Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Illinois
"The list of great Chicago parks is long but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include: Washington Park, one of the cities biggest and best parks, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe; Ping Tom Memorial Park (originally a railroad yard) in Armour Square; the 55-acre Horner Park in Albany Park; Portage Park; Northerly Island, where many concerts are held in the summer; and Oz Park in Lincoln Park, a kid-friendly sculpture park featuring "The Wizard of Oz" creations."
"Situated next to Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park sits on over 20 acres next to the waterfront in downtown Chicago. The park's most popular kids' attraction is a mini-golf course, which has a series of the city's most iconic buildings and landmarks at each hole. The Play Garden is a big hit with younger kids, where they can play pirate on a huge land-bound ship complete with rope bridges and plenty of room to imagine."
"You don’t have to choose because you can do all three at Maggie Daley Park. It features Chicago’s only outdoor climbing park. There are beginner and advanced places to climb with instruction from the park staff."
"Located in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, Marquette Park is the largest park on the southwest side totaling 323 acres. In addition to two gymnasiums, an auditorium, woodshop, Martin Luther King, Jr. kiosk and multi-purpose rooms, it's also home to one of the most affordable 9-hole golf courses in the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a community garden, rose garden, prairie and 500 newly planted trees."
"Chicago Lawn is home to this huge 323-acre park, featuring two gymnasiums, an auditorium, four sports fields, a nine-hole golf course, fishing area, running paths, and a community garden. Don’t miss seeing the rose garden, prairie, and lagoon. A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sculpture and an Art Deco Darius and Girenas Memorial are worth viewing as well."
"The Riverwalk is exactly what it sounds like: a pedestrian trail that stretches alongside the Chicago River. It’s 1.25 miles, so it doesn’t require a punishing amount of exercise, but it’s long enough to offer a wide range of events and activities for visitors of all types. Are you feeling peckish?"
"Cofounder Mao Zedong uses recipes passed down from generations to serve patrons of Silk Road. His goal was to create a restaurant for those who enjoy simple Chinese food but want it fast. Try Zedong’s takes on the classic Cashew Chicken or Pepper Steak."
"Chi Cafe first commenced in 2008 positioned in the center of China Town Square. They are offering special snacks, soup, Chiu chow style rice soup, noodle roll & sticky rice, noodle soup, congee, house special and more. The restaurant takes pride on dishes and beverages served together that play delightfully in everyone’s tastebuds."
"Archer Ave., Suite A (between Cermak Road and 21st Street.), the Chinese spot is the most popular cheap Chinese restaurant in Chicago, boasting four stars out of 1,137 reviews on Yelp. The menu features items like egg rolls and noodle soup. The site has lots more information on Chi Cafe."
"Your mouth is sure to drop to the floor the first time you lay eyes on this stunning structure, a nine-sided building that incorporates…"
"Known for its limestone gatehouse and highly decorated columbarium niches, which are composed of photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of individuals whose ashes are stored there, this cemetery, established by Chicago's Czech community in 1877, also features storied mausoleums, stained glass images and a special dedication to Chicago Cubs fans. It's a quieter, welcome alternative to public parks that often draw rambunctious young children."
"Restaurants Coffee shops River West/West Town. Tim Coonan, a 15-year home roaster, marries the efficiency of second-wave coffee (e.g. Starbucks) with the clean design and small-scale ethos of the third wave (e.g. Intelligentsia) at this corner coffee bar. He caters to Blue Line commuters with cheap “fast drip” (available in a self-serve machine) and to laptop lingerers with “slow coffee” (pour-over) and espresso drinks."
"My favorite has been their West Town (Chicago Ave.) location. They are a roaster offering “no-nonsense artisan coffee.”. I had seen photos of their marshmallow lattes floating around Instagram for months before I decided to check it out."