Kate’s guidebook
Sightseeing
One of the largest parks in Chicago, with running trails, a fishing pond, soccer fields, playground equipment, an Olympic-size pool, and a hockey rink!
Parque McKinley
2210 W Pershing RdOne of the largest parks in Chicago, with running trails, a fishing pond, soccer fields, playground equipment, an Olympic-size pool, and a hockey rink!
Chicago White Sox
333 W 35th StChinatown
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StChicago’s premiere outdoor music venue! Free public concerts most nights from May to September, including the Grant Park Orchestra, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, and more
52 moradores locais recomendam
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StChicago’s premiere outdoor music venue! Free public concerts most nights from May to September, including the Grant Park Orchestra, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, and more
This is the place to book your walking tour downtown! They have a variety of angles around specific types of architecture or historical events. The rotating exhibits inside are also worthwhile.
114 moradores locais recomendam
Centro de Arquitetura de Chicago
111 E Wacker DrThis is the place to book your walking tour downtown! They have a variety of angles around specific types of architecture or historical events. The rotating exhibits inside are also worthwhile.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe aquarium has always been great for kids. Recent updates make it more fun for adults, too. Say hi to Wellington the penguin, who became an internet sensation during the pandemic
673 moradores locais recomendam
Aquário Shedd
1200 S Lake Shore DrThe aquarium has always been great for kids. Recent updates make it more fun for adults, too. Say hi to Wellington the penguin, who became an internet sensation during the pandemic
Kids will love this hands-on environment. History buffs gravitate towards the German U-Boat captured during WWII- a whole wing of the museum was constructed around it
483 moradores locais recomendam
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrKids will love this hands-on environment. History buffs gravitate towards the German U-Boat captured during WWII- a whole wing of the museum was constructed around it
No trip to Chicago is complete without a wander along the lake! Enjoy 18 miles of car-free cycling and running, or an easy stroll after dinner. See the waterfront on foot, bike, water taxi, kayak, segway, or paddleboard- just don't miss it. Points of interest along the path include Navy Pier, the sculpture garden, multiple harbors, Museum Campus, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place.
229 moradores locais recomendam
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailNo trip to Chicago is complete without a wander along the lake! Enjoy 18 miles of car-free cycling and running, or an easy stroll after dinner. See the waterfront on foot, bike, water taxi, kayak, segway, or paddleboard- just don't miss it. Points of interest along the path include Navy Pier, the sculpture garden, multiple harbors, Museum Campus, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place.
Great for kids and adults. Enjoy optical illusions and science you can touch! Adult bar features local beer, kids bar features crazy cereal concoctions
22 moradores locais recomendam
Museu WNDR
1130 W Monroe StGreat for kids and adults. Enjoy optical illusions and science you can touch! Adult bar features local beer, kids bar features crazy cereal concoctions
Free musical performances are offered frequently here, right under the world's largest Tiffany glass dome. The building was the original public library and has mosaics throughout
203 moradores locais recomendam
Centro Cultural de Chicago
78 E Washington StFree musical performances are offered frequently here, right under the world's largest Tiffany glass dome. The building was the original public library and has mosaics throughout
Urban Kayaks on the Chicago River
435 E. Chicago RiverwalkUrban Kayaks on the Lakefront
110 N Lake Shore DrMuseu Field
1400 S Lake Shore DrFood scene
These offerings are a mix of neighborhood places in McKinley Park and iconic eateries across Chicago
This is the best sit-down place in walking distance of the house. Jaime makes modern Mexican with a little something extra. Try the mushrooms or the mole. His relatives own 5 Rabanitos in the adjacent Pilsen neighborhood, also an excellent choice
Chile Toreado
2022 West 35th StreetThis is the best sit-down place in walking distance of the house. Jaime makes modern Mexican with a little something extra. Try the mushrooms or the mole. His relatives own 5 Rabanitos in the adjacent Pilsen neighborhood, also an excellent choice
Best tacos in Chicago- the owner cooks on a grill in front of his house Wed-Sun nights. Cash only. Grab a drink at the corner store next door and talk to the neighbors while you wait
Taco Loco Of Pilsen
2022 S Leavitt StBest tacos in Chicago- the owner cooks on a grill in front of his house Wed-Sun nights. Cash only. Grab a drink at the corner store next door and talk to the neighbors while you wait
Ceviche in walking distance! If you like seafood at all, this is a great place. Don't let the homemade surroundings fool you- the food is fantastic.
12 moradores locais recomendam
La Palapa
2000 W 34th StCeviche in walking distance! If you like seafood at all, this is a great place. Don't let the homemade surroundings fool you- the food is fantastic.
If you really want to experience deep dish, you need to do it in a neighbourhood place. Freddie's has amazingly fresh cheese and they make their own sausage. My favourite pizza in Chicago
24 moradores locais recomendam
Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery
701 W 31st StIf you really want to experience deep dish, you need to do it in a neighbourhood place. Freddie's has amazingly fresh cheese and they make their own sausage. My favourite pizza in Chicago
My favorite noodle shop in Chinatown. Giant picture menu makes it easy to order when you don’t know what you want. The walk up window serves bubble tea and smoothies
52 moradores locais recomendam
Joy Yee
2139 S China PlMy favorite noodle shop in Chinatown. Giant picture menu makes it easy to order when you don’t know what you want. The walk up window serves bubble tea and smoothies
Chicago’s iconic hot dog joint. Nearest location is at Canal and Taylor
270 moradores locais recomendam
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StChicago’s iconic hot dog joint. Nearest location is at Canal and Taylor
Xoco makes their hot chocolate from bean to cup. It’s so thick, you’re gonna need a spoon. The rest of Rick Bayless’s menu here is also worthwhile. Probably the most affordable place in town you can eat something crafted by a famous chef
40 moradores locais recomendam
XOCO
65 N Clark StXoco makes their hot chocolate from bean to cup. It’s so thick, you’re gonna need a spoon. The rest of Rick Bayless’s menu here is also worthwhile. Probably the most affordable place in town you can eat something crafted by a famous chef
Kasia's in Ukrainian Village is the most amazing place for pierogi! It offers a wide selection of other Eastern European specialties at the lunch counter, and there's a small grocery for take home. Try the cabbage rolls!
29 moradores locais recomendam
KASIA'S DELI, INC.
2101 W Chicago AveKasia's in Ukrainian Village is the most amazing place for pierogi! It offers a wide selection of other Eastern European specialties at the lunch counter, and there's a small grocery for take home. Try the cabbage rolls!
Recently moved to 18th St, this place started 2 blocks from the house. They serve one thing - overstuffed tacos with melted cheese and dipping broth - and they do it incredibly well.
Birria Tacos con Consome QuesaBirria
1314 West 18th StreetRecently moved to 18th St, this place started 2 blocks from the house. They serve one thing - overstuffed tacos with melted cheese and dipping broth - and they do it incredibly well.
Eataly is a culinary adventure. It set up like an Italian public market, so you can wander through booths selling different Italian specialties like pizza, pasta, pastry, and gelato. They also have staples like olive oil for take home
140 moradores locais recomendam
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StEataly is a culinary adventure. It set up like an Italian public market, so you can wander through booths selling different Italian specialties like pizza, pasta, pastry, and gelato. They also have staples like olive oil for take home
Coffee, Beer, and Bars
This is the world's largest Starbucks, and while I'd generally recommend a neighborhood place for a cuppa joe, I have to admit they put on a good show here. Watch the beans zoom around the place in contraptions worthy of Dr Seuss, then try creative cocktails in the upstairs bar.
31 moradores locais recomendam
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
646 N Michigan AveThis is the world's largest Starbucks, and while I'd generally recommend a neighborhood place for a cuppa joe, I have to admit they put on a good show here. Watch the beans zoom around the place in contraptions worthy of Dr Seuss, then try creative cocktails in the upstairs bar.
Back of the Yards Brewery and tap room, located in the Plant- an eco friendly building that’s home to community gardens and environmental non profits
12 moradores locais recomendam
Whiner Beer Company
1400 W 46th StBack of the Yards Brewery and tap room, located in the Plant- an eco friendly building that’s home to community gardens and environmental non profits
Great patio and great beer! Vegan options available. Individual heated huts allow you to sit outside even as the temperature drops
29 moradores locais recomendam
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin StreetGreat patio and great beer! Vegan options available. Individual heated huts allow you to sit outside even as the temperature drops
Kristoffer's Cakes
1735 W 35th StNeighborhood coffee shop known for their flan and tres leches cake
Creative beers and CBD drinks. Food served on the weekends, each with a unique menu designed by a visiting chef
34 moradores locais recomendam
Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StCreative beers and CBD drinks. Food served on the weekends, each with a unique menu designed by a visiting chef
The Skylark doesn’t look like much, but don’t let that fool you. The food is great, and these days this neighborhood institution is a frequent filming location. Don’t miss the vintage photo booth in the back. I usually go for the tater tots with a selection of dipping sauces
73 moradores locais recomendam
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StThe Skylark doesn’t look like much, but don’t let that fool you. The food is great, and these days this neighborhood institution is a frequent filming location. Don’t miss the vintage photo booth in the back. I usually go for the tater tots with a selection of dipping sauces
Pleasant House is a British pub decorated to look like your grandmother’s living room. The pies are probably as good as hers, too
60 moradores locais recomendam
Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StPleasant House is a British pub decorated to look like your grandmother’s living room. The pies are probably as good as hers, too