Chicago Like a Local Blog

There's a first time for everything right? Well, Chicago has TWO first time events happening this weekend and you're going to want to be part of the festivities. Other events and things to do in Chicago this weekend range from craft beer to Chicago hockey to boat races to nacho eating and so much more. That's on top of all the FREE summer-long happenings at our lakefront parks, from SummerDance in Grant Park to Family Fun Fest in Millennium Park. Check out these 6 Chicago events below and scratch them into your weekend planner. 

It's no secret that Chicagoans love to eat... and eat well. Named the best restaurant city in America by Condé Nast Traveler, our windy city is a mecca for gourmets, gourmands and everyone who just loves to take a bite into the extraordinary. One of the city's premier foodie events, Chicago Gourmet (September 19–24), is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2017, and several new anniversary events promise to bring star chefs and foodies together in Millennium Park and beyond for a bash like no other. 

This summer, Navy Pier is your one-stop destination for all things The Rolling Stones related. Don't miss the limited engagement: Exhibitionism, delivered by DHL, now open at Navy Pier through July 30, 2017.

The 18,000 square-foot exhibit is an immersive experience that takes visitors through The Rolling Stones' entire career. Guests walk through different rooms showcasing over 500 rare artifacts as they follow the journey of the band from the early days through their mega-stardom. Exhibitionism culminates in a "backstage tour" and a 3D concert experience.

Music is in the air more than ever this summer in Chicago. From a locally sourced music series overlooking a pond teeming with turtles to jazzy concerts hosted on the Shedd Aquarium's lakefront terrace, there's an open-air concert at an unexpected venue almost every day of the week. Here are four outdoor summer music series that you won't want to miss this summer in Chicago.

Randolph Street Market (1340 W. Washington Boulevard) is Chicago’s destination for vintage and antique shopping. The outdoor and indoor festival is located in the Fulton Market area. Randolph Street Market is modeled after European-style shopping markets. In addition to great shopping, you’ll find local food vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. There’s good reason why Randolph Street Market was voted one of the top 10 vintage markets in the U.S. by USA Today.

Summer in Chicago means music flows everywhere, inside clubs and concert venues and through the streets and neighborhoods. Check out these great upcoming shows for your summer music fix, including a FREE festival that celebrates the season by presenting concerts all across the city for one music-filled day.

Located inside of Block 37 in the heart of the Loop, the Chicago Design Museum facilitates “the exchange of knowledge through dynamic experiences.” The museum has exhibits and interactive experiences involving design from around the world. Exhibits are FREE and open to the public, Tuesday–Saturday, noon–7 p.m., so add this gem to your museum list this summer. Here are 5 ideas for things to do while you're there.

Beer lovers, rejoice! It’s a great time to be alive!  This could have been a headline in 1890s Chicago when our town was one of the biggest producers of beer during the late 19th Century.  And lucky for us, history repeats itself.  Today we are in the midst of the greatest beer producing period in American history.  Walk in any direction and you’ll undoubtedly find a brewery within half a mile.  As a historian, it’s fun to think about how the past influences our present.  And as a beer historian, it’s pretty special to reflect on recent beer history.

In thinking about the modern era of Chicago beer, there are certain breweries that were true pioneers.  Piece Pizzeria & Brewery (1927 W. North Avenue) opened in Wicker Park in 2001, at a time when the city of Chicago had only one other brewery (waves at Goose Island).  A brewery in Wicker Park may have seemed novel 16 years ago, but 116 years ago, not so much.

The Warrior Games are coming to Chicago! A Paralympic-style competition for wounded, ill and injured active-duty service members and veterans, the Warrior Games are organized by the Department of Defense. Featuring over 260 athletes, the Games will be a fantastic celebration of our courageous service members and veterans. Here’s five reasons why you should attend the Warrior Games in Chicago:

Whether you call him dad, papa, or daddy, your father deserves some love this upcoming Father's Day, Sunday, June 18. Chicago rolls out the red carpet for both local and out-of-town dads thanks to fun fatherly events and dad-centric deals. Here are four quick ideas for celebrating Father's Day in Chicago with the fab dad in your life.