Best arcade in the city, hands down. Top-notch drink selection. Outside food permitted. Mostly pinball, but all games and machines are serviced regularly and you don't have to use tokens so you can use any leftover quarters for laundry ;)
Not often that the best burger in the city is also one of the cheapest, but RHR checks both boxes. Second location on Ashland. Cash only. You can eat here but it's outside underneath the train, so really a great place to pick up food to eat somewhere else (like the Arcade).
Former railroad converted into a walking/biking path. Great place for a stroll if you're in the area.
Luckily the only Costa Rican restaurant in the city is a good one. Nothing beats Spencer's Alita's gallo pinto but this will do in a pinch.
Go for a walk around here, especially the little outdoor mall area. Get some food and check out the little shops. Easily accessible via the Red Line
Everyone knows about these spots but here are our favorite 'tourist' activities downtown: -The Bean -Art Institute -Field Museum -Museum of Contemporary Art -Architecture Boat Tours
Good Mexican food close to downtown. Opened by a chef who competed on Top Chef, a show we have loved to watch. Went here for one of Spencer's birthdays.
The neighborhood is great, but so is the park its named after. A million things to do here. Zoo, Lakefront, Natural History Museum, Driving Range, Bike Trail, etc. etc.
One of our first favorites in Chicago (thank you Scott for the rec!!). The place Mitch broke his months-long vegetarian streak back in '17. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area, or if you're craving some world-class Korean fried chicken.
One of Mitch & Spencer's favorite spots to celebrate small milestones or to just enjoy a comforting bowl of ramen.