Places to Look Out for in Chicago

As someone from Chicago, I always recommend people to visit my hometown. I always enjoyed living in a busy city with shopping malls or restaurants nearby. Chicago has been compared to cities like New York, and doesn't get me wrong it's a great tourist spot, but nothing (in my opinion) compares to the beautiful, open-wide, pure and friendly streets. It's true what they say about the people in Chicago, we are friendly.

Luckily, I provided a list of things to do while in Chicago like museum spots to visit, places to go with your dog (because they need to enjoy the city too), famous movie spots and healthy restaurants.

*Please don't substitute this article for a guide because it won't be very descriptive. It's simply meant to give you an idea.

BEST HEALTH-CONSCIOUS RESTAURANTS

True Food Kitchen (1 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654)

If you’re not in the mood for any fast food, True Food Kitchen serves you the lifestyle of great food tasting. Their philosophy is, “food should make you feel better, not worse.” True Food Kitchen craft includes gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and creating your own dish. Oprah recently invested in True Food Kitchen back in July 2018.

Peach & Green Café (33 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603)

“Fresh, Healthy, Locally Sourced Food!” This café is great for anyone looking for vegan options, meat-lover, and gluten-free food. If you're ever in a hurry in Chicago, they provide quick bite, small plate meals. Catering and takeout are also an option! Peach & Green Café is mostly well known for their fast service, great coffee, and great tea selection! Located in the loop near Crown Fountain.

Pokeworks (79 E Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602 & 1017 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607)

This Hawaiian Restaurant offers a healthy lifestyle. Letting you customize your meal bowls, burrito or salad with varieties of proteins, sauces, and toppings. There are two locations in Chicago, one in the loop and the other between Near West Side and Fulton River District.

LYFE Kitchen (413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, 831 N State St, Chicago, IL 60611, and 270 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611)

This modern healthy comfort food restaurant is the new American cuisine. They believe in “Sensible is Sustainable.” For example, their chicken is free from any antibiotics, organic greens, grass-fed beef. There are three locations in Chicago, one in River North, Gold Coast and Streeterville.

BEST BUBBLE TEA CAFE

Te’amo Boba Bar (1115 E 55th Street, Chicago IL 60615 & 520 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60611)

Unlike any other bubble tea café, this café’s goal is to make healthy drinks with the highest quality ingredients. It’s a tradition they started in their hometown in Chicago when they noticed not a lot of healthy drinks were available nearby. They're located in downtown Chicago and inside the University of Chicago.

Viva Bubble Tea (333 S State St, Chicago, IL 60604)

The best Bubble Tea place on State Street! Not only does this café provide a fast service, variety of flavor options, and combinations but they have high-quality customer service and good prices. They also provide a stamp card for loyal customers and if you reach your tenth stamp you get a bubble tea for free. It is great; located between DePaul University, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College campus.

Cassava Café (1211 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60610)

A family-owned business serves handcraft organic bubble tea, small bites, and fun board games. The Cassava café is open to anyone needing to study for an exam or to hang with friends.

B.I. Tea (131 North Clinton, Chicago, Illinois)

Chicago French Market is full of many vendors like B.I. Tea being one them. Serving not only bubble tea but also small bits like classic Dim Sum, Shao Mai, and Char Siu Bao.

FAMOUS MOVIE SPOTS IN CHICAGO

Lower Wacker Drive

2008, The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan filmed the famous car chase scene between the Joker and the GCPD down at Lower Wacker Drive.

Wrigley Fields (1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613)

A lot of movies were filmed in Wrigley Fields like, Ferris Buller's Day Off, Rookie of the Year, and Sleepless in Seattle, but the one that stands out the most out of the rest for me was 1992, A League of Their Own. Starring Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and Geena Davis just to name a few. Based on a true story, this comedy-drama of all female baseball league team trained and competed in Wrigley Fields.

Chicago Union Station (225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606)

A 1997 Julia Robert’s film classic, My Best Friend’s Wedding filmed the climax scene (SPOILER ALERT) where Julia chases Dermot Mulroney’s character through Chicago and stops at Chicago Union Station to confess she was the one trying to destroy his relationship with Cameron Diaz’s character.

South LaSalle Street (South LaSalle St - 141 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604)

Another famous location from 2008, The Dark Knight, with Batman racing down South LaSalle towards an 18-wheel truck driven by the Joker all the way towards Chicago Board of Trade Building, which later leads to the truck being flipped over by Batman. No CGI was used to create this stunt.

FUN PET-FRIENDLY LOCATIONS

Montrose Dog Beach (610 W Lawrence Ave Chicago, IL 60640)

Hot day? Looking for a beach where your dog can be leash free? Montrose Dog Beach lets your dog run wild but don’t worry about them escaping the area. The entire beach is a fence in and offers pay-to-use washing stations. Also, a great place to meet and chat with other dog lovers.

Wicker Dog-Friendly Area (1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622)

An area where dogs are always welcome! Wicker Dog-Friendly Area is a fenced area with a drinking fountain for the dogs. It’s a nice place for dogs to make friends with other dogs. The area between the intersection of Wicker Park and Evergreen.

Jackson Bark (6000 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637)

A community dog park named after Jackson Park used to be four Tennis courts then was rebuilt and reused of 90 percent recycled materials. This park provides a nice place for the dogs to work out and to climb over objects.

Seadog Cruises Chicago (600 E Grand Ave, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL, US, 60611)

What to go on wild Chicago tour... with your dog!? You heard me right. This will be a tour like no other, hop onboard on a face-paced speedboat with your dog and experience a 30-minute adventure highlighting Chicago’s popular spots. There is also a 75-minute River and Lake Architecture Tour. Your dog will have a blast and enjoy the beautiful sun and wind.

Tourist Advectures

Chicago Cultural Center (78 East Washington Street, IL 60602)

You’ll have the best photos on Instagram if you go to the Chicago Cultural Center, not only are there breathtaking architectures but it’s very educational to learn more about Chicago’s performing, visual and literary arts. Take your Instagram followers on a live tour of the 11 programs provided by the center.

Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail

This is one of my favorite spots in Chicago. The heart of the city, with a beautiful parallel view of Lakeshore and city skyline. You can also set to enjoy the view and with many dining options. The trail stretches 18 miles which extend to Ardmore Street.

The Rookery Building (209 S La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60604)

If you’re into beautiful cool staircases and architecture then you have to come to see how this of 12-story Roman Revival and Queen Anne-style building. Even the ceilings are beautifully carved but this place is mostly known for lots of pigeons hanging around.

Field Museum of Natural History (1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605)

Educate your fans about the history of Chicago! Fun fact it's actually one of the largest museums in the world, believe it or not. You’ll have fun taking a tour around all the 40 million artifacts and specimens discovered by more than 150 scientists and researchers.