This is our favorite part of town — we live nearby, work nearby, and spend most of our time here. It’s home to some of the best dining not just in the city, but in the entire country. For an easy, casual lunch, we love JP Graziano’s or Publican Quality Meats. For dinner, Sushi Dokku is one of our go-to spots. There’s also amazing shopping and plenty of great places to walk around and explore. It's the hottest spot in the city and is always a fun area to spend a few hours
You’re in luck—the Cubs are playing a home series against their rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, all weekend! If you want to experience the "Friendly Confines" of historic Wrigley Field, there are day games on both Saturday (1:20 PM) and Sunday (2:10 PM).
For the best views of the city's famous architecture, take a stroll along the Riverwalk. It’s a 1.25-mile pedestrian path right at the water’s edge, lined with bars and restaurants. Our Favorite Spot: Tiny Tapp > Nestled between Clark and Dearborn Streets, this is our go-to for a riverside cocktail or local craft beer. It’s a great place to "people watch" the boats passing by. They often have live music on the weekends! If you're there on Friday afternoon, you might even catch the Air and Water Show planes practicing right above the river.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery 901 W Kinzie St (3-minute walk) Chicago is home to the only Guinness brewery in the U.S. outside of Baltimore. It’s a massive, beautiful space with a patio and a full food menu.
Au Cheval 800 W Randolph St (5-minute walk) Commonly called the "best burger in America." They don’t take reservations and the wait can be 3+ hours, but here is the wedding guest hack: The Strategy: Put your name in at the host stand, then take a stroll down Randolph Street. It’s packed with incredible shopping and bars—we recommend grabbing a pre-burger drink at Lone Wolf just around the corner. They’ll text you the second your table is ready!
One of Chicago’s most iconic summer events! You’ll hear the jets buzzing the skyscrapers all weekend. Where to Watch: Head to North Avenue Beach for the center of the action, or grab a drink at a rooftop bar in the West Loop to see them fly overhead (The close to the lake the better.).
200 N Green St (Located inside The Hoxton) A dim, sultry cocktail lounge with live music and a menu of 52 classic cocktails. It’s the perfect spot for a nightcap. Note: It’s first-come, first-served and can get busy late at night, but it's alot of fun!