Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Tasty brews and food! Made so locally, you can smell the hops and malty goodness from the yard sometimes. Weird hours: Wed-Sunday Noon- 9 pm. They also do brewery tours daily at 1 and 3 pm.
125 molta ag muintir na háite
Lagunitas Brewing Company
2607 W 17th StTasty brews and food! Made so locally, you can smell the hops and malty goodness from the yard sometimes. Weird hours: Wed-Sunday Noon- 9 pm. They also do brewery tours daily at 1 and 3 pm.
Arts & Culture
Not much to see, but this is the studio where they film Empire, and the Chicago Fire/PD/Med shows! This, and Lagunitas Brewery, are in former Chicago Steel Mill buildings.
7 molta ag muintir na háite
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
2621 W 15th PlNot much to see, but this is the studio where they film Empire, and the Chicago Fire/PD/Med shows! This, and Lagunitas Brewery, are in former Chicago Steel Mill buildings.
Everything Else
Take a stroll! Soccer fields, a running track, and a fieldhouse with classes.
24 molta ag muintir na háite
Douglas Park
Take a stroll! Soccer fields, a running track, and a fieldhouse with classes.
Closest quality Chicago-style pizza. They close early, so don't wait!
513 molta ag muintir na háite
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StClosest quality Chicago-style pizza. They close early, so don't wait!
Ard-Mhúsaem Náisiúnta Ealaíne Mheicsiceach
1852 W 19th StArte!
California Pink Line Station
Get around! Get downtown!
Parks & Nature
Haven't been here in awhile, but used to be my go-to spot when I lived in Hyde Park to pretend I wasn't in the city! Good little nature spot, near the Museum of Science & Industry. There's an awesome Japanese garden near here too, but it's closed right now for renovation.
Bob-O-Link Meadow
Haven't been here in awhile, but used to be my go-to spot when I lived in Hyde Park to pretend I wasn't in the city! Good little nature spot, near the Museum of Science & Industry. There's an awesome Japanese garden near here too, but it's closed right now for renovation.
One of the world's largest indoor conservatories... it's AMAZING. Extensive outdoor gardens as well. Take the pink line to the loop & transfer to the green, get off at the Conservatory stop... you can take the California bus north and transfer at the Green line, but it's not the best area, and if you don't have a Ventra card, you'll have to pay twice. (Also, I bike through there all the time, but if you're not from here, be comfortable with the inner city- the train to train transfer is probably safer.). I used to live down the street from here- lots of art studios that have an open house in October. Eat lunch or dinner at Inspiration Kitchen on Lake Street if you visit (I worked there for a bit- it's a teaching kitchen with a social mission to end homelessness... and the food is really good).
258 molta ag muintir na háite
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveOne of the world's largest indoor conservatories... it's AMAZING. Extensive outdoor gardens as well. Take the pink line to the loop & transfer to the green, get off at the Conservatory stop... you can take the California bus north and transfer at the Green line, but it's not the best area, and if you don't have a Ventra card, you'll have to pay twice. (Also, I bike through there all the time, but if you're not from here, be comfortable with the inner city- the train to train transfer is probably safer.). I used to live down the street from here- lots of art studios that have an open house in October. Eat lunch or dinner at Inspiration Kitchen on Lake Street if you visit (I worked there for a bit- it's a teaching kitchen with a social mission to end homelessness... and the food is really good).
Essentials
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StFood Scene
Tasty casual vegetarian spot with yummy cocktails and an outdoor patio.
80 molta ag muintir na háite
GROUND CONTROL!
3315 W Armitage AveTasty casual vegetarian spot with yummy cocktails and an outdoor patio.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StTasty tasty coffee.
Grass-fed beef from MI, house-made vegan and veggie burgers, and homemade pies and ice cream. Yum!
23 molta ag muintir na háite
Grange Hall Burger Bar
844 West Randolph StreetGrass-fed beef from MI, house-made vegan and veggie burgers, and homemade pies and ice cream. Yum!
Great neighborhood bar with veggie food and fish items (no meat). Good draft beer selection, patio (with bike rack) in the back for summer al'fresco dining.
140 molta ag muintir na háite
Handlebar
2311 W North AveGreat neighborhood bar with veggie food and fish items (no meat). Good draft beer selection, patio (with bike rack) in the back for summer al'fresco dining.
The deep dish pizza that actual Chicagoan's eat (Malnati's is my second fave, but delivers to the house, yay). Signature caramelized cheese around the crust is worth the wait. This is a Blackhawks bar, so if they're playing, definitely call ahead. In fact, no matter what, call ahead- no reservations but you can get priority seating if you reserve a time. Movie theater across the street- this is one of our go-to casual date spots.
536 molta ag muintir na háite
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueThe deep dish pizza that actual Chicagoan's eat (Malnati's is my second fave, but delivers to the house, yay). Signature caramelized cheese around the crust is worth the wait. This is a Blackhawks bar, so if they're playing, definitely call ahead. In fact, no matter what, call ahead- no reservations but you can get priority seating if you reserve a time. Movie theater across the street- this is one of our go-to casual date spots.
Stop here for lunch or dinner if you go to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Not-for-profit restaurant with a job-training program, helping formerly homeless or incarcerated folks learn employable skills. And, the food is really good! American-casual with a soul food influence. BYOB, but there aren't many places in the neighborhood to pick up drinks... so bring them with you!
30 molta ag muintir na háite
Inspiration Kitchens
3504 W Lake StStop here for lunch or dinner if you go to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Not-for-profit restaurant with a job-training program, helping formerly homeless or incarcerated folks learn employable skills. And, the food is really good! American-casual with a soul food influence. BYOB, but there aren't many places in the neighborhood to pick up drinks... so bring them with you!