Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
LOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
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Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveLOVE for coffee, baked goods (our son obsessed with their scones) or light breakfast (amazing breakfast sandwiches and strata). Also delicious shakes and ice cream. Closed Monday's.
The coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
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C.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta BlvdThe coffee is delicious and the interior quaint. Just doughnuts for food, but a classic Chicago doughnut at that (from the Doughnut Vault). Also, boozy coffee drinks for daytime (not open at night).
They have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
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Guerrero's Tacos & Pizza
2534 W Division StThey have everything! Personally have only had the Mexican eats, like tacos, quesadillas, chips/guac, etc. Good for a quick bite and late-night food, too. Just around the corner.
Laid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
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Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveLaid back spot for upscale tacos. Supposed to have good whiskey selection, too.
Feed
2803 W Chicago AveInexpensive rotisserie and southern sides in no frills environment
New in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
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Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California AveNew in the neighborhood. Cozy French cafe that continue to receive excellent reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday's.
The Shelby
2759 West Augusta BoulevardTasty bar food
Hands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
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Bite Cafe
1039 N Western AveHands down our favorite place for breakfast/brunch in the city. Simple menu but delicious. The pork hash wins our hearts every time. Also lunch/dinner BYOB.
Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 W Division StAuthentic Puerto Rican food in casual environment. BYOB.
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California AvenueQuiet spot for wine and cheese and light fare.
Coffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
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Cup & Spoon
2415 W North AveCoffee shop/art gallery. Get their vanilla essence latte (vanilla, black pepper and fig - MMMMM!)
Hands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
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Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
2056 West Division StreetHands down our favorite pizza in Chicago. We don't do deep dish (though you can order it here), but we love Rudy's Special. It's the crust that makes this pizza a don't miss!
Phenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.
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West Randolph Street
West Randolph StreetPhenomenal restaurants in the West Loop on and around Randolph Street. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks - some of the hottest places to eat and see/be seen are here.
Drinks & Nightlife
Be transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
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The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueBe transported back in time with classic cocktails and interior. Definitely a local and very cool spot.
Recently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
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Queen Mary
2125 W Division StRecently revitalized vintage bar that had been untouched for 40 years. Intimate space.
Good for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
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Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division StGood for bar food and the most beers on tap you can find anywhere in Chicago. Especiallu popular on game days.
Popular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
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The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AvePopular, grungy small music venue/bar for alternative music scene.
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveIcon Chicago bar for fancy cocktails. An experience! Pricey.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
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Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrBeautiful and very large Chicago park. Underrated! Lots of activity in summer with locals enjoying its beauty. Beach in summer, lots oftrails/paths to run/walk/bike, lagoon, 4 playgrounds, tennis court. (NOTE: the marker on the map is placed at the southernmost edge...the largest part of Humboldt Park north of marker, as is visible on map.)
Elevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueElevated train track turned into a couple mile park/trail. Cool to see and good for a run/walk/bike. 1 mile walk to get there, or a quick drive.
Essentials
Large beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
CTA Foods
2559 W Division StLarge beverage selection. Decent food selection. Doesn't get any easier or closer! We shop here frequently, from organic milk and organic eggs, to frozen pizza and local craft beer.
Great option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
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FAMILY DOLLAR
3748 N Elston AveGreat option for essentials or cheap kiddie toys. Just one block away.
Larger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
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Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveLarger produce selection (improved options over CTA Foods). 10 minute walk, or 3 minute drive. We shop here when we need more options than what next door can provide. Not much for organic offerings (FYI....go to Mariano's for that).
Just a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveJust a 10 minute drive or Uber. Not recommended via bus or walking. Our favorite place to get groceries because of large selection and organic options.
Sightseeing
The authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
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Chicago Arkitekturcenter
111 E Wacker DrThe authority on architecture in Chicago. Very respected. 80+ tours. Guides are volunteer docents. Don't miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises, their most popular tour and named one of the Top 10 Tours in US by TripAdvisor.
See the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
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Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StSee the "Bean" (Cloud Gate sculpture), see gardens and art and the ultimate kiddie playground, Maggie Daley Park. Live music and special events in summer; ice skating in winter.
360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.
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360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave360 degree views of Chicago from second tallest tower. Better location when done with tower because located along shopping Mecca, The Magnificent Mile.
Arts & Culture
Beautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveBeautiful museum that was named #1 in the world by Tripadvisor.
I feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.
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Richard H. Driehaus Museum
40 E Erie StI feel like the Driehaus Museum is a hidden gem. Fascinating look at interior of meticulously restored mansion from the Gilded Age age. Definitely do the guided tour to get the most from your visit.
Shopping
Cute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
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One Strange Bird
2124 W Division StCute gift shop! My go to neighborhood spot when I need a gift. Also host fun BYOB art classes. 8-10 minute walk from house.
Men and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
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Penelope's
1913 W Division StMen and women's clothing boutique (and yes, mostly boutique prices but can find a few items in the $60 and under crowd)
Great local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.
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Komoda
2559 W Chicago AveGreat local shop for gifts. Voted top gift store in Chicago regularly by local magazines. 10 minute walk from house.