Chicago Recommendations
Make the most of your time in Chicago with this list of events, attractions, and restaurants.
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Getting Around
- Divvy (Lyft) - Downtown Only - If you are not an annual member, you'll need to buy a pass. You can buy a pass ahead of time on your phone or by visiting a kiosk at one of the Divvy bike sharing stations - Explorer Pass Suggested
- Spin, Superpedestrian & Lime - For use in the Neighborhoods
Museums
Museum Campus
- Field Museum
- Planetarium
- Shedd Aquarium - Jazzin at the Shed every Wed. night. You can see the Navy Pier fireworks from here.
Hyde Park
The Loop
Streeterville
Sports
- The Cubs vs. Red Sox at Wrigley Field on July 1 – 3.
- The White Sox vs. Twins at Guaranteed Rate on Monday, July 4. - There will be Fireworks
- Chicago Fire (Mens Soccer) plays Atlanta United at 7pm at Soldier Field. Fireworks will follow the game.
- Chicago Sky (Women's Basketball) vs. Phoenix Mercury July 2nd at 12:00 at Wintrust Arena
- Chicago Red Stars (Women's Soccer) vs. NY Gotham FC July 2nd at 6:00 in Bridgeview
Festivals and Events
- Chosen Few DJs Picnic and Festival - July 2, Jackson Park
- Cirque Goes to Hollywood - July 6, 6:30-8:00, Pritzker Pavilion
- African/Caribbean International Festival of Life - July 2-4, Washington Park
4th of July Fun
- Independence Day Salute - July 2, 7:30-9:30, Pritzker Pavilion
- Navy Pier Fireworks
- Get tickets for a cruise on Lake Michigan
Pizza! Pizza!
Deep Dish
- Bartoli's - West Town
- Pequod’s - Lincoln Park
- Lou Malnati's - State Street
- Giordano’s - Rush Street
- Pizzeria Uno - Ohio Street
Tavern Style
- Aurelio’s Pizza - Michigan Ave
- Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern - Uptown
For something totally different, try Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. in Lincoln Park. Order the pizza pot pie.
Coffee Places Near the RA
- 2121 Pantry - In the Marriott Marquis
- Momentum Coffee
- Daily Grind- Inside the Hyatt Regency
- Starbucks
- Showroom Food Hall - In the Marriott Marquis
Recommendations by Neighborhood
The Loop
- Riverwalk
- Urban Kayaks - Rentals
- Architectural Tour
- Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park - Free
- Summer Film Series on Tuesdays @ 6:30
- Walk or bike the lakefront
- Museum of Illusions
- Marshall Fields (Macy’s) - Eat at the Walnut Room
- XPot - Robotic Servers - South Loop
- Portillo’s
Navy Pier
- Pixar Putt
- Offshore Rooftop
- Fireworks - Wed @9:00 & Saturday @10:00
River North
- Tree House - Happy Hour/Nightlife
- Ciccio Mio - Italian
- Storyville - Cajun
- The Green Door Tavern - The Drifter Speakeasy Underneath with burlesque & tarot readings
- Gene & Georgetti - Italian
- JoJo’s Shake Shack
- Howl at the Moon
West Loop and Fulton Market
- Cabra - Rooftop of The Hoxton
- Lazy Bird cocktail & music lounge - Basement of The Hoxton
- Gin Alley - Tivoli Tavern - Seafood & Steak
- Maxwell Street Market - Sunday 9am - 3pm
- Federales - Take the ice shot & ring the bell!
- Chicago French Market - The Happy Lobster
- Formento's
- Kaiser Tiger - outdoor patio & bocce ball
- Recess - Fun outdoor patio with games!
- Ever - Michelin 2 Star
- Oriole - Michelin 2 Star
Hyde Park
- Medici on 57th
- Nile Restaurant Lebanese Style
- Native Foods Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly
- Mellow Yellow Restaurant
- Morry’s Deli
Chinatown
- Ping Tom Memorial Park - Take a water taxi from here & get great views of the city
- Holu - Asian Steakhouse
- Sakura - Karaoke
- Joy Yee Noodles - Boba tea
- Sushi+ for Rotary Sushi
Pilson
Little Italy
Garfield Park
Humboldt Park
- National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Boathouse - Rent a paddle boat
- Food trucks around Luis Munoz Marin Dr.
Lincoln Park and Old Town
- Lincoln Park Zoo - Free
- Lincoln Park Conservatory - Free
- The J Parker - Rooftop
- Geja's Cafe - Fondue
- Weiner Circle - Try the collab between them, JP Graziano & Malort
- Chicago History Museum
- Immersive Van Gogh & Frida Kahlo & Monet Experience
- North Ave. Beach - Shore Club
- Alinea - Michelin 3 Star - Get the dessert balloon!
- Check out a show at Second City (Comedy)
- Utopian Tailgate - Second City Rooftop
- Gussie's - Italian
Wrigleyville
- Walk down Clark Street. You will find a ton of bars and restaurants.
Uptown
- The Green Mill - Jazz Club that used to be run by Machine Gun Kelly (mobster, not rapper)
North Halstead
Andersonville
- A Taste of Heaven
- Reza’s - Middle Eastern
- Calo’s - Italian
- Cescas - Margarita Bar & Grill
- Fiya - Arab & Israeli Cuisine
- Spiteful Brewing
- Half Acre
- Nobody’s Darling
Ravenswood
- Dovetail Brewery
- Begyle Brewery
- The Globe Pub - soccer
- Victor Bar - cocktails
Wicker Park
- The Up Room - 13th floor of The Robey Hotel
- Tortello - Italian
- Buzzed Bull Creamery - Boozy ice cream
- Paradise Park - Great patio
Bucktown
- Louie's Karaoke
- Lottie’s Pub - Molly’s from the Chicago Fire TV show
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