Chicago Like a Local blog

Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.

Latest Posts

A small terrier sits on a dog bed at the Viceroy Hotel in Chicago

Dining, Hotels

Chicago’s dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and more

Want to bring your furry friend everywhere you go? In Chicago, you can! From luxe hotel rooms to outdoor patios to river boat cruises, you…

Claude Monet. Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer), 1890:91. The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Arthur M. Wood, Sr. in memory of Pauline Palmer Wood.

Museums

Monet and Chicago exhibit now open at the Art Institute

Monet and Chicago at the Art Institute of Chicago Sept. 5, 2020 – Jan. 18, 2021 Buy tickets The Art Institute of Chicago has long…

Tours & attractions

10 Chicago day trips for an easy getaway

Summer travel might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still soak up the season with a short, sun-filled getaway.…

Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, 2020. Photo: Kendall McCaugherty.

Blog, Museums

Inside the MCA’s ground-breaking exhibit — Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago

Chicago is a city filled with an expansive art and design history. In a new exhibition titled Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, the internationally acclaimed fashion…

Tours & attractions

Summer staycation in Chicago: ideas for families, couples, and more

Want to get away without going too far? A Chicago staycation is a great opportunity to revisit old favorites or try something new, all while…

Arts, culture & entertainment, Dining

The best Chicago picnic spots

Summer is picnic season in Chicago. While there are plenty of amazing restaurants with outdoor dining, sometimes nothing can beat an old-fashioned picnic in the…

Paseo Boricua during the annual Puerto Rican parade

Blog, Dining, Tours & attractions

Things to do in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood

Summer is the absolute best season to explore the Humboldt Park neighborhood. The vibrant area puts their Puerto Rican heritage on proud display, from the…

Blog, Special events

Things to do in Chicago during IMTS 2026

The largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere is back in Chicago. This year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is being held at Chicago’s McCormick…

Dining

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chicago with takeout specials, margarita kits, and more

Cinco de Mayo in Chicago might look a little different this year, but there’s no reason we can’t still celebrate at home. The city’s restaurants…

Lion statue in front of the Art Institute of Chicago

Blog, Tours & attractions

Experience Chicago online: Virtual tours and digital experiences

Chicago is home to awe-inspiring museums, iconic architecture, and world-famous sites — and you can explore them all without leaving your living room with virtual…