Nightlife
10 holiday pop-up bars in Chicago
‘Tis the season for holiday pop-up bars. Some of Chicago’s favorite bars have temporarily transformed into full-blown winter wonderlands. Expect over-the-top decorations, seasonal cocktails, festive…
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
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Blog, Special events
50+ things to do this December in Chicago
December is a magical time to visit Chicago. The month is jam-packed with holiday cheer, from charming Christmas markets to snowy ice skating rinks to…
Dining
Chicago restaurants for a festive holiday dinner
If you’re not planning to stay home for the holidays, this is the perfect time to experience Chicago’s award-winning dining scene. Our restaurants go all…
Dining, Festivals
Chicago food & drink events this month
Chicago is a foodie’s dream. Each month, there’s a new batch of food and drink events that offer a taste of the city’s scorching-hot culinary…
Theater & dance
10 hot shows to see in Chicago this month
With more than 250 companies, Chicago is known across the world for its innovative and vibrant live theatre scene. Add a performance (or two!) to…
Museums
10 must-see Chicago museum exhibits this month
Chicago’s internationally renowned museums have a packed schedule of highly anticipated exhibits throughout the year. Looking for the top ones to check out this month?…
Blog, Shopping and fashion
Guide: Holiday shopping in Chicago’s neighborhoods
Once the table is cleared on Thanksgiving day, it’s officially open season on holiday shopping. And while Black Friday deals at big box stores get…
Family, Hotels
Deck the halls! 8 holiday hotels in Chicago
Chicago’s hotels go above and beyond when it comes to decking the halls every holiday season, making for a magical winter getaway. From elaborate gingerbread…
Blog, Nightlife
5 rooftop bars that are heating up Chicago this winter
Rooftop bar season is year-round in Chicago. These seasonal spaces are the perfect place to cure your cabin fever with a healthy dose of the…
Blog, Dining
Take a look inside the new Time Out Market Chicago
One of the most anticipated openings of the year — Time Out Market Chicago — is now open in the West Loop. The new food…
Blog, Food & drink
The world’s largest Starbucks is now open in Chicago
Coffee lovers rejoice — the long-awaited Starbucks Reserve Roastery is now open on The Magnificent Mile. The massive five-story location occupies more than 35,000 square…
Blog
Winter guide to Chicago’s Millennium Park
Winter is a magical time to visit Millennium Park. This iconic lakefront park in the heart of the city is home to some of Chicago’s…
Dining
Hot chocolate spots to warm up a Chicago winter
The best way to stay warm during a Chicago winter? Lots of hot chocolate. It’s the perfect pit stop during a day of exploring the…
Theater & dance
Get ready for Chicago Theatre Week 2020
Save the date for 10 days of discounted tickets to some of Chicago’s hottest shows. Chicago Theatre Week, presented by the League of Chicago Theatres…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Family, Museums, Sponsored
Discover the Art Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great art museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places,…
Free & cheap
10 free things to do in Chicago this month
You don’t need to reach for your wallet to get your fill of culture and fun in Chicago. Here are 10 free things to do…
Dining, Festivals, Free & cheap, Special events
What to eat, drink, and do at Christkindlmarket Chicago
Christkindlmarket has been a holiday tradition in Chicago since 1996. Modeled after the 16th-century holiday markets in Germany, the annual Christmas bazaar in Daley Plaza…
Blog
50+ things to do this November in Chicago
November is the perfect time to visit Chicago. You can still get all the benefits of autumn (like milder temps and gorgeous fall colors), while…
Blog, Family, Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Holidays, Special events
Your guide to The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2019
The holiday season is always an exciting time in Chicago. With countless events across multiple neighborhoods, there are so many ways to celebrate. One event…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Blog, Nightlife
Warhol in Chicago: 7 spots for pop art cocktails, immersive experiences, and more
The blockbuster Andy Warhol exhibit has landed in Chicago, and the whole city is getting in on the celebration of one of the world’s most…
Architecture & history, Sponsored, Tours & attractions
Delve into Frank Lloyd Wright’s groundbreaking Chicago-area designs
While in Chicago, experience Wright’s architectural vision of unity, simplicity, and beauty, which launched a truly American architecture style at the beginning of the 20th…
Dining, Special events
Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner in Chicago
Thanksgiving is supposed to be about food and family. But between all the cooking and cleaning, the family part tends to fall by the wayside.…
Arts, culture & entertainment
Inside Hebru Brantley’s new interactive experience in Pilsen
If you’ve ever walked around Chicago, you’ve probably spotted Hebru Brantley’s work. And Flyboy, the aviator-goggle-wearing character dreamed up by the contemporary artist and Chicago…
Hotels, Sponsored
24 hours in Chicago
Only have 24 hours to spend in Chicago? Although you can’t do the entire city in one day, you can fit in many of the…
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