Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StBest Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, and polishes
Greek Islands
200 S Halsted StSTACKED - Oak Lawn
5273 W 95th StStarbucks
160 W 87th StKusanya Cafe
825 W 69th StMust try the Chicago mix with the cheese and caramel popcorn
58 locals recommend
Garrett Popcorn Shops
173 Michigan AveMust try the Chicago mix with the cheese and caramel popcorn
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveNorman's Bistro
1001 E 43rd StWonderful restaurant if you are a seafood lover. The portions are large. Lunch specials are offered daily between 11 am - 3 pm. When possible, call ahead for reservations.
6 locals recommend
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
921 Pasquinelli DrWonderful restaurant if you are a seafood lover. The portions are large. Lunch specials are offered daily between 11 am - 3 pm. When possible, call ahead for reservations.
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que (Closed)
2855 95th Street Lunch specials are available between 11 am - 4 pm.
When possible, call ahead for a reservation.
Wonderful wine selection!
10 locals recommend
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
4830 W 111th StWhen possible, call ahead for a reservation.
Wonderful wine selection!
The Cheesecake Factory
875 N Michigan AveCheck hours, as they are limited during the week.
Website: www.ronscajunconnection.com
10 locals recommend
Cajun Connection
2958 IL-178Check hours, as they are limited during the week.
Website: www.ronscajunconnection.com
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - Carry Out
12801 S Harlem AveArts & Culture
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StDuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th PlNational Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th StMuseum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrThe Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrThe Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveChess Records
2120 S Michigan AveThe Chicago Theatre
175 N State StJames M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W Randolph StGoodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn StAuditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
50 East Ida B. Wells DriveCivic Opera House
1001 W Washington BlvdEntertainment & Activities
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore Dr
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StBrookfield Zoo
8400 W 31st StPinstripes
435 E Illinois StGreat food! Bistro - Bowling - Bocce
AMC River East 21
322 E Illinois StAMC Chicago Ridge 6
500 Chicago Ridge MallAMC Ford City 14
7601 S Cicero AvePinstripes
435 E Illinois StSeven Ten Lanes Hyde Park
1055 E 55th StHere's something for the kids that the entire family can enjoy.
58 locals recommend
Chicago Children's Museum
700 E Grand AveHere's something for the kids that the entire family can enjoy.
Odyssey Fun World
19111 Oak Park AveHaunted Trails Family Entertainment Center (Burbank)
7759 S Harlem AveSix Flags Great America
1 Great America ParkwaySanta’s Village Amusement & Water Park
601 Dundee AveChicago White Sox
333 W 35th StWrigley Field
1060 W Addison StChicago Bulls
1901 W Madison StChicago Bulls
1901 W Madison StGreat place for the family to learn about the agricultural business through the pig and dairy farm tours.
13 locals recommend
Fair Oaks Farms
856 N 600 EGreat place for the family to learn about the agricultural business through the pig and dairy farm tours.
Shopping
Whole Foods Market
5118 S Lake Park AveRoosevelt Collection Shops
150 W Roosevelt RdOak Brook
Target
1346 E 53rd StMariano's
2021 W Chicago AveCostco warehouse membership required
Great spot to fill up your car on gasoline!
35 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
1430 S Ashland AveCostco warehouse membership required
Great spot to fill up your car on gasoline!
Sam's Club
9400 S Western AveSam's Club warehouse membership required
Walmart Supercenter
2500 W 95th StMeijer
9200 S Western Ave Great spot to fill up your car on gasoline!
Walmart Supercenter
2500 W 95th StEvergreen Plaza Shopping Center
9500 S Western AveEssentials
Try the fitness center with group classes and indoor track for $5 per day
The Salvation Army Adele and Robert Stern Red Shield Center
945 W 69th StTry the fitness center with group classes and indoor track for $5 per day
Planet Fitness
8331 S Holland RdWalgreens
1554 E 55th St24hr drug store
At this laundromat, you will have to load money on a card to wash and dry. The machines do not accept coin money. While you wait for your laundry, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Jewel (grocery store), and Kmart are further south on Pulaski Road & 95th Street in the suburb of Oak Lawn.
Smart Wash
8300 S Pulaski RdAt this laundromat, you will have to load money on a card to wash and dry. The machines do not accept coin money. While you wait for your laundry, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Jewel (grocery store), and Kmart are further south on Pulaski Road & 95th Street in the suburb of Oak Lawn.
This laundromat is NOT open 24 hours. However, it is inside a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts and Ultra Foods grocery store. There is also a beautiful park and walking trail south on Kedzie & 88th Street in the suburb of Evergreen Park.
Dev-Lyn's 24 Hour E-Z Wash
8606 S Kedzie AveThis laundromat is NOT open 24 hours. However, it is inside a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts and Ultra Foods grocery store. There is also a beautiful park and walking trail south on Kedzie & 88th Street in the suburb of Evergreen Park.
Parks & Nature
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StFor a quiet get away from the city, I enjoy escaping to the Hyatt Lodge McDonald's Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois. The hiking/biking trails are peaceful and serene. For $15, you can spend a full day of relaxation at the gym, fitness classes, pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and locker room at the Hyatt Lodge. You can book a spa appointment.
Hyatt Lodge
2815 Jorie BlvdFor a quiet get away from the city, I enjoy escaping to the Hyatt Lodge McDonald's Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois. The hiking/biking trails are peaceful and serene. For $15, you can spend a full day of relaxation at the gym, fitness classes, pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and locker room at the Hyatt Lodge. You can book a spa appointment.
This Forest Preserve is one of my favorites with the 1.5 mile walking/biking trail, sledding hills, playfields and ample parking.
Entry Points:
#1 83rd Street - just east of Western Avenue
#2 Western Avenue - between 83rd Street & 87th Street
Dan Ryan Woods-East
West 87th StreetThis Forest Preserve is one of my favorites with the 1.5 mile walking/biking trail, sledding hills, playfields and ample parking.
Entry Points:
#1 83rd Street - just east of Western Avenue
#2 Western Avenue - between 83rd Street & 87th Street
Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
2678 East 873 RoadSightseeing
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave