Be sure to catch Luke W. and Jared Spool. Some of the most inspiring talks I've ever heard.
The river *makes* the city. Walk its length as a light workout and to soak up brilliant architecture. Take an architectural boat cruise. Relax down by the water.
Shades of Wilco! Designed by Bertrand Goldberg 1959; completed in 1964 at a cost of $36 million. Wikipedia: "Tallest residential buildings and the tallest reinforced concrete structures in the world."
Neo-Gothic skyscraper by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood (1922). Precious objects from around the world are embedded in the exterior walls at street level.
The house that chewing gum built, and the first office tower north of the Chicago River and the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Completed 1924 to designs of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White.
Learn about great buildings during wonderful, docent-led 90 minute cruise along the Chicago River.
Wikipedia: "Interactive ... public art and video sculpture featured in Chicago's Millennium Park. ... Designed by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and executed by Krueck and Sexton Architects." Fun 4 kids!
Bandshell strikingly designed by Frank Gehry in 1999, opened 2004. Widely considered a highlight ("anchor," "crown jewel") of Chicago's Millennium Park.
100-story, 1,127-foot skyscraper is one of the better buildings of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Chief designer Bruce Graham; structural engineer Dr. Fazlur Khan (isn't that a great name)?
Great food, crazily flavorful. Try the Mahi Mahi tacos, and start with the guacamole. Arrive early, it gets loud (and the crowd gets obnoxious) later at night.
As a tribute to his legacy, the USA has several statues of Juarez. Today He is remembered as being a progressive reformer dedicated to democracy and equal rights for the indigenous Indian population.
Florentine (spinach and poached egg on English muffin with Hollandaise) is perfection. Eat all the hash browns.
Spacious, impeccably designed office space of pioneering UX and product design firm 37signals. Architect: Brad Lynch (Brininstool, Kerwin and Lynch). Info & photos: http://cog.gd/49d
Amazing breakfast spot! I'm vegetarian, and there are plenty of options - but I had a veggie version of the Bulls Eye French Toast...TRY IT!!
House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. What more do you need?
The deviled eggs are heaven, the fries sublime.The salmon melts like butter. Fine coffee, too.
Built in the late 1860s, these two structures, designed by William Boyington, were among the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Get the chile relleno. Crunchy, with wonder cheese filling and tangy sauce. Not at all greasy.
Shoppers love it for the stores; tourists, because it is beautiful, convenient, clean, and safe. I love it as an architecture walk. Start south of the river on East Wacker and enter via the bridge.
Put your iPhones away when you are walking. There's been a rash of thugs stealing them or trying to steal them. Be aware of your surroundings here and everywhere in Chicago.
Sweet, competitively priced boutique hotel with elegantly appointed, strikingly designed (but not over-designed) rooms, just a few blocks from Michigan Avenue and the heart of the Miracle Mile.
Beautiful hotel. I hope the pool never changes. A Chicago landmark
Have an espresso 20 stories above the Chicago River and Riverwalk. Soak up glorious bay window views of Marina City, the river, and the buildings along West Wacker Drive.
I'm not a fan of molecular gastronomy, but this place -- an offshoot of nearby, world-famous molecular gastronomy pioneer Moto Restaurant -- won me over. It's the comfort food of molecular gastronomy.
go towards the end of the evening on a weekday: we were there 830p on a thursday and there were no lines. as scary as it is, standing out in the glass ledge makes for a great photo, esp at night
[Burling & Whitehouse, 1879] Originally the Nickerson Mansion, this museum is a rare example of the palatial homes of the Gilded Age.
Construction began in 1914 under the leadership of Charles Sumner Frost and took two years, at a total cost of $4.5 million. When it opened to the public in 1916, it was the largest pier in the world.
Chicago isn't always the easiest place for vegetarians and pescetarians. The food here fit the bill. Healthy, delicious, beautifully prepared.
Nice clean restrooms steps away from the Chicago River, on the ground floor of the amazing Tribune Tower.
"The Lake Street Bridge is technologically significant for its double-deck design, the first of its kind on the river when built." - Nathan Holth, Chicago's Bridges
Anish Kapoor’s gleaming "bean" of stainless steel creates fantastic reflections of the city skyline and the crowds. Be sure to step under it. – Green Guide Editor
Just like it says. Great coffee table books and gifts for the art lovers on your list.
Not a large variety of machines but it does the job when you have nothing to do. Sauna is super tiny. Fit 2 ppl max but would still be awkward. Only saw 1 other person in the gym so it's quiet.
Rating is for the building, not the food. This is the Chicago Varniah Company Builfjng of 1895. Beautiful period architecture.
Highlights from the menu include those lush spreads for crusty bread such as fresh ricotta whipped smooth with olive oil, covered with chunky tomato jam and sprinkled with salt and pistachios ($6). Leer más.
Millennium Park Plaza: furnished apartments next to Millennium Park. At least some are Marriott Execustay. Complex has business center, pool, fitness center & sundeck. Some businesses on street level.
"In When Harry Met Sally, the title characters are seen taking Lake Shore Drive in the opposite compass direction to that which their origin point and destination would require." - Wikipedia
The success of owner Corey Kaplan's chain relies on its kettle-boiled bagels: They're just chewy enough, just dense enough and just sweet enough to give New Yorkers a run for their money. Leer más.
Modeled on a fountain at the Palace of Versailles but nearly twice as large, it circulates 1.5 million gallons of water from Lake Michigan. – Green Guide Editor
The Ledge at the Skydeck enables you to recreate Batman's experience, looking 110 stories down through a glass floor. Leer más.
Stars like Josh Duhamel and the Glee cast load up on their crunchy tuna rolls and famous carrot cake–only to dance off the calories downstairs at Sub51. Tip: Make a reservation or expect a big wait.
Great food, hilarious staff....love the fact that the are a little on the asshole side makes it fun
Chicago: A training ground for the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell and others, this legendary comedy club now boasts -IFC Staff
Best neighborhood in Chicago. Full of your professionals and diversity. Lots of great little restaurants and bars. Super do friendly!
Hyde Park is an ideal place to find a number of coffeehouses and bookstores, as well as access to a host of lectures, concerts, plays and art exhibits.
get Lost in this Bookstore in the Basement of what was a Church, now becoming the Milton Friedman Institute. They have maps if you truly do get lost though! Buy some ridiculously academic book! Leer más.
Martin Cooper was born in Chicago in 1928 – he’s the inventor of the handheld mobile phone – so you can thank him and his So Right invention for making this check in possible.
You can't be in Chicago without trying Garrett Popcorn. Located in terminal B near security. Get the Chicago mix for a sweet/savory treat that eases the pain of the inevitable delays at this airport.
Great new spot by Paul Kahan, right next to Big Star. Traditional Mexican food fused with Southern comfort food. Great menu and full bar.
Is it the best bridge over the Chicago River? Hard to say. But it's a good one with a beautiful east/west view.
The loveliest houses in Chi-town! Stroll around, froyo in hand, and you're guaranteed a good day! www.brinkmagonline.com
The neighborhood that is formerly known as "Little Hell" is now the trendiest most expensive neighborhood in Chicago
The grill cheese sandwiches are AWESOME with the homemade chips and the black bean and corn tamale from Dio de Tamales AMAZING
Best cafeteria in the Loop. Build your own sandwich, grab some bread pudding or even sushi.
Stuffed with reclaimed wood and old electronic equipment, it's one of the most distinctively decorated bars around.
For the Genius Bar, always make an appt first. It can make or break your experience.
The chef is killing the dim sum competition with his creamy egg-yolk buns, dumplings stuffed with shrimp and scallop, pumpkin congee and steamed rice-noodle crêpes paired with crunchy bits of celery. Leer más.
Must try - Egg tart, steamed creamy egg yolk bun, baked green chive puffs, & pan fried turnip cake; OK - Veggie tofu crepe; Don't try - BBQ pork turnover, and rice noodle with shrimp (cheong fan)
Stop reading this and go get a donut. The Vanilla Iced was pure, simple perfection while the Butterscotch Praline was full of surprising flavor.
Try the wild mushroom and brown rice with goat cheese"burger" It is seriously to die for!! Desserts are superb too! Staff? Amazing! Great lunch place and i hear they do breakfast!
Fabulous flavors. Was drawn in by the lure of the green beans and will go back for all the veggie selections.
Woodland Mushroom Torta makes my heart go boom boom boom. Be sure to ask for vegetarian beans if you prefer them!
The vegetable caldo, sikil pak dip, guacamole, churro & authentic chocolate are all vegan and delicious!!!!
Second-largest building in the world; it actually has its own zipcode! Wholesale furniture and furnishings store for buyers all over the world w/ 600 permanent showrooms, and a great bookstore.
Saw Nick Offerman at the best comedy theater in Chicago! Great day, great venue :)
Cool Chicago Neighborhood where you can walk around and find unique shops and restaurants. TIP: Old Town Art Festival takes place in the summer and is a fun place to meet people.
The Chicago Picasso was the first monumental modern sculpture to be placed in the Loop. Leer más.
Pistachio-Meyer Lemon Doughnut: a bright, citrus glaze holds the toasted pistachios perfectly in place, but isn't too sweet as to overwhelm the actual taste of the old-fashioned doughnut itself.
Their atomic cake is the,best.. Bananas,strawberrys,whip cream an chocolate an vanilla cake..
The first museum dedicated to the culture and experiences of African-Americans, this museum is clearly modern with its own mobile app. Leer más.
Brooks was a dominant figure of 20th C American poetry & a leading force in the Chicago Black Renaissance literary movement. See more African-Americans' great accomplishments: http://bet.us/BHM
Bring seed or some bread; always a bunch of birds looking for chow. Fun thing to do with kids!
Chicago: Any park that plays host to a Barack Obama victory speech and a Radiohead show in the same year deserves to be at the top of this list. -IFC Viewer
Forgot I had taken a pic if the escalator of the water tower. 1st.pic is looking up from first floor, 2nd. pic is looking down from the top, and 3rd. pic is a side shot of escalator from first floor.
Found an autographed copy of Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice! Very cool.
The Chipotle of personal pizza. Very tasty considering the speed with which it is made!
Velvet Taco isn't another drunk food stop, but rather a thoughtful restaurant doling out well-executed Indian, American, Cuban, Asian and Middle-Eastern staples that happen to be served on a tortilla. Leer más.
If you wait by the bus stop on Michigan avenue, you will see the dancers walking out of backstage
Came for late breakfast and totally recommend it ! They've got kids menu too.
Thought you’d want to know: Intelligentsia has been nominated for Best Local Coffee Roaster in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Leer más.
The Music Box plays a mix of independent and foreign films, as well as classic (black and white) movie matinees, and midnight screenings of cult classics. Leer más.
Subtle and extremely tasty Mexican fare. Fresh ingredients, brilliant seasoning and cooking. Plenty of great vegetarian "street food" appetizers.
Dark, sprawling, big messy dump of an Irish bar, perfect fit events and parties. Many rooms on multiple floors. As at Hogwarts, the stairs like to change.
Among the top 5 pizza places on many lists including mine. Great food and staff and fair prices.
First time coming here in a while but came in with my boyfriend for some ice cream before a movie date and they had live music. Great acoustic guitar. Going to happen on Fridays I think. Check it out!
Most boutique hotels have a hip lobby and boring rooms. This place does not. Great rooms, awesome beds, wonderful service, and fantastic toiletries. And, of course, perfect location.
Best hotel in River North period. Location, rooms, service. Literally a block away from Nordstrom, Joe's Steaks and easy walk to all the hip joints on Kinzie. Plus the 17th floor pool and view.
Executive Level stay very nice! Cocktail hour on the 23rd floor and complimentary breakfast.
The caramelized crust on the deep dish is amazing. No pre-selected toppings so just pick what you want. Decent jalapeno poppers, too.
Great for breakfast, Lunch and dinner. They play jazz. They have vegetarian options
24 hour/day breakfast and tons of great comfort food at very reasonable prices!
Part of 319-acre Grant Park, Chicago's Millennium Park features brilliant yet also accessible (and even family-friendly) public art. Highlights include Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Pritzker Pavillion.
Unpretentious, homey Lebanese joint serves fresh homemade hummus, falafel, tabouleh, etc. Try the Vegetarian Combo!
Read about Sol Kogen & Edgar Miller and the Chicago artist colony they created: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Street_Studios#Sol_Kogen_.26_Edgar_Miller
Private artist studio/home created by architect/sculptor/painter/stained glass artist Edgar Miller in the 1920s.
Standout breakfast place in Printer’s Row combines guilty pleasure with fresh, healthy eating. Attached to hotel, which makes it room service for some very lucky travelers.
