Lindsay Eanet

It’s been said that the best gifts in life are free, but no one’s really buying that, right? While the sentiment is nice, it’s always fun to see the excitement of opening a hand-selected gift (even if it’s your own excitement about something you bought for yourself). The best gift shops in Chicago are stocked with all sorts of fun and useful items, though finding the perfect one can sometimes be a tricky process—kind of like booking a table at one of the best restaurants in Chciago. We compiled a list to help you navigate where to find the best gift shops in Chicago for any occasion, whether you want to give a funny birthday card, a housewarming plant, a self-care package or something truly extravagant. Less time spent shopping means more time for the best things to do in Chicago!

Cheering on our local sports teams in the stands is one of the best things to do in Chicago any time of year—especially during soccer season. Chicago's two professional soccer teams, the Chicago Fire FC and the Chicago Red Stars, field international stars on their respective rosters and have wildly passionate supporters. When the teams are on the road or you can't make it over to Soldier Field or SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, don't worry—just pull up a stool, order a pint and make a friend at one of the city's best sports bars or outdoor patios for soccer matches. (And if anyone makes you try to explain the offside rule, just say, "You first.") RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best bars in Chicago

Some of the world's most famous collections and exhibits can be found in Chicago. Want to see premier pieces from famous artists? Book your tickets for the Art Institute or Museum of Contemporary Art. Obsessed with the deep unknown of the sea or space? Take a trip to the Shedd Aquarium or Adler Planetarium. Whether you enjoy art, science, history or architecture, the city’s many museums are some of the top Chicago attractions and provide a great way to spend an afternoon. If you plan ahead, you can also take advantage of the many free museum days throughout the year, too. So spend a day exploring the best museums in Chicago.  RECOMMENDED: Discover the best children's museums in Chicago

Chicago is full of festivals, attractions and top-notch restaurants to keep you occupied, but sometimes we all need a little escape. However, figuring out driving and lodging can often prevent that group trip from making it out of the group chat. Fortunately, a day-trip reprieve from the bustle of the city is just a short train ride away. Whether you live a car-free life or simply hate traffic, good news: Chicagoland’s Metra rail system isn’t just for suburban commuters. Shake up your routine with an adventure outside city limits, from exploring art sculpture gardens to playing games at the largest arcade in the country. So when you've had your fill of fun in Chicago, head to the nearest Metra station for an exciting suburban excursion. RECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips you can take from Chicago

Chicago might be the Second City, but our attractions are first class. Need evidence of that fact? Look no further than the many Chicago museums, where you'll find everything from the best-preserved T. rex skeleton ever found to paintings from Van Gogh and Picasso. Or take a stroll through our gorgeous parks and gardens, home to some of the best public art in Chicago (say hello to "The Bean"). You can also laugh it up at a comedy club, see a show at a jazz club once frequented by Al Capone or have a Michelin-starred meal at one of the best Chicago restaurants ... the list goes on. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a lifelong Chicagoan looking to see a little more of their home city, we’ve curated a list of the very best attractions Chicago has to offer, just for you. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago right nowRECOMMENDED: The best cheap things to do in ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best hotels in ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best boutique hotels in Chicago This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Whether it's a rooftop in the West Loop or a Little Village speakeasy, there's a Chicago cocktail bar for every occasion and taste. Staffed by some of the world's top bartenders, the best local cocktail bars mix drinks that you can enjoy for an upscale happy hour or a memorable date night. From the classic Manhattan and Negroni to over-the-top, tropical-inspired sippers with colorful bendy straws, there's nothing you won't find at the following spots. So when you're looking for something a bit stronger than what's on offer at Chicago breweries and wine bars, make your way to the best cocktail bars in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best bars in Chicago

Sure, going to one of the best bars in Chicago is always fun, but there's something exhilarating about having a drink outdoors. And after making it through another winter in the city, we rightly deserve to order a few cold ones while basking in the sun. If you're looking for a Saturday rager or calm post-work happy hour, these excellent wine programs or beer gardens have everything you might be looking for. We've tracked down waterfront patios, hidden gardens and rooftop bars where you can mix a little bit of alcohol with a lot of fresh air. Make a reservation (if necessary), pack some sunscreen, hit up the group chat and prepare to spend an afternoon at one of the best outdoor bars in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor restaurants in Chicago

Even if you're a Chicagoan through and thorugh, there's something special about taking in the city's architecture on foot or from the water with the help of an expert. From glass and steel castles to ornate Art Deco buildings along the river to street art and cultural landmarks in various neighborhoods, there's a reason these tours are among the best attractions in Chicago. Nerd out over the design, city planning and construction behind the most beautiful buildings in Chicago on guided walks, bus rides and boat tours. First-time visitors will be happy to know that these architecture tours offer the most stunning views of the skyline—you might even be able to snap a few Instagram photos along the way. Here are a few of our favorite tours that are equally engaging for tourists and Chicago lifers alike.  RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best Chicago tours

Chicago is one of the best cities for hyperlocal and creative craft beers with more than 160 breweries (and counting) in the city and surrounding suburbs. You'll find craft brews on tap at some of our favorite dive bars in Chicago, but if you want to taste the freshest suds in town, you need to head to Chicago breweries and taprooms. Among some of the best bars in Chicago, these brewery-owned facilities boast everything from bare-bones tasting rooms to cozy brewpubs that serve delicious food, plus, some picturesque beer gardens. Breweries without in-house kitchens are usually more than encouraging to order in some grub from the best restaurants in Chicago. Not sure where to drink your next hazy IPA, barrel-aged stout or fruited sour? Snag a glass (or sample a flight) at these Chicago breweries and taprooms. RECOMMENDED: Check out more of the best bars in Chicago

There are few better ways to beat the heat in Chicago than by hitting one of the many sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. From the North Shore to the South Shore, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a chill day of sunbathing, want to take in the skyline from a kayak or paddleboard, or love to get competitive with a game of volleyball. Make the most of summer in Chicago by packing a towel, snacks and some sunscreen and heading out early to secure a spot. If you’re really looking for vacation vibes, you can visit a waterfront restaurant serving drinks and hosting live music. Just be sure to check the water conditions before you go and consider visiting a public swimming pool if the lake is off limits. Note: Chicago's summer beach season runs through Labor Day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in ChicagoThe most romantic places to stay in Chicago

Step up your sightseeing game by taking things further than street-level with these top boat tours in Chicago. Swap a walk along Michigan Avenue and State Street with a relaxed ride across the water, where there's no chance of taking a wrong turn. Both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan offer unparalleled vantage points for taking in the city’s world-famous architecture and the breathtaking Chicago skyline. From architecture tours and history lessons to straight-up sightseeing affairs, romantic sunset excursions and pirate-themed family fun, there's a Chicago cruise for every groove.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 Find more to explore with the best things to do in Chicago🏨 Plan your trip with the best hotels in Chicago 🍹 See more views from the best rooftop bars in Chicago How do we determine the cream of the crop? Our staff picks combine the top, most recent reviews with some of our personal favorites to make sure you get the best deal on the web. Throughout this article, you may notice some affiliate links – these have no influence on our editorial content – we pinky swear. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Welcome to Chicago! We’re glad you’re here (or considering a trip, at least). Whether you’re visiting on business or pleasure, we know it can be daunting to travel to a new city for the first time. There are logistical hurdles: figuring out the public transportation options, navigating the grid system, knowing the best neighborhoods to stay in. And then there are the cultural questions: When is the best time to visit? What should you do with your time? Where should you go? Is deep dish truly all it's cracked up to be? Is Malört that bad or are locals just dramatic? We’ve drawn from our experience as Chicagoans, and polled our own visiting friends, to come up with a list of what you should know as a new arrival. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago

If dozens of vendors aren't enough of a draw for you to come to the lively Sunday market at this West Town neighborhood’s namesake park, maybe the weekly complimentary market programming—which includes free yoga, meditation and storytime for kids—will be. The market is also committed to sustainability, with plastic-free vendors and composting.

If you’ve been to any karaoke night at a bar, you know the routine. Flip through the song selection until you’ve found a crowd pleaser—not too long and no big instrumental breaks; you’re confident you know the lyrics. You hand your slip of paper to the DJ and wait for your moment to shine, and bring the house down with your best Freddie Mercury falsetto. Now, imagine that same experience—except you’re doing it in front of a crowd of 5,000 people.  That’s the unholy musical monster the teams behind some of Chicago’s most popular karaoke nights will unleash on Thursday, August 8 when they host The World’s Largest Karaoke at the Salt Shed. At this free event, hosted in collaboration with the Empty Bottle, guests can sign up to be randomly selected to showcase their karaoke chops in front of thousands. “When I did the walkthrough at Salt Shed, I assumed it was big but when I got on stage, I was like, ‘Someone is going to puke if this entire stage is full of people,’” says Ryan Murphy, who co-hosts the regular karaoke nights at Café Mustache. “It’s gonna be wild.” Matt Ciarleglio, managing partner at the Empty Bottle and organizer of World’s Largest Karaoke, wanted to collaborate with Salt Shed on a free event to bring people together that would be “weird and different.”  “There's been a resurgence around the city of these dive bars and cool nooks where you can walk into a random bar and there’s this wild karaoke party happening,” he says. “This is also to shine a light on those s

Last year, amid a rash of drag bans and anti-trans bills across the country, Chicago drag queen Lucy Stoole brought together dozens of drag performers, DJs and local creatives for Chicago Loves Drag, a celebration raising funds for organizations supporting drag performers and trans community members in Chicago, Tennessee and beyond.   This year for Pride Month, Stoole is taking this effort a step further, across the ocean. On Friday, June 21, she’s hosting Chicago Drag Loves the World at Metro Chicago, an evening of performances raising money to support communities impacted by war, displacement, famine and genocide in Gaza, Congo and Sudan.  “I’m looking forward to the fact that everyone is bringing all of these causes together in one place,” says Kal Jazeera, a Chicago-based queer Palestinian creative who is speaking at the fundraiser. “I haven’t seen that as much so far. I’m looking forward to having a place to put what the spirit of Pride is to me into action. We’re trying to do something meaningful with our time and energy at this moment instead of watching Jojo Siwa perform.” 100% of the proceeds from Chicago Drag Loves the World will be split between four aid organizations: the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), the Sudanese Red Crescent and Congo Children Trust.  For Stoole, the phrase “Pride is a protest” is more than a bumper sticker slogan—it’s a reminder to use her platform to advocate for

As a child growing up in the Ohio Valley, Jaq Seifert would find fossils in their backyard. When the school science fair came around, they worked tirelessly on their entry—a study of local fossils.  They won their school’s science fair, then the district-wide science fair. Then at the state level, the unthinkable happened—they lost to a baking soda volcano.  “I lost to something you could find at a game store,” they said. Inspired by the curiosity and nostalgia of the school science fair, Seifert, now an event producer, is bringing back that experience for grown-ups. The Windy City Science Fair brings together enterprising would-be scientists to showcase their experiments and engineering projects at Color Club in Irving Park on Saturday, May 4.  For Seifert, Chicago is the perfect place to launch an adult science fair, citing the vast array of museums, nature parks, zoos and botanical gardens.  “We had a World’s Fair Expo all about science and engineering,” they said. “We just need people who remind them, ‘Oh I can do this. I don’t have to just watch a documentary; I can actually do an experiment.’” For the collaboration, Seifert brought in Dr. Mika Tosca, a Chicago-based climate scientist and founder of The Solarpunk Project, to assist with organizing, promoting and mentoring the competing would-be scientists. Other partners include The Chicago Council of Science and Technology, The Insect Asylum, The Illinois Science Council, The National Society of Black Engineers - Chicag

In the fall of 2023, Zoe Schor and Whitney LaMora went on their honeymoon to Europe, taking in the hospitality culture wherever they went, from the lively pubs of London to the picturesque Parisian brasseries.  “I was struck by and obsessed with the super dense florals,” LaMora says. “It's not reinventing the wheel of what can be an impactful design choice. Here's this overgrown beauty, something that's really striking from afar. I just want to be at a table under those flowers, and it was very inspiring.” Now, the couple, who co-own lesbian cocktail bar Dorothy, have announced a new venture—one that could have a place in many queer Chicago love stories to come.  In November, pivoting from the impending closure of Schor’s Humboldt Park restaurant, Split-Rail, and The Martin, the adjoining gallery space founded by LaMora, the duo launched a hospitality collective, Drinking Policy. Now, they’re seeking to raise $75,000 this month to open Chicago’s first and only queer-focused wedding and event venue.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villanelle (@villanellechicago) The name they chose? Villanelle, a nod to the inspiration from their honeymoon in France, the name of a beautiful and distinctive form of poetry, and, as an added bonus, the name of one of the most popular queer women television characters of the past decade, the assassin played by Jodie Comer in Killing Eve (LaMora says she and Schor are fans of the show).  LaMora says it feels

Since August 2022, more than 19,000 migrants, primarily from Venezuela, have been bussed into Chicago from southern states. As newcomers face their first harsh Chicago winter, chefs and hospitality industry workers are finding ways to support them. “As someone who lives and works in the city and as someone who is Hispanic, I know there’s a lot of people who have been going through hard times since Covid,” says Rodolfo Cuadros, the chef behind Wicker Park pan-Latin restaurant Amaru and new plant-based taquería Don Bucio’s. “Anything we can do to give back, it helps.” As an independent restaurant owner, Cuadros says he doesn’t have plenty of cash at his disposal, but he can donate time to his community. Last month, he joined Felipe Ospina of Sysco and other local hospitality leaders in cooking and serving food at a winter gear distribution event, the culmination of a month-long winter clothing drive which Ospina helped organize and many local restaurants, including Big Kids, Prairie Grass Cafe and BLVD Steakhouse, served as donation hubs. Chicago Chefs Cook, a new non-profit “unifying Chicago’s chef community to provide humanitarian relief to those in need,” partnered with Ospina, Chicago Public Schools, Pilsen Food Pantry and mutual aid group Todo Para Todos on the coat drive. Now, on November 9th, CCC is partnering with hosts Pendry Chicago for ChefsGiving, a fundraising dinner supporting the Pilsen Food Pantry’s New Migrant Program.  “It’s amplifying the Chicago chef voice t

Many people who call Chicago home have a story like this one. We’re out of town visiting relatives or attending a work conference, and we mention we live in Chicago. Then begins the flurry of pearl-clutching from out of towners. “It’s so dangerous!” “Do you feel safe?” “Cable news told me Chicago is a lawless hellscape!”  Like every major city, Chicago has problems, including gun violence, and the conversations on how to address them deserve to be had with those most impacted taking the lead. But many locals are growing weary with cable news grifters and armchair pundits stoking fear about our city from and for an out-of-town perspective. And that frustration has led to memes, merchandise and a rallying cry—STFU About Chicago. Back in May of this year, amid another rash of Chicago being cable news’ favorite municipal punching bag, local Matt Lindner sparked up an idea on X (formerly Twitter): “Here is a free business idea that will make a billion dollars. A line of ‘Shut the Fuck Up About Chicago’ shirts.”  Among those who saw the tweet was Anthony Hall, designer, illustrator and founder of local apparel and graphic design company Harebrained. Hall felt inspired to create the first two STFU About Chicago designs, a play on the iconic Wrigley Field marquee and an old-school White Sox logo. From there, the designs took off “like immediately,” he said. And the designs have kept coming, with the collection including mashups of every CTA line and local pro sports team; beloved ins

Chicago’s queer nightlife scene is creative, community-driven and pure fun, and nowhere is that more evident than in the scores of new venues (Nobody’s Darling! Whiskey Girl! Dorothy!) and events that have popped up in the past several years. Across the city, you can find new drag shows at dim sum restaurants, day parties at the Promontory, open mic nights where poets and musicians spill their guts and much more. And, of course, stalwart parties like Slo ‘Mo and smallWORLD Collective’s ENERGY are still going strong.  Here’s just a sampling of the many new LGBTQ+ events that have popped up over the past year and change. From open mics at tea houses to tea dance day parties, from sweaty club beats to sweating from a good long walk, there’s something in here for everyone. Photograph: Anneasha Hogan Boots Two fixtures of Chicago’s queer entertainment scene—drag performer and curator Abhijeet (Chicago Is A Drag, Dim Sum & Drag) and DJ Kirk (Scarlet, Berlin)—joined forces last year to create one hell of a party, Boots, which is held in rotating locations and promises three very important things: “Dim Lights. Hard Music. Hot Hosts.” If you want to dance your heart out until the wee hours and stumble home sweaty and exhausted in the best way, this is the party for you.  Dates and locations vary, 10pm-3am, visit boots.party for details and tickets. Proof of vaccination and masks are required for entry.  Photograph: Courtesy of City Gays Walk Chicago City Gays Walk Chicago It’s exa

A goofy game show where lucky singles can win a date at a favorite local venue. An evening at a bar where your bestie can hype you up to potential matches with a glowing slide-deck presentation. An opening meditation and affirmations session followed by rounds of deep-diving questions ranging from the silly to the weighty.  In the wake of the loneliness of pandemic isolation and an ever-increasing reliance on dating apps, event organizers in Chicago are creating new evolutions of the classic speed dating event to foster authentic IRL human connections, both platonic and romantic.  The importance of making spaces for genuine connection hits home for Candis Oakley, who lost her aunt to suicide. “She is the biggest reason why I am passionate about bringing people together and why I believe community care is extremely important,” she says. That ethos led Oakley, a yoga instructor, business owner and marketer, to launch Very Human Social, a “mission driven social club” that produces workshops and events focused on authentic human connection and growth. As a yoga instructor, Oakley says there were always elements of growth and community-building in her class, and the aspect that brought her the most joy was seeing people ask questions and build relationships outside the studio.  Oakley is encouraging those genuine connections through one of Very Human Social’s signature events, Friend Request. A typical Friend Request evening starts with introductions, followed by time to “get into

Waiting until the last possible minute to make your Halloween weekend plans? Still cobbling together a costume from the depths of your closet? Lucky for you, there are plenty of spooky, festive spots in Chicago to eat, drink and be scary, from movie and TV-inspired pop-ups with creative cocktails to karaoke costume contests to a restaurant dressing up as an iconic chain breakfast spot. Take a look through our roundup and prepare for a hauntingly good time this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best Halloween events and costume parties in Chicago Photograph: Courtesy of Black Lagoon 1. The Dandy Crown Erin Hayes (formerly of the dearly departed Lost Lake) and Kelsey Ramage bring their immersive pop-up homage to all things horror, The Black Lagoon, to River West cocktail bar The Dandy Crown through October 31. Enjoy macabre bites like the “Sacrificial Lamb” (a lamb tartare with a vividly bloody beet mayo) alongside spooky sippers like the Closed Casket (Bruichladdich Classic, miso falernum, passionfruit syrup) and the smoky mezcal Blood Rage, all served in seasonally fitting glassware. Explore the spooky decorations inside or fight the chill by getting cozy by the fire pit. Reserve on Tock. Photograph: Courtesy of Ina Mae Tavern 2. Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods Celebrate Halloween New Orleans style as Ina Mae transforms into the Voodoo Lounge through October 31. The whole week of Halloween is packed with events, including a Friday happy hour with a Jazz Funeral presented by Four

Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy-inspired TTRPGs (tabletop roleplaying games) are enjoying a burst of popularity that’s represented in everything from online streaming series to appearances on Stranger Things. Now, a new interactive show coming to Chicago is giving seasoned tabletop players—and curious newcomers—an opportunity to step outside theatre of the mind and explore this fantasy world in, well, a literal theater. The Twenty-Sided Tavern, which begins its residency at the Broadway Playhouse on October 27, is an immersive theatrical experience inspired by games that “might involve dungeons and might involve dragons.” Part comedy show, part interactive game created by experienced game designers, the show utilizes collaboration between cast, crew and audience to tell an ever-changing story.  The audience is a “fourth player” at The Twenty-Sided Tavern, collaborating directly with the actors and the Game Master. In addition to the more traditional improv show audience engagement, The Twenty-Sided Tavern uses Gamiotics, a browser-based software that guests use to vote to make decisions on where the story will go—what characters appear, what rooms they explore. The result is an experience that balances giving the audience agency while letting guests choose their level of involvement—and a different show every night.  Photograph: Kelly Tunney “We find that a lot of people, when they hear ‘interactive,’ they think, ‘Oh, I don’t want to get pulled up onstage, so I’m not g

In the summer in Chicago, you can find festivals celebrating just about everything, including the best of the city’s food, music, craft beer and culture. So it was only a matter of time before Chicago debuted a festival showcasing one of its best cultural assets—its rich, diverse and exciting drag scene.  On June 24, the Cheetah Gym lot in Andersonville will play home to the third edition of Chicago is a Drag, the Midwest’s first drag fest. The festival is organized by A Queer Pride, the queer event collective of local performers Abhijeet, Bambi Banks-Couleé, JForPay and Kitty Banks.  The original event, held in 2019, emerged out of programming for another popular Pride event in Andersonville, Backlot Bash. When asked to program the Friday of the festival, the idea for an all-drag event was born.  “There was nothing in Chicago that highlighted the drag artists of Chicago by themselves, as themselves,” Abhijeet says. The celebration coincided with a host of 50th anniversaries: the Stonewall uprising, considered the start of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S.; the first Chicago Pride event and the 50th anniversary of Chicago’s storied drag club, the Baton Show Lounge. That first event featured a stacked lineup, with local drag scene stalwarts like Lucy Stoole, Aunty Chan and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna DiDa Ritz serving as emcees, 50 performers and special guests (including hosts Tiffany “New York” Pollard and TS Madison), along with actress Candis Cayne and Drag Race

We talk a lot about new cocktail bars and breweries popping up in Chicago, but what if you're more of a coffee person? Over the past few months, Chicago’s already-thriving coffee scene has opened up a host of new and innovative coffee shops that offer more than just, say, a quality latte or killer cold brew. From authentic Vietnamese iced coffee in the West Loop to a horror geek's paradise in Logan Square to community-building in Roseland, put these new coffee shops and pop-ups in your rotation this summer.  Photograph: Lauren Reese Anticonquista Café: Cultivation to cup in Logan Square The concept: As Chicago’s first family farm-owned and operated coffee roaster, the Anticonquista Café team seeks to close the gap between coffee farmers in Central America and U.S. consumers, putting coffee production back in the hands of small working farmers. Elmer Fajardo has been working with coffee since he was seven years old, helping his father on the family coffee farm in southeastern Guatemala and learning every step of the process, from growing to harvesting to pulping. In fall 2020, alongside his wife and business partner, Lauren Reese, Fajardo began bringing coffee from his family’s farms in Guatemala and Honduras to the people at farmers markets via Anticonquista Café’s coffee bike.  “I don't just want to end our business with our family,” Fajardo says. “I really want to help campesinos in my town and for them to get better pay for their products. When people buy and support our