At the forefront of the groundbreaking molecular gastronomy movement, Alinea offers meals that are quite simply unlike any others. Dedicated followers eagerly await chef Grant Achatz’s scrupulously deconstructed innovations, which are always as delicious as they are surprising: venison is served atop a pillow of scented air; tiny spheres expl... Moreode with familiar flavors in the mouth; and bite-size courses of sweet potato and bacon are served on a spike. The staff, as expertly choreographed as the Bolshoi Ballet, instructs patrons on how to eat the exquisitely constructed and artfully presented concoctions (the serving ware is created by an accomplished sculptor), while offering hints as to ingredients. Although this is clearly a temple to experimental cuisine, the atmosphere in the elegantly converted, dramatically lit town house is decidedly laid-back. You won’t find starchy waiters or icy attitude here, where all that’s required is an interest in extraordinary dining and an open mind.

Address:
1723 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 867-0110Less

Eleven months out of the year, this unassuming River North storefront goes unadorned, with no signage, no merchandise displays and a hard-to-find entrance that requires visitors to be buzzed in. Behind its white wall, however, a legendary high-end boutique awaits the city’s most cutting-edge fashionistas. Stylish customers are thrilled by Bla... Moreke’s dramatic, no-nonsense clothing created by world-class designers like Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Roland Mouret and Balenciaga. Ideal for special occasions, the boutique’s pricey but oh-so-worth-it pieces include shoes, tunics, schoolboy jackets and funky handbags.

Address:
212 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 202-0047Less

Specialing in Poblano food, this family-owned café is all about authentic flavors. In fact, the owner often travels to Mexico in order to obtain fresh, quality ingredients, and all of the restaurant’s salsa are homemade using a family recipe. Patrons frequently indulge in made-from-scratch specialties like the taco arabes, stu... Moreffed with spit-roasted pork, onions, and chipotle salsa, but the Cemitas sandwich, inspired by a popular street dish in Puebla, Mexico, is a customer favorite. The signature sandwhich comes with creamy avocado, adobo chipotle peppers, tangy Oaxacan cheese, homegrown papalo seasoning, and savory meats all atop soft sesame bread.

Address:
3619 W. North Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(773) 772-8435Less

The Great Chicago Fire, street food, architecture, dance, Millennium Park, Greektown, baseball, Lincoln Zoo—whatever Chi-Town topic you’d love to learn more about, the Chicago Greeter program has you covered. A service of the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, this program offers customizable Greeter tours (pre-registration required... More) as well as more flexible Instagreeter tours, all tailored to customers’ individual interests and led by more than 200 knowledgeable guides. Accommodating up to six guests, each informal tour is completely free.

Address:
77 E. Randolph St., North Grant Park
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 744-8000Less

Sailing on either Chicago River or Lake Michigan, the educational boat tours offered by Chicago Line Cruises are some of the city’s most popular sightseeing opportunities. Whether you’re a newcomer or local, the company’s knowledgeable guides provide 90 minutes of informative facts about the Windy City. The architectural cruise is... More hailed as one of the city’s best, while the historical cruise shares stories about everything from fur trading to the first department store. Cruise-goers can indulge in complimentary coffee, soda, and sweets, and during the summer, there is even a cocktail cruise.

Address:
465 N. McClurg Ct., River East Art Center Promenade
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 527-1977Less

Located on East Huron Street in a bright red building, this upscale women’s boutique is owned by Ikram Goldman, who at one time acted as Michelle Obama’s unofficial style consultant (not that you would ever get her to admit as much in print). The shop’s polished floors reflect mannequins showcasing everything from clothing to jewe... Morelry to accessories from designers like Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Comme des Garçons, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Junya Watanabe. The merchandise also includes shoes from Jimmy Choo and Robert Clergerie, as well as a selection of vintage clothing and accessories, hand-picked by Goldman.

Address:
15 E. Huron St.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 587-1000Less

This hip Windy City café is another big supporter of fresh ingredients from regional markets and farmers. There’s always a "griddle cake" on the menu, but the ingredients change according to season and whim. In winter, they might be paired with stone fruit preserves, candied pumpkin seeds and maple sabayon; as summer arrives ... Morein the Heartland, you can expect grape jam, poached raisins and spiced creme anglaise. Healthy breakfast standards (scrambled tofu with miso sauce, oatmeal studded with dried cherries) are served daily, but the weekend brunch menu is when the kitchen stops counting calories and indulges regulars with specials such as lemon and pistachio bread pudding with strawberry rhubarb preserves or a grilled pork sausage plate with focaccia, soft boiled egg, and Michigan ramps. Best sides: Apple-maple-sage sausage and nitrate-free Gunthorp Farms bacon.

Address:
2537 N. Kedzie Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(773) 489-9554Less

A 198-room European-style hotel on historic Water Tower Square, looking out on Lake Michigan and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Art Gallery Highlight: Gerhard Richter’s 27-foot Piazza del Duomo, Milan. Pop into the hotel’s restaurant, NoMI, for equally artistic fare.

Address:
800 N. Michigan A... Moreve.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 335-1234Less

With more than 260,000 works of art ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary, the Art Institute is home to some of the world’s most celebrated masterpieces. But don’t rush inside without viewing one of its most famous sculptures at the entranceway—the North and South Lions. Designed by Edward Kemeys, the lions have stood guar... Mored since 1894; the museum often decorates them for holidays and significant sporting events. Inside, stop at the Impressionist wing, which holds significant paintings including Van Gogh’s The Bedroom and Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte-1884. Tip: On Thursday and Friday summer evenings, admission is free—and so is the live music. Admission: $12 adults; $7 children, students, and seniors; free for children under 12

Address:
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 443-3600Less

Opened in April 2006, The James marries a residential vibe to a hotel setting. To evoke an apartment style, all of the 297 contemporary rooms have a separate dining area with plasma screen TV’s; some include a separate living area with oversize couches, coffee tables, and Eames chairs. Art is also an essential part of the property—the l... Moreobby features a rotating gallery from the Museum of Contemporary Art; David Burke’s Primehouse restaurant showcases painter Todd White; and the Jbar displays video art on plasma screen TV’s.

Address:
55 E Ontario St.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(877) 526-3755Less

As you walk into the Peninsula, the concierge and receptionist greet you by name; classical music plays when you enter one of the 339 rooms; and your bedside table has a control panel to manage the lighting, deactivate the doorbell for privacy, and alert housekeeping when you want service. The luxury extends to the hotel’s spa by ESPA: it inc... Moreludes an outdoor sundeck, spa cuisine, eight treatment rooms, a steam room, and a lap pool. And be sure to dine at Shanghai Terrace—Food & Wine voted it one of the top 100 Asian restaurants in the U.S.

Address:
108 E. Superior St.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(312) 337-2888Less

The hipster BYO nook with four communal tables sits in an Avondale strip mall between a laundromat and a dry cleaner owned by relatives of Korean- American chef Bill Kim. Asian street food? Yes, but as interpreted by a chef who spent years working under the likes of Charlie Trotter and David Bouley. Whether ethereal squash pockets laced with Kaffir... More lime and orange, or roasted duck purses scented with Vietnamese pho spices—Kim’s complex dumplings deliver four-star bang for seven paltry bucks.

Address:
3053 N. California Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
United States

Phone:
(773) 583-0500Less