Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
Love love love shopping here! Good selection of organic and gluten free food. Plus, there's a wine bar, a raw bar and a sushi bar! You can also take your meat to the grill and they'll cook it while you shop. Seriously, best grocery store. Period.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveLove love love shopping here! Good selection of organic and gluten free food. Plus, there's a wine bar, a raw bar and a sushi bar! You can also take your meat to the grill and they'll cook it while you shop. Seriously, best grocery store. Period.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StNot as much fun as Mariano's, but if you're hard-core...
Target
4433 S Pulaski RdMore than just a neighborhood store. Good selection of produce and fairly decent butcher.
200 locals recommend
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StMore than just a neighborhood store. Good selection of produce and fairly decent butcher.
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak RdOpen until midnight.
Entertainment & Activities
United Center
1901 W Madison StHome of the Blackhawks and Bulls. Also a popular concert venue.
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph StThe Chicago Theatre
175 N State StAll of the old movie houses have been renovated and now bring live Broadway shows to Chicago.
29 locals recommend
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W Randolph StAll of the old movie houses have been renovated and now bring live Broadway shows to Chicago.
Food Scene
Great coffee spot, with fresh pastries. Good spot to read & relax with a cup of Joe.
162 locals recommend
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StGreat coffee spot, with fresh pastries. Good spot to read & relax with a cup of Joe.
Glazed and Infused
813 W Fulton MarketBecause...donuts.
Iconic diner filled with Blackhawks memorabilia. Good for basic, no-frills breakfast.
12 locals recommend
Palace Grill Restaurant
1408 W Madison StIconic diner filled with Blackhawks memorabilia. Good for basic, no-frills breakfast.
Elaborate menu with something for everyone. Is inside the Ogilvie Transportation Center on Madison & Clinton. Parking can be scarce, so take the 20 Madison bus and get off at Ogilvie. Still one of my favorite breakfast spots.
9 locals recommend
Yolk - West Loop
500 W Madison StElaborate menu with something for everyone. Is inside the Ogilvie Transportation Center on Madison & Clinton. Parking can be scarce, so take the 20 Madison bus and get off at Ogilvie. Still one of my favorite breakfast spots.
Baby brother to Girl & The Goat. Asian fusion fare in 50s-style diner setting. Can be crowded, but worth the wait.
159 locals recommend
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StBaby brother to Girl & The Goat. Asian fusion fare in 50s-style diner setting. Can be crowded, but worth the wait.
No frills brunch menu with craft beer. A bit loud, but really good burgers.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StNo frills brunch menu with craft beer. A bit loud, but really good burgers.
bellyQ
1400 W Randolph StLatin-Asian fare served in hip décor. Mild bar scene.
Dean Martin croons while you enjoy expertly-prepared classic Italian dishes. Love this place.
12 locals recommend
Formento's
925 W Randolph StDean Martin croons while you enjoy expertly-prepared classic Italian dishes. Love this place.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StBar Siena
832 W Randolph StBarbequed meat served picnic-style, decent beer selection. Try the brisket.
107 locals recommend
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StBarbequed meat served picnic-style, decent beer selection. Try the brisket.
Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
108 N Green StNice outdoor space.
Good Italian, featuring fresh house-made pasta.
29 locals recommend
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison StGood Italian, featuring fresh house-made pasta.
Grange Hall Burger Bar
844 West Randolph StreetElaborate French-themed establishment with changing menu. Good wine selection. Would be nice for an event, like a bridal shower or wedding reception maybe.
20 locals recommend
Nellcôte
833 W Randolph StElaborate French-themed establishment with changing menu. Good wine selection. Would be nice for an event, like a bridal shower or wedding reception maybe.
Maude's Liquor Bar
114 N Green StFrench dining nicely done.
Mad Social
1140 W Madison StDo the chicken & waffles. Just do it.
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketGo for brunch, get the bacon. You're welcome.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Beer Bistro
1061 West Madison StreetWestEnd
1326 W Madison StRM Champagne Salon
116 N Green StKingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StThe Bassment
353 W Hubbard StLive music
Sightseeing
Willis Tower Skydeck
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveJohn Hancock Center
875 North Michigan AvenueHot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Shopping and people watching...of course!
Parks & Nature
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StMore than just the Bean.
Popular beach because it's closest to downtown. North Avenue beach is a little farther north, but offers a better experience, in my opinion.
176 locals recommend
Oak Street Beach
Popular beach because it's closest to downtown. North Avenue beach is a little farther north, but offers a better experience, in my opinion.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StShopping
North State Street
North State StreetState Street, that great street...is becoming great again.