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Gurnee Mills Mall has to be the largest mall in the Chicagoland area. It's huge and that means miles of walking, so wear your comfortable shoes. Or better yet, buy a new pair. The mall features lots...
Gurnee Mills Mall has to be the largest mall in the Chicagoland area. It's huge and that means miles of walking, so wear your comfortable shoes. Or better yet, buy a new pair. The mall features lots of discount pricing, and you can find just about anything here. Don't miss some of the stores just outside the mall, too. Some big box stores got smart and moved just across the street. Be prepared for bus loads of people, literally. I usually try to eat outside the mall to avoid the food courts that are ubiquitous here. Most restaurants inside the mall have long wait times, but you can always have a look around while you wait. That's the problem!
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This is a big lunch spot, hidden downstairs on the corner of Michigan and Randolph. You could easily miss it, but for those who know it's there, it can be hard to get a seat at times, it's so...
This is a big lunch spot, hidden downstairs on the corner of Michigan and Randolph. You could easily miss it, but for those who know it's there, it can be hard to get a seat at times, it's so popular with the lunch crowd. During any big sporting event (think Sweet 16), it can be impossible. I've been consistently surprised at the good quality of the food here. One of my favorites is the turkey burger, but they have great salads, pastas, and other burgers and sandwiches. The downside is that because they have a bar (popular spot for happy hour), their smoking section is very close to the regular diners in some spots. At lunch, it's not usually a problem, but after hours, it's another matter.
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The Apollo Theater is an intimate theater in a strangely shaped building, but that makes for a great experience for smaller shows like "The Vagina Monologues" that only feature a few performers. The...
The Apollo Theater is an intimate theater in a strangely shaped building, but that makes for a great experience for smaller shows like "The Vagina Monologues" that only feature a few performers. The cozy lobby offers a full-service bar, and you can take drinks into the theater with you. This can get a little distracting, however. At a recent show I attended here, it seemed there was an endless stream of folks in and out during the performance. The restroom area is small and parking can be a challenge in the neighborhood. Still, I like the space and the plays they showcase here, so I would recommend it.
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Michael Anthony Salon on Belmont Street is one of my favorite indulgences. Getting your hair cut here (or partaking of any of the other spa services) can be an expensive proposition, but it will be...
Michael Anthony Salon on Belmont Street is one of my favorite indulgences. Getting your hair cut here (or partaking of any of the other spa services) can be an expensive proposition, but it will be worth every penny. When you call to book your appointment, you will be given three different price ranges from which to choose. The stylist's experience will dictate the price. They sell a good selection of Aveda products and use them, too. Experience a great sensory wash, head massage, and cut. While you wait, enjoy the snacks they've got waiting. This place can get very busy on weekends, but they are open some week nights, too. The salon is housed in a beautiful old movie theater, so be sure and take in the facade before you walk through the salon doors. MIchael Anthony offers gift certificates for purchase, which make a nice birthday treat for a well deserving friend.
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This is my favorite chain for deli style sandwiches. I was so happy when they opened in Rockford. I had been going to Jimmy John's for years in the Chicago area and am a Beach Club sandwich fanatic...
This is my favorite chain for deli style sandwiches. I was so happy when they opened in Rockford. I had been going to Jimmy John's for years in the Chicago area and am a Beach Club sandwich fanatic (think turkey, avocado, sprouts on great bread). The menu is basic, but what they do, they do very well. They have pretty good cookies, too. This location is on the small side, with very few tables that fill up quickly. Take it to go would be my suggestion for this Jimmy John's.
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The Auditorium Theatre has been a Chicago institution for so long that it's easy to forget what a great performance space this is. I've seen Broadway-style musicals here, and the acoustics are...
The Auditorium Theatre has been a Chicago institution for so long that it's easy to forget what a great performance space this is. I've seen Broadway-style musicals here, and the acoustics are fantastic. Even in the very high seats (don't arrive after it begins, the stairs need light for negotiating), you will be able to hear beautifully. This is a favorite spot to see the world's best ballet companies, too. Give yourself time to negotiate the crowds at most events held here. Expect to spend big bucks for world class entertainment.
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The John Hancock Observatory is one of the most frequented sites by tourists, but we Chicagoans like it, too. You do have an option if you are an adult, however. You can get the same views (without...
The John Hancock Observatory is one of the most frequented sites by tourists, but we Chicagoans like it, too. You do have an option if you are an adult, however. You can get the same views (without all the tourists) for the price of a cocktail at the Signature Room in the same building. If you have kids or decide you'd rather walk "outside" (a caged area), the Observatory is best. Be sure and look in tourist pamphlets in your hotel as the Observatory regularly offers discounts for multiple ticket purchases. You can stay up there as long as you like and take all the photos you want. I'd choose a time when the city is most beautiful, at dusk when the sun is setting, or on a summer evening when you can see fireworks over the Chicago River.
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Six Flags Great America is the amusement park that Chicago loves. Located close to the Gurnee Mills Mall (a huge complex), it offers all the exciting rides and shows you'd expect from a big theme...
Six Flags Great America is the amusement park that Chicago loves. Located close to the Gurnee Mills Mall (a huge complex), it offers all the exciting rides and shows you'd expect from a big theme park. The theme here is Looney Tunes characters, and it's a great summer destination for kids of all ages. Summertime means concerts, too. There is bus transportation from the Metra Train stop if you don't feel like driving. With the recent news about Six Flags declining stock prices and possible park closings, I know all the kids in the Chicagoland area are crossing their fingers that Great America will be around for many more years to come.
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I find it truly impossible to walk out of this corner shop without $20 worth of magazines at a pop. They have a fantastic collection of magazines and newspapers in every genre and for every...
I find it truly impossible to walk out of this corner shop without $20 worth of magazines at a pop. They have a fantastic collection of magazines and newspapers in every genre and for every interest, including many foreign publications. You can find obscure literary journals and great music and art magazines that you just can't find in any bookstore, even those with sizable collections. Just steps from the Main El station in Evanston and Main Street Starbucks, this is a perfect location, and this store has been around long enough to prove it. The staff here are great. low key and yet helpful if you need it. There is a refrigerated case with drinks and a rack with snacks if you need something quick with that read. I highly recommend this shop. Long live the independent.
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Although this is a government center with lots of regular business being conducted, it is also the site of a lot of other activity: protests, performances, and the like. The building, designed by...
Although this is a government center with lots of regular business being conducted, it is also the site of a lot of other activity: protests, performances, and the like. The building, designed by architect Helmut Jahn, is so outstanding it's been used in a Bruce Willis action movie. It's a photographer's dream, and worth a look around for the rest of us. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy and some awesome statues. Don't miss it.
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