Festivals & special events, Special events
What’s new at Chicago Gourmet
Chicago Gourmet is one of the top food festivals in the country — known for bringing together the city’s best and brightest culinary stars for…
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
Latest blog posts
Arts, culture & entertainment, Family
Beat the clock: The best escape rooms in Chicago
The idea of being locked in a room for 60 minutes may not scream “fun!” for everyone. However, escape rooms are gaining popularity across the…
Festivals, Festivals & special events, Special events
Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade 2019
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 It’s turkey time! The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season with a fun-filled morning in the heart of…
Dining
4 new food halls to try in Chicago
Food halls are all about variety. They offer a little bit of everything, bringing flavors from all around the world to one place — kind…
LGBTQ+, Tours & attractions
What to eat, drink, and do in Boystown
Boystown is known around the world as the oldest official recognized gay neighborhood in the country. The vibrant stretch of that spans roughly a mile…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Free & cheap
10 things you shouldn’t miss at Chicago’s Millennium Park Campus
The Millennium Park Campus is the heart of Chicago. Locals and visitors alike gather here to picnic in the grass, cool off in the fountain,…
Tours & attractions
Here’s all the baby animals at Chicago zoos this summer
There’s been a baby boom at Chicago zoos this summer. The city’s newest residents are also some of its cutest, from rare newborn rhinos to…
Family
It’s not too late for a summer staycation in Chicago
Chicago shines in the summertime. Beach days at Lake Michigan, patio dining, music festivals, Cubs games, and blue skies are just a few of my…
Dining
5 new things to check out at Taste of Chicago
The world’s largest free-admission food festival, Taste of Chicago, is back this week (July 10 – 14) in Grant Park. We all know about the 300+…
Tours & attractions
2 Chicago-area Wright buildings named UNESCO World Heritage sites
The Chicagoland area is now home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park and the Unity Temple in nearby…
Tours & attractions
3 Chicago pop-up museums to check out
The pop-up phenomenon has been taking Chicago by storm. These limited-edition experiences span almost every industry, from retail to restaurants to full-on museums. And the…
Tours & attractions
What’s new on the Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago has always been a city of two waterfronts — Lake Michigan, with 26 miles of sandy beachfront, and the Chicago River, which flows through…
Free & cheap
Where to watch the Chicago Air & Water Show
The Chicago Air & Water Show is one of the city’s most beloved summer traditions. What began in 1959 as part of a children’s day…
Festivals
Behind the smoke: Meet the Windy City Smokeout pitmasters
Chicago is known for our food scene, and that extends to our festivals. The annual Windy City Smokeout (July 12 –14) brings some of the world’s…
Free & cheap
Free things to do in Chicago all summer long
Want to get the most out of summer in Chicago — without breaking the bank? We’ve got your back. The city is full of free…
Sports & recreation
Chicago sporting events this summer: 5 not to miss
Chicago is America’s best sports city, and this summer is the perfect time to experience it for yourself. The season is packed with world-class sports…
Festivals, Special events
Where to celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago
Fourth of July is an iconic summer event. And no one celebrates like Chicago. Whether it’s a bustling neighborhood street festival, a scenic boat cruise,…
Festivals & special events, Music, Special events
Chicago Jazz Festival
Aug. 28 – Sept. 6, 2020 Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals boasts an incredibly diverse lineup, which…
Theater & dance
Experience immersive theatre at Southern Gothic in Chicago
Imagine being invited to a dinner party where everything goes wrong. That’s the general premise of the Chicago play Southern Gothic, an innovative theatrical experience at the…
Blog
Get a taste of Chicago’s craft beer scene at Friday Night Flights
Summer is street festival season in the city, and with Chicago now the brewing capital of the country, it only makes sense that several of…
Arts, culture & entertainment
How to spend a night out in Old Town, Chicago
There’s a lot to love about the Old Town neighborhood in Chicago. This charming pocket of Chicago feels like a different city in itself with…
Parks & outdoors, Special events
Chicago beach guide
Chicago’s stunning skyline soars over 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront, including 24 free public beaches. Whether you’re looking to swim, kayak, paddleboard, sip cocktails, or…
Blog, Festivals, LGBTQ+
Your guide to Chicago Pride 2019
June is Pride Month in Chicago and the city pulls out all the stops to celebrate. You’ll find parades, outdoor fests, concerts, museum exhibits, and…
Free & cheap
Enjoy free theatre events in Chicago all summer long
It’s the Year of Chicago Theatre, and this summer is packed with plenty of ways to join the celebration. There’s outdoor movie screenings, theatre performances…
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