by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment
I’ve been traveling outside of Chicago quite a bit lately. That is precisely why I felt the need to tap back into the city a little when I returned from my hiatus in December. I’m that guy that orders friends a shot of Malort if they’ve never had it before– heck, I...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Family, General Information, Recreation
Taking a road trip to Chicago or just trying decide how to spend your lazy days of summer? Chicago is a popular place to visit when the weather gets warm, but whether you’re familiar with the area or are a first time visitor, be careful when driving into and around...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events, Noble Square, West Town
Great Lakes Tattoo is taking everything that they’ve come to not fancy about mainstream tattoo conventions and proceeding to do the opposite. GLT’s owner Nick Colella commented: “I feel that present-day tattooing and standardized tattoo conventions have gotten so far...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, General Information
With Chicago’s massive and ever-growing craft beer scene, it only makes sense to incorporate some of the brews into your meals. While it’s always preferred to have a beer with dinner, cooking with beer can elevate the meal so much as well. Chances are you already have...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment, Top 10 Recreation
Being behind the steering wheel and being able to push the pedal to the floor can be one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world. Not everyone has the means to build a racecar; luckily these four venues can get you on a track in race-prepped karts that will...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Family, Top 10 in Entertainment
Summer in Chicago means lots of boats on our big, beautiful lake and long, winding river. When I have company in from out of town, be it friends or family, we often head downtown so I can show off our awesome city on a boat tour. Here are the boat companies I’ve...
by Chicago Traveler | Attractions, Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment, Top 10 Recreation
With hot weather, comes the need for two thing: outdoor fun and a way to cool off. Spending your day at one of the water parks in Chicago or the area is really one of the most enjoyable ways to do it. Wether you are looking for a quick visit or willing to head to...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Sports, Top 10 in Entertainment
Unless you’re living under a rock, if you’re in Chicago, you know the Stanley Cup Playoffs are going on. And if you want to head out to cheer your Blackhawks on, check out one (or more) of our favorite places to watch the hockey games. 1. Emerald Loop. This downtown...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment
If you trace history back to the late 1800’s, you may be surprised to find that there are roller derby Chicago origins. That is correct, roller derby was essentially formed in Chicago – although, it has evolved over the years. During the 1930s is when roller derby as...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events
Experiencing a Chicago Christmas season can almost be a surreal experience. The city is swept with Christmas decorations and the sounds of the holiday. Plus, a white Christmas is almost always guaranteed. The spirit of the season takes many forms in Chicago. There are...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, Events
Let me start off defending the article title. I am aware that there is such a thing as decaf coffee. However, when I began writing this article at 6:30am after pulling an all nighter, decaf was the furthest thing from my mind. Without further ado. Coffee Fest Chicago...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment
Divvy Review, From a Traveler’s Perspective: The streets are crowded and parking is expensive. Owning a vehicle in the heart of downtown Chicago is not always the most convenient thing. Public transportation and taxis are great, but sometimes being outside is...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events, Top 10 Bars, Top 10 Restaurants
The time is upon us once again! It is bittersweet. One of the biggest games of the season, accompanied by copious amounts of food, alcohol and people screaming while wearing ridiculous colored jerseys. I.love.it. Chicago Super Bowl festivities take over the city we...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment
Going above and beyond to see sights is not necessarily just a figure of speech. Actually lifting off of the ground to experience aerial sightseeing Chicago, whether that be via hot air balloon or a helicopter– it will put the scale of Chicago into an entirely new...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, General Information, Lifestyle, Near North Side
I’ve never been to a spa before. The closest I’ve been to a spa is the one I walk by nearly every day that has a picture of an older man hitting another man with a tree branch. Fortunately, my experience at the spa at dana was nothing like that unsettling image. As I...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, Sports, Top 10 Bars
Some traditions require you to sit in the exact same spot on your couch if you want your team to trump the competition’ others require one of the Chicago sports bars packed with familiar colors. Many bars are equipped with NFL Sunday Ticket, which will expand...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, Events
The Chicago Air and Water Show is a magnificent spectacle that takes to the skies and lake. I still remember being a young lad and looking up in amazement as planes seemed to perform impossible stunts. My infatuation with aircrafts has slightly lessened into my old...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events, Reviews, Top 10 Music Venues
Riot Fest is perhaps the oddest duck of the major Chicago summer music festivals. It feels something like a combination of Pitchfork, early 90s Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, and the Gathering of the Juggalos– thanks to its diverse, often random, lineup and collection of...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment
Gambling is still not permitted in the city of Chicago, but you’d don’t have to go to a seedy backroom controlled by the mafia if you’re looking to get in on some Vegas action. There are many casinos not far from the city these days; here are a few...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events, Top 10 in Entertainment
The spirit of Oktoberfest can be summed up into a single word– Gemütlichkeit. It essentially means being in a place that makes you happy, relaxed, social, and feel accepted. This must be why Oktoberfest revolves around beer and friends. There is no shortage of...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Top 10 Restaurants
These Chicago food challenges are pretty intense. They evoke the feelings of excitement, jealousy, anxiousness, confidence, doubt, competitiveness. There is something uniquely satisfying about being able to finish a dish that was created with the notion in mind that...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Events, Holiday Specials
Holidays in the city are nothing short of pure entertainment’ that of course includes a Chicago 4th of July weekend! Celebrate this grand country’s independence at any (or all) of these locations around Chicago. Whether you are looking to eat and drink inside or...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Family, Top 10 in Entertainment
Chicago is one of the most amazing cities to visit during the summer months. The lakefront is a buzz with people, the streets are alive with activity, and there are some amazing festivals during the “season” that visitors and residents alike can enjoy. Top 5 Chicago...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment, Top 10 Recreation
The winter months can often be pretty brutal in Chicago. Many days are spent hibernating rather than enjoying everything that the city has to offer. When April and May finally make their way around again, everyone is surprised that they did not freeze to death and...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Events, General Information
While eating out and exploring the extensive amounts of phenomenal restaurants in Chicago is insanely enjoyable– there is perhaps a better way to try new cuisine; cook it for yourself. There are a good amount of options for cooking classes in Chicago. They range from...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Lifestyle, Recreation
Those words come across your screen, “Hey there, how would you like to meet up on Saturday?” Your heart pounds a little harder, your palms start sweating, and your mind races into a thousand different directions. After you come back down to the real world again and...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Events
Humana to present healthy mocktail challenge featuring WXRT DJ Mary Dixon and ‘Check, Please!’ host Catherine De Orio on July 9 Health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) will showcase its largest ever list of healthy food items through its signature Humana...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 Bars, Top 10 in Entertainment, Top 10 Recreation, Top Ten
Chicago arcades seemed to have disappeared long ago. However, if you look close enough there are still a handful in existence. They range from the traditional arcade game focus, to more expansive ones that focus on mini golf, laser tag, and bumper cars. Sometimes we...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Top 10 Recreation
Golfing has been a way for my family to bond since I was in middle school. Going out with my dad and my brother to soak up some sun, b.s. and knock a few balls around the golf course made for an almost unbeatable day– even when I lost more balls than holes on the...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 Recreation
For some, blasting across Lake Michigan on a jetski– or meeting up with those random Tinder matches that seem like there is a 91% chance that it was not them in their photos– does not quite provide the sense of adrenaline that they crave. For some, they must take to...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Events, Top 10 Music Venues
Chicago’s Union Park has hosted Pitchfork Media’s music festival for 10 years. Other than some stage banners and festival merchandise noting the anniversary, the festival operated just like it was any other year with a finely-curated selection of new buzz...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, General Information, Top 10 Bars, Top 10 in Entertainment, Top 10 Restaurants, Top Ten
I have a soft spot for live trivia. It’s something that my brother and I try to do on a weekly basis- sometimes as teammates, sometimes foes to see who has to buy the round. With busy schedules, it doesn’t always line up on the same day every week. Fortunately, every...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Reviews
Wandering through the boutiques that make up LuxeHome (website), on the first floor of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, you didn’t know what you’d find. Tucked away in model bathrooms, kitchens with Wi-Fi ready refrigerators, and next to paint...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment
If you closely skim this article, you may notice that it is listed under the Entertainment category. That is because Jeppson’s Malort is not traditionally used for any other reason than as a tool to make your friends cringe (and potentially vomit) while everyone else...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, General Information
Fall and winter are great times of the year in Chicago, whether you are a resident or a tourist planning a trip. Cooler weather in Fall is ideal in Chicago, not too hot or too cold, and less humid. Temperatures range from the 40s to around the mid-seventies, so its...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, The Lists, Top 10 Bars
Chicago is an epicenter of the music scene in this day and age. Any band worth their salt knows that if they’re going on a nationwide tour they need to get to the Windy City at least once. Chicagoans are a diverse musical crowd and there are plenty of places...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment
If anyone knows how to celebrate the holidays, it’s Midwesterners. More specifically, it’s Chicagoans. Every year during Chicago’s winter wonderland, visitors are drawn like magnets to the city’s festive energy. It seems everyone wants to visit...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, Top 10 Bars
For years, Rush Street and Division Street in Chicago’s swanky Gold Coast neighborhood has been a popular hangout for all sorts of crowds, especially on the weekends. On any given night, you can count on plenty of partying alongside college kids, bachelor and...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Entertainment
The search for the best chicken wing is a never ending journey for wing connoisseurs. Once you think, for that brief second, that you have found the best wings and your appetite is suddenly satisfied in each and every way you are wrong. With the sudden realization...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, The Lists
Filmmakers looking for an interesting setting for their television or film have long been drawn to the Second City; with a rich history, dynamic setting, and a famously cosmopolitan culture, Chicago has strong cinematic appeal across a variety of genres. Over the...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, General Information, Top 10 Recreation
The city of Chicago is filled with cultural activities, famous buildings, and hot spots known to the incoming tourists and long-lived locals. But, what local wants to stand in lines and pay cover fees in their own city? From what time to go to The Bean to what day to...
by Chicago Traveler | Attractions, Entertainment, Family
Most of us began our thrill seeking lives with bumper cars, teacups, and baby roller coasters. You don’t always grow out of that thrill-seeking mode; you may just progress to bigger and better rides. Massive drops, high-speed loops and corkscrews are just some of the...
by Chicago Traveler | Attractions, Entertainment, Family
Brookfield Zoo is your portal to a world that previously seemed untouchable – especially when living in the midwest. Brookfield Zoo has been offering the chance to connect with wildlife on a much more intimate level since 1934. Their vast selection of attractions,...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Entertainment, Top 10 Bars
There seems to be more and more bars catching onto the notion that sometimes it’s nice to do more at a bar than just drink. Below, we have listed a number of bars with outdoor games in Chicago. Pretty much all of these options are only available spring through fall–...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment
Chicago is not only the beautiful backdrop for tourists and residents alike, it also makes the perfect scenery for some of the most popular big screen hits ever made. Check out this list: Top 10 Movies Filmed in Chicago #1 The Blues Brothers Nothing says Chicago...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, General Information, The Lists, Top 10 Recreation, Top Ten
Traveling to Chicago is quite an experience. Chicago tourist attractions are spread throughout the city, but many of the main ones are found right in the downtown area and along the waterfront. We may have lists already covering some of the best places to visit in all...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment
Halloween is a time that many people look forward to each year. It is a reason to dress up in ridiculous costumes, get together with friends and enjoy themselves. For others, it is a time for family– and obtaining an absurd amount of candy in the traditional form of...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, The Lists, Top 10 Bars
Chicago is dubbed “Blues Capital of the World” and even has the largest in the world Blues festival held every summer for three days to back up its claim. There are many Chicago venues that keep this music genre alive. However, which ones have the best atmosphere,...
by Chicago Traveler | Attractions, Entertainment, Top Ten
Of course in Chicago we haven’t had the best weather. The past couple of days haven’t been bad, but we are certainly not done with winter. So come along with me as I plan out my points of interest for the year. Some of these I have been to and really enjoyed like a...
by Chicago Traveler | Entertainment, Top 10 in Entertainment
Chicago has its very glamorous side that you seen strewn across the travel marketing ads, but it also has many attractions off of the beaten path. Spending your time immersed in some of the unique things to do in Chicago can really change your perspective on...
