Welcome to Chicago

Chicago has a wealth of wonderful offerings, and by now you’ve probably gathered that it will take you a while to become acquainted with every nook and cranny of the city. Of course, you can’t be expected to spend all of your time admiring architecture and becoming familiar with each and everyone of the city’s cultural attributes. This guide suggests some lighter activities, namely eating and shopping. Everyone deserves a day off, so don’t hesitate to treat yourself every now and again.

Restaurants:
Chicago has thousands of restaurants. Many people enjoy specialty food at traditional restaurants. If you have a worldly palate, you might enjoy the delicious Indian food at Indian Garden, which is downtown. Frontera Grill (run by the world renowned Chef Rick Bayless) is a hot downtown spot for Mexican food. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! of Lincoln Park offers excellent Spanish tapas. Alternatively, you might want to sample some of the delicious Ethiopian fare located around Wrigley Field; there are several such restaurants in the vicinity. Más, a fantastic Nuevo Latino restaurant in the Ukrainian Village, is another eatery you simply shouldn’t miss.

Then again, there are entire neighborhoods devoted to specific cuisines. Chinatown is located near to Chicago’s South Side. Indian restaurants line Devon Street, on Chicago’s Northwest Side. Greektown in the West Loop is the place to go for authentic Greek | Mediterranean dishes. While some of these areas may take you a bit out of your way, you are guaranteed having an authentic experience once you reach your destination.

Of course, Chicago is also well known for fine dining. The most exclusive of these elite restaurants is Charlie Trotter’s, which requires bookings months in advance. There are two tasting menus (one for vegetarians, virtually unheard of in the world of haute cuisine) that are always excellent. Other highly rated restaurants include: the Everest Room in the Midwest Stock Exchange, Ambria, a French restaurant in Lincoln Park, and Tru, which espouses an artful take on fine dining in Chicago’s newer Streeterville area.

Shopping:
Simply put, you can find almost anything you need along Chicago’s singular Michigan Avenue. There are many large department stores, and there is even an impressive mall within the Water Tower, located directly across from the John Hancock building. High-end fashion is headquartered on the north tip of the Magnificent Mile, and also along the exclusive, high-end Oak Street, located just passed the 900 north market. State Street in the Loop has some outlets for price-conscious shoppers, including Jewelers’ Row, though by appointment only, offers access to wholesale prices on things with lots of bling, Nordstrom Rack, where you can find discounts on name brand designer goods, and the staple of Chicago, Marshall Fields. Fields is in the tradition of grandiosity made famous by stores like Harrods’s of London. Going there to browse could literally occupy an entire day.