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Resources

We want to connect you with Chicago culture and history, now and in the past.

Interact - Listen, Watch, Play Here

Video:
Mediaburn - Online archive of independent video
Conscious Living TV - The best in green living in Chicago and beyond

Radio:
Chirp Radio - Community radio station
WBEZ - Chicago Public Media

Online Collections:
Chicago Postcard Museum - Art, photography, and history
Wendy’s City - Curated photo blog

Interactive Maps:
Chicago World’s Fair - Tour a 3-d map of the 1893 fairgrounds
The Great Chicago Fire - Watch it take over the city
Chicago History Map - Click on sites for historic overviews

Mobile Apps:
Buster - Real-time bus arrivals
Drink Deck - Not cheap, but offers serious drink savings
Yelp - Duh
Everyblock - Discover happenings within blocks: sales, events, crimes
CitySwarm - Unique experiences in Chicago
What Was There - See historic photos at their locations

Explore - Go Here

Overlooked Attractions
Historic Pullman - Roots of railroad history on the South side (free)
Museum of Mexican Art - It’s all in the name, and free (free)
Pop-Up Galleries in the Loop - Exhibits in vacant storefronts downtown (free)
Oriental Institute - Ancient Near/Middle East museum (free)
Dusable Museum - African-American history
MCA - Engaging center of contemporary art

Events
The Reader - Our local alternative weekly
TimeOut - A step ahead on cool things to do
Metromix - Published through the Chicago Tribune
The Local Tourist - Great for neighborhood happenings
Hot Tix/Chicago League of Theatres - Half-price theatre tix up to 6 days in advance
Explore Chicago - City website, with info on lots of free events

Neighborhoods
Andersonville - Small-town feel
Bridgeport - Historically working class
Bucktown/Wicker Park - Hip for shopping and dining
Chinatown - Cultural microcosm
Pilsen - Art and Mexico
Hyde Park - University of Chicago campus area

Food & Drinks Downtown
Lunch at Pastoral - Artisan sandwiches and yummy local products
Frozen Kefir at Starfruit - Kefir yogurt a.k.a. “lovechild of taste and nutrition"
Cupcakes from Sugar Bliss Cakes - Creative and pretty
Drinks at Monk’s Pub - Tossing peanut shells on the floor since 1969
Lunch at Terzo Piano - Creative Italian cuisine with fresh local products
Beer and Brats Dinner at the Berghoff - Displaying Chicago’s first liquor license
Treats at the Downtown Farmstand - Artisan-made candies
Italian Village - Historic, huge, and family-owned.

Food & Drinks Around Mag Mile (not tourist joints):
Lunch at Ashkenaz Deli - Chicago’s interpretation of the Jewish deli
Sweets at Mr. Kite’s Confectionary - Peanut butter s’mores
Vino at Disotto Enoteca - Late-night wine bar and bruschetteria
Pie at First Slice - A bakery with a cause & awesome prices
Fine Dining at Lawry’s - Happy hour or steak in a 19th-century mansion
Romantic Meal at Phil Stefani’s 437 - Steak, pasta, risotto in a former jazz club
Apps & Wine at Purple Pig - Simple Mediterranean fare

Shopping
Posh - Old countryside-inspired boutique
Jazz Record Mart - Associated with historic label Delmark
Afterwords Book Store - A gem among malls and chain stores

Theater
Lookingglass Theatre - Recipient of Regional Tony Award.
Goodman Theater - Musicals and dramas, since 1925.

Other Tour Companies
River Cruise Tours by Chicago Architectural Foundation- The buildings look even better by boat
Chicago Elevated - Margaret tours the Pedway and Boystown
City Running Tours - See the city while jogging!


Learn - Research Here

History:
Encyclopedia of Chicago - Photos, maps, and overviews of anything
Forgotten Chicago - A blog about overlooked whatnots
Chicago Public Library - Release your inner nerd
Jazz Age History - Leisure during the soulful years
The Chicago “L" - Trains, trains, and train

Architecture:
Architecture Chicago Plus - Contemporary architecture blog
Skyscraper Timeline - Where and when answered here

Local News:
Gapers Block - Slow down and check out Chicago
Chicagoist - Blog dedicated to documenting the city and its quirks

Where to Stay - A few neighborhood B&B’s.

Cat’s Cradle - High-end rooms, historic house on the North side
Ray’s Bucktown B&B - Homey and in a hip neighborhood, cooked to order breakfast
Wicker Park Inn - Comfy rooms, also apartment rentals
University Quarters - Located in the quiet, culturally rich Hyde Park neighborhood


Etcetera - Entrepreneurial Resources

Built in Chicago - Local start-ups
Technori - Tech-focused Chicago start-ups
Excelerate Labs - Entrepreneurial accelerator
Chicago Detours Studs Terkel Literis Cultural Center L