Chicago Like a Local blog

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

A festival goer crowd surfs on an inflatable watermelon slice at Lollapalooza

Festivals & special events, Music

Lollapalooza Chicago guide: lineup, schedule, tickets, and more

July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026 Grant Park Each year, thousands of fans travel from around the world to experience Lollapalooza in Chicago. Those lucky…

Festivals & special events, Free & cheap

Chicago Air and Water Show

Aug. 15 – 16, 2026 Free admission • Chicago lakefront The Chicago Air and Water Show has been an iconic Chicago event since 1959. The…

Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music

Chicago Jazz Festival

Sept. 3 – 6, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival boasts an incredibly…

Festivals & special events, Food & drink

Taste of Chicago

July 8 – 12, 2026 Free admission • Grant Park and citywide The 46th annual Taste of Chicago is bringing some of the city’s most…

Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music

Chicago Blues Festival

June 4 – 7, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond A legendary Chicago event since 1984, the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s…

Museums & art

Admire masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago

The renowned Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. Home to an extraordinary collection of art…

Museums & art

Explore natural history at the Field Museum in Chicago

The Field Museum is one of the world’s great natural history museums. This revered Chicago institution explores everything from ancient cultures to the latest scientific…

Bucket list

The ultimate Chicago bucket list

There are so many ways you can do Chicago — and if you’re going for the first time, you’ll want to hit up all the…

Architecture & history, Festivals & special events

Open House Chicago

Free admission • Citywide One weekend. 25+ Chicago neighborhoods. 200+ places to explore. Open the door to architectural gems all over Chicago. Every October, the…

Multiple plates of food at Spiaggia restaurant in Chicago

Food & drink

Famous Chicago restaurants

Chicago is a city known for its restaurants. There are world-renowned fine dining, celebrity-chef helmed hot spots, and local favorites that have been around for…