Chicago Like a Local blog

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

Architecture & history, Museums, Sponsored

Explore the Chicago Architecture Center

There’s no better place to learn about our city’s amazing architecture than at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), housed in a stunning building overlooking the…

Hotels, Sponsored

Experience Chicago’s Best Western River North Hotel

With a prime downtown Chicago location, the Best Western River North Hotel puts visitors just steps from some of the city’s best attractions, shopping, dining,…

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…

Published on July 8, 2019 by Kelsey O'Connor

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…

Published on July 2, 2019 by Allana Mortell

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…

Published on July 2, 2019 by Alma Bahman

Entertainment, Tours & attractions

Chicago in the movies: Film tours and events

Grab some popcorn and watch your favorite movies come to life in Chicago. The city has been featured on the silver screen for over a…

Itineraries

Chicago’s best spots for selfies

Looking for that perfect Chicago photo opp? Not to worry — with this roundup of must-see places to visit in Chicago, your selfie game will…

Tours & attractions

Discover sights and attractions near Chicago

Chicago’s jam-packed with things to do and see — but there’s also plenty of cool spots just outside the city. If you have time in…

Museums & art, Tours & attractions

31 free Chicago museums & attractions

Want to do Chicago on the cheap? There are tons of free museums and cultural attractions all over the city. Get a tour from a…

Architecture & history, Tours & attractions

Chicago architecture tours and attractions

Whether you’re a lover of Beaux Arts and Victorian, or inspired by clean-lined modernism, you’ll feel right at home surrounded by Chicago’s history-defining architecture. From…

Museums & art

Explore Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium combines the best of early 20th-century aquariums — a diverse, global animal collection surrounded by mouth-dropping architecture, and a commitment to 21st-century advances…

Museums & art

See cutting-edge exhibits at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

It may surprise you. Challenge you. Excite you. Inspire you. Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art invites you to discover the great artists of our time,…

Museums & art

Walk through space and time at Adler Planetarium

Extending out into Lake Michigan from its Museum Campus home, Adler Planetarium is America’s first planetarium and it has become a recognized leader in science…

Free & cheap

5 free off-the-beaten-path things to do in Chicago

You’ll feel just like one of the locals as you wander beyond downtown Chicago to discover little-known gems steeped in history and artistry. Best of…

Museums & art

Get curious at the Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is home to more than 35,000 awe-inspiring artifacts and hundreds of exhibits. Climb aboard a WWII German U-Boat.…

Sports & recreation, Tours & attractions

Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field’s open air backyard is a bustling hub for neighbors, fans, and visitors. Whether or not it’s baseball season, you’ll find a slew of…

Tours & attractions

Chicago’s observation decks

The sky’s the limit in Chicago — literally. Two one-of-a-kind observation decks, in two of the world’s most famous skyscrapers, make your elevator trip the…

Family, Itineraries

Top 10 Chicago must-dos with teens or tweens

One thing teens and tweens will never call Chicago is boring. Whether they’re thrill-seekers, explorers, artists, shopaholics or knowledge hounds, these 10 must-dos will have…

Free & cheap, Itineraries

2-day budget Chicago itinerary

Here’s the skinny on two days of budget-friendly Chicago sights and experiences, covering everything from beer tastings to neighborhood tours and attractions you won’t want…

Parks & outdoors

7 things you didn’t know about the Chicago Riverwalk

There’s so much more to do at the Chicago Riverwalk than simply stroll along a picturesque river. The Riverwalk is a lifestyle — a uniquely…

Tours & attractions

Navy Pier

Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the…