Chicago Like a Local blog

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

Latest Posts

5 unique hotel rooms in Chicago

Hotels in Chicago run the gamut from luxe to budget and everything in between. But if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, there…

Romance blooms at Chicago’s lovebird-led restaurants

There’s no better was to celebrate Valentine’s Day than an intimate dinner for two. And there’s really nothing more fitting than booking a favorite Chicago restaurant…

Winter at Navy Pier: 8 things to do

If you think Navy Pier only shines in the summertime, think again: Chicago’s top family tourist attraction is just as wonderful in the winter. From…

5 holiday date night ideas in Chicago

The hardest time of year to get out of the house can also be the most rewarding (and romantic). Just because it’s snowy out there doesn’t…

14 Chicago neighborhood bars where you can drink like a local

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…

Explore Chicago’s hidden underground

There’s so much to see on the streets of Chicago. But most people never see what’s lurking just below the surface. The city hides layers…

Arts, culture & entertainment, Free & cheap

The best cheap things to do in Chicago for Halloween

The spookiest season of the year can also get pretty expensive. Whether it’s splurging on the perfect costume or shelling out for a bar package,…

Two of Chicago’s most historic hotels are also its most haunted. While guests at the Congress Plaza and The Drake enjoy luxury, comfort and meticulous attention to detail, they also revel in ghostly lore – particularly during Halloween season.

Architecture & history

8 haunted Chicago sights you probably didn’t know about

Chicago is heir to a bevy of spine-tingling ghost stories, from the Congress Hotel, reportedly one of the most haunted hotels in the country, to the site of the Valentine’s Day Massacre.