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Chicago Guide for Locals and Visitors

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Explore all Chicago has to offer from restaurants to entertainment to museums.
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Favorite Things to Do as a Local

 
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Love this Chicago magic bar with a secret entrance.
Chicago Magic Lounge | Magic Bar and Theater | Andersonville
 
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Love going to Whirled News or Improv Shakespeare shows. I prefer it over Second City.
io Comedy
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Indoor mini golf with a bar
Big Mini Putt Club
 
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Check out a cubs game. It seems like ticket prices have been lower on seat geek than they are on stub hub recently.
Chicago Cubs Tickets 2024 - Official Ticket Marketplace | SeatGeek
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Another fun magic spot. BYOB
Chicago Magic Show | Lakeview | Trickery Chicago
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Spend the day in Chinatown. Get some soup dumpling and grab some treats from a bakery.
Chinatown
 
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Love seeing a musical.
Broadway In Chicago Tickets, 2024 Showtimes & Locations | SeatGeek
 
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Cool bar with tons of games and activities to keep you entertained
Punch Bowl Social
 
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Love playing whirlyball or renting out the laser tag room
WhirlyBall Chicago
 
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If you're feeling a lil bit creative.
BYOB Spray Paint 'n' Sip at Studio W.I.P. Chicago
 
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Love this arcade bar. Free games, no cover.
Replay Lincoln Park
 
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Fun shuffleboard bar
Royal Palms Chicago
 
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Another fun arcade bar with free games.
Headquarters Beercade
 
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I especially love their Christmas shows
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
 
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A full day itinerary of what to check out around Wrigley Field.
Itinerary for a Chicago Cubs game. #traveltips #chicago #wrigleyfield #wrigleyville #travel #chicagocubs #chicagothingstodo #chicagorestaurants #chicagobars
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Things to Do for First Time Visitors

 
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The Architecture Tour is a must do when visiting Chicago
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
 
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Chicago City Pass to see multiple museums and attractions
Chicago CityPASS - Klook - Klook
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Love the views at Hancock, especially at sunset/night
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission
 
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Interesting historical walking tour
Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour
 
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Great view from the ferris wheel at Navy Pier
Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Admission in Chicago - Klook
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I prefer the view at Hancock, but the Skydeck at Sears Tower is really cool.
Skydeck Chicago Admission Ticket
 
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This tour was really interesting about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and notorious criminal H.H. Holmes that Devil in the White City is based on.
The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour
 
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Chicago Food Tour
Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour
 
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Walking tour exploring Chicago's architecture
Chicago's Secret Interiors Architectural Walking Tour
 
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Check out the Blue Man Group at this small theater on the north side
Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theater in Chicago

Hotels

 
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Location near Maggie Daley Park and Michigan Avenue.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
 
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Great boutique hotel in the River North area
Freehand Chicago, Chicago (IL) | 2024 Updated Prices, Deals
 
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Love the West Loop neighborhood and this gorgeous hotel. They have a speakeasy in the basement and two other restaurant/bars.
The Hoxton Chicago, Chicago (IL) | 2023 Updated Prices, Deals
 
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Gorgeous hotel across from Wrigley Field
Hotel Zachary, Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel - Agoda.com
 
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Unique hotel with spacious suites in Lakeview
Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel
 
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Hotel in Old Town/Lincoln Park Area
Hotel Lincoln, Chicago (IL) | 2024 Updated Prices, Deals - Agoda.com

Restaurants

 
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Excellent restaurant in Wicker Park. The goat cheese oxtail ravioli is to die for.
Amaru
 
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Best duck in the city! Order the duck feast that feeds 3-4 people. Call to make a reservation
Sun Wah BBQ
 
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Stephanie Izard is incredible and knows how to integrate flavors in a unique way. Trust me and try the pig face!
Girl & The Goat
 
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Love their ribs and pulled pork. Best bbq in the city.
Smoque BBQ
 
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Beautiful restaurant with excellent food
Aba
 
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Another Stephanie Izard restaurant that I love. Get the pork shank.
Cabra
 
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Check out the rooftop in the summer for a freshly grilled brat and beer.
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
 
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Get the chocolate cake shake and the beef and cheddar croissant.
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

Pizza

 
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My favorite pizza in the city is the Standard Bearer. Soppressata, pickled jalapeños, and a rosemary infused honey drizzle.
Roebuck
 
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Love this place. The goat cheese, fig jam, and proscuitto pizza is sooo good.
La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana
 
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Tons of locations and it's the best deep dish in the city
Gold Coast - Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
 
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Amazing pizza pot pie
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company

Cocktail Bars

 
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My favorite cozy cocktail bar.  Located in Lincoln Park
Love Street - Chicago, IL
 
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Another great cocktail bar in Lincoln Park
King of Cups
 
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Beautiful rooftop cocktail bar downtown
Cindy's Rooftop
 
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Love this cocktail bar at Hotel Zachary across from Wrigley
ALMA - Chicago, IL
 
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Cocktails and fish tanks, who knew they go so well together?
Lost Reef Lounge

Live Music

 
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Intimate concerts in unique venues with 3 local artists. This is one of my favorite ways to see live music.
Concerts in Chicago | Live Music Gigs
 
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Great spot for blues.
Kingston Mines
 
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Jazz spot that Al Capone used to go to.
The Green Mill
 
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Chill bar with live music
The Hideout

Museums

 
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Love how interesting this art museum is.
Museum of Contemporary Art Ticket in Chicago (Direct Entry) - Klook
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Enjoy an afternoon strolling through the Art Institute.
Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour
 
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Check out the Field Museum
The Field Museum of Natural History Admission in Chicago - Klook
 
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Don't forget to check out the murals in the neighborhood after your museum visit.
National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen, Chicago
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Unique museum for those looking for something different
International Museum of Surgical Science
 
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Excellent museum
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
 
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Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
 
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Museum of Science and Industry has a lot to see. Don't miss the U-boat and look for the baby chicks hatching.
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Ice cream

 
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Amazing hot fudge sundaes. Multiple locations
Margie's Candies
 
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The honey cinnamon graham cracker ice cream is my favorite! Amazingly unique flavors.
Shawn Michelle's Homemade Ice Cream Bronzeville