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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
69 guides
01
Bakeries and pastry in Chicago
02
Best BBQ in Chicago: 10 spots for rib tips, hot links and brisket
03
Cheap eats in Chicago: eating well under $15
04
Chicago breweries and taprooms
05
Chicago deep dish, tavern-style and everything between
06
Chicago farmers markets
07
Chicago steakhouses, old and new
08
Cocktail bars in Chicago
09
Coffee shops in Chicago, ranked by how long you can sit
10
Late-night eats in Chicago
11
Rooftop bars and patios in Chicago
12
The 10 best bagel shops in Chicago and the suburbs
13
The 10 best burgers in Chicago
14
The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Chicago
15
The 10 best deep dish pizzas in Chicago
16
The 10 best donut shops in Chicago
17
The 10 best French restaurants in Chicago
18
The 10 best fried chicken spots in Chicago
19
The 10 best Greek restaurants in Chicago
20
The 10 best hot dogs in Chicago
21
The 10 best Indian restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs
22
The 10 best Italian restaurants in Chicago
23
The 10 best Korean barbecue restaurants in Chicago
24
The 10 best Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago
25
The 10 best Mexican restaurants in Chicago
26
The 10 best pizza places in Chicago
27
The 10 best ramen shops in Chicago
28
The 10 best restaurants in Andersonville
29
The 10 best restaurants in Arlington Heights
30
The 10 best restaurants in Bucktown
31
The 10 best restaurants in Downers Grove
32
The 10 best restaurants in Elmhurst
33
The 10 best restaurants in Evanston
34
The 10 best restaurants in Highland Park
35
The 10 best restaurants in Hyde Park, Chicago
36
The 10 best restaurants in La Grange
37
The 10 best restaurants in Lakeview
38
The 10 best restaurants in Lincoln Square
39
The 10 best restaurants in Logan Square
40
The 10 best restaurants in Lombard
41
The 10 best restaurants in Naperville
42
The 10 best restaurants in Oak Brook
43
The 10 best restaurants in Oak Park
44
The 10 best restaurants in Orland Park
45
The 10 best restaurants in Park Ridge
46
The 10 best restaurants in Pilsen
47
The 10 best restaurants in River North
48
The 10 best restaurants in Schaumburg
49
The 10 best restaurants in Skokie
50
The 10 best restaurants in the West Loop, from Randolph Street to Fulton Market
51
The 10 best restaurants in Wicker Park
52
The 10 best romantic restaurants in Chicago for date night
53
The 10 best sandwiches in Chicago
54
The 10 best seafood restaurants in Chicago
55
The 10 best soul food restaurants in Chicago
56
The 10 best speakeasies in Chicago
57
The 10 best sports bars in Chicago
58
The 10 best sushi restaurants in Chicago
59
The 10 best tacos in Chicago
60
The 10 best Thai restaurants in Chicago
61
The 10 best Vietnamese restaurants in Chicago
62
The 10 best wings in Chicago
63
The 8 best hot pot restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs
64
The brunch and breakfast guide to Chicago
65
The Chicago tavern guide
66
The Italian beef guide
67
Vegetarian and vegan dining in Chicago
68
Where to eat in Chicago, by neighborhood
69
Where to eat near Wrigley, the United Center and Soldier Field
Things to Do
18 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 10 best bowling alleys in Chicago
14
The 10 best jazz clubs in Chicago
15
The 10 best karaoke bars in Chicago
16
The 10 best spas in Chicago
17
The Chicago architecture guide
18
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
Gibsons Tavern lands city licenses ahead of a planned November opening in Fulton Market
02
Milly’s Pizza owner aims for December 1 opening of thin-crust Jake’s Place in North Center
03
La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria will leave Pilsen after Christmas and plans to reopen in Berwyn
04
Pita Inn builds first Chicago restaurant on former Sears Auto Center site in Portage Park
05
Southport Grocery and Cafe will close December 31 in Lakeview, with Dollop Finer Diner taking over
06
Block 37 sells for $30 million to an Orland Park firm that plans to rename the Loop mall
07
Backlot Coffee works on a new Evanston cafe at Lake Street and Ashland Avenue
08
IKEA to close Bolingbrook store, open smaller Naperville location at Block 59 in late 2027
09
UChicago Medicine lab and Malcolm X College campus plans take shape in Washington Park
10
Boca Brava Mexican restaurant headed to the former Reza’s space in downtown Evanston
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