The downtown location of the godfather of Chicago 3rd wave/specialty coffee. If you're serious about coffee put this on your list. Direct trade and seasonal espresso, cold-brew and pourover coffees.
The Chicago Field Museum is one of the best museums in the world. Plan to spend an entire day here as there is so much to see! My favorite exhibits are the NW Pacific tribes and Evolving Planet.
A fun fountain park, but mostly if you have children. Otherwise, the people-watching is great.
Obama's favorite pizza place!! And it's freaking good too. Sauce is perfect (not too sweet, not bland), crust is fantastic--lots of options other than pizza. Great late-night spot too
One of the main reasons I love this museum is because it is interactive. There is just so much to see and explore because the museum is so huge. Also, they have free demonstrations that are available.
Beautiful architecture and concert hall. I saw movie master John Williams conduct here and it will be a memory I cherish forever. Dress up and bring a date, she'll love it.
The action is on Clark street. Start at Foster and head up to Bryn Mawr. Come during the day to experience the great shops, but don't forget the great (non-douchy) night life!
Various shopping opportunities, luxury clothes, cosmetics and jewelry, fabulous gourmet food court & superb café & interiors. MAGNIFICENT glass ceiling! Expensive stuff but a definite tourist magnet.
Second-largest building in the world; it actually has its own zipcode! Wholesale furniture and furnishings store for buyers all over the world w/ 600 permanent showrooms, and a great bookstore.
One of the best farmer's markets in the country. Great selections of local produce, meat, artisanal cheese&bread, organic dairy products etc. Don't miss the cooking demos. Here we caught Rick Bayless.
One of the largest feminist bookstores in the country, Women and Children First has 30,000 books by and about women, as well as a vast selection of children’s books and LGBT fiction and non-fiction. Read more.
What is there not to like. The only thing I have to say.. If you are going to come to Bucktown / Wicker Park, don't expect that you can do whatever your want and get away.. Respect our neighbours
A Michelle Obama favorite, this 26-year-old bookstore, part of the Seminary Co-op Bookstores, Inc., is a visually colorful nook with a vast collection children’s and cook books
Good spot to run/walk/bike. lots of dogs & frisbee playing on the great lawn. Perfect for a summer/autumn picnic. Several fire pits available. The field house is cozy for an intimate wedding too.
Beautiful place to stroll & enjoy the Lush gardens & expansive landscape, gothic & mid-century architecture, museums, notably the Robie House, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home.
Amazing vegan cusine - head to Violet Hour afterwards for perfect martinis Read more.
Mana Slider: The patty of brown rice and mushroom, kissed with spicy mayo, gives any veggie burger in town a run for its money.
This is a great vegetarian place on the Loop. The staff is extraordinarily friendly. If you let them know you are new to the place they will help you though the menu and give you samples
Rick Bayless' casual street-food inspired restaurant in River North has an array of breakfast tortas, hot chocolates, and much more in the mornings. Read more.
The family-owned bakery makes a variety of treats, from paczki for Fat Tuesday to Irish soda bread for St. Patrick's Day Read more.
It's difficult to beat a classic. We're talking about the classic margarita, made with tequila Lunazul tequila, lime, and orange curacao. Read more.
People line up to try the New Haven style thin-crust pizzas with red or white sauce, piled high with an enormous list of toppings: mashed potatoes, artichoke hearts, broccoli, clams, and meatballs. Read more.
The trendier Neapolitan pizza gets, the more you're reminded who does it best in Chicago. Come for Jonathan Goldsmith's perfectly charred pies from his custom-built oven. Read more.
The foundation's bookshop offers out a plethora of titles ranging from architecture to children’s books, maps/guides, and Chicago-themed books, as well as gadgets and gifts inspired by architecture.
Greek Island is the staple of Greek Town, importing wines, olives oil, oregano, honey and olives straight from Greece. Try their distinctive lima beans and Colorado lamb.
Every era in the 20th century is represented by interesting, hand-selected antiques & vintage pieces here, in an ever-changing selection of furniture, accessories, adornments, decorative arts & more.
Besides offering a plethora of cooking classes & demos to help hone your kitchen skills, The Chopping Block hosts a collection of the finest culinary equipment & books for all your cooking endeavors.
Find handmade artisan work year round! Check our facebook page for monthly events.
although this place has some great stuff, their prices are out of this world.. (both retail & event pricing) If they were smart, they would practice the art of charging what they must & not what can!
The market specializes in all things mission, Art Deco, midcentury and mod. Furniture and art is the main focus upstairs, while downstairs you’ll find a variety of lighting, jewelry and more.
On the fifth floor of a mall, this spot feels like a well-kept secret: Coffee-table books, rare European beauty products, cashmere sweaters and a smattering of cool antiques set the eclectic tone.
Lots of delicious gluten free options. Custom made stir fry in the far right corner is my favorite. Great spot for quick, quality food at reasonable prices.
Not a large variety of stores, but there is pretty much everything you need. Macy's, Starbucks, Lush, Victoria Secret, Sephora and a ton of food. Try the Chicago style pizza at Foodlife on the first
Candy Everywhere !!!!! Amazing Modern Colorful Candy shop. A must Visit 👍 Seriously it worth visiting.. Highly Recommended 👍
If you like Italian food, this will be heaven for you.This is like a mall just of pasta, gelato, bread, and all kinds of delicious stuff. If it's Italian and you can eat it, you will find it at eataly
A giant oak library counter and antique card catalogs make it feel like a study, appropriate since Greer is exclusively devoted to exquisite stationery, journals and pens.
Their caramel and chase popcorn mix was delicious and so fresh, definitely recommend. Don't know why Chicago loves their popcorn so much but it's worth a try if you visit
Excellent job placing bottles of alcohol and etc. Around the store as decor but the employees actually drink it all day
We’re not sure what we love most at this haven for all things home: the flea market, the garden, or the indoor furniture and accessories. Read more.
A mecca for toy enthusiasts, Rotofugi partners with local artists to produce limited-edition, anime-inspired figurines that are sure to be collectibles.
With 3 floors of books stacked from floor to ceiling, Myopic is one of Chicago’s oldest and largest used bookstores. They also have a curious piece of memorabilia: Charles Bukowski’s “last breath”.
This place is THE BEST. Up front, pick up Cinema Sewer and Sleazy Slice (if you're up for it). In the back zine section, grab Crass Sophisticate. The sales section is amazing too. Photo booth caps it.
Moodily lit and decked out in foliage, this flower shop/gift store feels extravagantly lush, just like its handmade, embroidered necklaces and artisanal candles.
At this store devoted to all things garden-related, you should definitely pay special attention to the wildly cool (and packable) terrariums, peopled with hilarious miniature figurines.
This is an absolutely amazing place for children's clothes. Do ask what has recently come in for the latest fashions. Their staff is very friendly and helpful regarding your questions.
This is your one-stop shop for all things amazing! Greeting cards, gifts, art, wrapping paper and amazing service! Support local businesses while shopping at Inkling and also win at gift-giving!
Great collection of fiction/literature and a really cool section of "fine bindings". I can't wait to go back when I have more time and money.
Very cool stuff on music, visual arts...or just a good place to find decent and original cards for best wishes.
I like that there exists such a thing as a robot store, but I missed some more advanced standard robotics kits (e.g. Mindstorms). Still a very neat store.
Great shop to find funny and/or unique gifts. Prices are pretty affordable, and there's free gift wrap (pretty minimal box with ribbon, but less is more, right?)
Discover a unique 2-in-1 bookstore and cozy café serving coffee and wine in the heart of Lincoln Square, hosting events such as Essay Fiesta and Local Author Night.
This home goods spot looks like an English countryside antiques shop that’s had a run-in with a Native American trading post. Highlights include footstools upholstered in iconic Hudson Bay prints.
Ravenswood, Lincoln Square and Andersonville have no shortage of bespoke gift shops, but this one still has a distinct personality. The selection of local pantry and kitchen items is especially good.
24,000-square-foot space is in a historic building, offers 15 stalls slinging local foods. Think of this as an eating tour of Chicago’s neighborhoods--but all in one spot. --purewow
Coalfire changed the way we think about thin crust. If you like it super crispy with a little bit of char, this is your new haunt. [Eater 38 Member]
Hotel silver, historic Queen-emblazoned ashtrays from the U.K. and a smattering of ephemera add up to P.O.S.H.’s enduringly great Parisian-flea-market feel.
Occupying a garage-like, sun-drenched corner in the Meatpacking District, this looks like a gallery at first. Closer inspection reveals paper-thin, bright orange serving bowls and baskets from Mali.
The concept of this store is simple and self explanatory. Keep in mind that the store is open...sometimes.
This mom-and-pop store closes for two months at the start of every year while the owners take a buying trip to a far-flung locale. They come back with amazing finds, most under $40. Read more.
