Guidebook for Chicago
Shopping
All your drugstore needs (with pharmacy) are located just five blocks away.
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Walgreens
1931 W Cermak RdAll your drugstore needs (with pharmacy) are located just five blocks away.
Family Thrift Store
2527 W Cermak RdDecent selection of used clothes, reasonably priced.
Chicago's best used bookstore is just a block away from the Damen stop on the Blue Line. Myopic features 18,000 books, plus music and poetry performances, chess matches, and a friendly house cat.
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Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveChicago's best used bookstore is just a block away from the Damen stop on the Blue Line. Myopic features 18,000 books, plus music and poetry performances, chess matches, and a friendly house cat.
Get your calling cards, international calling plans, and certified pre-owned phones here, just a block away.
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Boost Mobile
2357 W Cermak RdGet your calling cards, international calling plans, and certified pre-owned phones here, just a block away.
Just a mile south of us on Damen. If Theresa rings up your purchase, be sure to tell her that Shaun and Chris said hello!
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Target
4433 S Pulaski RdJust a mile south of us on Damen. If Theresa rings up your purchase, be sure to tell her that Shaun and Chris said hello!
Located downtown north of the State/Lake stop, with an amazing collection of jazz, plus blues, soul, and spoken word, on vinyl (including 78rpm), CD, DVD, and other mediums.
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Jazz Record Mart
27 E Illinois StLocated downtown north of the State/Lake stop, with an amazing collection of jazz, plus blues, soul, and spoken word, on vinyl (including 78rpm), CD, DVD, and other mediums.
Chicago's best store for music, bar none. Their selection is incredible. Even the bargain bins of CDs and vinyl have plenty of quality selections! Great vibe and music, with skilled and helpful staff.
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Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveChicago's best store for music, bar none. Their selection is incredible. Even the bargain bins of CDs and vinyl have plenty of quality selections! Great vibe and music, with skilled and helpful staff.
Seven stories worth of downtown shopping, along with a food court? A good start for your trip down Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," a must-see for shoppers and visitors during the holiday season.
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Water Tower Place
835 Michigan AveSeven stories worth of downtown shopping, along with a food court? A good start for your trip down Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," a must-see for shoppers and visitors during the holiday season.
Everything Else
This laundromat is in the plaza just across Western Avenue, and there are always machines available.
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Funwash Laundromat
This laundromat is in the plaza just across Western Avenue, and there are always machines available.
Bank of America Financial Center
1439 E 53rd StThe closest ATM is here.
It's fun to stay there! Group and personal fitness activities, in a nice facility just a few blocks away. Check their website for a free 1st time guest pass, and for information on monthly rates.
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Rauner Family YMCA
2700 S Western AveIt's fun to stay there! Group and personal fitness activities, in a nice facility just a few blocks away. Check their website for a free 1st time guest pass, and for information on monthly rates.
18 acres of greenery in the heart of Pilsen, with basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. The indoor facility features a gym, swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a computer lab.
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Harrison Park
1824 S Wood St18 acres of greenery in the heart of Pilsen, with basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. The indoor facility features a gym, swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a computer lab.
This library is so big, they named an el platform after it! Eight stories worth of books, electronic media, and events are just a few Pink Line stops away.
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Harold Washington Library Center
400 S State StThis library is so big, they named an el platform after it! Eight stories worth of books, electronic media, and events are just a few Pink Line stops away.
Got a big day planned in the city, and need to get your hair done? Oakley Hair Salon will have you styling at a reasonable price! Only three blocks away, walk-ins are welcome.
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Oakley Hair Salon
2253 W 24th StGot a big day planned in the city, and need to get your hair done? Oakley Hair Salon will have you styling at a reasonable price! Only three blocks away, walk-ins are welcome.
Books, CDs and DVD, magazines, and tons of other media are at our local Chicago Public Library, just a half hour walk away.
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Lozano Branch, Chicago Public Library
1805 S Loomis StBooks, CDs and DVD, magazines, and tons of other media are at our local Chicago Public Library, just a half hour walk away.
A bonus for medical students staying in Chicago, the Medical District is less than 2 miles away. From our place, get on the Pink Line from Western, go four stops toward downtown, and get off at Polk.
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Illinois Medical District
A bonus for medical students staying in Chicago, the Medical District is less than 2 miles away. From our place, get on the Pink Line from Western, go four stops toward downtown, and get off at Polk.
Food Scene
The best fast food (hamburgers, hot dogs, beef sandwiches) in the neighborhood, bar none!
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Donald's Famous Hot Dogs
2325 S Western AveThe best fast food (hamburgers, hot dogs, beef sandwiches) in the neighborhood, bar none!
El Nuevo Taconazo Restaurant
2350 W Cermak RdGreat variety of Mexican dishes, excellent service, only 1 block away!
Featured on WTTW's "Check, Please!", this Italian restaurant is a hidden gem. Delicious food (gnocchi, steak Bernardo, and cream of mushroom soup are stand-outs), personable service, great value!
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Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley AveFeatured on WTTW's "Check, Please!", this Italian restaurant is a hidden gem. Delicious food (gnocchi, steak Bernardo, and cream of mushroom soup are stand-outs), personable service, great value!
An all-American diner, and the place to go for breakfast! 2 bacon, 2 sausage,2 slices of ham, 2 pancakes, and hash browns for $6.99... now *that's* a special!
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T J's Restaurant
1928 West Cermak RoadAn all-American diner, and the place to go for breakfast! 2 bacon, 2 sausage,2 slices of ham, 2 pancakes, and hash browns for $6.99... now *that's* a special!
Best Asian food this side of Chinatown! Be sure to check out their specials, both lunch ($5.95) and dinner ($6.95), which include rice (white or shrimp fried), egg roll, and choice of soup or pop.
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Canton Star
2230 S Western AveBest Asian food this side of Chinatown! Be sure to check out their specials, both lunch ($5.95) and dinner ($6.95), which include rice (white or shrimp fried), egg roll, and choice of soup or pop.
Chicago's crown jewel of authentic central Mexican dishes is one block away. Bacon lovers will not want to miss out on the Alambres. Comfortable seating, mixed drinks, and a welcoming staff await you!
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Taqueria Tayahua
2411 S Western AveChicago's crown jewel of authentic central Mexican dishes is one block away. Bacon lovers will not want to miss out on the Alambres. Comfortable seating, mixed drinks, and a welcoming staff await you!
Located just off the HW Library Pink Line stop in downtown Chicago, Gino's east serves fine deep dish pizza, has an excellent beer selection, and also hosted Chris and Shaun's wedding reception :-)
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Gino’s East - South Loop
521 S Dearborn StLocated just off the HW Library Pink Line stop in downtown Chicago, Gino's east serves fine deep dish pizza, has an excellent beer selection, and also hosted Chris and Shaun's wedding reception :-)
A classic Italian deli/corner grocery in the Heart of Chicago features gnocchi, chicken focacchia, ravioli, mostaciolli, lasagna, and lunch specials that will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
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Miceli's Deli
2448 South Oakley AvenueA classic Italian deli/corner grocery in the Heart of Chicago features gnocchi, chicken focacchia, ravioli, mostaciolli, lasagna, and lunch specials that will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
Located three blocks east of the 18th Street Pink Line stop, Pilsen's premiere coffeeshop/art gallery features delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, and a full-service espresso bar.
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Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StLocated three blocks east of the 18th Street Pink Line stop, Pilsen's premiere coffeeshop/art gallery features delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, and a full-service espresso bar.
The Central Bakery serves an amazing array of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, and other Mexican sweets and treats at a very reasonable price.
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Central Bakery
2100 W Cermak RdThe Central Bakery serves an amazing array of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, and other Mexican sweets and treats at a very reasonable price.
Located near the center of Pilsen, they cook their BBQ right: over a wood-burning fire. Baby back ribs, pulled pork, and cornbread, candied bacon, along with drinks and live music every night!
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Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StLocated near the center of Pilsen, they cook their BBQ right: over a wood-burning fire. Baby back ribs, pulled pork, and cornbread, candied bacon, along with drinks and live music every night!
There are many excellent restaurants in Chicago's own Chinatown neighborhood, but none of them compare to Three Happiness, for delicious and very affordable Cantonese dining.
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Three Happiness Restaurant
209 W Cermak RdThere are many excellent restaurants in Chicago's own Chinatown neighborhood, but none of them compare to Three Happiness, for delicious and very affordable Cantonese dining.
Free wi-fi for dine-in, and dependable delivery! Get a large pizza with three ingredients for under $20. Ricobene's is renowned for their delicious fries and breaded steak sandwiches.
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Ricobene's
252 W 26th StFree wi-fi for dine-in, and dependable delivery! Get a large pizza with three ingredients for under $20. Ricobene's is renowned for their delicious fries and breaded steak sandwiches.
Essentials
Excellent prices on fresh produce! Walking distance = 15-20 minutes, or via Cermak bus (8-10 minutes).
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Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdExcellent prices on fresh produce! Walking distance = 15-20 minutes, or via Cermak bus (8-10 minutes).
Fairplay Foods
2200 S Western AveCheap groceries 1/2 block away, good for a quick snack run.
Good overall selection of groceries, including fresh produce, bakery, and deli.
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Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StGood overall selection of groceries, including fresh produce, bakery, and deli.
We recommend taking the 15-minute bus ride to Ukranian Village for their incredible selection of Eastern European and Mexican foods, produce, meats, and cheeses. Their tamales... muy delicioso!!
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Farmers Pride Produce
756 N Western AveWe recommend taking the 15-minute bus ride to Ukranian Village for their incredible selection of Eastern European and Mexican foods, produce, meats, and cheeses. Their tamales... muy delicioso!!
Sightseeing
Bicycles for rental... a great way to tour the neighborhood and the city!
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Divvy Station: Western Ave & 21st St
Bicycles for rental... a great way to tour the neighborhood and the city!
Over 24 acres of green sights and artistic wonders: Cloud Gate (or, "the bean"), Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Pritzker Pavilion bandshell. Go ice skating here in the winter, too!
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Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StOver 24 acres of green sights and artistic wonders: Cloud Gate (or, "the bean"), Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Pritzker Pavilion bandshell. Go ice skating here in the winter, too!
Featuring stained-glass domes built in 1897, with free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events, the CCC is a great place to begin your tour of Chicago.
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Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StFeaturing stained-glass domes built in 1897, with free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events, the CCC is a great place to begin your tour of Chicago.
Climb into a German WWII U-505 submarine. View a 3,500 sq.ft. model railroad. See the original Apollo 8 capsule. It's the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.. plan your day accordingly!
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Iziko Lomhlaba Wamaphupha Nokusebenza
5700 S Lake Shore DrClimb into a German WWII U-505 submarine. View a 3,500 sq.ft. model railroad. See the original Apollo 8 capsule. It's the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.. plan your day accordingly!
Eels, pirahnas, and sharks... oh my! Along with these scary delights, the Shedd Aquarium also features an otter habitat, a lifelike river/tide pool, and a century-old Australian lungfish.
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Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrEels, pirahnas, and sharks... oh my! Along with these scary delights, the Shedd Aquarium also features an otter habitat, a lifelike river/tide pool, and a century-old Australian lungfish.
Home to exhibitions, antique astronomical tools coupled with the ultra-modern Doane Observatory, and three giant theaters, the Adler Planetarium also boasts a stunning view of the Chicago skyline.
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Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrHome to exhibitions, antique astronomical tools coupled with the ultra-modern Doane Observatory, and three giant theaters, the Adler Planetarium also boasts a stunning view of the Chicago skyline.
Arts & Culture
The only museum in Chicago solely dedicated to Mexican art! There are many nice murals on the way to the museum, as well. Features works that are both historically descriptive and visually engaging.
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Iziko Lomuzi Wokubaluleka Womzantsi Afrika Womzantsi Afrika
1852 W 19th StThe only museum in Chicago solely dedicated to Mexican art! There are many nice murals on the way to the museum, as well. Features works that are both historically descriptive and visually engaging.
Originally established in 1892, Thalia Hall is a premiere Chicago musical venue that includes a beer-inspired restaurant, cocktail bar, and a public hall, remodeled with reverence to its origin.
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Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StOriginally established in 1892, Thalia Hall is a premiere Chicago musical venue that includes a beer-inspired restaurant, cocktail bar, and a public hall, remodeled with reverence to its origin.
The second-largest museum in the U.S. houses classic works by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Gaughin, Picasso, and van Gogh, along with photography, architecture, and design galleries.
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I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe second-largest museum in the U.S. houses classic works by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Gaughin, Picasso, and van Gogh, along with photography, architecture, and design galleries.
Home to thought-provoking art since 1945, the MCA has a 300-seat theater, a terraced sculpture garden, and exhibitions (including David Bowie Is, running through January 4).
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I-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveHome to thought-provoking art since 1945, the MCA has a 300-seat theater, a terraced sculpture garden, and exhibitions (including David Bowie Is, running through January 4).
Drinks & Nightlife
Just three blocks away, Martin's has a decent selection of brews, a pool table, a menu of homemade soups and grilled bar food that won't grill your pocket book, and comedy and karaoke nights too!
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Martin's Corner
2058 W 22nd PlJust three blocks away, Martin's has a decent selection of brews, a pool table, a menu of homemade soups and grilled bar food that won't grill your pocket book, and comedy and karaoke nights too!
Founded by jazz legend Fred Anderson in 1982, Chicago's #1 hot spot for experimental sound showcases live music three times a week from the best local and national recording artists and DJs.
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Velvet Lounge Chicago
67 E Cermak RdFounded by jazz legend Fred Anderson in 1982, Chicago's #1 hot spot for experimental sound showcases live music three times a week from the best local and national recording artists and DJs.
Chicago's oldest and finest jazz club since 1907 (yes, Al Capone was here!), the Green Mill is standing-room-only on weekends, and features the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayChicago's oldest and finest jazz club since 1907 (yes, Al Capone was here!), the Green Mill is standing-room-only on weekends, and features the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays.