Miranda’s guidebook
Food scene
Great restaurant if your vegan or vegetarian! They have a ton of options and a wide variety of cuisines, from Mexican to Asian.
80 locals recommend
GROUND CONTROL!
3315 W Armitage AveGreat restaurant if your vegan or vegetarian! They have a ton of options and a wide variety of cuisines, from Mexican to Asian.
THE place to get deep dish pizza in the city, you absolutely cannot leave Chicago without getting a slice here first.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StTHE place to get deep dish pizza in the city, you absolutely cannot leave Chicago without getting a slice here first.
A really fun place to get a classic Chicago hotdog with New Orleans influences. Also has a BYOB policy if that's your thing!
Doggone’s
3301 W Armitage AveA really fun place to get a classic Chicago hotdog with New Orleans influences. Also has a BYOB policy if that's your thing!
A little off the beaten path, but if you can make it you have to! It's the perfect taste of Chicago and a local favorite, you can't leave Chicago without having gone!
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StA little off the beaten path, but if you can make it you have to! It's the perfect taste of Chicago and a local favorite, you can't leave Chicago without having gone!
Sightseeing
A great way to explore the city from above, get in your morning exercise or have a clear and safe pathway to the Blue Line into the city.
25 locals recommend
Bloomingdale Trail and Park
West Bloomingdale AvenueA great way to explore the city from above, get in your morning exercise or have a clear and safe pathway to the Blue Line into the city.
One of the most famous landmarks in Chicago, a must-see! Surrounded by a lot of great Chicago architecture.
473 locals recommend
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StOne of the most famous landmarks in Chicago, a must-see! Surrounded by a lot of great Chicago architecture.
Just take the 73 on Armitage and Drake to this FREE zoo, open 7 days a week! A great outing for the family!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StJust take the 73 on Armitage and Drake to this FREE zoo, open 7 days a week! A great outing for the family!
A major Chicago landmark and one of the most iconic buildings in our skyline, makes a great stop on your exploration of downtown Chicago!
13 locals recommend
Willis Tower
233 South Wacker DriveA major Chicago landmark and one of the most iconic buildings in our skyline, makes a great stop on your exploration of downtown Chicago!
If you like thrifting while you're traveling you have to hit this place up! It's huge, the prices are reasonable, and you never leave without having found something amazing. A fun Chicago thrift spot!
16 locals recommend
Village Discount Outlet Store 03
2032 N Milwaukee AveIf you like thrifting while you're traveling you have to hit this place up! It's huge, the prices are reasonable, and you never leave without having found something amazing. A fun Chicago thrift spot!
A local blues club just around the corner, a great late night spot. Lots of local blues artists performing both traditional and modern blues music. Check out their website for dates their open and for special events which they host pretty regularly.
101 locals recommend
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveA local blues club just around the corner, a great late night spot. Lots of local blues artists performing both traditional and modern blues music. Check out their website for dates their open and for special events which they host pretty regularly.
One of Chicago's coolest theaters, a really cool place just to check out even if you're not seeing a show here. Definitely recommend checking out their shows, they have a calendar on their site with all their upcoming events.
23 locals recommend
The Den Theatre
1331 N Milwaukee AveOne of Chicago's coolest theaters, a really cool place just to check out even if you're not seeing a show here. Definitely recommend checking out their shows, they have a calendar on their site with all their upcoming events.
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Student Discounts in the City
-The Art Institute of Chicago allows Students in Free
-Chicago Cubs have frequent Student Discount Days, just check their website to see if you're lucky enough to be in town during one
-Most colleges offer discounted admission to shows with a Student ID, check their website, Columbia College Chicago is usually good for this.
-Two world-class Chicago Theaters, The Goodman and Steppenwolf, offer a pretty steep discount with a valid student ID. The Goodman charges a flat $10 and Steppenwolf only $15. If you can catch a show at either of these places you absolutely should!
Ways to save
Dollar Burger Night at Bar Louie
Tuesdays are Dollar Burger Night at local favorite Bar Louie. My two favorite locations are in the South Loop and in Hyde Park under the Flamingo Apartment building. Dollar Burger Night begins after 5:00 p.m., they do charge additional for any toppings, the burger itself comes just with cheese and then you can add ketchup and mustard for free. Honestly the burgers are so good they don't need much, they're super thick and flavorful, but it doesn't cost much to add any extras you like around $0.50 to $1.00 ($1.00 applies to things like different cheeses, bacon, larger add-ons like that).