WHERE TO EAT

Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee

• Bistrot Zinc - 1131 N State St. (Gold Coast) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> French
• The Bongo Room - 1470 N Milwaukee Ave. (Wicker Park) | See more locations here >> American
• The Doughnut Vault - 401 N Franklin St. (River North) >> Doughnut Shop & Food Truck
• Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea - 1233 N Wells St. (Old Town) | See more locations here >> Coffee Shop
• Mellow Yellow - 1508 E 53rd St. (Hyde Park) >> American​​
• Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits - 2051 N California Ave. (Logan Square) >> Bakery
• Yolk - 355 E Ohio St. (Streeterville) | See more locations here >> American
• Firecakes Donuts - 68 W Hubbard St. (River North) | See more locations here >> Doughnut Shop
• Osmium Coffee Bar - 1117 W Belmont Ave. (Lakeview) | See more locations here >> Coffee Shop
• Bombobar - 158 N Green St. (West Loop) | Connected to Bar Siena >> Coffee Shop
• Bohemian House - 11 W Illinois St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> German
• avec - 615 W Randolph St. (West Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Mediterranean
• Stan's Donuts - 1560 N Damen Ave. (Wicker Park) | See more locations here >> Doughnut Shop
• Goddess and the Baker - 33 S Wabash Ave. (The Loop) | See more locations here >> Coffee Shop
• Hallowed Grounds - 5706 University Ave. (Hyde Park) | Located on U of Chicago campus >> Coffee Shop
• Hash House a Go-Go - 1212 N State St. (Gold Coast) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Pierrot Gourmet - 108 E Superior St. (Magnificent Mile) | Located inside The Peninsula Hotel >> French
• Billy Goat Tavern - 430 N Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) | Cash only >> American 
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe - 130 E Randolph St. (The Loop) >> American
• Do-Rite Donuts - 50 W Randolph St. (The Loop) | See more locations here >> Doughnut Shop *NEW

LUNCH

• Miller's Pub - 134 S Wabash Ave. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations by phone at 312-263-4988 >> American
• Johnnie's Beef - 7500 W North Ave. (Elmwood Park) | Cash only >> Sandwich Shop
• Lou Malnati's - 1120 N State St. (Gold Coast) | See more locations here >> Pizza Joint
• Elephant & Castle - 111 W Adams St. (The Loop) | See more locations here >> British
• Gene & Jude's - 2720 River Rd. (River Grove) | Cash only >> Hot Dog Joint
• Seven Treasures Cantonese - 2312 S Wentworth Ave. (Chinatown) >> Chinese
• Davanti Entoeca - 1359 W Taylor St. (Little Italy) | Accepts reservations here >> Italian
• The Original Billy Goat Tavern - 430 N Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) | Cash only >> Burger Joint
• DMK County BBQ - 1352 W Taylor St. (Little Italy) >> BBQ Joint
• Toni Patisserie & Cafe - 65 E Washington St. (The Loop) >> French Cafe
• Al's Beef - 169 W Ontario St. (River North) >> See more locations here >> Sandwich Shop
• DMK Burger Bar - 2954 N Sheffield Ave. (Lakeview) | See more locations here >> Burger Joint
• Bar Siena - 832 W Randolph St. (West Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Italian
• Little Goat Diner - 820 W Randolph St. (West Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Ramen-san - 59 W Hubbard St. #2 (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Japanese
• Cindy's - 12 S Michigan Ave. (The Loop) | Reservations Only - Accepts reservations on Reserve >> American 

DINNER

• Tortoise Supper Club - 350 N State St. (River North) |  Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Primebar - 155 N Upper Wacker Dr. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American​
• McCormick & Schmick's - 1 E Wacker Dr. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Seafood
• Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse - 33 W Kinzie St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Italian
• Rodity's Restaurant - 222 S Halsted St. (Greektown) >> Greek
• The Berghoff Restaurant - 17 W Adams St. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> German
• Giordano's Pizzeria - 130 E Randolph St. (The Loop) | See more locations here >> Pizza Joint
• The Purple Pig - 500 N Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) >> Mediterranean
• Quartino - 626 N State St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Italian
• Rockit Burger Bar - 3700 N Clark St. (Wrigleyville) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Burger Joint
• Dick's Last Resort - 315 N Dearborn St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Frontera Grill - 445 N Clark St. (River North) | Accepts reservations here >> Mexican
• The Silver Palm - 768 N Milwaukee Ave. (River West) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Blaze Pizza - 227 E Ontario St. (Streeterville) | See more locations here >> Pizza Joint
• Art of Pizza - 3033 N Ashland Ave. (Lakeview) >> Pizza Joint
• The Dawson - 730 W Grand Ave. (River West) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> American
• Hot Woks Cool Sushi - 312 W Adams St. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Chinese/Japanese
• Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - 2024 N Halsted St. (Lincoln Park) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Spanish
• The Hampton Social - 353 W Hubbard St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Seafood
• Nellcote - 833 W Randolph St. (West Loop) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Italian

DESSERT/SNACKS

• Garrett's Popcorn - 4 E Madison St. (The Loop) | See more locations here >> Gourmet Popcorn Shop
• Nuts on Clark - 3830 N Clark St. (Wrigleyville) | See more locations here >> Gourmet Popcorn Shop
• Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe - 2158 S Archer Ave. (Chinatown) >> Bakery
• Original Ferrara Bakery - 2210 W Taylor St. (Little Italy) >> Italian Bakery
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Cafe - 400 N Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) >> Ice Cream/Chocolate Shop
• Toni Patisserie & Cafe - 65 E Washington St. (The Loop) >> French Bakery
• Alliance Patisserie - 615 N State St. (River North) >> French Bakery
• Magnolia Bakery - 108 N State St. #128 (The Loop) | Located inside Block 37 >> Bakery
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - 1505 N Milwaukee Ave. (Wicker Park) | See more locations here >> Ice Cream Shop
• Lovely: a bake shop - 1130 N Milwaukee Ave. (West Town) >> Bakery

WHERE TO DRINK

• CH Distillery - 564 W Randolph St. (West Loop) | Accepts reservations on Yelp >> Cocktail Bar
• Andy's Jazz Club - 11 E Hubbard St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Jazz Bar
• Tortoise Supper Club - 350 N State St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Jazz Bar
• The Cubby Bear - 1059 W Addison St. (Wrigleyville) >> Sports Bar
• Printer's Row Wine Shop - 719 S Dearborn St. (Printer's Row) >> Wine Bar
• Vines on Clark - 3554 N Clark St. (Wrigleyville) >> Sports Bar
• The Book Cellar - 4736 N Lincoln Ave. (Lincoln Square) >> Bookstore/Cafe
• Pops for Champagne - 601 N State St. (River North) >> Champagne Bar
• Three Dots and a Dash - 435 N Clark St. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Tiki Bar
• Watershed - 601 N State St. (River North) | Located below Pops for Champagne >> Cocktail Bar
• Sugar Factory - 5445 Park Pl. (Rosemont) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Cocktail Bar
• Henry's - 18 W Hubbard St. (River North) >> Cocktail Bar
• Murphy's Bleachers - 3655 N Sheffield Ave. (Wrigleyville) >> Sports Bar
• Sluggers - 3540 N Clark St. (Wrigleyville) >> Sports Bar
• Rock Bottom Brewery - 1 W Grand Ave. (River North) | Accepts reservations on Open Table >> Brewery
• Joe's Bar - 940 W Weed St. (Old Town) >> Sports Bar
• The Berkshire Room - 15 E Ohio St. (River North) | Located inside the ACME Hotel >> Cocktail Bar
• Delilah's - 2771 N Lincoln Ave. (Lakeview) >> Whiskey Bar
• The Commons Club - 203 N Wabash Ave. (The Loop) | Accepts reservations on Virgin Hotels site >> Cocktail Bar

WHERE TO STAY

• ​The Palmer House - 17 E Monroe St. (The Loop)
• Hilton Chicago - 720 S Michigan Ave. (The Loop)
• Sheraton Grand Chicago - 301 E North Water St. (The Loop)
• Aloft Chicago O'Hare - 9700 Balmoral Ave. (Rosemont)

WHERE TO SHOP

• Magnificent Mile - Michigan Ave.
• Fashion Outlets of Chicago - 5220 Fashion Outlets Way (Rosemont)
• Block Thirty Seven - 108 N State St. (The Loop)
• Water Tower Place - 835 N Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile)
• State Street Shops - State St. (The Loop)
• Old Town Shopping - N Wells St. (Old Town)
• P.O.S.H. - 613 N State St. (River North)

THINGS TO DO

MUSEUMS

• Field Museum - 1400 S Lake Shore Dr. (South Loop) >> History
• Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S Lake Shore Dr. (South Loop) >> Aquarium
• Adler Planetarium - 1300 S Lake Shore Dr. (South Loop) >> Space
• Art Institute of Chicago - 111 S Michigan Ave. (The Loop) >> Art
• Museum of Science and Industry - 5700 S Lake Shore Dr. (Hyde Park) >> Science

ATTRACTIONS

• Navy Pier - 600 E Grand Ave. (The Loop) | Free admission; pay to park
• Millennium Park - 201 E Randolph St. (The Loop) | Free
• Grant Park - 337 E Randolph St. (The Loop) | Free
• Sears (Willis) Tower Sky Deck - 233 S Wacker Dr. (The Loop)
• North Ave. Beach - 1600 N Lake Shore Dr. (Lincoln Park) | Free
• Lincoln Park Zoo - 2001 N Clark St. (Lincoln Park) | Free
• Brookfield Zoo - 8400 W 31st St. (Brookfield)
• University of Chicago - 5801 S Ellis Ave. (Hyde Park) | Free
• Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N Central Park Ave. (Garfield Park) | Free admission
• Chicago Botanic Garden - 1000 Lake Cook Rd. (Glencoe) | Free admission; pay to park
• Ping Tom Memorial Park - 300 W 19th St. (Chinatown) | Free
• Architecture Boat Tour - 400 N Michigan Ave. (The Loop)
• Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Washington St. (The Loop)

SPORTS

• Wrigley Field (Cubs) - 1060 W Addison St. (Wrigleyville) >> Baseball 
• United Center (Bulls/Blackhawks) - 1901 W Madison St. (West Loop) >> Basketball/Hockey
• Soldier Field (Bears) - 1410 Museum Campus Dr. (South Loop) >> American Football

CITY EVENTS

• Taste of Chicago - Grant Park | Entrance is free >> July
• Festival of Lights Show - Magnificent Mile | Show is free >> November
• Air & Water Show - North Ave Beach/Oak St Beach | Entrance is free >> August
• Zoolights - Lincoln Park Zoo | Entrance is free >> November-December
• Christkindlmarket - Daley Plaza | Entrance is free >> November-December
• Taste of Randolph - Randolph St. in West Loop | Donation of $10 requested at entrance >> June

SHOWS

• PrivateBank Theater - 18 W Monroe St. (The Loop) >> Broadway
• The Vic Theatre - 3145 N Sheffield Ave. (Lakeview) >> Music/Comedy
• FirstMerit Bank Pavilion - 1300 S Linn White Dr. (Northerly Island) >> Music
• Ravinia Festival - 200 Ravinia Park Rd. (Highland Park) >> Music/Shows
• Oriental Theatre - 24 W Randolph St. (Theatre District) >> Broadway
• Auditorium Theatre - 50 E Congress Pkwy (The Loop) >> Ballet/Concerts
• Cadillac Palace Theatre - 151 W Randolph St. (Theatre District) >> Broadway

TRANSPORTATION

• Metra - Goes to and from the city and suburbs and along the lakefront >> Train
• CTA - Goes throughout the city, to and from O'Hare, and to and from Midway >> Train/Subway/Bus
• O'Hare International Airport
• Midway International Airport
• Pace - Goes to and from suburbs and city >> Bus

​A City Pass is available for Chicago and includes admission to the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck (Willis Tower), The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, Adler Planetarium OR The Art Institute of Chicago. Priced at $98 per adult and $82 per child. Highly recommended for first time Chicago visitors and museumers.