*Additions made to this city guide going forward from 6/1/15 can be found on the Chicago city guide in the drop down menu.*
I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion. However, a blog post is unable to hold this large of content. I am still accepting comments, concerns, or recommendations on this post though! Thank you for your understanding.
Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee
Lunch
Dinner
Cocktails
Bites/Desserts
Hotels
Museums
Other Attractions
Events
Transportation
City Pass
A City Pass is available for Chicago and includes admission to the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck (Willis Tower), The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, Adler Planetarium OR The Art Institute of Chicago. Priced at $94 per adult and $79 per child. Highly recommended for first time Chicago visitors and museum goers.
*DISCLAIMER: THIS LIST IS EVER EVOLVING AND WILL SEE MANY ADDITIONS OVER TIME. THIS IS A LIST OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES, AND I WAS NOT PROVIDED COMPENSATION FOR ANY OF THE PLACES ON THIS GUIDE.
**If you have any RECOMMENDATIONS for ME please leave me comments on the city guide post for Chicago or contact me via the "Say Hello" option on the top menu.
***Enjoy the Windy City!
I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion. However, a blog post is unable to hold this large of content. I am still accepting comments, concerns, or recommendations on this post though! Thank you for your understanding.
Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee
- Bistrot Zinc - 1131 N. State St. (Gold Coast)
- The Bongo Room - 1470 N. Milwaukee (Wicker Park) or here for more locations
- The Doughnut Vault - 401 1/2 N. Franklin St. (River North)
- Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea - 1233 N. Wells St. (Old Town) or here for more locations
- Mellow Yellow - 1508 E. 53rd St. (Hyde Park)
- Jane's - 1655 W. Cortland St. (Bucktown)
- Glazed and Infused - 30 E. Hubbard St. (River North)
- Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits - 2051 N. California Ave. (Logan Square)
- Yolk - 355 E. Ohio St. (Streeterville) or here for more locations
- Firecakes Donuts - 68 W. Hubbard St. (River North) *NEW
Lunch
- Miller's Pub - 134 S. Wabash Ave. (Loop)
- Johnnie's Beef - 7500 W. North Ave. (Elmwood Park)
-
Lou Malnati's - 1120 N. State St. (Gold Coast) or other locations here
-
Elephant & Castle - 111 W. Adams St. (Loop) or other locations here
- Gene & Jude's - 2720 River Rd. (River Grove)
- Seven Treasures Cantonese - 2312 S. Wentworth Ave. (Chinatown)
-
Davanti Entoeca - 1359 W. Taylor St. (Little Italy)
- The Original Billy Goat Tavern - 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level (The Loop) or more locations here.
- DMK County BBQ - 1352 W. Taylor St. (Little Italy)
- Toni Patisserie & Cafe - 65 E. Washington St. (Loop)
Dinner
- Tortoise Club - 350 N. State St. (River North)
- Primebar - 155 N. Upper Wacker Dr. (Loop)
- The Pump Room - 1301 N. State Pkwy (Gold Coast)
- McCormick & Schmick's - 1 E. Wacker Dr. (Loop)
- Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse - 33 W. Kinzie St. (River North)
- Rodity's Restaurant - 222 S. Halsted St. (Greektown)
- The Berghoff Restaurant - 17 W. Adams St. (Loop)
Accepts reservations - 312-427-3170
- Giordano's Pizzeria - 130 E. Randolph St. (Loop) or other locations here
- The Purple Pig - 500 N. Michigan Ave. (Streeterville)
- Quartino - 626 N. State St. (River North)
- Rockit Burger Bar - 3700 N. Clark St. (Wrigleyville) *NEWAccepts reservations - 773-645-4400
Cocktails
- CH Distillery - 564 W. Randolph St. (West Loop)
- Andy's Jazz Club - 11 E. Hubbard St. (River North)
- Tortoise Club - 350 N. State St. (River North)
- The Cubby Bear - 1059 W. Addison St. (Wrigleyville)
- Printer's Row/Gentile Wine Shop - 719 S. Dearborn St. (Printer's Row)
- Vines on Clark - 3554 N. Clark St. (Wrigleyville)
- The Book Cellar - 4736 N Lincoln Ave (Lincoln Square)
- Pops for Champagne - 601 N. State St. (River North)
- Three Dots and a Dash - 435 N. Clark St. (River North)
- Watershed - 601 N. State St. - below Pops for Champagne (River North)
- Sugar Factory - 5445 Park Pl. (Rosemont)
- Toby Keith's I Love This Bar - 5441 Park Pl. (Rosemont)
- Henry's Swing Club - 18 W. Hubbard St. (River North)
Bites/Desserts
- Garrett's Popcorn - 4 E. Madison St. (Loop) or here for more locations
- Nuts on Clark - 3830 N. Clark St. (Wrigleyville)
- Crumbs Bake Shop- 835 N. Michigan Ave. (Streeterville)
- Gene & Judes - 2720 River Rd. (River Grove)
- Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe - 2158 S. Archer Ave (Chinatown)
- Ferrara's Bakery - 2210 W. Taylor St. (University Village)
- Ghirardelli Shop - 830 N Michigan Ave #1 (The Loop)
- Toni Patisserie & Cafe - 65 E. Washington St. (Loop)
- Alliance Patisserie - 615 N. State St. (River North)
- Magnolia Bakery - 108 N. State St. (Loop)
Hotels
- PUBLIC Hotel - 1301 N. State Pkwy (Gold Coast) - 312-787-3700
- The Palmer House - 17 E. Monroe St. (Loop) - 312-726-7500
- Hilton Chicago - 720 S. Michigan Ave. (Loop) - 312-922-4400
- Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers - 301 E. North Water St. (Loop) - 312-464-1000
- Aloft Chicago O'Hare - 9700 Balmoral Ave. (Rosemont) - 847-671-4444
Museums
- Field Museum - 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. (Loop)
- Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr. (Loop)
- Adler Planetarium - 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr. (Loop)
- Art Institute of Chicago - 111 S. Michigan Ave (Loop)
- Museum of Science & Industry - 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. (Hyde Park)
Other Attractions
- Magnificent Mile (shopping) - Michigan Ave (Loop)
- Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Ave (Loop)
- Millennium Park - 201 E. Randolph St. (Loop)
- Grant Park - 337 E. Randolph St. (Loop)
- Sears (Willis) Tower (sky deck) - 223 S. Wacker Dr. (Loop)
- North Ave. Beach - North Ave. (Lincoln Park)
- Wrigley Field (Cubs) - 1060 W. Addison St. (Wrigleyville)
- United Center (Bulls/Blackhawks) - 1901 W. Madison St. (West Loop)
- Soldier Field (Bears) - 1410 Museum Campus Dr. (Loop)
- Lincoln Park Zoo - 2001 N. Clark St. (Lincoln Park)
- Brookfield Zoo - 8400 W. 31st St. (Brookfield)
- The University of Chicago - 5801 S. Ellis Ave. (Hyde Park)
- Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N. Central Park Ave. (Garfield Park)
- Bank of America Theatre - 18 W. Monroe St. (Theater District)
- Fashion Outlets of Chicago - 5220 Fashion Outlets Way (Rosemont)
Events
- Taste of Chicago - Grant Park
- Festival of Lights Show - Magnificent Mile
- Lollapalooza - Grant Park
- Chicago Bookstore Day - Throughout the city
Transportation
-
Metra (Train) - Goes to and from the suburbs/city and along the lakefront
-
CTA (Train, El, Subway) - Goes throughout the city, to and from O'Hare and Midway
-
O'Hare International Airport
-
Midway International Airport
-
Pace (Bus) - Goes to and from the suburbs/city
City Pass
A City Pass is available for Chicago and includes admission to the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck (Willis Tower), The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, Adler Planetarium OR The Art Institute of Chicago. Priced at $94 per adult and $79 per child. Highly recommended for first time Chicago visitors and museum goers.
*DISCLAIMER: THIS LIST IS EVER EVOLVING AND WILL SEE MANY ADDITIONS OVER TIME. THIS IS A LIST OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES, AND I WAS NOT PROVIDED COMPENSATION FOR ANY OF THE PLACES ON THIS GUIDE.
**If you have any RECOMMENDATIONS for ME please leave me comments on the city guide post for Chicago or contact me via the "Say Hello" option on the top menu.
***Enjoy the Windy City!