Ben's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
West Town
Ukrainian Village
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveFood scene
Dark Matter Coffee - The Mothership
738 N Western AveStar Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveKAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago AveOne of the top sushi restaurants in Chicago just a short walk away
The Beetle Bar and Grill
2532 West Chicago AvenueCasual sports bar with trivia and pool tables
Split-Rail
2500 W Chicago AveAmerican food, chicken and craft cocktails
Cafe Ballou
939 N Western AveBreakfast burritos, coffee and lattes
BoeufHaus
1012 N Western AveSteak house, they also have a great beef sandwich lunch special
BYOB (bring your own beverage/booze) for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
128 abantu bendawo batusa
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western AveBYOB (bring your own beverage/booze) for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division StBrewpup and sports bar
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StPizza and brunch
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StCasual BBQ with live music
Fatso's Last Stand
2258 W Chicago AveLate night food or a spot for a Chicago style hot dog
Beatnik
1604 W Chicago AveFancy Brunch and cocktails
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveDeep dish pizza
Happy Camper Pizzeria
1209 N Wells StCasual and creative pizza
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StHot dogs and Italian beefs
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StDeep dish pizza with butter crust
Marge's Still
1758 N Sedgwick StOldest pub in Chicago
Tapas brunch, lunch and dinner, with sangria and a Bloody Mary bar
152 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StTapas brunch, lunch and dinner, with sangria and a Bloody Mary bar
Gino's East
162 E Superior StDeep dish pizza
Triple Crown Restaurant
2217 S Wentworth AveDim sum in China town
Punch Bowl Social Chicago
310 N Green StGood and lots of games
Thai Lagoon
2322 W North AveBig Star
1531 N Damen AveMexican street food with large outside patio
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveDessert restaurant
Sightseeing
Boathouse Cafe
North Humboldt DriveCafe on the Humboldt park pond
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StIconic baseball home of the Chicago Cubs
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFree for all. Great walking and sights of the skyline
North Avenue Beach
During the summer, very active beachside
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan Ave360 observation deck
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrRiverside walk downtown
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StIce skating in the winter, playground, rock climbing wall
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrUmgangatho wezulu
201 E Randolph St“The Bean”
I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveShedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrI-Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrAdler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrIsifunda seSoldier
1410 Special Olympics DrHome of the Chicago Bears football team
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Bus and Train
You can purchase a CTA pass at the airport or also at nearby stores. There is a CVS store on Chicago Ave just a short walk away. You can get a day pass or load an amount of money on the card. This card can be used for both the bus and train ‘L’