Chicago Recommendations

Located next to unhoused folks, this spot allows fans to watch the Bears play amidst the city's dirty, sooty infrastructure. Dealing with tackling dilapidated concrete support columns is the only challenge to figure out.

Visit the Lincoln Park branch library for a TCG Bulk Exchange event on the second Saturday of each month. No obligation to bring anything, and there's no limit to what you can claim for yourself. Just take what you know you'll put to good use!

The Garfield Park Conservatory has a huge new 'Child Wild' Garden And Play Space, which is a great place to visit with kids. The indoor playground has saved our sanity on rainy days twice already. It's a big open area where kids can run around and have a blast, and kids like to play under any conditions, so the Conservatory is a great winter destination as well.

Located in the West Loop, A Ma Maniére broke records with $40,000 in sales in just three hours, beating all three other locations. They've even caught on to the trend of folks turning around and selling everything they bought for twice as much, which is a stark reality for small operators like myself.

Facets has over 40k titles for rent. Located in Lincoln Park, it's a good enough sign that you need to visit.

Daley's, Chicago's oldest restaurant, has been feeding the South Side since 1892. It's where Muhammad Ali used to eat, and I suspect the pancakes are better than anything near City Hall. They've been around for 134 years, and have even managed to get a bank loan during the height of the Great Depression - pretty amazing considering half of all banks failed in 1933.

Portillo's is a real Chicago institution that's worth visiting for its affordable and delicious Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. It's a casual eatery with multiple locations throughout the city, but the original Portillo's is located in the River North neighborhood.

Chicago's hometown candy co, Tootsie Roll, is still churning out candy on the SW side. It's economical candy and is free of peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten, making it a good mix for trick-or-treaters.

The 'L' underpasses have an almost steampunk aesthetic, like strange, industrial-era oases circling the core of the modern 21st-century city. They add to the neo-noir-like grittiness of Chicago that I love about my city.

Try Long Room by the Irving Park Brown Line or Whirlaway Lounge in Logan Square. Just go and anywhere and hang out and have a nice time, it literally doesn't matter if you're in costume or not.

Try to contact this guy? He pulls up people's phones and keys all the time on the boating groups. Probably your best bet. He's a good man. And thorough.

Lane Tech High School is worth considering for its special interest clubs, which cater to various cultures, dance, and hobbies. With over 4000 students, Lane Tech has a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs for every culture and interest, making it a good choice if having many options is important.

Restaurants & CafésRiver West vor 2W •fabienne44

Blommer's chocolate is famous for its distinct smell that wafts through the River West neighborhood. Many former residents and workers in the area reminisce about the smell, which they consider a unique characteristic of Chicago.

It's already been said 100 times but it was incredible. Located in the Uptown neighborhood, the Uptown Theater is a historic theater that offers a unique and emotional experience.

Be cautious of high HOA costs in the South Loop, especially for condos with aging buildings. These costs can lower the value of the property and may require special assessments, which can be costly. For example, some properties in the area have HOA fees as high as $1400 per month, which may not decrease over time but instead increase.

Make your way south and visit The Forum in Bronzeville. Live music, interesting exhibits and they are soft-opening their new cafe. Plenty of street parking, and enough space to avoid lines. You won't regret the trip!

Chicago Fire TV show is filming in the area of Washington / Loomis / Ada, which is a significant draw for fans of the show. This is happening on a super high traffic night, making it a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the filming in action.

Nachtlebenempty string vor 3W •Elena

The Uptown Theatre is a historic venue that has been closed for years, but it will be open to the public during the Open House Chicago event this weekend. One respondent expects the wait time to be long, but another person suggested going early on Saturday and trying the smaller spots first, as they tend to have less of a wait.

The Columbia Yacht Club is a great place to visit, offering some great photo opportunities. It's especially interesting if you're in the area and have never seen inside a ship. Sitting on the back of the ship looking at the skyline was a great way to rest a bit after a busy morning.

For those who want to try Jeff Mauro's recommended Italian beef seasoning, Mauro Provisions is a local store where you can find it. It's available at various locations, including Jewel, Whole Foods, Walmart, Fresh Thyme, Pete's, Brookhaven, Woodman's, and on their website at mauroprovisions.com. Mauro Provisions is a great place to stock up on essential ingredients for your Italian beef recipe, and you can even find Jeff Mauro's giardiniera at their store, which is a key component of his recipe.