Guidebook for Chicago

Jen
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

This is a neighborhood institution. The ice cream is a major throwback to soda fountain days. They're known for their overflowing banana splits and sundaes. It's packed almost every night of the week but especially weekends. Best times to visit would be during the day on week days.
179 personas locales recomiendan
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western Ave
179 personas locales recomiendan
This is a neighborhood institution. The ice cream is a major throwback to soda fountain days. They're known for their overflowing banana splits and sundaes. It's packed almost every night of the week but especially weekends. Best times to visit would be during the day on week days.
This is our go-to date night spot. The food is delicious and they change the menu every week depending on what's in season. Everything they make is in house and delicious. It's pricey but worth it.
72 personas locales recomiendan
Table, Donkey and Stick
2728 W Armitage Ave
72 personas locales recomiendan
This is our go-to date night spot. The food is delicious and they change the menu every week depending on what's in season. Everything they make is in house and delicious. It's pricey but worth it.
Even though Ipsento is the chain they serve delicious coffee and light bites. Also, each location has a different vibe with local art work so it never gets boring.
109 personas locales recomiendan
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western Ave
109 personas locales recomiendan
Even though Ipsento is the chain they serve delicious coffee and light bites. Also, each location has a different vibe with local art work so it never gets boring.
If you're in the mood for Cuban soul food this is the place! It's BYOB but they supply mixers for sangria, margaritas, etc. The portions are big and the prices are low. It's a win-win!
182 personas locales recomiendan
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage Ave
182 personas locales recomiendan
If you're in the mood for Cuban soul food this is the place! It's BYOB but they supply mixers for sangria, margaritas, etc. The portions are big and the prices are low. It's a win-win!
Everything here is delicious and the place is always packed. If you're looking for something to warm you up during the chilly winter months, look no further!
134 personas locales recomiendan
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee Ave
134 personas locales recomiendan
Everything here is delicious and the place is always packed. If you're looking for something to warm you up during the chilly winter months, look no further!
The best biscuits and pies in the surrounding neighborhood. And the hot chocolate is pretty killer too. This place is always packed and you can smell the bakery from the outside!
468 personas locales recomiendan
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California Ave
468 personas locales recomiendan
The best biscuits and pies in the surrounding neighborhood. And the hot chocolate is pretty killer too. This place is always packed and you can smell the bakery from the outside!
Hands down the best hamburger and fries you can get in the neighborhood. It's an outpost of the famed Au Cheval but just for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Go in the summer to hang out in their backyard.
161 personas locales recomiendan
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave
161 personas locales recomiendan
Hands down the best hamburger and fries you can get in the neighborhood. It's an outpost of the famed Au Cheval but just for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Go in the summer to hang out in their backyard.
New restaurant specializing in delicious modern Mexican fare. Delicious food and super romantic vibes. Also they have a secret bar around the back!
55 personas locales recomiendan
Lonesome Rose
2101 N California Ave
55 personas locales recomiendan
New restaurant specializing in delicious modern Mexican fare. Delicious food and super romantic vibes. Also they have a secret bar around the back!
The go-to dumpling place in Chinatown. Always packed with people and a huge selection of dumplings and other delicious foods.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
2002 S Wentworth Ave
15 personas locales recomiendan
The go-to dumpling place in Chinatown. Always packed with people and a huge selection of dumplings and other delicious foods.
Heavenly French food. Always bustling but totally worth the wait.
56 personas locales recomiendan
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen Ave
56 personas locales recomiendan
Heavenly French food. Always bustling but totally worth the wait.
The best ice cream. Adventurous flavors that change monthly and FRESH waffle cones.
131 personas locales recomiendan
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee Ave
131 personas locales recomiendan
The best ice cream. Adventurous flavors that change monthly and FRESH waffle cones.
Farm to table that is always worth the wait. If you go for brunch check out their rotating breakfast sandwich special!
936 personas locales recomiendan
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
936 personas locales recomiendan
Farm to table that is always worth the wait. If you go for brunch check out their rotating breakfast sandwich special!
Lovely cafe with delicious baked goods and farm to table fare. Everything here is fresh and delicious.
58 personas locales recomiendan
Cellar Door Provisions
3025 W Diversey Ave
58 personas locales recomiendan
Lovely cafe with delicious baked goods and farm to table fare. Everything here is fresh and delicious.
They always have delicious flavor combos that are totally original. And it’s less than a 10 minute walk away!
Yolk - Test Kitchen
1767 N Milwaukee Ave
They always have delicious flavor combos that are totally original. And it’s less than a 10 minute walk away!

Drinks & Nightlife

This is another one of our go-to spots. It's definitely a dive but they have a full roster of events every night. McDonald is a regular at the Stand-Up Open Mic on Wednesdays and I go to their figure drawing night on Tuesdays.
70 personas locales recomiendan
Cole's Bar
2338 N Milwaukee Ave
70 personas locales recomiendan
This is another one of our go-to spots. It's definitely a dive but they have a full roster of events every night. McDonald is a regular at the Stand-Up Open Mic on Wednesdays and I go to their figure drawing night on Tuesdays.
Fun bar with lots of classic pinball and arcade games. They also host great pop-ups so try and catch one next door!
139 personas locales recomiendan
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 personas locales recomiendan
Fun bar with lots of classic pinball and arcade games. They also host great pop-ups so try and catch one next door!
I love this bar because it's got a great chill vibe and delicious drinks. There's an ever-changing front window installation and local artwork on rotation. Plus great live music.
185 personas locales recomiendan
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee Ave
185 personas locales recomiendan
I love this bar because it's got a great chill vibe and delicious drinks. There's an ever-changing front window installation and local artwork on rotation. Plus great live music.
Great place for local improv/comedy open mics. Check out Cupcake Cabaret on Thursdays and you might catch McDonald there!
33 personas locales recomiendan
Gallery Cabaret
2020 N Oakley Ave
33 personas locales recomiendan
Great place for local improv/comedy open mics. Check out Cupcake Cabaret on Thursdays and you might catch McDonald there!
Tiki bar with delicious drinks and fun decor- what’s not to love?
356 personas locales recomiendan
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey Ave
356 personas locales recomiendan
Tiki bar with delicious drinks and fun decor- what’s not to love?
A rowdy arcade bar that is known for their monthly themed pop-up bars next door. Great fun if you love games!
139 personas locales recomiendan
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 personas locales recomiendan
A rowdy arcade bar that is known for their monthly themed pop-up bars next door. Great fun if you love games!

Parks & Nature

The 606 is an old train track that has been turned into an elevated promenade. It's a perfect spot for a morning run or bike ride. Several of the exits are entrances into parks through Logan Square/Buctown/Wicker Park.
133 personas locales recomiendan
Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale Trail
133 personas locales recomiendan
The 606 is an old train track that has been turned into an elevated promenade. It's a perfect spot for a morning run or bike ride. Several of the exits are entrances into parks through Logan Square/Buctown/Wicker Park.
It’s a free zoo in a beautiful park- what else do you need?
1117 personas locales recomiendan
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
1117 personas locales recomiendan
It’s a free zoo in a beautiful park- what else do you need?
Briefly the home of the infamous Chance The Snapper, Humboldt Park is the perfect place for a little nature getaway in the neighborhood. This park has lovely trails as well as swan paddleboats and trolley bikes. On any given summer's day you can find live music, local food vendors, fisherman, and family picnics. If you're luck you can even catch a little league game on the weekends.
293 personas locales recomiendan
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt Dr
293 personas locales recomiendan
Briefly the home of the infamous Chance The Snapper, Humboldt Park is the perfect place for a little nature getaway in the neighborhood. This park has lovely trails as well as swan paddleboats and trolley bikes. On any given summer's day you can find live music, local food vendors, fisherman, and family picnics. If you're luck you can even catch a little league game on the weekends.
Lovely botanical garden with a huge selection of plant life. It's a wonderful place to go on a rainy day.
258 personas locales recomiendan
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave
258 personas locales recomiendan
Lovely botanical garden with a huge selection of plant life. It's a wonderful place to go on a rainy day.

Essentials

Fresh Market Place has a great selection of affordable produce and other groceries.
62 personas locales recomiendan
Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western Ave
62 personas locales recomiendan
Fresh Market Place has a great selection of affordable produce and other groceries.
Perfect for no frills essential groceries. Less variety than Fresh Market but you can't beat the price!
131 personas locales recomiendan
Aldi
3363 N Milwaukee Ave
131 personas locales recomiendan
Perfect for no frills essential groceries. Less variety than Fresh Market but you can't beat the price!

Getting Around

This is the closest CTA train stop by our place. Your really can't get much closer to the subway without hearing it! A ten minute ride to the Loop and it's open 24 hours.
51 personas locales recomiendan
Western Blue Line Station
51 personas locales recomiendan
This is the closest CTA train stop by our place. Your really can't get much closer to the subway without hearing it! A ten minute ride to the Loop and it's open 24 hours.

Shopping

This is a tiny toy store specializing in vintage toys and ephemera. They also have group art shows monthly. A fun place to browse through on a lazy Sunday.
Toy de Jour
2532 W Fullerton Ave
This is a tiny toy store specializing in vintage toys and ephemera. They also have group art shows monthly. A fun place to browse through on a lazy Sunday.
A shop and gallery focusing on the occult. They often have events on tarot reading, crystals, and other spiritual experiences.
Sideshow Gallery
2219 N Western Ave
A shop and gallery focusing on the occult. They often have events on tarot reading, crystals, and other spiritual experiences.

Arts & Culture

If you can only go to one museum, go here. It has all of the classics along with interesting special exhibits. Plus they are open late on Thursdays and it's free for IL residents (but all they ask for is a zip code!)
1159 personas locales recomiendan
El Instituto de Arte de Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 personas locales recomiendan
If you can only go to one museum, go here. It has all of the classics along with interesting special exhibits. Plus they are open late on Thursdays and it's free for IL residents (but all they ask for is a zip code!)
If you can only fit in 2 museums, pick MCA and AIC. Free days for IL residents are on Tuesdays and they don't check either! Lots of awesome exhibits and a really beautiful modern building. In the summer there is free jazz outside at night!
532 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 personas locales recomiendan
If you can only fit in 2 museums, pick MCA and AIC. Free days for IL residents are on Tuesdays and they don't check either! Lots of awesome exhibits and a really beautiful modern building. In the summer there is free jazz outside at night!