Guidebook for Chicago
Sightseeing
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StThe famous shiny "Bean"
See the faces of Chicago natives projected on two towering fountains housing LED screens
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Crown Fountain
201 E Randolph StSee the faces of Chicago natives projected on two towering fountains housing LED screens
Very touristy destination, but some boat tours of the lake launch from here. Great place to view the fireworks in the summer
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Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveVery touristy destination, but some boat tours of the lake launch from here. Great place to view the fireworks in the summer
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrLarge elaborate fountain in Grant Park
Arts & Culture
Great outdoor venue for concerts when the weather is warm
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Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StGreat outdoor venue for concerts when the weather is warm
Great museum for all types of art. New modern wing is quite nice
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveGreat museum for all types of art. New modern wing is quite nice
Essentials
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveYour large go-to grocery store
Smaller grocery store that is very convenient if you need a few items
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Bockwinkel's
320 E Ohio StSmaller grocery store that is very convenient if you need a few items
Food Scene
My favorite restaurant. Reservations look impossible online (at least 1 month out) but if you walk in early (preferably before 6) and put your name down you can usually eat in 1.5-2 hours
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Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StMy favorite restaurant. Reservations look impossible online (at least 1 month out) but if you walk in early (preferably before 6) and put your name down you can usually eat in 1.5-2 hours
Solid restaurant nearby for all things porky. No reservations so get there early!
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The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan AveSolid restaurant nearby for all things porky. No reservations so get there early!
Hands down one of the best burgers in town. Stays open til late. No reservations
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Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StHands down one of the best burgers in town. Stays open til late. No reservations
Great casual BBQ joint. Line up, get served, sit down at communal picnic benches in a large space that looks like a tastefully converted warehouse. The bar here is pretty good as well!
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Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StGreat casual BBQ joint. Line up, get served, sit down at communal picnic benches in a large space that looks like a tastefully converted warehouse. The bar here is pretty good as well!
Best ramen joint downtown (and I've eaten a lot of ramen around the world). Thick and rich broth served with generous amounts of pork cheek. Located in the basement of Green Street Smoked Meats.
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High Five Ramen
112 N Green StBest ramen joint downtown (and I've eaten a lot of ramen around the world). Thick and rich broth served with generous amounts of pork cheek. Located in the basement of Green Street Smoked Meats.
This is one of only two 3 Michelin-star restaurants that Chicago has. For fine dining downtown nothing comes close.
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Grace
652 W Randolph StThis is one of only two 3 Michelin-star restaurants that Chicago has. For fine dining downtown nothing comes close.
Foodies travel to Chicago JUST to eat at this avant-garde restaurant at the forefront of Modernist cooking. It's expensive, to be sure, but an experience to remember for a lifetime.
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Alinea
1723 N Halsted StFoodies travel to Chicago JUST to eat at this avant-garde restaurant at the forefront of Modernist cooking. It's expensive, to be sure, but an experience to remember for a lifetime.
One of the three Chicago stalwarts (the other two are Lou Malnati's and Gino's) in making Chicago's iconic deep dish pizza. Walking distance from the condo!
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Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveOne of the three Chicago stalwarts (the other two are Lou Malnati's and Gino's) in making Chicago's iconic deep dish pizza. Walking distance from the condo!
Classy Mexican restaurant that serves great tacos and killer margaritas
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Mercadito
108 W Kinzie StClassy Mexican restaurant that serves great tacos and killer margaritas
Drinks & Nightlife
My favorite bar. Experience modernist cocktails featuring neat techniques such as smoke, infusion, flavored ice, and liquid nitrogen. Brought to you by the same chef of 3 Michelin-starred Alinea
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The Aviary
955 W Fulton MarketMy favorite bar. Experience modernist cocktails featuring neat techniques such as smoke, infusion, flavored ice, and liquid nitrogen. Brought to you by the same chef of 3 Michelin-starred Alinea