Mentioned by Lonely Planet
Top 12 parks in Chicago
"Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX theater, a beer garden and lots of chain restaurants. A renovation added public plazas, performance spaces and free cultural programming. Locals still groan over its commercialization, but its lakefront view and cool breezes can't be beat. The fireworks displays on summer Wednesdays (9:30pm) and Saturdays (10:15pm) are a treat too."
"Navy Pier combines everything you could ever hope for in an area of a city you're visiting, and it has placed it right on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are shops, places to eat, boat tours, mini golf and a Ferris wheel. You might also find the Children's Museum of interest if you're there with family."
"Take pleasure in the Navy Pier atmosphere without spending money. Pack a lunch for the family to eat on the dock. As you stroll along the pier, people-watch and take pictures of your family in front of a beautiful Lake Michigan landscape."
"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a natural museum based in Chicago, Illinois. It is under the Chicago Academy of Sciences and was opened to the general public in 1999. It is located at the intersection of Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park."
"If you’re into pro wrestling, the arena boasts one of the loudest crowds in the WWE. DePaul University's men’s basketball team, the Arena Football League, Chicago Wolves ice hockey, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney On Ice, and musicians also offer lots of action."
"When it comes to vintage ice cream nostalgia in Chicago, it doesn't get any better than Margie's Candies. Any ice cream parlor that cites The Beatles as one-time customers is bound to be fantastic, especially when said parlor looks like it hasn't been refurbished since the Fab Four broke up in 1970. The best backdrop for wheel barrel-sized sundaes and splits is an ice cream shop lined with squishy booths, antiquated music machines, and a time-worn candy counter."
"This candy shop and soda fountain looks a lot like it did when it opened in 1921, and they still serve a lot of the same treats. Order a sundae in a vintage clamshell dish, an extra thick milkshake (a Margie’s classic), or a box of homemade chocolates."
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marc Heiden - Use... used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Anyone and everyone would love to have a scoop of ice cream when they walk past Margie’s Candies shop."
"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"
"This vegan cafe in Lakeview carries Dark Matter coffee and also serves up a wide and ever-changing range of snacks like breakfast sandwiches, wraps, bagels, pastries and more!"
"When it comes to satisfying your waffle, Eggs Benedict, and everything- else-in-between cravings, Chicago’s brunch buffets serve a knock-out punch. Whether the setting’s an upscale restaurant with a bird’s-eye view of the city or a casual neighborhood cafe with a cozy ambiance, Chicago’s brunch buffets are filled with sweet treats and savory delights to make your mouth water and your taste buds sing. Along with the top-notch tourist attractions, make sure one of these Chicago brunch buffets is on your list of things to do!"
"Band of Bohemia makes our list because it’s completely original and unlike any other brewery in Chicago. This Michelin-starred brewpub puts as much emphasis on the beer as it does the culinary program, pairing the two in such a way that the overall experience will knock your socks off. The list of house-made tap beers changes but currently, you can enjoy The Mother of Kites, Sliced Bread, or The Noble Raven Ale, the flagship brew."
"The world's first Michelin-starred brewpub, known for its ever-changing culinary beer, this spot from two Alinea vets does not disappoint. In the kitchen, meticulously sourced ingredients are transformed into diverse, elevated dishes with global flare. Whether indulging in a little beer geekery or going all out with for a fine dining experience, Band of Bohemia's particular brand of upscale-casual offers something for everyone."
"This accredited museum in the Pilsen area is dedicated to preserving and facilitating knowledge about Latino life and history. Exhibits focus on Mexican culture as it's represented in the US and in Mexico, and the permanent collection includes folk art, ephemera, sculpture, textiles and drawings. Performing arts are also featured and the center hosts special events throughout the year to advance the museum's objectives."
"The National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the only Chicago museums of art that showcases the art, culture and history of the Latino, Mexican and Chicano communities. Founded in 1982, it now counts some 10,000 pieces in its collections. These range from pre-Hispanic and pre-Colombian objects made by indigenous Mexican groups – including the Maya, Mezcala and Toltec – to folk art, textiles and paintings."