Dining, Special events
Where to eat New Year’s Eve dinner in Chicago
Ring in the New Year in true Chicago style — with an unforgettable meal. The city’s acclaimed culinary scene pulls out all the stops for…
Chicago Like a Local blog
Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.
Latest blog posts
Dining, Special events
9 new restaurants to try during Chicago Restaurant Week
In Chicago, there’s no better time to experience the city’s acclaimed dining scene than Chicago Restaurant Week. This year’s edition of the annual foodie fest…
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, 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, 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…
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.…
Special events
Where to celebrate Day of the Dead in Chicago
You can experience Mexican influences all over Chicago, from the taquerias and tamale carts in Little Village to the colorful murals in Pilsen and beyond.…
Special events
7 movies not to miss during the Chicago International Film Festival
From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to High Fidelity and The Sting, Chicago has played host to an impressive range of classic movies. Last year, more…
Nightlife, Special events
Halloween parties at Chicago restaurants & bars
Halloween in Chicago is just around the corner. That means pumpkin patches, trick or treating, haunted houses and most of all — Halloween parties. Chicago’s…
Architecture & history, Special events
Open House Chicago: 9 places to explore
Open House Chicago is a free, public architecture festival that opens up the coolest buildings in the city for one weekend a year. Mark your…
Architecture & history, Special events
Chicago Architecture Biennial: 8 things to see and do
There’s Chicago as it is, and Chicago as it could be. Through the careful curation of dozens of lectures, tours, exhibits, and interactive experiences spanning…
Arts, culture & entertainment, Blog, Special events
Chicago Humanities Festival 2019: The full star-studded lineup
The Chicago Humanities Festival is back for its 30th anniversary — and this year it’s all about power. The annual fall festival, one of the…
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…
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…
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
Check back for 2020 dates Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals boasts an incredibly diverse lineup, which includes…
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…
Special events
Celebrate summer with these free events at the Chicago Riverwalk
What: Chicago Riverwalk Season Celebration When: Monday, May 13 – Sunday, May 18, 2019 Where: Chicago Riverwalk between Lake Street and Lake Shore Drive What…
Dining, Special events
Chicago bachelorette party: 6 ways to celebrate in the city
Planning one last fling before the ring? Chicago is the perfect spot for a getaway with your girls. That’s because there’s a little something for…
Dining, Special events
Where to celebrate James Beard Eats Week
Chicago’s dining scene is known around the country for its diverse restaurant landscape, innovative chefs, and Midwestern hospitality — which makes it the perfect place to…
Special events
Chicago Dance Month: 6 must-see events and shows
Salsa, rumba, or waltz your way into spring during the seventh annual Chicago Dance Month. Through the entire month of April, an array of cultural…
Special events
Star Wars Celebration is coming to Chicago: Here’s what to expect
If you’re feeling a disturbance in the Force, it’s because there’s about to be thousands of voices crying out — in celebration. Star Wars Celebration…
Special events
50+ things to do in Chicago this spring
You can feel spring coming from a mile away in Chicago. The minute the snow melts, the city starts buzzing with outdoor concerts, neighborhood street fests,…
Special events
6 reasons to check out C2E2 in Chicago
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (more commonly known as C2E2) makes a vibrant return to McCormick Place from March 22 – 24, 2019. The…
How locals do Chicago
Explore hotels, flights, deals, and more
Plan your trip
