Guides
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How to do Chicago well
Evergreen guides plus seasonal resources, updated on a schedule and dated so you know. Written for everyone who lives here or is thinking about it, whatever your budget, family shape or how long you've been in town.
Eat & Drink
25 guides
01
Bakeries and pastry in Chicago
02
Cheap eats in Chicago: eating well under $15
03
Chicago breweries and taprooms
04
Chicago deep dish, tavern-style and everything between
05
Chicago farmers markets
06
Chicago steakhouses, old and new
07
Cocktail bars in Chicago
08
Coffee shops in Chicago, ranked by how long you can sit
09
Late-night eats in Chicago
10
Rooftop bars and patios in Chicago
11
The 10 best burgers in Chicago
12
The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Chicago
13
The 10 best deep dish pizzas in Chicago
14
The 10 best donut shops in Chicago
15
The 10 best hot dogs in Chicago
16
The 10 best restaurants in Naperville
17
The 10 best restaurants in Oak Park
18
The 10 best sushi restaurants in Chicago
19
The 10 best tacos in Chicago
20
The brunch and breakfast guide to Chicago
21
The Chicago tavern guide
22
The Italian beef guide
23
Vegetarian and vegan dining in Chicago
24
Where to eat in Chicago, by neighborhood
25
Where to eat near Wrigley, the United Center and Soldier Field
Things to Do
14 guides
01
48 hours in Chicago: the complete weekend itinerary
02
Biking in Chicago
03
Chicago bookstores and record shops
04
Chicago parks beyond Millennium
05
Chicago sports: a fan’s guide to every team
06
Chicago theater: how to see a show
07
Chicago’s museums, ranked by how long to spend
08
Day trips from Chicago
09
Family things to do in Chicago
10
Golf in and around Chicago
11
Lakefront beaches in Chicago and the North Shore
12
Live music in Chicago: venues by size
13
The Chicago architecture guide
14
The Chicago Riverwalk and boat guide
Living Here
21 guides
01
Aging in Chicago: senior services and housing
02
Art classes and creative workshops in Chicago
03
Chicago libraries
04
Chicago neighborhoods explained
05
Chicago Park District programs
06
Chicago public schools: a parent’s guide
07
Colleges and universities in Chicago
08
Dog-friendly Chicago
09
Finding a doctor in Chicago
10
Getting around Chicago without a car
11
Gyms and fitness in Chicago: the full landscape
12
Home repair in Chicago: what to know before you hire
13
Moving to the Chicago suburbs
14
Parking in Chicago
15
Places of worship in Chicago
16
Private and parochial schools in Chicagoland
17
Property taxes in Cook County explained
18
So you’re moving to Chicago
19
Starting a business in Chicago
20
Where to volunteer in Chicago: a practical guide
21
Working remotely in Chicago: coworking spaces, cafés and libraries
Seasonal
9 guides
01
Chicago air and water show, fireworks and lakefront summer
02
Chicago Marathon weekend
03
Chicago summer festivals
04
Christmas and the holidays in Chicago
05
Fall in Chicago: apple orchards, pumpkins and color
06
Spring in Chicago
07
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
08
Summer camps in Chicagoland
09
Winter in Chicago: how to do it well
Resources
9 guides
01
Chicago chambers of commerce and business groups
02
Chicago coworking directory
03
Chicago event venues: a directory by size
04
Chicago hotels for visiting family
05
Chicago wedding guide 2027
06
Emergency and essential numbers for Chicago
07
Holiday gift guide: 50 Chicago-made ideas
08
Kids eat free in Chicagoland
09
The 10 best thrift and vintage stores in Chicago
News
10 stories
01
City Council makes Edgewater’s Bryn Mawr Avenue strip a Chicago landmark district
02
Evanston’s new Ryan Field opens October 2 with Northwestern vs. Penn State
03
City Council approves $201.6 million for roads, parks and a 606 bridge at Foundry Park in Lincoln Park
04
Mood Fabrics of Project Runway fame opens its first Chicago showroom on State Street in the Loop
05
Mount Prospect’s Randhurst Village sells to Nevada investor in $95 million deal
06
Oak Park board picks two-tier water rates that charge more above 10,000 gallons
07
Park Ridge halts new historic districts for six months after approving its first
08
City Council raises Pilsen TIF budget to $830 million without expanding the district
09
Players Sports Center opens in Logan Square with six indoor sand volleyball courts
10
Romeoville: G&W Electric opens 291,000-square-foot plant, plans 50 to 60 more hires
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