Chicago Like a Local Blog

Noted for world renowned art collections, interactive exhibits and lots of informative fun, a visit to Chicago museums is an essential activity. But these landmark institutions offer much more than visual and cultural experiences. Many museum gift shops offer enough unusual and hand-crafted items to find something for everyone on your list.

Save the date for a week of discounted tickets to some of Chicago’s best shows. Chicago Theatre Week, presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, will be back for its seventh year from Feb. 7 – 17, 2019.

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. This year, leave the grocery shopping and dishwashing to someone else. Dining out for Thanksgiving is a great way to spend more time with your loved ones, and less time in the kitchen. 

You could spend years exploring Chicago’s many museums, and still never see everything. So if you think you’ve done it all, you might want to take another look. These popular museums hide a rich array of rare objects, prized artwork and one-of-a-kind experiences tucked away in under-the-radar exhibits. 

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 city’s many snow-covered sites.

Don’t settle for soda water. If you’re looking for a booze-free beverage, there are plenty of handcrafted mocktails around the city to quench your thirst -- without the hangover. 

There are neighborhood bars in every corner of the Chicago, from basement dives to old-school taverns. The one thing they all have in common? They’re somewhere anyone can go to kick back with a drink and feel like they belong. 

Chicago is home to some of the best improv and sketch comedy clubs in the country. There are dozens of theaters across the city to see the best local (and future superstar) comedians, and there’s a little something for everyone.

Chicagoans love their sports, which means there’s plenty of games, matches, events and more to keep you cheering all winter long. 

The holidays are a time for gift-giving and gingerbread and family. It's also a time for mulled wine in boots and more stollen than you've ever seen in your life. This is where Christkindlmarket comes in, serving up festive holiday eats through December 24.