Guidebook for Chicago

Rosalind
Guidebook for Chicago

Getting Around

The Halsted Orange Line train station is one of the many transportation options available to you! A short 15 minute walk away. Once on the train, you're just two stops from the Loop!
22 locals raden deze aan
Halsted Orange Line Station
22 locals raden deze aan
The Halsted Orange Line train station is one of the many transportation options available to you! A short 15 minute walk away. Once on the train, you're just two stops from the Loop!
Divvy make it easy to bike around town. Get on a bike from here, pedal 2 miles east, and you're at the beach! Try this station or the one a few blocks north at Emerald and 28th.
28 locals raden deze aan
Divvy
28 locals raden deze aan
Divvy make it easy to bike around town. Get on a bike from here, pedal 2 miles east, and you're at the beach! Try this station or the one a few blocks north at Emerald and 28th.
A 20 minute walk will get you to the Sox-35th Red Line Station. Make sure to take the shortcut, and use the 33rd Street entrance of the station.
15 locals raden deze aan
Sox-35th Red Line Station
15 locals raden deze aan
A 20 minute walk will get you to the Sox-35th Red Line Station. Make sure to take the shortcut, and use the 33rd Street entrance of the station.

Food Scene

This cozy spot is a local favorite that roasts their own coffee. While they've become quite successful and have opened 3 other locations in the city, this is the original and the best!
81 locals raden deze aan
Bridgeport Coffeehouse
3101 S Morgan St
81 locals raden deze aan
This cozy spot is a local favorite that roasts their own coffee. While they've become quite successful and have opened 3 other locations in the city, this is the original and the best!
A quick dine-in or take out. Great for an inexpensive breakfast, or a late-night pizza slice, this corner joint is always hopping. The Italian ice here can't be beat!
24 locals raden deze aan
Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery
701 W 31st St
24 locals raden deze aan
A quick dine-in or take out. Great for an inexpensive breakfast, or a late-night pizza slice, this corner joint is always hopping. The Italian ice here can't be beat!
A neighborhood gem hidden on a residential block, this cozy restaurant is great for a relaxed date or casual family outing. Full menu, daily specials. Personally enjoy the linguine with clams! BYOB!
8 locals raden deze aan
Gio's Cafe and Deli
2724 S Lowe Ave
8 locals raden deze aan
A neighborhood gem hidden on a residential block, this cozy restaurant is great for a relaxed date or casual family outing. Full menu, daily specials. Personally enjoy the linguine with clams! BYOB!
Simply walk into this restaurant, and the smells will tell you that you're in the right place. Nowhere else have I seen a 17-inch burrito!
23 locals raden deze aan
Pancho Pistolas Authentic Mexican Restaurant
700 W 31st St
23 locals raden deze aan
Simply walk into this restaurant, and the smells will tell you that you're in the right place. Nowhere else have I seen a 17-inch burrito!
This delightful shop is suitable for kids of all ages, or perhaps just the kid at heart. 32 hand packed ice cream flavors makes the decision difficult! Harder still with shakes, splits, floats...
Scoops Ice Cream
608 W 31st St
This delightful shop is suitable for kids of all ages, or perhaps just the kid at heart. 32 hand packed ice cream flavors makes the decision difficult! Harder still with shakes, splits, floats...
Creative and masterful takes on Asian inspired cuisine by world-trained chef Guan Chen. Prix-fixe normally means pricey, but this place makes it affordable and it's BYOB!
10 locals raden deze aan
Han 202 Restaurant
605 W 31st St
10 locals raden deze aan
Creative and masterful takes on Asian inspired cuisine by world-trained chef Guan Chen. Prix-fixe normally means pricey, but this place makes it affordable and it's BYOB!
A nice stroll down tree-lined streets puts you at this unique cafe with a mythological creatures theme. Get a real sense of the neighborhood in this special locale. Our dog Millie loves to come here!
46 locals raden deze aan
Jackalope Coffee & Tea House
755 W 32nd St
46 locals raden deze aan
A nice stroll down tree-lined streets puts you at this unique cafe with a mythological creatures theme. Get a real sense of the neighborhood in this special locale. Our dog Millie loves to come here!
Frequently on lists for Chicago's best brunches, this lovely spot with creative cocktails features local, organic fare. Their menu, in regular seasonal flux, offers many vegetarian friendly options!
60 locals raden deze aan
nana
3267 S Halsted St
60 locals raden deze aan
Frequently on lists for Chicago's best brunches, this lovely spot with creative cocktails features local, organic fare. Their menu, in regular seasonal flux, offers many vegetarian friendly options!
This cozy Japanese BYOB has a tasty selection of sushi and entrees. Their lunch specials and bento boxes make this place a great bargain.
South Kawa Japanese Restaurant
3417 S Halsted St
This cozy Japanese BYOB has a tasty selection of sushi and entrees. Their lunch specials and bento boxes make this place a great bargain.
This gastro-tavern serves small eats, burgers, duck-infused bites and other plates. The menu, though selective, is inspired! Food items are sourced locally and sustainably. If in doubt, try one of their creative cocktails! On a nice day, ask to be seated in their tucked-away outdoor patio.
50 locals raden deze aan
The Duck Inn
2701 S Eleanor St
50 locals raden deze aan
This gastro-tavern serves small eats, burgers, duck-infused bites and other plates. The menu, though selective, is inspired! Food items are sourced locally and sustainably. If in doubt, try one of their creative cocktails! On a nice day, ask to be seated in their tucked-away outdoor patio.
This local favorite and icon of the city's South Side is the mecca of greasy delights. The standing-room only shack next to the sidewalk serves dogs, polishes, burgers, pork chop sandwiches and French fries 24-hours a day, every day.
Maxwell Street Depot
411 W 31st St
This local favorite and icon of the city's South Side is the mecca of greasy delights. The standing-room only shack next to the sidewalk serves dogs, polishes, burgers, pork chop sandwiches and French fries 24-hours a day, every day.
According to USA Today, this restaurant is home to the best sandwich in the world. Yes, the world. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/ricobenes-chicago-best-sandwich-in-the-world-breaded-steak
70 locals raden deze aan
Ricobene's
252 W 26th St
70 locals raden deze aan
According to USA Today, this restaurant is home to the best sandwich in the world. Yes, the world. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/ricobenes-chicago-best-sandwich-in-the-world-breaded-steak
For a quick morning pastry, and a coffee to go, this is your closest bet. Hungry for an afternoon snack? Try one of their yummy cookies! Go out the back gate and it's kitty corner to our place.
Impallaria Bakery & Deli
2952 S Wallace St
For a quick morning pastry, and a coffee to go, this is your closest bet. Hungry for an afternoon snack? Try one of their yummy cookies! Go out the back gate and it's kitty corner to our place.
For hearty Italian, try this family-owned restaurant. My personal favorite is the jumbo rigatoni with Nonna's Sunday gravy. Pair with a red wine, and your evening is bound to be beautiful.
17 locals raden deze aan
Franco's Ristorante
300 W 31st St
17 locals raden deze aan
For hearty Italian, try this family-owned restaurant. My personal favorite is the jumbo rigatoni with Nonna's Sunday gravy. Pair with a red wine, and your evening is bound to be beautiful.
You've heard of Chicago-style deep dish. Your friends have been telling you this is the food to eat when in Chicago. Now go and try it! Try it at Connie's! Why? While Chicago may never agree on where to get the best slice of pizza in the city, no other place can beat Connie's on Archer for their slice and the truly unique atmosphere--a restaurant that looks like a converted warehouse, filled with all sorts of nostalgia. To top it off, there are plenty of other hits on the menu from appetizers to desserts.
31 locals raden deze aan
Connie's Pizza
2373 S Archer Ave
31 locals raden deze aan
You've heard of Chicago-style deep dish. Your friends have been telling you this is the food to eat when in Chicago. Now go and try it! Try it at Connie's! Why? While Chicago may never agree on where to get the best slice of pizza in the city, no other place can beat Connie's on Archer for their slice and the truly unique atmosphere--a restaurant that looks like a converted warehouse, filled with all sorts of nostalgia. To top it off, there are plenty of other hits on the menu from appetizers to desserts.
Be prepared for treats that will make your mouth water at this Polish/Lithuanian bakery. Infusing tradition with a twist, you'll find more than one reason why the neighborhood (and Chicago) has loved this place for over 30 years. Bacon maple donut...need I say more?
6 locals raden deze aan
Bridgeport Bakery
2907 S Archer Ave
6 locals raden deze aan
Be prepared for treats that will make your mouth water at this Polish/Lithuanian bakery. Infusing tradition with a twist, you'll find more than one reason why the neighborhood (and Chicago) has loved this place for over 30 years. Bacon maple donut...need I say more?
For sweet delights of all kinds, try this French-inspired dessert shop. Open till 11 (or midnight on weekends) for those craving a post-dinner espresso creation to pair with delectable mousse. Or watch a flowering tea bloom before your eyes as you munch on a Hong Kong waffle. This place is sure to make you smile!
Jsmile51
3051 S Archer Ave
For sweet delights of all kinds, try this French-inspired dessert shop. Open till 11 (or midnight on weekends) for those craving a post-dinner espresso creation to pair with delectable mousse. Or watch a flowering tea bloom before your eyes as you munch on a Hong Kong waffle. This place is sure to make you smile!
On a warm night, you'll see the lines outside of this soft serve and funnel cake joint. For a frozen treat that hits the spot, try this place out.
10 locals raden deze aan
Sugar Shack
630 W 26th St
10 locals raden deze aan
On a warm night, you'll see the lines outside of this soft serve and funnel cake joint. For a frozen treat that hits the spot, try this place out.
You'll feel like you're on a movie set when you walk into this classic restaurant that looks, feels and tastes like real Chicago hospitality. For traditional and comfort fare (think steak and meatloaf), try them for lunch or dinner. For something completely different, try their Sunday Gospel Brunch!
14 locals raden deze aan
The Polo Inn
3322 S Morgan St
14 locals raden deze aan
You'll feel like you're on a movie set when you walk into this classic restaurant that looks, feels and tastes like real Chicago hospitality. For traditional and comfort fare (think steak and meatloaf), try them for lunch or dinner. For something completely different, try their Sunday Gospel Brunch!
For a quick, casual bite, try the breaded steak sandwich or the chicken marsala at this cozy neighborhood joint.
Punky's Pizza & Pasta
2600 S Wallace St
For a quick, casual bite, try the breaded steak sandwich or the chicken marsala at this cozy neighborhood joint.

Drinks & Nightlife

With more than your usual bar food offerings, this is a casual place to enjoy a drink and watch the game!
6 locals raden deze aan
Fat Fish Bar & Grill
234 W 31st St
6 locals raden deze aan
With more than your usual bar food offerings, this is a casual place to enjoy a drink and watch the game!
Featured in USA Today (for good reason), this pub and popular gathering spot is truly invested in the community. Come for the artisanal and craft beverages. Enjoy the many events they host!
112 locals raden deze aan
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st St
112 locals raden deze aan
Featured in USA Today (for good reason), this pub and popular gathering spot is truly invested in the community. Come for the artisanal and craft beverages. Enjoy the many events they host!
For a taste of originality, try this bar out. From the drinks to the decor, this place is truly one-of-a-kind. Furniture and fixtures are made from unusual upcycled materials. The drink selection is extensive, including a creative cocktail list.
151 locals raden deze aan
Simone's
960 W 18th St
151 locals raden deze aan
For a taste of originality, try this bar out. From the drinks to the decor, this place is truly one-of-a-kind. Furniture and fixtures are made from unusual upcycled materials. The drink selection is extensive, including a creative cocktail list.
This watering hole is a piece of history! Schaller's Pump is the city's oldest, continuously run bar!
Schaller's Pump
3714 South Halsted Street
This watering hole is a piece of history! Schaller's Pump is the city's oldest, continuously run bar!

Shopping

Buy a unique, locally-made gift to take home for yourself or someone else!
Hardscrabble Gifts, LLC
3824 S Halsted St
Buy a unique, locally-made gift to take home for yourself or someone else!
Find new and gently used books at Powell's for budget prices! A wide children's selection makes this one of my go-to shops to find read-alouds for my students. The staff are friendly and there are plenty of hidden nooks to spend a quiet afternoon browsing and reading.
Powell's Books Chicago - University Village
1218 South Halsted Street
Find new and gently used books at Powell's for budget prices! A wide children's selection makes this one of my go-to shops to find read-alouds for my students. The staff are friendly and there are plenty of hidden nooks to spend a quiet afternoon browsing and reading.

Everything Else

Need something quick? This 24-hour CVS might help in a pinch. Pharmacy is open late until 10 p.m. most nights.
19 locals raden deze aan
CVS
6315 S Pulaski Rd
19 locals raden deze aan
Need something quick? This 24-hour CVS might help in a pinch. Pharmacy is open late until 10 p.m. most nights.
This well-organized pharmacy includes a Red Box kiosk, and shares the strip with many fast food or take out options. Movie and take out, great combo!
72 locals raden deze aan
Walgreens
1554 E 55th St
72 locals raden deze aan
This well-organized pharmacy includes a Red Box kiosk, and shares the strip with many fast food or take out options. Movie and take out, great combo!
Find all of your basics, with a hint of local flavor! Groceries are completely affordable here!
171 locals raden deze aan
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak Rd
171 locals raden deze aan
Find all of your basics, with a hint of local flavor! Groceries are completely affordable here!

Arts & Culture

Founded by the internationally acclaimed Zhou Brothers, this gallery is home to floor after floor of artist studios. Special events, exhibitions and open houses make this a busy place many evenings.
34 locals raden deze aan
Zhou B Art Center
1029 W 35th St
34 locals raden deze aan
Founded by the internationally acclaimed Zhou Brothers, this gallery is home to floor after floor of artist studios. Special events, exhibitions and open houses make this a busy place many evenings.
This spacious inter-disciplinary art center is home to many artists working in a vast variety of art forms. Exhibits, open studios, and classes make this space an important part of the community.
44 locals raden deze aan
The Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W 35th St
44 locals raden deze aan
This spacious inter-disciplinary art center is home to many artists working in a vast variety of art forms. Exhibits, open studios, and classes make this space an important part of the community.
This is hands down my favorite museum in Chicago. Spend an hour or a whole day here. Between the soaring ceilings of the Modern Wing to the tiny intricacies of the Thorne Miniature Rooms, you'll get lost in the magic and majesty, even if it's for a little bit. Home to some of the most iconic works of art and collections in the world, you won't want to miss this mecca of culture.
1159 locals raden deze aan
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 locals raden deze aan
This is hands down my favorite museum in Chicago. Spend an hour or a whole day here. Between the soaring ceilings of the Modern Wing to the tiny intricacies of the Thorne Miniature Rooms, you'll get lost in the magic and majesty, even if it's for a little bit. Home to some of the most iconic works of art and collections in the world, you won't want to miss this mecca of culture.
The breathtaking Harold Washing Library is a beautiful place to spend a quiet afternoon. If you're craving sunshine, any season of the year, make a stop at the Winter Garden on the 9th floor. While you're there, visit one of Chicago's best kept secrets, the archives and special collections of the library.
16 locals raden deze aan
Harold Washington Library
400 South State Street
16 locals raden deze aan
The breathtaking Harold Washing Library is a beautiful place to spend a quiet afternoon. If you're craving sunshine, any season of the year, make a stop at the Winter Garden on the 9th floor. While you're there, visit one of Chicago's best kept secrets, the archives and special collections of the library.
Not only is this a great venue for music, comedy and live shows..it's possibly the best place to take a selfie in Chicago! Make sure you get the full marquee with Chicago spelled out in bright lights.
133 locals raden deze aan
The Chicago Theatre
175 N State St
133 locals raden deze aan
Not only is this a great venue for music, comedy and live shows..it's possibly the best place to take a selfie in Chicago! Make sure you get the full marquee with Chicago spelled out in bright lights.
79 locals raden deze aan
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S Michigan Ave
79 locals raden deze aan
If you're an architecture buff, then Mies van der Rohe will be a familiar name. The man responsible for bringing Bauhaus ideas to Chicago (and America), founded a School of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, thus starting an entire movement of design in architecture. The campus of IIT is only part of the legacy that he's left in this city, and beyond!
22 locals raden deze aan
Illinois Institute of Technology
10 W 35th St
22 locals raden deze aan
If you're an architecture buff, then Mies van der Rohe will be a familiar name. The man responsible for bringing Bauhaus ideas to Chicago (and America), founded a School of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, thus starting an entire movement of design in architecture. The campus of IIT is only part of the legacy that he's left in this city, and beyond!
From the ARTpartment, take a short walk to Halsted, and you're about a 20-minute bus ride to the UIC campus! You'll find shops and restaurants near/on campus. Please ask for our favorites!
27 locals raden deze aan
University of Illinois at Chicago
1200 W Harrison St
27 locals raden deze aan
From the ARTpartment, take a short walk to Halsted, and you're about a 20-minute bus ride to the UIC campus! You'll find shops and restaurants near/on campus. Please ask for our favorites!
If you're interested in the natural and created world, questions about civilizations and anthropology, about modernity and society, you'll want to stop by here! Currently on view are the Terra Cotta Warriors, all the way from Xi'an, China!
657 locals raden deze aan
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
657 locals raden deze aan
If you're interested in the natural and created world, questions about civilizations and anthropology, about modernity and society, you'll want to stop by here! Currently on view are the Terra Cotta Warriors, all the way from Xi'an, China!

Parks & Nature

This park is perfect for a walk or jog. Look for the pond at the back. Go to the top of the hill. Bring your camera.
38 locals raden deze aan
Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park
2700 S Halsted St
38 locals raden deze aan
This park is perfect for a walk or jog. Look for the pond at the back. Go to the top of the hill. Bring your camera.
If you need to get a jog in while in town, head over to McGuane Park and take a runabout. Once you've made a lap around the baseball diamond, tennis courts, pool house, play lot, and park grounds, head across the street to Palmisano Park for a mini uphill challenge. Enjoy the view at the top!
11 locals raden deze aan
McGuane Park
2901 S Poplar Ave
11 locals raden deze aan
If you need to get a jog in while in town, head over to McGuane Park and take a runabout. Once you've made a lap around the baseball diamond, tennis courts, pool house, play lot, and park grounds, head across the street to Palmisano Park for a mini uphill challenge. Enjoy the view at the top!
This lovely park is located right on the river. Perfect for a peaceful walk or catch the Water Taxi that will take you around town. https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/Chicago-River-Boat-Stops/Chinatown
39 locals raden deze aan
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S Wentworth Ave
39 locals raden deze aan
This lovely park is located right on the river. Perfect for a peaceful walk or catch the Water Taxi that will take you around town. https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/Chicago-River-Boat-Stops/Chinatown