Mentioned by Chicago Favorites
Best Museums in Chicago 2021
"Cool fact… the DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Another cool fact… Chicago-proud musician and celebrity Chance the Rapper added some star power to their efforts when he joined as a museum board trustee this year. It’s pretty special to be so rooted in history and heritage, but also very future forward."
"The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago highlights African American history, culture, and art. Founded in 1961 as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, the DuSable Museum today has a collection comprised of more than 13,000 different objects to include works by Langston Hughes, St. Clair Drake, and W.E.B. Du Bois."
"Founded in 1889, the Hull House brought together social reformers from around the country and world. Residents of the Hull House helped pass legislation and shifted public policy on education, health, free speech, immigration, fair labor and countless other social issues. Jane Addams, who founded the house, was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize."
"At the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, You’ll find thousands of artifacts, books, posters, photographs, maps, and manuscripts, ranging from military medals to swords, that tell America’s history through the eyes of the citizen soldier. Take a tour any day of the week (free with admission) or wander collections ranging from WWII and Korean War training comics to medical research files on topics like early ambulances and Civil War nurses. Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 S."
"Now open Located just across from Millennium Park, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is dedicated to educating the public about military history. The unique museum hosts a permanent exhibition on the Medal of Honor and is currently showing a special exhibit about Allied forces during World War II."
"Museum admission is always free for anyone with an active military ID, the Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. General free admission days for 2020 are:. April 6 – Centennial of WWI"
"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Austin. The technicolor soft serve at Little Italy's Kurimu is inspired by the always-trendy desserts of Japan, Taiwan and Korea, with a rotating list of flavors like Okayama peach, taro, and matcha (you can even get your soft serve wrapped in gold or silver foil, if you're feeling fancy). Pair your cone with a boba milk tea or frothy Dalgona coffee, and consider ordering ice cream tucked into the shop's warm melon buns, a type of soft, moon-shaped sweet bread that originally hails from Japan."
"New to the dessert scene, the Little Italy shop serves aesthetically pleasing ice cream. Soft serve flavors are constantly changing and currently, the menu highlights Uji Matcha x Kuro Goma (black sesame). Your tweens and teens will love to take a photo for Snapchat or Instagram!"
"Compromise on Italian without spending too much by going to Pizza Rustica. This cozy BYOB feels just like an Italian trattoria and serves huge pizzas with doughy crusts featuring toppings like Italian sausage, mushrooms, pineapple, artichokes or spinach. Salads are heading and pasta is made by hand."
"Regardless of what certain chains might say, Jeni Britton Bauer is the real "dairy queen." The woman who ignited an ice cream renaissance in Columbus, Ohio with her namesake ice cream shop has become synonymous with seasonal and innovative ice creams. With several locations in Ohio, she brought her charming wares to Chicago via a sleek scoop shop on Southport. What sets Jeni apart is her unique approach to flavor combinations and textures."
"Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Jeni’s now has six locations in Chicagoland including the newest on Randolph Street in the West Loop. This spring, Jeni’s launched a new dairy-free line made with coconut cream that’s as luscious and full-bodied as traditional ice cream. Flavors include cold brew with coconut cream and roasted peanut butter and strawberry jam."
"Jeni’s has expanded to being sold in many grocery stores, but nothing beats enjoying it fresh from the shop. Try one of their specialty treats like their ice cream cookie sandwiches."
"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago is a non-profit with a mission to share the work of outsiders. The center defines an outsider in the art world as "the work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world, and who instead are motivated by their unique personal vision." Since its inception in 1991, Intuit has become a leader in the field of promoting outsider and intuitive art. The museum's permanent collection, which they began amassing in 2002, has come to include more than 1,1000 works of art."
"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."
"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features a large number of artworks presenting intuitive and outsider art. They have been featuring various artworks since 1991. Their world-class exhibitions give an opportunity for the public to explore this kind of art."
"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."
"This museum and memorial tells the story of Khmer Rouge and the Killing Field through multimedia displays, archives, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. Guided tours are available so you can learn more about what happened during the Cambodian Civil War. Hours are subject to change, so they advise that you call prior to visiting (773-878-7090)."
"A Costa Rican restaurant in Bucktown with a beautiful patio that's perfect for gatherings with friends or a low-key date. Why we love it: There's something for everyone on the menu at Irazú, whether you're looking for a vegetarian burrito and some empanadas or are ready to dig into the signature chifrijo (fried pork layered with black beans, white rice and pico de gallo) and a pepito stacked with steak, grilled onions and spicy Lizano sauce. Just make sure to save room for an oatmeal milkshake."
"This Costa Ricanstaple starts with a layer of black bean soup, a scoop of rice, and an extra scoop of black beans. Then pork belly is cooked with garlic, deep fried and scooped over the black beans with a house made pico de gallo. The chifrijo is finished with slices of avocado and a drizzle of Lizano salsa."
"Irazu is a laid back restaurant in Bucktown serving up authentic Costa Rican food. Come for the $7 Pepito sandwich (ribeye steak, cheese, sautéed onions, and special sauce), but stay for the oatmeal milkshakes, which have a cult following."
"Strollers are aplenty along Southport Avenue so it's no surprise that Crosby's Kitchen is a haven for tikes in this Lakeview neighborhood brimming with young families. The best part is that it's not just friendly for the young ones, it's also great for older kids and adults dining sans kids, complete with a wine menu. Order yourself a Bloody Mary and the table some monkey bread to start and choose from a kid's menu or the regular menu for brunch, lunch or dinner."
"Restaurants American Lake View. This ultra kid-friendly restaurant in the Southport Corridor caters to parents in every way possible with wide doors that fit your stroller, a stroller valet and step stools in the bathroom. Your little ones will undoubtedly want the ice cream-topped skillet cookie for dessert—so be a sport and help them indulge."
"This restaurant was designed with kids in mind, namely the daughter, Crosby, of one of the owners. Her influence served them well — extra-wide doors accommodate strollers, and there’s a sink in the dining room, so kids can wash up. The kids’ menu is pretty standard, but adds a few different dishes like the chicken leg that comes straight off their signature rotisserie."