Chicago
It's hard to capture all that the Windy City has to offer in one guide, but here are highlights of our recent visits there!
Food
Monteverde: complex and delightful pasta at this award-winning West Loop spot
Do-Rite Donuts: local chain with old fashioneds that Alton Brown named one of the best
Little Goat Diner: chef Stephanie Izard's modern diner in the West Loop
Cindy's Rooftop: unbeatable views of the lakefront to go with your cocktails
Duck Duck Goat: another Stephanie Izard spot, this one featuring Chinese dishes
Doughnut Vault: a literal hole in the wall spot with incredible donuts
Lou Mitchell's: classic Chicago diner in Greektown, open since 1923
Revival Food Hall: food hall downtown featuring 16 vendors
Chopo Chicken: fast casual Peruvian near Lincoln Park
Firecakes: another local chain with top-notch donuts
The Bongo Room: creative brunches in Wicker Park
Noodles Etc: award-winning family place with Pan-Asian dishes near Hyde Park
Coffee
Caffe Streets: excellent coffee to be had at this spot in Wicker Park
Wormhole Coffee: delightful 80s throwback coffee house, complete with vintage toys, games, decor
Parks & Museums
The Art Institute of Chicago: a must-visit for classic and modern art
Field Museum: beloved natural history museum
Garfield Park Conservatory: beautiful conservatory with loads of plants
Hamilton at the CIBC Theatre (or any theatre like touring shows, the Goodman, Lookingglass, and others
Maggie Daley Park: fun spot for the kids
Millennium Park with the iconic Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) and Grant Park
Museum of Science and Industry: loads of displays exploring science, transportation, and history
The Neo-Futurists: a long-running theatre ensemble that performs a crazy show called The Infinite Wrench (originally called Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind), where they perform 30 original plays in 60 minutes.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: lovely nature center and museum
The Second City: long-running comedy institution known for improv and sketch. Many of your favorite comedians started there!
Shedd Aquarium: terrific indoor aquarium
Read our Chicago itineraries
Hello, Chicago
Reconnecting with the Windy City after too many years away. Seeing Hamilton, dining at some world-class establishments, but also fitting in donuts, coffee, and cocktails on rooftop patios.
October 2017
Back to Chicago
Introducing our boys to Chicago: riding the L, museums and parks, good eats. And, yes, more donuts.
May 2018
