Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
You would never guess from the exterior that the inside is like being in a small trattoria in Italy! The food is excellent and service great. This is my families go-to for special occasions and we are Italian! Weekends call ahead for reservations.
La Gondola Italian Restaurant
2914 N Ashland AveYou would never guess from the exterior that the inside is like being in a small trattoria in Italy! The food is excellent and service great. This is my families go-to for special occasions and we are Italian! Weekends call ahead for reservations.
Decent, basic Chinese take out. Delivery $3 if you are too tired to walk or its raining. Also you can order online!
Emperor Wok
2910 N Ashland AveDecent, basic Chinese take out. Delivery $3 if you are too tired to walk or its raining. Also you can order online!
Fantastic bakery...known for best chocolate donuts and pastries for those who don't like Dunk'in grade. A short walk helps pre burn the calories.~
31 locals recommend
Dinkel's Bakery
3329 N Lincoln AveFantastic bakery...known for best chocolate donuts and pastries for those who don't like Dunk'in grade. A short walk helps pre burn the calories.~
#1 deep dish in Chicago, according to many! Just down the block on Ashland and Nelson. Great daily specials too.
Closes at 10pm
29 locals recommend
The Art of Pizza
3033 N Ashland Ave#1 deep dish in Chicago, according to many! Just down the block on Ashland and Nelson. Great daily specials too.
Closes at 10pm
Dunkin'
2565 W Fullerton AveIn case you love Dunk'in! Its half a block away....also 24/7
McDonald's
2005 W Chicago AveWalkable and 24 hours on weekends...weekdays closes late.
Very popular Ice Cream shop just down the street. Always great specials and hand made standbys
33 locals recommend
Scooter's Frozen Custard
1658 W Belmont AveVery popular Ice Cream shop just down the street. Always great specials and hand made standbys
Be prepared for a wait on most weekend nights, but weekdays are fairly ok for this absolute GEM of a burger bar.
You can't go wrong with any burger. Period.
152 locals recommend
Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont AveBe prepared for a wait on most weekend nights, but weekdays are fairly ok for this absolute GEM of a burger bar.
You can't go wrong with any burger. Period.
Great traditional Mexican food..very reasonable and walking distance...open till 4AM
9 locals recommend
Tonys Burrito Méx
1957 W Belmont AveGreat traditional Mexican food..very reasonable and walking distance...open till 4AM
Drinks & Nightlife
Half a block away and just the right place to hang with the locals. Geared toward a laid back and white collar crowd.
Nice not to have to worry about a ride home!!
Cody's Public House
1658 W Barry AveHalf a block away and just the right place to hang with the locals. Geared toward a laid back and white collar crowd.
Nice not to have to worry about a ride home!!
This is an all in one, music, food and bar. Iconic in this neighborhood. 5 star on Yelp!
83 locals recommend
Schubas Tavern
3159 N Southport AveThis is an all in one, music, food and bar. Iconic in this neighborhood. 5 star on Yelp!
Ten Cat Tavern
3931 N Ashland AveJust a few blocks down Ashland....cozy spot ..with Billiards!
Essentials
One of the largest grocery stores in the Midwest, this is a 24 hour huge store with a 24 hour pharmacy as well. Located just behind the house where its out of sight but so close to walk.
675 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayOne of the largest grocery stores in the Midwest, this is a 24 hour huge store with a 24 hour pharmacy as well. Located just behind the house where its out of sight but so close to walk.
United States Postal Service
2339 N California AveJust in case you need one to send packages home!
Everything Else
Plan on spending a whole day here..or two! Incredible exhibits include great Ancient Egypt and Gems to mention 2. That leaves only a few hundred more just as incredible. Meet Sue, the most famous dinosaur in the world! Great for kids! You can pack a lunch if you wish. Wonderful views of the city from here too!
657 locals recommend
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrPlan on spending a whole day here..or two! Incredible exhibits include great Ancient Egypt and Gems to mention 2. That leaves only a few hundred more just as incredible. Meet Sue, the most famous dinosaur in the world! Great for kids! You can pack a lunch if you wish. Wonderful views of the city from here too!
Parks & Nature
Great place to walk or bike along the lake! Bike rental from Divvy is available all over the city.
20 locals recommend
Belmont Harbor
3600 N Recreation DrGreat place to walk or bike along the lake! Bike rental from Divvy is available all over the city.
Free every day...parking is expensive in their lot so if you are driving, try to find street parking!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFree every day...parking is expensive in their lot so if you are driving, try to find street parking!
Absolutely beautiful..Indoor greenhouse with jungles, rain forest and desert...also a flower show seasonally...always free! Just outside the zoo...(you can take a side trip after seeing the elephants...there is an entrance just outside the gate
147 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2430 N Stockton DrAbsolutely beautiful..Indoor greenhouse with jungles, rain forest and desert...also a flower show seasonally...always free! Just outside the zoo...(you can take a side trip after seeing the elephants...there is an entrance just outside the gate
Really great for kids...has a BUTTERFLY ROOM!! A short walk from Lincoln Park Zoo or the Lakefront.
140 locals recommend
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon DrReally great for kids...has a BUTTERFLY ROOM!! A short walk from Lincoln Park Zoo or the Lakefront.
Arts & Culture
Great place to see exhibits about the history of Chicago and walking distance from the lakefront!
241 locals recommend
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StGreat place to see exhibits about the history of Chicago and walking distance from the lakefront!
Very nearby with excellent shows, very often. Check out their schedule online. Also very near Shubas restaurant for before or afters.
16 locals recommend
Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N Southport AveVery nearby with excellent shows, very often. Check out their schedule online. Also very near Shubas restaurant for before or afters.
Not too close, but worth the trip...if you aren't driving..may be a good idea to Uber to this museum. A safe neighborhood surrounded by not so safe ones.
222 locals recommend
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th StNot too close, but worth the trip...if you aren't driving..may be a good idea to Uber to this museum. A safe neighborhood surrounded by not so safe ones.
EVERY FULL MOON EVENING....Drum circles and fire spinning ...Near Foster beach at the Lakefront...you cant miss it for the crowd but very much like being somewhere else for a few hours..maybe even another time...like the 60s. Might not be your cup of tea but for those looking for a true hidden Chicago gem...this is the place..Details on f a ce B oo.K they dont let me write that link here. Starts at dusk..till about 10pm
101 locals recommend
Foster Beach
EVERY FULL MOON EVENING....Drum circles and fire spinning ...Near Foster beach at the Lakefront...you cant miss it for the crowd but very much like being somewhere else for a few hours..maybe even another time...like the 60s. Might not be your cup of tea but for those looking for a true hidden Chicago gem...this is the place..Details on f a ce B oo.K they dont let me write that link here. Starts at dusk..till about 10pm
Getting Around
Bus down Belmont. You can but Ventra card at Walgreens on the corner,
91 locals recommend
Belmont station
945 W Belmont AveBus down Belmont. You can but Ventra card at Walgreens on the corner,
There is one just adjacent to Jewel Osco! but not listed in this drop down menu.
21 locals recommend
Divvy
There is one just adjacent to Jewel Osco! but not listed in this drop down menu.