Things To Do
Flub A Dub Chub's
Our favorite Chicago Dog spot, and it's not even close. Alyssa is proudly featured on the Wall of Shame reserved for those brave enough to ask for ketchup with their hotdog.
Robert's Pizza and Dough Company
A true Chicago local will be honest with you...deep dish isn't the best pizza Chicago has to offer. It's tavern style, and this is one of our favorites! Make a reservation ahead of time to be able to sit on the river! Shoutout to Maggie for introducing us to this little gem!
Stella's Diner
We love this place so much it was a part of our engagement! We've enjoyed many a hungover breakfast here with our friends, and it never disappoints. The Mexican Jolt breakfast skillet might be Sophie's favorite breakfast in the city.
Music Box Theatre
If we're not at our apartment, this should be the first place you look for us. We absolutely love the Music Box - yes, even the uncomfortable old seats.
The Art Institute of Chicago
You could spend days here before you saw everything, but getting lost in here is a great way to spend your time. Even if you're not the type to tear up in front of a famous painting (not that we'd know anything about that) the medieval arms and armor room is worth the trip alone.
Delilah's
This is probably our favorite bar. We've celebrated birthdays, engagements, and random Thursday nights here with equal enthusiasm. They will probably be playing old skate videos or creepy cartoons from the 1950s when you go. Don't question it!
Lincoln Park Zoo
Another one of the places Alyssa went the day we got engaged! This is such a great spot, and the walk there through Lincoln Park is beautiful! It's free, too, which is always a nice perk.
AIDS Garden Chicago
Right across the street from our last apartment, this is our gateway to the lake! There's a giant Keith Haring statue - Sophie's favorite feature is his signature in the concrete base. The rocks embedded in the grass near the pathway are also the original Belmont Rocks that were a meeting spot for the gay community in 1980s Chicago!
Wendella Tours & Cruises
Everyone will tell you to do this, and everyone is correct. Know who can tell you a fact about every building by the river now? We can. Jealous? Do the tour! This is actually the one tourist trap we recommend wholeheartedly - you really don't need to see the Bean and get deep dish. This is what you need to do.
Triple Crown Restaurant
The go-to for dim sum in Chinatown. Feels like the kind of place you might get served a fortune cookie that leads to an inconveniently timed body-swap situation, and we mean that in a good way.
Beauty Bar Chicago
If you miss dancing in fraternity basements to early 2000s pop icons but you don't want your shoes to feel that sticky and you don't want to be drinking Bartons, go here instead!
Snickers Bar & Grill
One of the last good bars downtown that isn't trying to be anything other than its grimy little self. Their gryos are insane, and have no reason to be. It's like the bar in your friend's dad's basement turned into a real business.