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Sweet Home Chicago
46
items Enjoy this list of recommendations of things to see and do in my hometown of Chicago
Map
Sections
6
Restaurants
Arts & Entertainment
Local Favorites
Museums
Parks
Sports
Restaurants
There's Lou's and then there's everyone else
Lou Malnati's, the Best Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Restaurant
Regularly listed as serving some of the best pizza in Chicago, Pequod’s Pizza is home to the pan-style deep-dish pizza with a caramelized crust. Just minutes from the bustle of downtown Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Pequod’s has been a st...
Best Deep Dish Pizza Restaurant in Lincoln Park, Chicago | Pequod's Pizza
One summer day in 1945 Gene set out to join his friends at a baseball game at Wrigley Field. Little did he know that was the day of creation. While at the game, the group ordered some hot dogs and drinks. Looking down at the food in his hands, he fel...
Gene and Jude's | Voted Best Hot Dog in the United States
In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo's hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called "The Dog House." Years later, Portillo's has become a brand synonymous with Chicago. In fact, we're kind of a bi...
Portillo's
Take two steak-house veterans, a dazzling space along the Chicago River, add a butcher and dry-aging room and you begin to see what Chicago Cut is about. Chicago Cut is dedicated to putting culinary flair back into Chicago’s upscale restaurant scene....
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
HARRY CARAY'S RESTAURANT GROUP began when the first Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse opened in River North in 1987 to celebrate the Hall of Fame broadcaster and his love for Chicago sports, great food and drink—and most of all—the fans. His legacy ha...
Harry Caray's Restaurant Group
“There is no time to hesitate if you want to succeed,” said legendary Chicago restaurateur Alex Dana. As founder of the iconic Rosebud Restaurant Group, Dana has lived and made his career by that philosophy, adding, “You can’t look back if you want t...
Rosebud Restaurants - Chicago Restaurant Group
Arts & Entertainment
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series features free outdoor concerts, showcasing a broad spectrum of established and emerging musicians in a spectacular setting. Grab a seat or a spot on the lawn and enjoy views of the soaring Pritzker Pavilion ove...
Millennium Park Summer Music Series | June – August | Chicago Concerts & Events
Buddy Guy’s Legends, one of Chicago’s true cultural landmarks, gives every guest an authentic taste of Chicago and the Chicago blues. Chicago’s premier blues club, owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy himself, has been booking some of the b...
Buddy Guy's Legends | Choose Chicago
The Second City has been performing sketch comedy in front of audiences for over 50 years. Second City Works is the corporate services arm, handling learning and development, internal communications and brand marketing assignments across all industry...
The Second City | Choose Chicago
Relive the Jazz Age
Green Mill Jazz
Broadway In Chicago is the source for terrific seats to the most exciting shows in Chicago’s bustling Downtown Theater District. On the stages of the James M. Nederlander Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre, the CIBC Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre,...
Broadway In Chicago | Choose Chicago
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater—redefining the landscape of acting and performance. Co-founded by actors Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry in 1976, the ensemble has grown to over 50 members who are among th...
Steppenwolf Theatre Company | Choose Chicago
Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theater, has won international renown for the quality of productions, the depth and diversity of artistic leadership, and the excellence of its many community and educational programs. The ...
Goodman Theatre | Choose Chicago
A Regional Tony Award recipient, Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a bold and innovative year-round season—plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside education programming for...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater | Choose Chicago
We are here. Here in the historic Chicago Waterworks building. A building that survived a great fire. A building whose foundation went on to rebuild and transform. We draw inspiration from these weathered stones, just as we draw inspiration from Chic...
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Each year, thousands of fans travel from around the world to experience Lollapalooza in Chicago. Those lucky enough to score tickets get to experience the festival’s legendary musical acts, scenic lakefront setting, and unbeatable summer atmosphere a...
Lollapalooza Festival Lineup, Guide & Tickets | Chicago Music Festivals
Barbecue and country music
Home Page - Windy City Smokeout
The annual Chicago Blues Festival in June is the city’s largest music festival. More than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago’s Millennium Park and venues across the city for multiple days of performances — all free and open to the public — featurin...
Chicago Blues Festival | Find Free Live Music & Concerts
Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The city helped transform the genre, propelling it onto a world stage. The Chicago Gospel Music Festival keeps that tradition alive with a joyful, family-friendly celebration against the mesmerizing backdrop of...
Chicago Gospel Music Festival | Find Free Events & Concerts
The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals boasts an incredibly diverse lineup, which includes free neighborhood concerts leading up to the main show at Millennium Park and additional programming throughout the city over Labor Day weekend...
Chicago Jazz Festival | Free Outdoor Concerts & Music | Choose Chicago
Local Favorites
Be sure to stop by the newly transformed Skydeck to discover all that the city has to offer!
Skydeck Chicago | Choose Chicago
Soaring 1,000 feet over Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO is one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory) offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, t...
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck | Choose Chicago
Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. It’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; t...
Millennium Park | Choose Chicago
There’s more to Navy Pier, Chicago’s iconic lakefront destination, than meets the eye! Known as the “People’s Pier,” this landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exp...
Navy Pier | Choose Chicago
One of the best ways to see Chicago is from the water. The city is home to two stunning waterfronts — the Chicago River and Lake Michigan — and each offers plenty of cruise options. Admire the skyline on a lakefront cruise, learn about the city’s ico...
Chicago Boat Tours: Find the Best Lake and River Cruises | Choose Chicago
This popular historic landmark and tourist attraction offers visitors a dazzling music, light and water show, which runs dusk-11pm, spring through the end of fall. The fountain table can also be rented for large special events.
Buckingham Fountain | Choose Chicago
Chicago’s scenic Lakefront Trail is an 18-mile paved path that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline on the city’s eastern edge. It extends from Ardmore Street (5800 N. Sheridan Rd) on the north side to 71st Street (7100 S. South Shore Drive) on the so...
Chicago's Lakefront Trail | Find Hiking, Biking & Safety Tips
One of Chicago’s newest green spaces sits above four different neighborhoods of the city on what used to be a railroad line. As train traffic slowed on the near northwest side of Chicago in the 1990s, people began to rethink how this land could be us...
The 606 | Choose Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science, and conservation.
Wildlife Experience in the Heart of Chicago | Lincoln Park Zoo
Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Today, there is an increasing need for conservation leaders to guide, te...
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Draws millions every year
The Nation's Largest Auto Show | Chicago Auto Show
Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest and oldest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. The spectacular two-day event draws an audience of over two million to the city’s stun...
Chicago Air and Water Show | Official Guide | Where to Watch
Museums
The Field Museum is a must-see destination while you’re here in Chicago. Where else can you meet Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered; experience SUE, the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered; desc...
The Field Museum | Choose Chicago
No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Art Institute. Consistently rated among the world’s top museums by TripAdvisor travelers, the Art Institute of Chicago is home to the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Pari...
Art Institute of Chicago | Choose Chicago
The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the country! Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, MSI is a Chicago must-see! You’ll experience mind blowing, hands-on exhibits and have the chance to nav...
Museum of Science and Industry | Choose Chicago
Get ready for unforgettable encounters with belugas and bluegills, stingrays and sturgeons, sea stars and sea otters — and so many more animals from aquatic environments around the world! See penguins fly through chilly waters, spot sleek sharks crui...
Shedd Aquarium | Choose Chicago
The Adler Planetarium connects people to the Universe and each other. Whether it is introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to an army of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another...
Adler Planetarium | Choose Chicago
Parks
Maggie Daley Park is one of Chicago’s newest spectacular green spaces in the heart of downtown and connected to Millennium Park via Anish Kapoor’s BP Bridge. Opened in late 2014, Maggie Daley Park became an instant success due its unique “Skating Rib...
Maggie Daley Park | Choose Chicago
Proudly referred to as Chicago’s “front yard,” Grant Park is a public park, 313 acres located in Chicago’s central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park’s most notable features include Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art ...
Grant Park | Choose Chicago
Millennium Park is a can’t-miss attraction for any Chicago visit. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skat...
Millennium Park
Sports
For Chicagoans, baseball is more than just entertainment — it’s a way of life. And for Cubs fans, following their team to a World Series win in 2016 was the ultimate reward for their loyalty.
Chicago Cubs | Find Major League Baseball Games, Events & Traditions
The White Sox have definitely earned their bragging rights. The team swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series in 2005, led by Ozzie Guillén. the first Latino manager in history to win a World Series. The Sox also won it all in 1906 and 1917. ...
Chicago White Sox | Find Major League Baseball Games, Events & Field Info
With more regular-season and overall wins than any other NFL team, the greatest number of past players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and adored personalities like Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, and Gayle Sayers in its past rosters, “Da Bears” have a ...
Chicago Bears | Find Football Events, Schedules & Soldier Field Info
On the ice since 1926, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the original six National Hockey League teams, and boast one of the most storied in professional hockey.
Chicago Blackhawks | Find NHL Hockey Games, Events & Schedule
Hall of Famers and MVPs. Heated rivalries and epic playoff runs. Championship trophies — six of them to be exact. And in-game entertainment like no other team. The Chicago Bulls have it all.
Chicago Bulls | Find Basketball Games, Events & Schedule