Welcome to Chicago.
Here are some things I like
Wrigleyville food options
Fantastic pizza. Not the chicago deep dish, which I don’t like…these are unusual. My favorite is Mac and cheese pizza
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Dimo's Pizza Wrigley
3463 N Clark StFantastic pizza. Not the chicago deep dish, which I don’t like…these are unusual. My favorite is Mac and cheese pizza
Sort of fancy but lovely food. Beautiful and intimate interior.
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Ella Elli
1349 W Cornelia AveSort of fancy but lovely food. Beautiful and intimate interior.
Crosby's Kitchen
3455 N Southport AveTidy, kid friendly, and low key neighborhood place.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveIt really is as good as it sounds.
Julius Meinl Restaurant and Cafe
3601 N Southport AveWalkable coffee shop.
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveNeighborhood pizza shop.
Coda di Volpe
3335 N Southport AveFancy and requires reservations but so good.
Al's Beef
1079 W Taylor StClassic chicago hot dog place
Americanized Thai. Come for the food, stay for the Robot collection. The interior is amazing.
Cozy Noodles n' Rice
3456 North Sheffield AvenueAmericanized Thai. Come for the food, stay for the Robot collection. The interior is amazing.
GLBTQ favorites
East Lakeview (mostly)
Las Mananitas
3523 N Halsted StA neighborhood margarita staple.
Elixir Lounge
3452 N Halsted StOur version of a fancy cocktail lounge.
The largest gay bar in the city. Famous for showtimes on Monday night. Does not have a dance floor.
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Sidetrack
3349 N Halsted StThe largest gay bar in the city. Famous for showtimes on Monday night. Does not have a dance floor.
Roscoe's
3356 N Halsted StBest dance floor in the city.
Country western bar. Some of the friendliest guys in the city
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Charlie's Chicago
3726 North BroadwayCountry western bar. Some of the friendliest guys in the city
Hydrate
3458 N Halsted StLate night party bar. Gets a bit dodgy after 2 am.
Steamworks Baths Chicago
3246 North Halsted StreetSupposedly the best of its kind in North America. Gigantic.
Neighborhoods
Swedish neighborhood, taken over the gays in the early 1990s. Clark street between foster and Bryan Mawr is the center and is full of small shops, vintage, and great independent restaurants.
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Andersonville
Swedish neighborhood, taken over the gays in the early 1990s. Clark street between foster and Bryan Mawr is the center and is full of small shops, vintage, and great independent restaurants.
Anchored by the historic Music Box theater (still showing movies) on the north end, it’s a neighborhood centered on Southport avenue. Lots of well heeled moms with baby peaks, it’s a quick stroll from the flat and a very tidy experience.
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North Southport Avenue
North Southport AvenueAnchored by the historic Music Box theater (still showing movies) on the north end, it’s a neighborhood centered on Southport avenue. Lots of well heeled moms with baby peaks, it’s a quick stroll from the flat and a very tidy experience.
With Wrigley field at the epicenter, the entire area comes alive during the baseball season. Multiple bars line Clark street from Waveland Avenue at the north down to Roscoe Street on the south.
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Wrigleyville
With Wrigley field at the epicenter, the entire area comes alive during the baseball season. Multiple bars line Clark street from Waveland Avenue at the north down to Roscoe Street on the south.
Just east of the flat, Lakeview is a large neighborhood that stretches from the Lakefront to Ashland Avenue. Lakeview east is home the the GLBTQ nightlife corridor, centered on Halsted street, as well as a neighborhood corridor centered on Broadway.
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Lake View East
Just east of the flat, Lakeview is a large neighborhood that stretches from the Lakefront to Ashland Avenue. Lakeview east is home the the GLBTQ nightlife corridor, centered on Halsted street, as well as a neighborhood corridor centered on Broadway.
Bucktown and Wicker Park are the original hipster destination. Located off of the blue line Damen stop (just west of downtown) that area is vibrant and highly walkable. Though most of the artists have been priced out of the area, a stroll up Milwaukee avenue is fun.
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Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveBucktown and Wicker Park are the original hipster destination. Located off of the blue line Damen stop (just west of downtown) that area is vibrant and highly walkable. Though most of the artists have been priced out of the area, a stroll up Milwaukee avenue is fun.
Once an immigrant community, the neighborhood is known for a magnificent memorial in the middle of the neighborhood at the intersection of Logan and Kedzie. Hipster friendly area, a main draw for me has always been the Lula Cafe and the amazing houses and buildings that line Logan Blvd.
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Logan Square
Once an immigrant community, the neighborhood is known for a magnificent memorial in the middle of the neighborhood at the intersection of Logan and Kedzie. Hipster friendly area, a main draw for me has always been the Lula Cafe and the amazing houses and buildings that line Logan Blvd.
What a lot of tourists come to see, also known as 'the Magnificent Mile'....it is a stretch of shopping opportunities. Starting at Michigan and Chicago, walking south will take you by the Wrigley building, Tribune tower, over a drawbridge, and down the Millenium park and 'the bean' sculpture. You won't see many locals on the avenue, but it is for sure part of the Chicago experience.
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Michigan Avenue
Michigan AvenueWhat a lot of tourists come to see, also known as 'the Magnificent Mile'....it is a stretch of shopping opportunities. Starting at Michigan and Chicago, walking south will take you by the Wrigley building, Tribune tower, over a drawbridge, and down the Millenium park and 'the bean' sculpture. You won't see many locals on the avenue, but it is for sure part of the Chicago experience.
Literally the area west of the loop from the river to Ashland avenue, the area is booming. Multi million dollar lofts mixed in with corporate campuses for Google, McDonalds, and Walgreens. Crazy food scene, running along Randolph streets and Fulton Market.
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West Loop
Literally the area west of the loop from the river to Ashland avenue, the area is booming. Multi million dollar lofts mixed in with corporate campuses for Google, McDonalds, and Walgreens. Crazy food scene, running along Randolph streets and Fulton Market.
The original 'fancy area', the gold coast reaches from Oak Street at the south up to North avenue. Home to everything form Armani to Maseratti...and some of the most conspicuously upscale dining options we have. It's showy, and the people the frequent the area are a mix of the very wealthy locals and tourists...along with some of the poorest people.
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Gold Coast
The original 'fancy area', the gold coast reaches from Oak Street at the south up to North avenue. Home to everything form Armani to Maseratti...and some of the most conspicuously upscale dining options we have. It's showy, and the people the frequent the area are a mix of the very wealthy locals and tourists...along with some of the poorest people.
Home to DePaul University, this is a well to do area full of mom's driving large SUV's. The tourist friendly center would be Halsted and Armitage, with Armitage avenue being a local favorite for shopping. If you enjoy looking at the truly rich, the homes that line Orchard, Burling, and Howe are extraordinary.
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Lincoln Park
Home to DePaul University, this is a well to do area full of mom's driving large SUV's. The tourist friendly center would be Halsted and Armitage, with Armitage avenue being a local favorite for shopping. If you enjoy looking at the truly rich, the homes that line Orchard, Burling, and Howe are extraordinary.
Sandwiched on the lake between the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, Old town has several historic districts. Once known for being a bohemian area, it's transitioned into something a bit fancier. The main strip runs along Wells street, and you'll find the famous Steppenwolf theater located here.
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Old Town
Sandwiched on the lake between the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, Old town has several historic districts. Once known for being a bohemian area, it's transitioned into something a bit fancier. The main strip runs along Wells street, and you'll find the famous Steppenwolf theater located here.
Date night (fancy!)
Hidden gem tucked on the second floor of the historic CAA
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Cherry Circle Room
12 S Michigan AveHidden gem tucked on the second floor of the historic CAA
Swift & Sons Tavern and Oyster Bar - Wrigleyville
3600 North Clark StreetFabulous lunch filled with the ladies who don’t work. Lovely dinner. It’s a ‘scene’
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Summer House Santa Monica
1954 N Halsted StFabulous lunch filled with the ladies who don’t work. Lovely dinner. It’s a ‘scene’
Coda di Volpe
3335 N Southport AveYou’ll need reservations but it’s legit delicious.
Full of well heeled gay guys…it’s got a great bar and lovely little plates of expensive food.
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Wood
3335 N Halsted StFull of well heeled gay guys…it’s got a great bar and lovely little plates of expensive food.
Hidden in the sub basement of a tavern behind a hidden door…awesome drinks and nightly burlesque shows and live music.
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The Drifter
676-8 N Orleans StHidden in the sub basement of a tavern behind a hidden door…awesome drinks and nightly burlesque shows and live music.
Not marked. It’s a random doorknob in the middle of a graffiti covered wall. Awesome drinks, quiet vibe and sophisticated crowd.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveNot marked. It’s a random doorknob in the middle of a graffiti covered wall. Awesome drinks, quiet vibe and sophisticated crowd.
Sightseeing
Everyone wants to go up to see a view, but this place is awesome for that plus you get to grab lunch or a dink. They built a greenhouse on top of the historic CAA hotel; to get to the roof find the elevator marked 'Cindy' on the ground floor, sort of hidden. If you have the time, explore the second floor of the hotel and see the awesome billiards hall that is up there along with the carved lobby woodwork.
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Cindy's
12 S Michigan AveEveryone wants to go up to see a view, but this place is awesome for that plus you get to grab lunch or a dink. They built a greenhouse on top of the historic CAA hotel; to get to the roof find the elevator marked 'Cindy' on the ground floor, sort of hidden. If you have the time, explore the second floor of the hotel and see the awesome billiards hall that is up there along with the carved lobby woodwork.
Obviously, the heart of Wrigleyville. During the summer I HIGHLY recommend the ballpark tours. They take you all around the ballpark, up in the scoreboard, down into the batting cages...a really great thing. If you don't have the interest in catching a game, this is a great way to experience the ballpark and pretend that you did.
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Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StObviously, the heart of Wrigleyville. During the summer I HIGHLY recommend the ballpark tours. They take you all around the ballpark, up in the scoreboard, down into the batting cages...a really great thing. If you don't have the interest in catching a game, this is a great way to experience the ballpark and pretend that you did.
Amazing historical theater...really truly, worth checking out a movie here and so close to the flat it is an easy walk. Make sure you are seeing a film in the main auditorium (the second screen is not so great) and enjoy a very uncomfortable seat...but watch as the 1920s tuscan village around you lights up as the electric stars twinkle int he ceiling.
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Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveAmazing historical theater...really truly, worth checking out a movie here and so close to the flat it is an easy walk. Make sure you are seeing a film in the main auditorium (the second screen is not so great) and enjoy a very uncomfortable seat...but watch as the 1920s tuscan village around you lights up as the electric stars twinkle int he ceiling.
Well worth getting a last minute ticket to something...or they offer tours several times a day to see the facility. Its another wold in there.
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The Chicago Theatre
175 N State StWell worth getting a last minute ticket to something...or they offer tours several times a day to see the facility. Its another wold in there.
So a great place to find out about the city...they offer tons of tours daily on different subjects. The docents are all highly trained and keep it interesting.
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Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrSo a great place to find out about the city...they offer tons of tours daily on different subjects. The docents are all highly trained and keep it interesting.
Everyone knows abotu this place, but a local tidbit...enter via the 'modern wing' which is on the north side of the building. You can skip the madness of the main entrance and it dumps you into the best of the modern stuff...and you can pick up a guidebook to take you to see the greatest hits.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveEveryone knows abotu this place, but a local tidbit...enter via the 'modern wing' which is on the north side of the building. You can skip the madness of the main entrance and it dumps you into the best of the modern stuff...and you can pick up a guidebook to take you to see the greatest hits.
So I am including this simply to say...well, don't take the time. We built the pier as a place to keep all of the tourists away from the rest of us...once you get out there, not a lot to do.
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Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveSo I am including this simply to say...well, don't take the time. We built the pier as a place to keep all of the tourists away from the rest of us...once you get out there, not a lot to do.
So the 606 is our version of the highline in NYC...abandoned railroad that has been turned into a multiple mile long path. Nicely down, crosses the Wicker Park / Bucktown area and is well worth seeing if you are on the west side.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueSo the 606 is our version of the highline in NYC...abandoned railroad that has been turned into a multiple mile long path. Nicely down, crosses the Wicker Park / Bucktown area and is well worth seeing if you are on the west side.
A turn of the (last) century greenhouse...well worth a visit and is directly beside the Lincoln Park zoo. No cost to go in...the zoo is free as well. If you are over that way, check out the original RJ Grunts. People tell me that they invented the salad bar (maybe?) but the inside is decidedly groovy.
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Lincoln Park Conservatory
2430 N Stockton DrA turn of the (last) century greenhouse...well worth a visit and is directly beside the Lincoln Park zoo. No cost to go in...the zoo is free as well. If you are over that way, check out the original RJ Grunts. People tell me that they invented the salad bar (maybe?) but the inside is decidedly groovy.
Vegan spots
Vaca’s Creamery
Highly regarded by at least three of my guests!
I am not a vegan, but really enjoyed dining here and everyone who is vegan raves about it.
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Kitchen 17
2554 N BroadwayI am not a vegan, but really enjoyed dining here and everyone who is vegan raves about it.
A staple in the vegetarian and vegan world...honestly, it is a little bit too casual for my taste but people rave about it.
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Pick Me Up Cafe
4882 North Clark StreetA staple in the vegetarian and vegan world...honestly, it is a little bit too casual for my taste but people rave about it.
Literally, vegetarian and vegan folks will come to Chicago just to eat here. Excellent chocolate cake.
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Chicago Diner
3411 N Halsted StLiterally, vegetarian and vegan folks will come to Chicago just to eat here. Excellent chocolate cake.