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Aaron: Make sure to get at least a vanilla glazed and an old fashioned (and then anything else that seems good that day—the selection is always pretty small). They have coffee, but you should go to Bowtruss around the corner instead.
Aaron: Great local roaster started in a building with a bow truss, hence the name. Tucked away under the L by the Merchandise Mart stop.
Aaron: Right across from Millennium Park, this was built as the Chicago Public Library. There is usually some kind of free exhibits going on, but make sure you pop in to see the Tiffany Dome—it is really stunning.
Aaron: Required for any tourist visiting Chicago. Don't make the mistake of just hitting Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) and skipping the rest of the park—the Lurie Garden, Crown Fountain, and Great Lawn are all worth wandering through.
Aaron: Connected to Millennium Park by a shiny, serpentine Frank Gehry bridge, this brand new park was designed by the same firm who did the High Line.
Aaron: A great way to see the core of the city and get a taste of the architecture and history. Make sure you book the CAF tour, and not one of the pretenders who will peddle shoddy history. Reserve online if you can.
Aaron: This opened after we moved, but I hear many good things about the space, food, etc.
Aaron: This giant fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park and downtown Chicago's lake front. There's a free light show at night (though double check, it may have ended for the summer).
Aaron: Touristy? Yes. Cool? Yes. The views from the Skydeck at the top of the Willis (ahem, Sears) Tower are pretty stunning.
Aaron: The boldest name in the Chicago coffee scene, they have a bunch of locations. This location is right next door to Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, so you can stop in for a fix.
Aaron: The boldest name in the Chicago coffee scene, they have a bunch of locations. My first job in Chicago was in this building (which is also the tallest masonry-supported (aka brick) building in the world. The walls are about 8 feet thick at the base and only a couple feet at the top).
Aaron: Great views of the skyline from this beach—the first in a chain of beaches stretching north along the lake. There's a cafe here too.
Aaron: Pro-tip: You can go to the (cash-only) pick up window and skip the lines. Get an al pastor.
Aaron: Tap room for Revolution is one of my favorites. A bit off the beaten path, though.
Aaron: Rick Bayless' most casual spot (adjacent to The Frontera Grill and Topolobambo, which are far fancier). Get a torta or a caldo. And a churro.
Aaron: Hipster heaven. Custom bikes + coffee. There's another location in Uptown.
Aaron: If only go to one museum, this is probably the one to hit. One of the best art museums in the world, and the building is stunning too.
Aaron: Another amazing museum—the crown jewel is Sue, the T. Rex in the great hall.
Aaron: This used to be Chicago's downtown airport, until Mayor Daley bulldozed it in the middle of the night. Now it's being transformed into a huge lakefront park, parts of which just opened.
Aaron: The famous "Magnificent Mile" shopping district runs north from this bridge to Oak Street Beach. It's certainly worth the stroll, though you aren't going to see anything you can't get elsewhere in the world.
Aaron: The view of the city from the planetarium is amazing. Worth it for that alone.
Aaron: Free exhibit gives you a good overview of the city. The centerpiece is a HUGE scale model of the city that they keep completely up to date. Worth stopping in to see that alone.
Aaron: Lincoln Park is huge, but this area by the zoo gives a good taste. The Studio Gang pavilion at South Pond is beautiful, and there's a nice boardwalk.
Aaron: Free, and right off the Green Line. Tropical conservatory and desert biomes.
Aaron: The famous corn cob towers. They're condo/apartments, so you can't go inside, but you'll certainly spot them from the river.
Aaron: This space has a lot going on—there's a ramen shop in the basement, and a coffee bar in half of it, and excellent BBQ in the rest.
Aaron: If you find yourself by this building, make sure you go inside. The light-filled lobby was designed by Frank Lloyd wright, and it will blow your mind.
Aaron: Walk through this crazy, post-modern masterpiece before the city decides to tear it down. It's a really crazy space.
Aaron: Bar at the top of the Hancock Tower has amazing views, but is a bit spendy.
