Food scene
Nonno Pino's
6718 N Northwest HwyGreat Italian family owned restaurant. 10 min drive.
The Blossom Cafe
8349 W Lawrence AveOpen late Family owned high quality. 10 min drive.
Gale Street Inn Chicago
4914 N Milwaukee AveThe best ribs, call for a reservation. 10 min drive
Earl's BBQ
4835 North Austin AvenueOrder from Door Dash more of a carry out place. Try the brisket
Iconic Chicago Drive in Hot dog place 5min drive across the street from the forest preserve with walking/biking trails
26 locals recommend
Superdawg Drive-In
333 S Milwaukee AveIconic Chicago Drive in Hot dog place 5min drive across the street from the forest preserve with walking/biking trails
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
7110 Lincoln Ave20 Min Drive make reservations or order on Door Dash
Central Gyros
3127 N Central AveGreek Food a step up from fast food Gyros.
Wholly Frijoles
3908 W Touhy AveFamily owned order on door dash or make a reservation. 15 min drive.
Open Late order on Door Dash dine in or drive through. Known for their chopped salad and Italian Beef
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StOpen Late order on Door Dash dine in or drive through. Known for their chopped salad and Italian Beef
Fogo De Chȧo Brazilian Steakhouse
5460 Park PlThe Capital Grille
There’s also a pick up only Lou’s on Gunnison Ave. 5 min from the house. Try the Lou make sure you get butter crust pan pizza.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
There’s also a pick up only Lou’s on Gunnison Ave. 5 min from the house. Try the Lou make sure you get butter crust pan pizza.
Iconic Chicago style. There’s one on Northwest Highway that just opened 10 min from the house.
Giordano's
Iconic Chicago style. There’s one on Northwest Highway that just opened 10 min from the house.
China Town Dim Sum. Call for times it’s available. The food is good all day but Dim Sum is served early and you don’t want to miss it.
34 locals recommend
MingHin Cuisine
2168 S Archer AveChina Town Dim Sum. Call for times it’s available. The food is good all day but Dim Sum is served early and you don’t want to miss it.
Neighborhoods
Lots of nice restaurants on NorthWest Hwy in Edgebrook only 5-10 min away. Check out Nonno Pinos Italian or get deep dish pizza at Giordanos.
Edgebrook
Lots of nice restaurants on NorthWest Hwy in Edgebrook only 5-10 min away. Check out Nonno Pinos Italian or get deep dish pizza at Giordanos.
Norwood Park has a small park a couple blocks away. It has basketball courts , baseball fields, Hockey and a dog park. Theres a public pool but call to see if it will be open.
Norwood Park
Norwood Park has a small park a couple blocks away. It has basketball courts , baseball fields, Hockey and a dog park. Theres a public pool but call to see if it will be open.
Tons of bars and sports memorabilia shops line the street around the field. If you can’t get tickets to the game it’s the place to be.
Wrigleyville
Tons of bars and sports memorabilia shops line the street around the field. If you can’t get tickets to the game it’s the place to be.
I love the small shops especially the ones with herbal tea and medicinal herbs. There is street parking. You can take the train but not easily and the surrounding neighbourhoods require caution.
217 locals recommend
Chinatown
I love the small shops especially the ones with herbal tea and medicinal herbs. There is street parking. You can take the train but not easily and the surrounding neighbourhoods require caution.
Sightseeing
Take the Blue line train at Harlem and Higgins into the city and check out the Art Institute
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveTake the Blue line train at Harlem and Higgins into the city and check out the Art Institute
Take the Blue Line downtown there won't be any parking unless you park at millennium park and walk.
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Take the Blue Line downtown there won't be any parking unless you park at millennium park and walk.
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StSee the Bean or catch a concert. Take the blue line or UBER
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrShedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrAdler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrFun things to do
Zanies Comedy Club
5437 Park PlThe one in Rosemont is closest.
Rosemont Theatre
5400 N River RdRivers Casino
3000 S River RdDonald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N River RdAllstate Arena
6920 Mannheim RdFashion Outlets of Chicago
5220 Fashion Outlets WayYou can take the train into a relatively safe walkable neighbourhood or UBER here. Buy your tickets in advance or look for overpriced scalpers on the street. Beware of fake tickets!!!! If you can’t get tickets watch the game at a local bar across the street with other cubs fans. Go Cubs!!!
1004 locals recommend
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StYou can take the train into a relatively safe walkable neighbourhood or UBER here. Buy your tickets in advance or look for overpriced scalpers on the street. Beware of fake tickets!!!! If you can’t get tickets watch the game at a local bar across the street with other cubs fans. Go Cubs!!!
On the south side not particularly close. You need a car for this trip or expect to be on the train a very long time. Cubs park is closer but tickets to Sox park tend to be cheaper.
120 locals recommend
Guaranteed Rate Field
333 W 35th StOn the south side not particularly close. You need a car for this trip or expect to be on the train a very long time. Cubs park is closer but tickets to Sox park tend to be cheaper.
Soldier Field
1410 Special Olympics DrLoyola Beach
Quieter Chicago beach. With easy parking.
One of the most popular beaches in Chicago. Parking is tight. The beach is packed but it’s a great time and a good spot for the air and water show if you get there early and save a spot.
338 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Chicago. Parking is tight. The beach is packed but it’s a great time and a good spot for the air and water show if you get there early and save a spot.
Free zoo in Chicago right on the lakefront. Worth the trip to beautiful safe Lincoln Park. Parking is available but tight. The train would have to be combined with an Uber or bus.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFree zoo in Chicago right on the lakefront. Worth the trip to beautiful safe Lincoln Park. Parking is available but tight. The train would have to be combined with an Uber or bus.
Groceries Near by
Small European deli. Pre made meals at the deli. Only has the absolute basics but it’s walking distance from the house. Foster Ave 1 block East. Closes early
Kordian's Market
Small European deli. Pre made meals at the deli. Only has the absolute basics but it’s walking distance from the house. Foster Ave 1 block East. Closes early
Jewel-Osco
Located at Harlem and Foster 10 min away the largest close grocery store.
CVS
2 city blocks from the house. Liquor store across the street in the mini mall.
Shopping
Harlem Irving Plaza
4104 N Harlem Ave15 min away. Target, Best Buy and other big box stores.
Traveler advice
Getting around
How to get downtown
It’s a 30 min L ride to get downtown. It’s worth it to take an Uber to Harlem and Higgins Ave It should only cost you $10-$15. Jump on the blue line and head towards Forest Park. A quick Internet search will tell you which stop is best for the attraction you wish to see. From the blue line you can get most places in the city by transferring to other trains. If you have a car consider The park and ride at the station . It is nice to go downtown by car but plan to do so when it’s not rush-hour. Rush-hour is Roughly 6:30-9:30 AM and 4-6:30 PM It’s 15-20 min without traffic at least 1 hr with.
Getting around
Airport Security at ORD
They say two hours minimum arrival to the airport When flying out of O’Hare airport. In my experience it’s taken anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours to get through security. There is no way of knowing a fast day from a slow day but holidays are always bad. Marijuana has become legal in Chicago, while I don’t allow any smoking of Any substances in the Airbnb if you choose to partake in some edibles save yourself the legal headaches and make sure you don’t attempt to bring them on the plane with you.
Traveling with kids
Give me a heads up
If you are traveling with children who are young give me a heads up. I will make sure to set up the pack and play and booster seat for them. I Welcome children but please remember the apartment is not childproof. Please limit excessive running as it will disturb “Howie” the parrot and make him very loud as he protests the noise.
Getting around
Avoid city buses for long distances.
They take forever!!!! Feel free to take one for a mile or 2 but anything more and forget it. They stop too frequently and are not worth it. Grab an UBER for short distances instead.
Customs and culture
Tipping
Tipping servers in U.S restaurants is a must. In Europe this is not something that’s customary but here the servers require a 15-25% tip based on service. If you don’t tip them they don’t get paid. Restaurants typically only pay $3-5 dollars an hour to workers.
Book before you go
Professional Sporting Events
Beware of fake tickets sold on the street. Most venues in Chicago sell out. Especially the Cubs.
What to pack
Don’t forget a jacket.
It’s the “Windy City” it’s chilly at night downtown!