Activities in Illinois

What could be better than spending a Friday evening exploring the eclectic galleries of the Chicago Art District? How about socializing with the artis

The non-academic sister store to the Seminary Co-op, 57th Street Books is located underground in an unassuming red-brick building in Hyde Park. Inside

Kids visit Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic for dress-up and period-reminiscent play.

Located in a very popular shopping area along North Michigan Avenue, Alternatives not only stays ahead of current trends, but has been know to inspire

Style-savvy men frequent this Bucktown clothing boutique to find the latest fashions from both established and emerging designers. Owned by sisters Am

Housed in the 1904 Santa Fe Building designed by Daniel Burnham, the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s ArchiCenter features temporary exhibits as well

In operation since 1916, the Arts Club of Chicago hosts three public art exhibits each year in its gallery space on East Ontario Street. The building,

Even celebrities like Julia Roberts and Naomi Watts have relied on this boutique for stylish, non-frumpy maternity clothes. Located in Wicker Park, th

Whether you’re hoping to master complicated dance floor dips or simply tame your two left feet, Big City Swing has you covered with well-priced dance

Eleven months out of the year, this unassuming River North storefront goes unadorned, with no signage, no merchandise displays and a hard-to-find entr

Quality over quantity is the rule of thumb at this small, independently owned bookstore in Lincoln Square. Behind a glass storefront brightened by flo

The younger, trendier sister store to Crate & Barrel, CB2 was founded in Old Town in 2000 and is now an ever-growing American and Canadian chain. Behi

Take in America’s second-longest waterway on a deluxe 800-passenger riverboat—short and full-day excursions are narrated, and dinner cruises are avail

Since 1971, the Chicago Architecture Foundation has been offering walking tours of the downtown Loop area. Since then, it’s also added myriad other op

Located in the Loop, the Chicago Cultural Center is known for both its impressive architecture and its free programming, which includes more than 1,00

The Great Chicago Fire, street food, architecture, dance, Millennium Park, Greektown, baseball, Lincoln Zoo - whatever Chi-Town topic you’d love to le

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 sight

Why It’s Cool: Beneath the Gothic Chicago Tribune Tower, Art Deco NBC Tower, and bling Trump Tower, a garden of hot-pink and purple flowers attracts m

Whether you’re a connoisseur of vintages or a new apprentice in the field of oenology, you can easily expand your knowledge with the help of the Chica

Ideal for foodies and chefs of all skill levels, the Chopping Block is both a retail store and the city’s largest recreational cooking school. At the

In a neighborhood full of high-end retail, this women’s clothing boutique sets itself apart with an inventory of relatively affordable styles from bot

Ideal for shoppers seeking reasonably priced wardrobe basics, this small clothing boutique sells what owner Sandy Horwitz calls "every day wear for th

It’s not the drinks that are the star at this rooftop. Nor is it the view (though the 29th-floor spot overlooks the Hancock Building and the Sears Tow

Ideal for partiers who enjoy the laid-back dive bar attitude but not the traditionally grungy digs, this Rush Street nightspot combines an easygoing v

Located in the Loop beside the 1926 Cadillac Palace Theatre, Encore Liquid Lounge is a casual lunch club by day and a cocktail bar by night, offering