Guidebook for Chicago
Sightseeing
Navy Pier is Chicago's number one tourist attraction boasting unique restaurants, shops, and other attractions. I-MAX theater located here as well.
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveNavy Pier is Chicago's number one tourist attraction boasting unique restaurants, shops, and other attractions. I-MAX theater located here as well.
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
Among the world’s largest, Grant Park’s 3-level rococo fountain (1927) offers light & water shows. Fountain in credits from "Married with Children". Must see at night when lit up!
219 locals recommend
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrAmong the world’s largest, Grant Park’s 3-level rococo fountain (1927) offers light & water shows. Fountain in credits from "Married with Children". Must see at night when lit up!
Formerly known as "Sears Tower" this is Chicago's iconic, 110-story skyscraper featuring expansive views of Chicago from its 103rd-story Skydeck
324 locals recommend
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrFormerly known as "Sears Tower" this is Chicago's iconic, 110-story skyscraper featuring expansive views of Chicago from its 103rd-story Skydeck
Skyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink
295 locals recommend
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan AveSkyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink
Luxury hotel with a highly regarded restaurant, spa & plush rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
28 locals recommend
Trump
401 N Wabash AveLuxury hotel with a highly regarded restaurant, spa & plush rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StIconic field where the Chicago Cubs play... Need I say more?
Shopping
Shopping destination with glass elevator & over 100 retail stores, spas & restaurants
327 locals recommend
Water Tower Place
835 Michigan AveShopping destination with glass elevator & over 100 retail stores, spas & restaurants
7 levels of luxury retailers, fashion boutiques & restaurants along Magnificent Mile.
7 locals recommend
900 N Michigan Ave
900 Michigan Avenue7 levels of luxury retailers, fashion boutiques & restaurants along Magnificent Mile.
The Magnificent Mile includes 3,100,000 sq ft of retail space, 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 hotels, and a host of sightseeing and entertainment attractions to more than 22 million visitors annually
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
The Magnificent Mile includes 3,100,000 sq ft of retail space, 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 hotels, and a host of sightseeing and entertainment attractions to more than 22 million visitors annually
Arts & Culture
Entertainment complex with 21 screen AMC theater, restaurants, and bowling alley
97 locals recommend
AMC River East 21
322 E Illinois StEntertainment complex with 21 screen AMC theater, restaurants, and bowling alley
State-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan.
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrState-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan.
Interactive exhibits & high-tech sky shows entertain stargazers -- lakefront views are a bonus
393 locals recommend
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrInteractive exhibits & high-tech sky shows entertain stargazers -- lakefront views are a bonus
State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.
657 locals recommend
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrState-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of hands-on-exhibits, including many for young kids
58 locals recommend
Chicago Children's Museum
700 E Grand AveFamily museum on Navy Pier with lots of hands-on-exhibits, including many for young kids
Large-format IMAX 3D cinema featuring current popular movies & educational films.
27 locals recommend
AMC Navy Pier IMAX
600 E Grand AveLarge-format IMAX 3D cinema featuring current popular movies & educational films.
Food Scene
California-influenced, American menu spotlighting seasonal, locally-sourced produce and ingredients. The atmosphere will make you feel as if you just walked into a beach oasis.
117 locals recommend
Summer House Santa Monica
1954 N Halsted StCalifornia-influenced, American menu spotlighting seasonal, locally-sourced produce and ingredients. The atmosphere will make you feel as if you just walked into a beach oasis.
Semi-upscale Irish pub food within two blocks walking distance.
31 locals recommend
D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
345 East Grand AvenueSemi-upscale Irish pub food within two blocks walking distance.
Locally sourced dining with European touches in modern environs with a more formal vibe at dinner
9 locals recommend
Local Root
601 N McClurg CtLocally sourced dining with European touches in modern environs with a more formal vibe at dinner
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Getting a reservation is difficult as they are always booked. However, the bar usually has open seating. Mostly smaller Italian influenced plates.
25 locals recommend
Siena Tavern
51 W Kinzie StOne of my favorite restaurants in the city. Getting a reservation is difficult as they are always booked. However, the bar usually has open seating. Mostly smaller Italian influenced plates.
Sleek modern venue combines a New American eatery, wine & cocktail bar & a bakery/cafe.
65 locals recommend
Beatrix
519 N Clark StSleek modern venue combines a New American eatery, wine & cocktail bar & a bakery/cafe.
Striking, bi-level restaurant featuring an eclectic menu complemented by handcrafted cocktails. The patio is great when the weather cooperates.
63 locals recommend
The Dawson
730 W Grand AveStriking, bi-level restaurant featuring an eclectic menu complemented by handcrafted cocktails. The patio is great when the weather cooperates.
Dining room, bar & sports lounge by the water boasting floor-to-ceiling windows & outdoor seating
6 locals recommend
Quay
465 E Illinois StDining room, bar & sports lounge by the water boasting floor-to-ceiling windows & outdoor seating
The Rock N Roll McDonald's is a flagship McDonald's restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the most famous McDonald's locations in the world and was once the busiest in the US
26 locals recommend
McDonald's
1951 N Western AveThe Rock N Roll McDonald's is a flagship McDonald's restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the most famous McDonald's locations in the world and was once the busiest in the US
Family-owned local chain for Italian classics & Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas with butter crusts. "Home of the original Chicago style deep dish pizza."
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StFamily-owned local chain for Italian classics & Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas with butter crusts. "Home of the original Chicago style deep dish pizza."
Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StChicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs
If you're looking for a snack Garrett Popcorn is handmade throughout the day in old-fashioned copper kettles using only the highest-quality ingredients. It is a Chicago favorite!
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveIf you're looking for a snack Garrett Popcorn is handmade throughout the day in old-fashioned copper kettles using only the highest-quality ingredients. It is a Chicago favorite!
Sleek coffee bar with floor-to-ceiling windows serves Metropolis java, sandwiches & pastries
98 locals recommend
Dollop Coffee Co.
4181 N Clarendon AveSleek coffee bar with floor-to-ceiling windows serves Metropolis java, sandwiches & pastries
Starbucks
1 E Delaware PlClosest Starbucks location
Favorite place to order pizza from. The thin crust is second to none. If you're looking for the true Chicago Deep-Dish theirs is pretty good as well!
32 locals recommend
Chicago's Pizza
3114 N Lincoln AveFavorite place to order pizza from. The thin crust is second to none. If you're looking for the true Chicago Deep-Dish theirs is pretty good as well!
Essentials
Elevated local grocery chain with gourmet foods & spirits, plus a bakery, cafe, deli & pharmacy.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveElevated local grocery chain with gourmet foods & spirits, plus a bakery, cafe, deli & pharmacy.
Everything Else
This popular Gold Coast/Streeterville neighborhood hotspot offers many amenities and a spectacular view of the city skyline.
176 locals recommend
Oak Street Beach
This popular Gold Coast/Streeterville neighborhood hotspot offers many amenities and a spectacular view of the city skyline.
One of Chicago's most popular beaches, it features a unique beach house. This sleek, ocean liner-inspired building, decked out in a crisp blue and white, boasts one of the best views in the city.
338 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach
One of Chicago's most popular beaches, it features a unique beach house. This sleek, ocean liner-inspired building, decked out in a crisp blue and white, boasts one of the best views in the city.
Closest Red Line Station for the CTA Train. The Red Line runs through the heart of Chicago all the way to the Northern and Southern bounds of the city.
22 locals recommend
Grand
521 N State StClosest Red Line Station for the CTA Train. The Red Line runs through the heart of Chicago all the way to the Northern and Southern bounds of the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Large wood & brick bar with a country-Western theme & a menu of BBQ/American comfort food.
34 locals recommend
Bub City
435 N Clark StLarge wood & brick bar with a country-Western theme & a menu of BBQ/American comfort food.
A summer hotspot on the 27th floor of theWit Hotel, with skyline views & upmarket cocktails.
67 locals recommend
ROOF on theWit
201 N State StA summer hotspot on the 27th floor of theWit Hotel, with skyline views & upmarket cocktails.
The Boss Bar
420 N Clark StGreat "Dive" bar in River North