Chicago

Chicago, IL
July for 5 days
$930
Posted on May 30, 2020 by

Cost/Budget: $153
Location: 10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Clean, efficient, good places to eat

Photo by John Curry
Cost/Budget: $75
Location: 3209 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] We went with a small group for work and it was worth the short drive out of the city! Great energy as it was packed all night. We ordered a handful of different items, all of which were great. The baby back ribs, tagliatelle, and onion rings were all excellent. A great selection of local beers as well as some great cocktails added to a great experience.

Photo by Kathryn Cervantes
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: Millennium Park, Chicago, IL, USA
Photo by Radim Svoboda
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Great museum that has four floors of modern art, installations, and collections. There's a cute cafe on the basement as well. The tours are good and interactive so I would recommend that. Also great gift shop - I'd be happy with anything from there as a present. Worth a stop. Not bad prices especially if you're a student.

Photo by David Long
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Really enjoyed the time I spend at Navy Pier. Took a leisurely stroll with my dad to the Pier after having breakfast in a restaurant near by. Lots of things to do and of course amazing views so got to take some nice pictures while on holiday from the UK. Would love to go back as didn't manage to go on one of the boats or go to the theatre, did grab some food and a beer while there though. Highly recommend, especially for tourists like myself.

Photo by Bofei Wang

Cost/Budget: $30
Location: 2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] I love Lula Cafe. I have been a regular for years - going to back to the days when it was tiny (you had to go through the kitchen to get to the WC). Whenever we think about spending a chunk of change on dinner it is almost always either Lula or Marisol (same owners). Their cooking is at once simple and complex. The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed. Every dish bursts with flavor and the quality of the ingredients comes through. The service is also wonderful. Each server's knowledge of the menu, down to the ingredients in each dish is impressive. Bar and wine program is great too. And here is a remarkable thing: there are some servers working at Lula that have been there well over ten years - maybe over fifteen. That tells you a lot about how a place is run. Jason and Leah, the owners, are good people.

Photo by Lula Cafe
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Love this bookstore! I've gone here quite a few times, and every time I do, I try to buy a book for me to take home. I feel like every time I come here, I tend to find new secret rooms! They've probably already been there, but it's so cool to see new areas that feel like secrets.

Photo by Mike Fenn
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1120 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Spent a lot of money mail ordering from these guys, especially trying to help independent shops out right now. Ordered hundreds of cds, most with minor cosmetic issues on the booklets or discs. They don’t grade cds, just say stuff is good, clean, etc. as a general statement. In my last order, I had one item that had a coffee stain on a white booklet, covering a portion of the inside. Thought it would be a simple return since the cover was stained but was really disappointed to find out they consider that to be part of good condition. I am honestly not sure what would be considered bad if a coffee stain on artwork isn’t. It won’t stop me from buying from them since they have good stuff and price reasonably. Just don’t get why there would be such a dismissive and hassled response about a coffee stained item. They offered a partial credit which I had no choice but to take but seems like one return to grow a loyal customer would be worth it. So I guess buy with some caution because you won’t get much help or sympathy if your stuff arrives with staining or other things they consider light cosmetic problems.

Photo by Dusty Groove
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1736 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Used to come here to study a lot. Tons of tables, lots of good light. Coffee is good. Baristas were really friendly. They have all the milk substitutes. Croissants were alright as well. I also had a passion fruit tart from them before as well. The pastries are pretty delightful.

Photo by Linda Voigt
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] A building that houses Artists studios. Painters, sculptors, doll makers, jewelry makers, the list goes on. If you can afford the rent then it could be a good starting art studio for the 1st timers. First Fridays are the open studio nights and artists usually open their doors to show their work.

Photo by Kyle Eldridge
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Super nice Art! A great place to get creative and make some fun videos!

Photo by Brooks Capewell
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 2363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] WOW WHAT A GREAT PLACE!!!! Lots of games, people having fun nice selection of beers. Bartenders really friendly and helpful....Can't wait for my nephews to come to town. That's the first place I'm taking them. Perfect because we live right down the street and can walk there. We will definitely be going back there. Nice job Emporium!!

Photo by Emporium Logan Square

Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 5020 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] A great place to grab brunch on a weekday when it is less crowded and you can enjoy attentive service with any size group. A great reputation among people living in the area. I see why it has a great reputation. We got seated with delicious bread and coffee within a minute. Server was very nice. We got fruit cups, scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, hashbrowns, and french toast. It was all fantastic especially the bread.

Photo by Robin Willard
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Chicago wouldn’t be the city it is without the iconic landmark known as Wrigley Field. You know a stadium has made a positive impact on a community when the entire town is named Wrigleyville. I recommend coming to a game at this ball park to see the Cubs play. It’s truly a one of a kind experience that I highly recommend. People are great and extremely enthusiastic. You are always gonna find action at this park no matter what team you come to watch. The dogs are tasty and the prices are reasonable. Love this baseball field.

Photo by Vaibhav Sachdeva
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 3245-3704 North Halsted Street Outdoor Streetscape Museum Historic Landmark, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Photo by The Legacy Walk
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 708 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Beautiful Catholic church with very professional choir. One caveat is parking, or lack of, so you're better off taking CTA or Lyft if you're attending mass.

Photo by Alan N.
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 2568 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] I’ve tried all their tacos and they’ve never disappointed. Delicious and great presentation too. The Kim chi fries are amazing! Small dine in seating. Good quality food for a quick lunch or dinner. (They have a lot of carry- our and delivery business too. Street (metered) parking.

Photo by warada shafi
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] When I was in my early 20's I spent a few months employed by Lincoln Park Zoo. The 2 most important things I learned were how to climb up onto the rafters of the gift shop in the old lion house to avoid the boss (it was interesting to be looking at the cats from high up) and that on some really slow days, if you go early - right when the zoo opens and you've got that morning calm inside you like you get on a day off from work, wandering the zoo can be a truly magical experience. Direct attention from different animals can often be the case or witnessing natural phenomena in the nearby rookery that you'd never expect to see in the city is such a rare gift and thus my appreciation of this place and a secret that I offer to those who might know how to BE in the right place at the right time.

Photo by Ryan Hironaka
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Notes:

DRAG SHOOWW

Photo by Sidetrack

Cost/Budget: $0
Location: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] Walking is safe and beautiful

Cost/Budget: $24
Location: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, IL, Chicago, United States
Notes:

[ From Tiqets ] Get your ticket to this colossal playground of scientific discovery, and prepare to be blown away. Housing a dizzying 34 million artifacts dating from prehistoric times to the present day, The Field Museum in Chicago is one of the world's best natural history museums. Stand toe to toe with the largest T. Rex ever discovered, and see (allegedly) cursed mummies – there's something fascinating around every corner.

Cost/Budget: $0
Location: Marina City Goldberg, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Photo by Gerald Newport
Cost/Budget: $0
Location: 1130 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] This place was really cool and super affordable. It’s easy to get to as well and it is located in a very nice area. Even though we went on Valentine’s Day weekend it wasn’t as packed as I thought it would be. The best time to go here if you want to get quality pictures is on a weekday during the middle of the day when everyone is working. The one exhibit only allows a minute in the room which to me is just ridiculous. I think you should get more time for that room since it is the most iconic part of the place. You can only move forwards too and with a lot of people it is hard to get to experience everything fully. I will definitely revisit this place again though. Also they have free lockers to put your stuff in and tripods for your camera are not allowed.

Photo by wndr museum
Cost/Budget: $94.8
Location: 239 W 45th St, NY, New York, United States
Notes:

[ From Tiqets ] Six Tony Awards including Best Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album tell you everything you need to know about Dear Evan Hansen. A touching tale of friendship, loss, and teenage angst, this Broadway sensation has been reducing audiences to puddles of happy clapping tears since 2017. Feel the heartwarming musical magic for yourself at Music Box Theatre in Midtown Manhattan, and get a real Broadway experience. You'll be humming in your head for decades to come!

Cost/Budget: $400
Location: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Notes:

[ Google Review ] The duck cassoulet to-go was great! Pickup took less than a minute even in the rain. The heating instructions were easy to follow. For those on a budget, my girlfriend and I were able to split one serving and be full at the end, especially after the fantastic dessert. Highly recommend for those looking to "dine" here without the $$$$ tag

Photo by Brandon Wigboldy

Flight Home

Cost/Budget: $153
Location: 10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, USA