Places you MUST visit in Chicago

Billy Goat Tavern

There is no better way than to spend a summer evening walking around Chicago only to end up having none other than a “cheezborger” at the world famous Billy Goat Tavern. We have all seen the skit that has made the Billy Goat famous, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray imitating the greek immigrants who like to yell and tell YOU what you WILL eat! And who hasn’t heard of the Cubs Curse? Legend has it that is was the refusal to let Billys Goat in to watch the 1945 game that cursed the Cubs!

Walking in the Billy Goat seems like another hole in the wall, and it is that charm, nestled in downtown Chicago that makes it such a fun place to visit. The menu is simple, burgers, chips and pop. They also serve beer. Billy Goat is a favorite hangout for the suits who work in the area and it is a great tourist attraction but don’t let that stop you……it does not have a touristy feel. Nothing has changed in the years since it started as a small burger joint, it still has the same old table and chairs, and artwork. It has become a Chicago Landmark. Grab your guy or girl and head down for some of the best burgers in town!

Old Town School of Music

Tucked in a quiet neighborhood on Lincoln Avenue you can find a great place to explore your musical side. Old Town School of Folk Music is a wonderful place for kids of all ages…..adults too! You can take classes with your little ones, take private voice lessons, learn an instrument, attend a concert, and so much more! They have over 700 accredited class offerings. My kids love visiting. They have so many kid friendly concerts and the prices are unbeatable.

Founded in 1957 Old Town School of Music explores and cultivates music from all over the world. Their facilities include 425-seat and 150-seat concert halls, 47 classrooms, two music stores, cafe, and resource center, the size is insane!. Some of their upcoming events include performances at Taste of Chicago and the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival 2010. They also have a great lineup of upcoming concerts. Stroll on over for  their  “World Music Wednesdays” which make music accessible to all with free and reduced-priced programs.

When you walk into the Old Town School of Folk Music you can see the joy, the smiling faces, and hear the pleasure of music, and most importantly you can feel the love, the love for art in all its forms. Rock on baby, rock on.

Heros Subs

You are truly a Chicagoan if you grew up visiting and LOVING Heros Submarines. A great little corner shop located on Western Avenue and Addison Avenue, across from one of Chicago’s most renowned schools, Lane Tech. We were tweens when we first discovered Heros Submarines. It was a classic lunch time escape. After 15+ years we ALL still talk about it, and yes, those of us who live in the suburbs will travel into the city just for a Hero Submarine sandwich. If you decide to go we suggest a weekend or late in the afternoon/early evening. If you hit the sub shop up midday during the week you will be fighting through crowds of high school students. Although if you truly want to feel like a kid again grab your sub, stroll on over across the street and spend a relaxing afternoon people watching. Or if you want the “true” experience eat in, the shop itself is simple, chest height counters to eat at, no chairs. I can still hear the crinkle of the white sandwich paper that they wrap their submarines in, and the smell, oh the smell, fresh baked Turano French bread, stacked high against the window, and meat, so many different meats. My favorite submarine of choice is the mixed cold cuts. You can get anything or everything on your sandwich. And your choice of sides? Chips and a pickle. Super easy and the taste will have you coming back again and again.

 City Segway Tours

Hello, must we say anything more? SEGWAYS? Come one, who does not like to play on a motorized toy??? And with the memories of Mall Cop still filling our heads we can now look just as goofy and act just as, well, goofy as Paul Blart! Seeing Chicago’s water front scenery on a Segway is THE way to go. We suggest bringing your camera because you will not want to miss photo ops at Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and all around the museum campus. Besides that all we will say is lakefront! It is definitely not your same old boring sit down and drag em out tour. It is for the fun and adventurous. The sane and the insane. The one of a kind visitor. And don’t forget making it a date if you live in Chicago because you have not seen Chicago until you have seen it on a Segway! Fine, it is also educational and you will hear about some great historical things that have happened in our Windy City (which, by the way, is not named Windy because of the weather). Grab the kids, arrive 30 mins early for prepping and roll with it baby. You will be talking about this one for a long time.

Eclecticity

Hello shopping. What girl does not like to get together with her girlfriends and spend an afternoon, or better yet a whole day, shopping? One of our best shopping districts is Lincoln Square. It is fantastic neighborhood that has exploded over the years. We love spending the day with the girls shopping, eating, walking and talking. Start your excursion as we start our, at Eclecticity. Eclecticity is a one of a kind store that offers unique and funs items. Do you want to giggle with your girlfriends? Oh, then shop here. We have a laugh fest everytime we enter this store. From the crazy mugs to the one of a kind handcrafted rope dragons. This store makes you want to linger on and on. Shop for gifts, shop for yourself. It is a wonderful feel good store. Pop on pver to their website to see some of the fun stuff, but make sure you take a trip to Lincoln Square. Grab a coffe and pastry at Europian Pastry Shop and Café and then start your shopping day at Eclectricity. Once done you can easily wander up and down Lincoln Avenue for some of the best little shops around.  Bon Shopping as the French say!

International Museum of Surgical Science

Say what? Museum of Surgical Science? Bet you had no idea something as interesting as this existed? Much less in Chicago? Well, it does. And interesting it is. But don’t take my word for it, ask my kids! They love love love visiting this museum because it not your ordinary museum. Where else can you see medical artifacts? Equipment used C.1500? Just crazy when you think about what was used and how it was used……so long ago. We have come a long way. Perhaps seeing an old Austrian amputation saw with reversible blade makes my kids appreciate modern medicine? I can only hope. Of course my son who thinks Canadian Bacon is made in Canada may not realize this quite yet. Bring your kids if they are inquisitive. Bring your kids if they are nosy. Bring your kids if they are mechanically inclined. Education is not lost in a museum that makes you think. Not recommended for little ones but a great family adventure for those with kids a tad bit older. And on your visit make sure you visit the Polio Room which houses a rare working iron lung as well as one of their collections Art and Surgery: The Hall of Murals.

Weird Chicago

This has to be one of our favorite tours. You have NOT seen Chicago until you have taken THIS tour. This tour will take through some of Chicago’s most famous haunted places and crime scenes as well as the “weird”.  The tours are about 3 hours long and will have you hopping off and on the tour bus. What makes it really fun is that some of the tours are offered in the evening, making it much more spooky! The history in Chicago is rich, both when it comes to gangsters and politicians. But we are also extremely well known for our haunted houses and theatres and so much more. They offer different ones including a pub crawl tour, and we highly recommend this one for a girls and guys night out!

 It really does get you thinking about the past and what it was like before the days of Ipods and cell phones. And what better way then to start your evening having dinner at The Hard Rock Café, which is where the tours depart from. We can not stress enough, take this tour. You WILL NOT regret it. Happy Haunting!

Gene and Georgetti

Looking for a nice romantic place for dinner? Stop by Gene and Georgetti. In business since 1941, Gene and Georgettis really knows how to take care of you. Voted 2008’s Best Chicago Steakhouse you will never forget your visit. The menu is full of great Italian dishes and the steak? Mouth watering. They have won a few other awards as well, and with good reason. Treat yourself to a Filet Mignon with a side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes. And don’t forget to start with a Caprese Salad. You will linger for hours over your great food, great conversation and if you have room, great dessert. Yes, I said it, dessert. Get the Chocolate Tuxedo Mousse Cake. You will thank you profusely. Or for the true ice cream lover, try the Chocolate Mint Ice Cream.  When you are done walk off some of those calories by taking a leisurely stroll around Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. We love just wandering around looking at the powerful sky scrapers and people watching.  This has become a favorite dining place for my husband and I when we want to enjoy some alone time. Great for anniversarys and birthdays, or anytime! Any excuse to go to Gene and Georgetti’s is a good one.

Lincoln Park Massage Spa

Who does not need, and love, some good pampering? I know I do. And the best place in Chicago to get it is Lincoln Park Massage Spa. A fun place for mom and the girls, or even you and your man, Lincoln Park Massage Spa has something to offer everyone. Stop by for a Full Body Massage, a Aromatherapy Sea Salt Scrub (this one is my favorite) or a Facial Massage.  Start your day with a fun breakfast and then head over for the works. We all need some relaxation and stress relieving things in our life, and this is it. You will walk out renewed and refreshed. The staff is beyond friendly and the service? Impeccable.  A visit once a month will do a body good. But, if you are just stopping by the city jump in for a quickie, you will thank yourself and so will your body. Just walking in to Lincoln Park Massage Spa makes you forget the world outside. And sometimes that is the best thing in the world!