Settled by Chicago's Swedish-Americans, this neighborhood still has many marks of its early history that will make you feel like you're in our sister city of Gothenburg.
So cool to be able to go inside this architectural masterpiece. Really well run tours that is a must do when in Chicago.
The ferris wheel is a great way to see the majesty of the city skyline & views of Lake Michigan. Touristy food and gift shops within
One of the best collections of egyptology in the world, comparable to the British Museum or the Pergamon's collection, in terms of significance.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rented a bike for 3 days and wow, what a great way to see this beautiful city! Rental comes complete with helmet, lock, map and recommended stops. Fast, friendly, very affordable service
Among the luminaries buried in Oak Woods Cemetery are Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago's first African American Mayor, and his opponent in the historic 1983 race, Bernard Epton. Read more.
The most bike friendly city we have been to! The Lakefront Trail was our favorite part of Chicago. If visiting, either bring your own bike to the city, or rent some bikes and explore the Lakefront!
Check out this independent museum on African American history which promotes cultural understanding. Free admissions on Sundays, children under 5 always free. Read more.
Gigantic museum of natural history and anthropology. Could and should easily spend a full day. Annoying that they make you pay extra for some exhibits, but well worth it.
Mane-less lions! Apparently 2 of them halted the construction of a railroad when they killed & ate the 140 workers!
Standard: huge 2 room suites w/pullout couch, A+ water pressure, comfy bed, fridge/microwave, pool, FREE made2order breakfast and FREE nightly 2 drinks + snacks reception. Gots it ALL = Xellent VALUE
From the City of Chicago: "Artist Lorado Taft’s sculptural allegory of humanity’s relationship with time positions a tall, imposing figure across a reflecting pool from a 110-foot-long mass of figures
There is a seemingly endless collection of Lego stuff to buy. The Lego Architecture stuff is fantastic.
Hidden gem! Tiny gay bar you’d pass by and never know is here. Entrance is a door near the Sayat-Nova sign and up carpeted stairs — average age: 40s/50s. Good music, good conversations - cash only.
Fantastic tour, worth every cent. Get in line early to choose your seat! Guide was fun & passionate. Learned a lot of Chicago's history and had fun.
Amazing gallery. If you are a fan of Seuss you must stop in if only to see a few lesser known images.
The hot dog stand offers "sweet" or "savory" options. The "savory" option aims for actual hot dog flavored ice cream and has actual mustard and an actual pickle. My kids preferred the sweet option.
This is must go place in Chicago. They have amazing tours and if you get a membership, you can have them all for free ( except of the cruise). I attendedd 5 tours, all were unique and so good.
Alison Saar’s bronze figure is a testament to the thousands of African Americans who migrated to Chicago in the early 20th century in search of greater freedom and opportunity. Read more.
BAIE ROSE 26, Le Labo's pink pepper+clove+rose ode to jazz and a Chicago City Exclusive fragrance.
[Burling & Whitehouse, 1879] Originally the Nickerson Mansion, this museum is a rare example of the palatial homes of the Gilded Age.
I learned so much today. There is a lot of local history, black history, labor history, union history in one building
When you decide it's time to go inside, look up at the Tiffany ceiling and prepare for seven levels of retail. Furs are on the 3rd floor. A salon is on the 5th floor. A food court is on the 7th floor. Read more.
For location, price and the nostalgia factor, you can’t beat this strictly no-frills, mid-century motor lodge located in the heart of downtown. Read more.
Coolest L station in the Loop! Historically renovated to look like it did when it opened in 1897. Make sure to check out the period advertisements while you wait on the platform.
Numerous Dim Sum places, the outdoor mall has late night restaurants. Lots of cool shops with specialty items. Fun place for a family outing or date.
Used house section is deep, if you are trying to learn the history. Cop needles too
Know your history! Notable lesbian suffraggette Jane Addams founded the Hull House in 1889. It served as a safe space for those who lived in the margins of society.
Gone, me thinks. Partial 'Neither is This' remains . 'Or This' seems to be gone too.
Make sure your devices are charged, because you won’t find many electric outlets.
Was focused, so I only had the fried chicken skins at CRISPY TOWN. Surely going back, so many selections and smells awesome!
Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), pioneer African American aviator from Atlanta, Texas rests in Section 9, Lot 580, Grave N3-W 1/2
A great independent alternative to Amazon. They will order (and preorder) anything for you. Gift certificates are also a great option for those bookworms in your life.
Really great record/book shop run by Marc Ruvolo (Johann's Face - No Empathy - Das Kapital). Highly recommended.
They do have a book with songs sorted by artist... Obviously michelle r wasn't paying attention when the guy was explaining things... Or didn't even bother to ask
Best karaoke spot in Chicago! Can search for any song on YouTube to sing, and belt it out with friends in a private room.
Get the tour of the Tiffany windows from Friends of Historic Second Church.
Lots of street art, murals on buildings in this Columbia College neighborhood.
"Alley of Death", where the bodies of 600+ theatregoers were piled, killed in the horrific 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire that started during a matinee performance of the musical comedy, Mr. Bluebeard
The Museum’s permanent exhibition, Chicago: Crossroads of America, explores the city’s economy, crises, innovation, neighborhoods & entertainment. Features include Abraham Lincoln’s death bed.
Very educational and engaging architecture (history) of the city of Chicago. Even if you're not an architecture buff this will be worth your time (and if not they have drinks on board)
Renamed DuSable Bridge in 2010, it is a double -leaf and -deck example of a trunnion bascule bridge (movable, with counterweights that lift by rotating around large, fixed axles called trunnions)
Champagne bottle building, designed during a night of hard drugs, apparently
Super comfortable beds & accommodating staff. Much appreciated the early check-in and their standard 12p check-out is wonderfully leisurely. Unfortunate view out our riverside windows tho, wompwomp.
Chicago is all about architecture so it’s strongly suggested to do the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust tours and the Chicago architecture foundation walking tours.
All year round this is fun. It renews UR soul. Especially summah time w outdoor activities like volleyball, a good run or cycling. Great people watching at Castaways. Wiggle your toes-create memories!
Gay beach for a Sunday!!? HECK YES!! Clean area, boys in Speedos, crystal water, a food shack, and fun in the sun what could be better!? Bring your own beach chair tho! Don’t forget your cocktail!
Nice neighbourhood with high-rise buildings, hotels, restaurants, cafes and significant tourist attractions. Nice to walk in the streets, and also great at night. One of the best areas to stay.
On the second Friday of the month, Pilsen’s galleries open their doors to the public. Bonus: As you stroll from place to place, you can snag free cups of wine and cans of beer. Read more.
Always fun to come hereThis time there were renovations around the bean!Use Spot hero for parking! Will SAVE you a lot.. we got $15 instead of ten for a long period parking
Beautiful hotel with incredible history (first hotel with electricity and telephones, first hotel in Chicago with elevators). Lobby bar is pricey but a cocktail there is a must.
THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!! There are so many spices and unique combinations and you can buy certain sizes and plus, it smells fantastic
The spices are awesome. The selection is huge and I'm pretty sure I own half of the shop! I go at least once or twice a month, the service is impeccable and they are always willing to help. 10/10
Absolutely amazing. Such attention to detail! Wonderful book available in the gift shop for more information - highly recommend.
A world-class collection, with key works from impactful artists and iconic pieces. Incredibly well-curated. One of the best museums in America. The Impressionists wing is a can’t miss.
Its well worth the $5 donation for the history or engineering buff. Did you know “Chicago” means “stinky skunk” in a local Indian dialect for the smell of certain native weeds along the river.
Located on the north side of the Art Institute, this public space is a gem. Canopied by beautiful trees and amidst some incredible sculptures, this garden is the perfect getaway from the chaotic city.
Free, informative 2-4 hour guided tours of Chicago neighborhoods. No tipping, reserve 2 weeks in advance, and tours offered in over a dozen languages
A very, very special place for Black art and history in Chicago.
The Chicago Picasso, a gift from the artist to the people of Chicago, has become a beloved icon of the city and a source of civic pride.
The largest video arcade in the USA. Doc Mack is the Wizard behind this gamer’s paradise, the collection is growing every week. Best part is $20 cover at the door & all games are set to free play!
This space is HUGE. Massive amounts of pinball and quite a good list of arcades. Beer list is great...definitely recommended!
My god, this place smells amazing. Definitely on the higher end of fragrances and whatnot. Well worth it.
Ideal place to hit the sauna then eat. Russian food that'll seal deal on experience you swear you swear you're back in Russia.
Shit Fountain is betting on the Browns in the Super Bowl...
Located outside the United Center’s east end, the sculpture, which can be seen without buying a ticket to a Bulls or Blackhawks game, celebrates one of Chicago’s most internationally known figures. Read more.
One of the largest feminist bookstores in the country, Women and Children First has 30,000 books by and about women, as well as a vast selection of children’s books and LGBT fiction and non-fiction. Read more.
The dim sum and northern Chinese food here are incredible. Some of the best outside of China. It’s small stands in a grocery store food court type place.
Daily ranger-led tours depart from the NPS Visitor Center at 10 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. It's a first-come, first-served basis and groups are limited to 25 participants; no reservations are necessary.
Known for smoking their own seafood onsite. They marinate the fish in brine overnight and then use natural wood in the smokehouse. Pepper and garlic salmon is amazing.
Another stage at Second City - just as good as the main stage and often a little darker and more daring!
The park is pretty huge and great for sporting, but its main attractions are the statues of Dorothy, Toto, and the rest of the gang. I don't recall a yellow-brick road, sadly.
Quimby's is noteworthy for being a major center of zine culture in Chicago. You can find quite an array of independently-produced zines, comics, graphic novels and anything that blurs those lines. Read more.
Marvel at the selection of Japanese vinyl toys, comic books, and other stuff you didn’t know you wanted until you ended up buying it.
For more than 35 years, Unabridged Bookstore has been Chicago's leading source for LGBT literature. Read more.
Fascinating museum highlighting Swedish immigrants journey to America, plenty of heirlooms and historic pieces. I had Swedish relatives that lived in Waukegan in the early 20th century so loved this.
Best selection of used equipment in this city or most others. Has more used items than all the rest combined. The extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff make it easy to find what you need....or don
Great sushi inside a Japanese supermarket. Everyone who works here is friendly as well.
95th St Bridge was famously jumped by the Blues Brothers in a refittted police cruiser in their eponymous film
