A Chicago City Guide

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March 8, 2019

Chicago is one of my favorite cities. If I could move there, I probably would. (Holler if anyone is hiring.) My favorite neighborhood is West Loop, but I don’t discriminate. I covered a lot of territory with this city guide. There’s a sprinkling of things to do, eat and see from all over the city.

eat

The Chicago food scene is excellent! I spent a lot of my time in West Loop but these recs are spread out all over the city.

The Chicago food scene is excellent! I spent a lot of my time in West Loop but these recs are spread out all over the city.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

3 Arts Club Café

1300 N Dearborn Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60610
3artsclubcafe.com

This restaurant is GORGEOUS. Nestled inside Restoration Hardware, 3 Arts is a great weekend spot to curl up and have a boozy brunch. They don’t take resies so go early, put your name in and grab a glass of something and hang out in all the cozy nooks of the store.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

La Sirena Clandestina

954 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
lasirenachicago.com

La Sirena Clandestina is an awesome Brazilian restaurant. Grab a sammy, a pisco sour, and enjoy the low key vibes in this West Loop spot.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

GT Fish & Oyster

531 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60654
gtoyster.com

GT Fish is an amazing seafood restaurant. If you’re craving oysters and shrimp cocktail (*ahem* me always *ahem*), this place will be your new fave.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Beatrix

519 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
beatrixrestaurants.com

A SOLID breakfast/brunch option. With a couple of locations in the city, Beatrix has you covered. With a mix of healthy and not-so-healthy dishes, I actually had brunch here twice the last time I was in town.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

439 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60654
loumalnatis.com

If you haven’t experienced Chicago deep dish, you’re missing out. I don’t have strong feelings for or against deep dish pizza, but it’s worth trying the next time you’re in the Windy City. Lou Malnati’s was my first deep dish experience, and I thought it was delish. It’s not pizza, but it’s still delish. Ok, maybe I do have strong feelings about it.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Summer House

1954 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
summerhousesm.com

Summer House is the kind of place where I would meet some of my girlfriends for brunch and not leave until it’s dark out. They have a hip vibe AND a rose cart.

The Digest

drink

The cocktail and bar scene in Chicago is just as good as the food scene. Not going to lie, I made some serious rounds in Chicago, so don’t judge. Anyway, here are my faves.

The cocktail and bar scene in Chicago is just as good as the food scene. Not going to lie, I made some serious rounds in Chicago, so don’t judge. Anyway, here are my faves.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Cindy’s

12 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
cindysrooftop.com

Cindy’s has THE view of Millenium Park. Located on the roof of the Chicago Athletic Club, Cindy’s overlooks the famous Chicago bean while serving a fab array of cocktails and wine. (Well, they had Scribe in a can so that’s pretty fab to me.) Worth a visit just for the views.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

The Allis

113-125 N Green St
Chicago, IL 60661
theallis.com

The “lobby” bar inside the Chicago Soho House is low key fab. With gorgeous interiors, Allis is a great place to grab happy hour or drinks before dinner.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Fox Bar

113-125 N Green St
Chicago, IL 60607
foxbar.com

I could probably spend all night at Fox Bar. Another bar located inside Soho House, Fox Bar is a bougie dive bar that serves mean cocktails. Snap a pic of you and your friends for the wall and then hang as long as you can. Big fan.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Broken Shaker

19 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
freehandhotels.com/chicago/broken-shaker

Broken Shaker a pop-up bar of sorts inside the Freehand hotel. During the day, it’s part of the coffee shop and lobby, and at night it’s a bustling party with great cocktails and chic people.

The Digest

stay

Chicago has some incredible hotels. It depends on where you want your home base to be, but here are some solid options for your next trip.

Chicago has some incredible hotels. It depends on where you want your home base to be, but here are some solid options for your next trip.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Soho House Chicago

113-125 N Green St
Chicago, IL 60607
sohohousechicago.com

It’s pretty obvious but I love Soho House. The atmosphere, the community, and the amenities – it’s the perfect home base where ever you’re traveling.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Chicago Athletic Association

12 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
chicagoathletichotel.com

Located in an amazing building with amazing decor and amazing views, the Chicago Athletic Association is an amazing hotel for your next visit to the Windy City.

The Digest

see

The history in Chicago is WILD. From Obama to mobsters to stunning architecture, there is so much to see and do.

The history in Chicago is WILD. From Obama to mobsters to stunning architecture, there is so much to see and do.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Millennium Park

201 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60602
chicago.gov

Obviously.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a city guide for Chicago on her blog The Stopover

Wendella Boats

400 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
wendellaboats.com

You have to go on an architectural boat tour while in Chicago. Do not go with any boat tours except for Wendella. Groupon and discount may be attractive, but trust me, Wendella is legit and worth the price.

The Digest

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