Shall we??
Except for the small town, country-road-loving people, who get enough stimulation from driving to the local general store, I am pretty confident that the reflection of the sparkling skyline off of Lake Michigan, the squeaky 'L' train weaving through the neighborhoods, or the tree-lined streets of Lincoln Park filled with boutiques and old walk-ups, will tickle the fancy of anyone! I see Chicago as being the perfect balance between the massive metropolis of New York City, and the charming urban scene that is Minneapolis/St Paul. The city is literally laid out on a grid, making navigation a breeze; sprawling Lake Michigan lines the city and offers up highlights along the shore including the Navy Pier, North Ave beach, and Belmont Harbor; the bustling streets of downtown are only a 5 minute train ride to the more intimate and quaint neighborhoods, each portraying different personalities and lifestyles. How can all of this glory be accessible within roughly 10 square miles?!
So, as I claimed above, this city doesn't hold a single indentity. Each neighborhood is smattered with character that gives it a personality...a uniqueness. Again, like a smaller, more clean version of the Big Apple. Start the tour bus!
The typical Chicago tourist rarely ventures outside of the heart of the city. Lucky for them, downtown Chicago is bulging with gems...literally something for everyone. Countless museums within a 3 mile radius, endless shopping down the infamous Michigan Avenue, trains meandering between the skyscrapers, Navy Pier jutting out into Lake Michigan offering up breathtaking views from the top of the ferris wheel...and for those who get claustrophobic being surrounded by high-rises and concrete, the shores of Lake Michigan and Millenium Park provide the calming effect you're looking for! After a long day of shopping, cruising the harbor, or playing in the park? Fill your belly with the authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza of your choice...might I suggest Giordano's or Gino's East? Cap off the night with a tasty cocktail and a final view of the city on the 95th floor of the Hancock at the Signature Room as you reminisce over the events of the day...
Lincoln Park
Old stone walk ups, wide tree-lined streets, boutiques, cafes, and small upscale restaurants every which way you turn, makes for an adorable bubble in a large city. It's no mystery that the most well-known neighborhood in Chicago is the most expensive to live in. This doesn't mean that some inexpensive dabbling shouldn't be on the agenda! From Saturday morning farmers markets in Lincoln Park and sprawling North Ave beach nearby, to the Lincoln Park Zoo & balmy Conservatory, there's no need to empty your piggy bank to have fun. However, if eating your way through a new city is more your taste (as it is mine), Lincoln Park has the variety of cuisines and dining styles that will fit the likes of anyone!
Looking for a cozy and romantic escape from the fierce wind? Head to Gejas for some heart-warming fondue over a dimly lit candle. Feeling adventurous enough to step outside the traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza?! Be selfish and get your own individual 'pizza bowl' at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder....you just may re-think that trip to Giordano's or Gino's the next time you visit! Finally, the queen of all bees, the mother of all ships, the taker of all cakes. Sweet Mandy B's. Unless you are a cold-hearted, lifeless, sweet-hater, you will simply fall in love with this bakery. The aroma of cookies, cupcakes, and buttercream frosting starts to tickle your nose before you even enter the sugarland. The constant line wrapping along the bakery cases is evidence enough, that not only is this bakery charming, but they have perfected the cupcake. Descriptive adjectives would sell these treats short....JUST GO THERE!
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Switching gears to a neighborhood that resembles Uptown in Minneapolis or Greenwhich Village in NYC, Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood has a bit more of an edge, compared to Lincoln Park. Sidewalks are covered with twenty-something hipsters instead of high-end strollers with matching diaper bags below, and the plethora of bars ranging from hole-in-the-wall to no-cell phones-allowed affirms the heterogeneous feel that this neighborhood gives out. While it may give off a feeling of a rather unkempt part of town, this neighborhood has some notable (foodie)highlights. Funky brunch spots seem to be a trend in the Chicago area and the Wicker Park/Bucktown area enables this craze to hold strong. Save your appetite and make some reservations to start your morning off with a stack of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes at the Bongo Room, a Chicago favorite. Run around the neighborhood, do some window shopping and work up your appetite again before settling into a booth with a locally brewed beer and a tasty thin-crust pizza at Piece pizzeria and brewery. No fluff, no flare, just damn good pizza! Now, if raw fish and miso are more your style, grab a bottle of wine or 6-pack of beer and scoot down Damen to Coast, and be prepared for the sushi to melt in your mouth like butta! Finally, for a hoity toity drink conjured up by a professional mixolegist, and a setting that makes you feel like you're on the set of Alice in Wonderland, end your night at the Violet Hour. The experience alone will leave you satisfied!
Roscoe Village/Lakeview/Wrigleyville
As these neighborhoods lack a clear dividing line between one another, and don't necessarily hold distinct personalities as Wicker Park and Lincoln Park seem to do, it makes sense to clump them together as a unified neighborhood that makes up a large chunk of the northern part of the city. College students and young professionals flock to Wrigleyville and Lakeview for the nightlife and tiny apartments conveniently smattered within the bar scene, while Roscoe Village is a more spacious, quaint little area that attracts younger families with cafes, coffeeshops, and stroller-friendly sidewalks. Of course it goes without saying that each of these little pockets hold gems that are note-worthy. Frasca pizzeria in Roscoe Village is an under-appreciated pizzeria and wine bar with specialty pizza and pasta that will make you feel like you're having lunch in Naples, Italy. Pair these authentic offerings with daily deals to boot, and you'll have yourself a new favorite neighborhood hangout!
Heading north with a pair of Cubs tickets in your hand, preparing to spend the afternoon sitting in the sun at the infamous Wrigley Field?? Bypass the packed bars full of pre-game boozers, and substitute the liquid calories for some sweet, sweet bliss at Ann Sathers on Belmont in Lakeview. No need to sit down and wait for a hearty breakfast to fill you up with energy to last through 9 innings, just order a fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon roll that will literally melt in your hand if you don't inhale it pronto. The shear amount of butter and sugar that you consume will spike your blood sugar just enough to get to the big game in time for the opening pitch. Whether or not you'll fall into a deep sugar coma once settled into the bleachers is purely up to your dedication to the world of outdoor baseball. GO CUBS GO!
