Visit Chicago

You didn’t come this far to stop at the edge did you?

Chicago Food & Drink Highlights

• Deep‑Dish Pizza – Iconic pies from Giordano’s (https://giordanos.com/), Lou Malnati’s (https://www.loumalnatis.com/) or Pequod’s (https://pequodspizza.com/).

• Italian Beef Sandwiches – Thinly sliced roast beef drenched in au jus, served “wet” or “dry” with sweet peppers (see the historic Hull House Museum for the social‑reform roots of the sandwich: https://www.hullhousemuseum.org/).

• Chicago‑Style Hot Dogs – All‑beef franks topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, and a poppy‑seed bun (no ketchup!). Details on the classic Chicago‑style hot‑dog tradition are on the Chicago Cultural Center page (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html).

• Popcorn Mix (“Chicago Mix”) – Caramel and cheese popcorn sold at Garrett Popcorn Shops (https://www.garrettpopcorn.com/).

• Fine Dining – Michelin‑starred experiences at Alinea (https://www.alinearestaurant.com/), Smyth (https://www.smythandtheloyalist.com/smyth/) and Oriole (https://www.oriolechicago.com/).

Neighborhood Snapshots

• The Loop – Chicago’s downtown core, packed with skyscrapers, theaters, and the historic Chicago Theatre marquee (https://www.msg.com/the-chicago-theatre).

• Lincoln Park – Tree‑lined streets, the free Lincoln Park Zoo, and a lively brunch scene (see the Chicago Riverwalk & Architecture Boat Tour for a nearby river view: https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise).

• Wicker Park – Hip cafés, indie boutiques, and a thriving music‑venue circuit (neighborhood guide: https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/wicker-park-bucktown/).

• Hyde Park – Home to the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science & Industry (https://www.msichicago.org/), and beautiful lakefront parks.

• River North – Art galleries, upscale dining, and a bustling nightlife corridor (official River North guide: https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/river-north/).

Cultural & Institutional Highlights

• Willis Tower (Skydeck) – Formerly the Sears Tower; the Skydeck offers breathtaking city views and the famous “Ledge” glass boxes (https://www.willistower.com/).

• Chicago Riverwalk & Architecture Boat Tour – Walk the riverfront and take a 90‑minute architecture cruise (https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise).

• Chicago Cultural Center – Home to the world’s largest Tiffany stained‑glass dome and free public programs (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html).

• Hull House Museum – Jane Addams’ historic settlement house, a cornerstone of early 20th‑century social reform (https://www.hullhousemuseum.org/).

• Art Institute of Chicago – One of the world’s great art museums, with masterpieces from Monet, Seurat, Grant Wood, and more (https://www.artic.edu/).

• Museum of Science & Industry – Interactive exhibits ranging from a WWII submarine to a full‑scale coal mine (https://www.msichicago.org/).

• Shedd Aquarium – One of the largest indoor aquariums in the Western Hemisphere (https://www.sheddaquarium.org/).

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Renowned orchestra performing at Symphony Center (https://cso.org/).

Nightlife & Entertainment

• Craft Cocktail Bars – The Aviary (https://www.theaviary.com/), Lost Lake (https://lostlakechicago.com/), or The Violet Hour (http://www.theviolethour.com).

• Live Music Venues – The Metro (https://metrochicago.com/), Kingston Mines (https://kingstonmines.com/) for blues, and Thalia Hall (https://www.thaliahallchicago.com/) for indie/ jazz.

• Dance Clubs – Smartbar (https://smartbarchicago.com/) (electronic), PRYSM (https://www.prysmchicago.com/) (EDM), and TAO Chicago (https://taogroup.com/venues/tao-nightclub-chicago/) (hip‑hop).

• Comedy Clubs – The Second City (https://www.secondcity.com/) and iO Theater (https://ioimprov.com/).

• Rooftop Bars – Cindy’s Rooftop (spectacular view of Millennium Park: https://www.cindysrooftop.com/) and London House (historic skyscraper setting: https://www.londonhousechicago.com/).

Kink & LGBTQ‑Friendly Activities

• Leather & Kink Events – Chicago Leather Pride parade (annual), KinkCon workshops, and regular meet‑ups at venues like The Gallery R.

• Workshops & Education – The Center on Halsted offers consent, BDSM‑safety, and sexual‑health workshops (https://www.centeronhalsted.org/).

• Fetish Parties – Club 33 and The Underground host themed nights ranging from fetish balls to rope workshops.

• LGBTQ+ Film & Arts – Chicago International Film Festival’s dedicated LGBTQ slate and Pride Fest each June.

• Community Spaces – The Center on Halsted provides counseling, social events, and resources for LGBTQ+ and kink‑friendly folks.

Gay & Queer‑Friendly Bars

• Sidetrack – Large, lively gay bar in Boystown with multiple rooms and drag shows (https://sidetrackchicago.com/).

• Berlin – Trendy dance floor and themed parties (https://berlinchicago.com/).

• Roscoe’s – Classic gay bar with karaoke and pool tables (https://roscoeschicago.com/).

• The Closet – Intimate bar with regular drag performances (https://theclosetchicago.com/).

• Brew Lab – LGBTQ‑focused craft cocktail lounge (https://brewlabchicago.com/).

• Playground – Energetic queer dance club with top DJs (https://playgroundchicago.com/).

• The Eagle – Leather bar with a dark, industrial vibe (https://theeaglechicago.com/).

• Revolution Brewing – Taproom – Popular gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community, especially during Pride (https://www.revolutionbrewing.com/locations/taproom/).

• The Red Door – Cozy neighborhood bar with rotating queer‑hosted events (https://thereddoorchicago.com/).

Outdoor & Scenic Spots

• Millennium Park – Home of the reflective “Bean” sculpture, Crown Fountain, and summer concerts (official park page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html).

• Grant Park & Buckingham Fountain – Expansive green space with a spectacular water show (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/grant_park.html).

• Lakefront Trail – 18 mi of paved path for biking, running, or roller‑skating along Lake Michigan (https://www.chicagoparks.org/parks/lakefront-trail).

• Navy Pier – Ferris wheel, boat tours, and seasonal fireworks over the lake (https://navypier.org/).

• Chicago Riverwalk – Pedestrian promenade with kayak rentals, coffee stands, and public art (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoriverwalk/home.html).

Major Events & Festivals

• Taste of Chicago – Nation’s largest food festival, showcasing local chefs and classic Chicago eats (https://tasteofchicago.com/).

• Lollapalooza – Premier four‑day music festival in Grant Park (https://www.lollapalooza.com/).

• Chicago Air & Water Show – Free aerial displays over Lake Michigan (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/air_water_show.html).

• Chicago Blues Festival – World’s largest free blues festival (https://www.chicagobluesfestival.org/).

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade – One of the biggest Irish celebrations outside Dublin (https://www.stpatricksparadechicago.com/).