We love the art institute! You could truly spend all day here and not see everything. Buy tickets ahead to avoid waiting in line. Art from Picasso, Seurat, Hopper, Monet, Renoir, van Gogh, Warhol and even more. There is something here for everyone.
We had to put Gilt Bar on the list. This is Brendan's favorite restaurant in the city, however it can be difficult to get a reservation any day of the week!
Millennium Park is a great place to walk around in the summer. You will see The Bean, Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and more.
Pizza Portofino is a on the north side of the river on the river walk level!
We love to take any of our out of town guests on the architecture tour! You will enjoy a slow cruise on the Chicago River with a tour guide that explains the history of Chicago and the buildings surrounding the river. There are a couple different companies that do tours and we have enjoyed all of them.
This is our absolute favorite fried chicken place walking distance from our house. Do not expect a place to sit down and eat because there is none! Its an order at the counter and stand at a counter outside to eat kind of place, but it truly is worth it if you make your way up north!
A great place to walk around and enjoy animals from all over. There are polar bears, seals, monkeys, lions, and more. Admission is free!
An 18.5 mile trail along the lake! If you make it from the loop up north to Fullerton you get a beautiful view of the city. There is also beach access all along the trail.
Enjoy the lake life while in the midwest! The lake is one of Sara's favorite parts of the city. The water will still be cold, but it is one of our favorite places to relax in the summer.
Enjoy walking up and down the mag mile! A mile of amazing restaurants and shops that starts just north of the river on Michigan Ave and stops just south of Gold Coast on Oak street.
Lil ba ba Reeba is the smaller version of Cafe ba ba Reeba in Lincoln Park. This is a great place for Spanish tapas. You have to get the patatas bravas!