amazing views of the city from the perspective of the Chicago River, and is packed with fascinating details regarding the city's rich architectural history.
MIllenium Park is a massive park located in the heart of the Chicago loop. The park is packed with things to do, including fountains, the famous "Bean" sculpture, gardens, rock walls, food/drink, concerts, movies, shows, outdoor galleries, among others!
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StMIllenium Park is a massive park located in the heart of the Chicago loop. The park is packed with things to do, including fountains, the famous "Bean" sculpture, gardens, rock walls, food/drink, concerts, movies, shows, outdoor galleries, among others!
Chicago's Lakefront Trail offers miles of paths for both pedestrians and cyclists, gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, beaches, outdoor dining, and other activities. Visit https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lakefront-trail for information on access points to the Trail.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailChicago's Lakefront Trail offers miles of paths for both pedestrians and cyclists, gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, beaches, outdoor dining, and other activities. Visit https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lakefront-trail for information on access points to the Trail.
The 606 is an elevated 2.7 mile trail (formerly an abandoned stretch of railway) that brings together arts, history, and design in a trail for bikers, runners, and walkers. Check out the access points at https://www.the606.org/visit/getting-there/.
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueThe 606 is an elevated 2.7 mile trail (formerly an abandoned stretch of railway) that brings together arts, history, and design in a trail for bikers, runners, and walkers. Check out the access points at https://www.the606.org/visit/getting-there/.
A hub for Chicago's Chinese community, boast numerous authentic Chinese restaurants and shops.
217 locals recommend
Chinatown
A hub for Chicago's Chinese community, boast numerous authentic Chinese restaurants and shops.
Chicago’s premier commercial district, with upscale shops and restaurants, as well as landmarks such as the Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, the terracotta Wrigley Building skyscraper, and the 100-story John Hancock Center.
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Chicago’s premier commercial district, with upscale shops and restaurants, as well as landmarks such as the Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, the terracotta Wrigley Building skyscraper, and the 100-story John Hancock Center.
Divvy is a bike-share program, with bike ports located throughout the city, including just a couple of blocks from our Airbnb at the intersection of Damen and Cullerton. Find Divvy bikes and learn more about how they work here: https://account.divvybikes.com/map.
23 locals recommend
Divvy
Divvy is a bike-share program, with bike ports located throughout the city, including just a couple of blocks from our Airbnb at the intersection of Damen and Cullerton. Find Divvy bikes and learn more about how they work here: https://account.divvybikes.com/map.
City advice
Getting around
Plenty of transportation options!
Car: Chicago is easy to navigate by car due to its grid-like layout and wide lanes.
"L" Trains: Our Airbnb is just a couple of blocks from the Damen Pink line stop. Visit https://www.transitchicago.com/fares/ for details on how to pay for fares. The main stop is located at Damen & Cullerton. If you have your Ventra card/app, you can access a closer entrance at Hoyne & Cullerton. Take the train toward the Loop for downtown attractions (15-20 mins). Several apps are available for L maps/train times.
Rideshares (Uber, Lyft): Rideshares are ubiquitous in the city and often quick to arrive.
Getting around
Parking around the Airbnb unit
Street parking around our Airbnb is public/free and spots are usually easy to find. Signs are posted on both sides of the street to indicate street cleaning days (avoiding parking on that side of the street on such days!).
On rare occasions during winter, heavy snowfall may make street parking difficult. Moreover, residents will often call "dibs" on spots that they personally shoveled (e.g. by placing chairs, trash cans, etc. on the spot when not parked there). Avoid parking in such spots and contact us if you need assistance with parking.