Chicago’s Top Five Comedy Venues

Posted on June 10, 2016 by relatedchicago

Fiercely loyal sports fans, deep dish pizza, windy weather, and the glistening Lake Michigan in the summer are all to be expected if you’re looking to move to Chicago and into one of the properties offered by Chicago real estate brokerage firm Related Realty. What you might not know about your future hometown is that Chicago is also the funniest city in America. The city has edged out New York and Los Angeles, with nothing short of a renaissance in comedy culture that encompasses a crop of new venues, rising talents performing every night of the week, and new hometown heroes such as breakout television star Hannibal Buress.

Chicago is a city with a rich history of comedy stretching back to the vaudeville era of the late 19th century, when massive theaters like the Folly, the Palace, the Haymarket, and the Majestic opened, and Chicagoans got their laughs from traveling revues and local funnymen. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that Chicago cemented its place in the American comedy canon as the birthplace and hub of modern improvisational comedy and the training ground for countless 20th-century comics like Joan Rivers, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, and Amy Sedaris.

Today it’s not hard to find intimate local venues throughout the city to catch up-and-coming talent and established heavyweights. Here’s a guide for navigating some of the city’s funniest spots:

Zanies | 1548 North Wells Street For nearly 40 years, Zanies has been a mainstay on the Chicago comedy circuit, nurturing the careers of such comedy superstars as Roseanne Barr, Jay Leno, and Jerry Seinfeld. This stand-up showcase features weekly shows from local and national acts and also offers classes providing basic instruction on stand-up comedy, including the history of the medium, how jokes work, and how to create an act that stands out from the rest.

Second City | 1616 North Wells Street This legendary Chicago venue and school single-handedly birthed the genre of improvisational comedy in the US, and since its founding in the late 1950s, has groomed scores of successful entertainers, writers, and directors in its home city, including the lion’s share of Saturday Night Live cast members—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, to name just a few—Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and most of the cast of 30 Rock. You can catch the next in line of America’s comedy legends any night of the week on Second City’s revered Mainstage Theater, as well as performances in the venue’s smaller theaters—UP, Donny’s Skybox, or the de Maat Studio—to see stand-up, student work, or experimental sketch comedy.

Jokes and Notes | 4641 South King Drive Chicago’s black comics put this woman-owned South Side venue on the map after it opened in the early 2000s, and local talent continues to set the stage ablaze during open mics on Wylin’ Out Wednesdays and monthly Thursday showcases hosted by a rotating cast of hilarious hosts. Each weekend, national acts (past guests include Mo’nique and Bill Bellamy) bring high-caliber comedy to the 150-seat club and swank lounge area.

Laugh Factory | 3175 North Broadway Street The Chicago outpost of this Los Angeles comedy institution opened its 400-seat theater in 2012, bringing an additional permanent venue for stand-up comedy to this improv-obsessed town. With a calendar packed with nightly stand-up showcases, open mics, themed festivals, and midnight programs, the Laugh Factory has proved itself an indispensable destination for stand-up lovers.

iO Theater | 1501 North Kingsbury Street Another mecca for improv comedy is the iO Theater (its initials originally stood for ImprovOlympic Theater). Founded by Charna Halpern and Del Close, two heavyweights in Chicago’s 1980s improv scene, iO bills itself as the premiere place to see long-form improvisational comedy in the city. The Wrigleyville venue offers four theaters, a bar, a training facility for classes, and an events space. Veteran improv ensembles and student teams perform nightly in a range of approaches to the popular comedy form.

Chicago in the Spring | The Best Open-Air Markets and Restaurants with Outdoor Dining

Posted on April 25, 2016 by relatedchicago

With top-notch Chicago real estate brokerage firms like Related Realty offering stunning residences with sprawling state-of-the-art kitchens, dining in is often a great option. For the last few months, a night out has meant huddling in a warm, cozy enclave and avoiding the outside whenever possible, and dining in often involved comfort foods such as soups and stews simmering on the stove. But those days are over now.

Spring is here, and as the breeze off the lake turns from harsh to mellow, the allure of the outdoors beckons. The Windy City is primed to bloom once more, and that can mean only one thing: the return of Chicago’s beloved farmers markets and the opening of restaurant patios and gardens. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor markets and eateries:

Green City Market Over the last decade or so, Lincoln Square’s Green City Market has grown considerably to become the most popular farmers market in Chicago. Running on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through October in Lincoln Park, the open-air venue attracts around 13,000 visitors each week. A big emphasis is placed on local farming and education with regular cooking demonstrations by top chefs highlighting the robust and remarkably fresh selection of produce. More than 50 vendors sell not only produce but dairy products, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, sandwiches, desserts, potted plants, and much more. Whether you take home everything you need to serve up a meal for family and friends in your own kitchen or just enjoy chatting with neighbors while you shop, this is one of the best farmers markets for connecting with your community.

Daley Plaza Farmers Market Every Thursday from May through October, Daley Plaza is the site of one of the oldest and most well-known farmers markets in the city. Featuring vendors from all over the region, this centrally located market is perpetually buzzing with activity, making it a great place to wander around for a while, try a few things, snack a bit, and leave with some choice selections. Beyond the fresh produce, look out for flowers, homemade jams and honey, and an assortment of baked goods.

90 Miles Cuban Cafe Two of the 90 Miles outposts feature outdoor patios that provide the ideal venue for enjoying both the spring weather and the Cuban food this popular restaurant is known to serve. While the original 90 Miles Cuban Cafe in Roscoe Village serves up tasty take-out that patrons usually enjoy on the large patio, the location in Logan Square (also with a patio as well as weekly flamenco dancing) and the newest operation in Lincolnwood are full-service restaurants. All locations offer expertly prepared Cuban food and coffees.

Jack & Ginger’s At Bucktown pub Jack & Ginger’s, the drinks are nearly overshadowed by the food, which, in turn, is nearly overshadowed by the large outdoor dining area. The interior’s warm and inviting atmosphere spills out onto the patio, where tables and chairs are flanked by televisions on one side and shade trees on the other. Incredible wings and tacos and high-quality pizza and burgers help the menu rise above those found at other pubs in the area, and the al fresco dining experience seals the deal.

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits The famous Bang Bang Pie shop in Logan Square began as a food truck and eventually laid down roots in its current location. The sprawling outdoor space is filled with rows of picnic tables, so even on a busy day or night you can usually find a spot to enjoy a slice in the open air. Hungry for more than just dessert? Bang Bang serves up comfort foods such as chicken pot pie and biscuits with gravy plus other delicious options, most with a biscuit on the side. And then there are the pies, which range from coconut cream, chocolate, triple-berry jam, and key lime to maple bourbon pecan and brown butter chess. There is no wrong decision here—just close your eyes, point, and chow down.

Chicago’s Hyde Park: A Storied Past

Posted on March 24, 2016 by relatedchicago

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan seven miles south of the Chicago Loop, Hyde Park is deeply rooted in tradition, boasting a diverse cultural landscape. Bordered by a trio of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks to the west, south, and southeast – Washington Park, the Midway Plaisance, and Jackson Park, respectively – the 1.65-square-mile neighborhood has a pleasant, almost suburban feel. In fact, when Hyde Park was first settled in the 1850s, it was Chicago’s first suburb. The area was annexed to the city of Chicago in 1889.

Home to the University of Chicago, Hyde Park is known as the birthplace of atomic fission and has claimed dozens of Nobel Prize laureates as denizens over the years. In more recent history, the Obamas were longtime residents until their White House move, and it’s a continued source of pride to locals and Chicago real estate agents that the President and First Lady still own a home here today.

Along with distinguished residents, Hyde Park has its fair share of landmark residences. Most notable may be the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Frederick C. Robie House, a U.S. National Historic Landmark built between 1908 and 1910 and one of just four historic sites in Chicago included in the original 1966 National Register of Historic Places. The Robie House is widely considered to be the preeminent example of Wright’s “Prairie School” style of architecture, a uniquely American aesthetic inspired by the wide, flat, treeless landscapes of the Midwest that sought to depart from classical European styles. Prairie houses are built around a horizontal orientation, a distinctly American design motif, and are generally sprawling structures. That feature of its aesthetic makes sense, as early cities in the United States simply had more wide-open tracts of land in comparison to the older, more established urban centers of Europe.

And yet, as much as they sought to diverge from Old World influences, Wright and his peers in the Prairie style of architecture shared much in common with the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century in England and Scotland. Both movements prized craftsmanship and attention to every last interior detail, down to the furniture, fixtures, and even textiles. In this, too, the Robie House is considered a masterwork. As described by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust: “The house is conceived as an integral whole—site and structure, interior and exterior, furniture, ornament and architecture, each element is connected.”

A few blocks away is another Wright masterpiece, the Isidore H. Heller House—the architect’s first Hyde Park project. Designed in 1896 and also designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Heller House is considered a turning point in Wright’s career and an early departure from styles that were popular at the time to a new era of geometric and highly modern designs. The Heller House also provides an interesting counterpoint to the fully realized Prairie style of the Robie House, which was designed more than 10 years later.

Both the Robie House and the Heller House are located within the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other notable homes in the district include the Frank R. Lillie House, Arthur H. Compton House, and Robert A. Millikan House, none of which was designed by Wright, but all of which are historically significant for their famous former residents.

Tallying the sum of all of its many intriguing parts, Hyde Park is a special place, indeed—something to keep in mind when searching for Chicago homes for sale.

Chicago Weekender: River North

Posted on December 17, 2015 by relatedchicago

Situated in Northern Chicago right across the bridge from the Loop, River North has become one of the most culturally rich areas in the entire city. Defined by its brimming creative pulse and its inimitable vibrance, River North has been known for some time as a true artistic haven—but this wasn’t always the case. Prior to the 1970s, the neighborhood was mainly industrial, with large warehouse spaces scattered throughout. But when these factories closed, leaving massive former arenas of industry as vacant shells awaiting inhabitants, the area was hit with an influx of young artists. During the ’70s and ’80s, many of these warehouses were turned into art studios, galleries, performance spaces, and lofts, setting the stage for the evolution River North has experienced over the last few decades.

When a neighborhood is centered around art, all that extends from that core exists to serve the creative force that initially branded the area’s identity. For example, as more galleries and studio spaces opened in River North and the area eventually solidified its reputation for being a well-rounded fine arts district, the culinary and retail sectors soon followed suit. River North currently has the highest concentration of restaurants in all of Chicago, but this is not a quantity-over-quality scenario—the neighborhood’s culinary scene is as acclaimed for its diversity and refinement as it is for its abundance. Moreover, the area has become a premier shopping destination, and its nightlife has grown to become a swirling and unique attraction in its own regard. Chicago real estate agencies like Related Realty have a front-row seat to the impressive expansion the area has experienced. Spend a weekend in River North and visit the stunning galleries, antique shops, and boutiques and enjoy delicious dining and drinks.It will become immediately apparent why the area has become one of the most desirable in Chicago.

The Golden Triangle | 330 N Clark St. Whether or not you’re in the market for a particular Asian or European antique, a stroll through The Golden Triangle is well worth your time. This massive showroom is filled with gorgeous antiques from Europe and Asia that span centuries. Visiting The Golden Triangle is akin to visiting a museum, as walking through the space is very much a history lesson on aesthetics and design. Moreover, if you are in the market for an intriguing piece with a fair amount of history behind it, The Golden Triangle is the ideal place to find it.

Driehaus Museum | 40 E Erie St. Even from outside, the Driehaus Museum is remarkably striking. Housed within the famed Samuel M. Nickerson House, the Driehaus Museum is elegant and bright without appearing overly opulent—it gives off a level of sophistication that is meticulously refined. And inside is where the real attractions lie. Set up as a palatial 19th-century home, the museum boasts an impressive collection of period pieces. The experience of visiting the Driehaus is more immersive than most museums, as every inch is adorned with unique, historic creations. One of the well-known highlights is the Tiffany Studios section, a space so vivid, bright, and colorful that it’s nearly transportive.

Lightology | 215 W Chicago Ave. For unique lighting options, there is no better place in the entire country than Lightology. Even if you’re not in the market for a lighting fixture after one trip to Lightology, you will be. Spanning three stories and 20,000 square feet, Lightology has any and every type of light fixture you could imagine, and many you probably couldn’t. A visit here will open your eyes to the artistry and high level of design that is present in this field. A trip to Lightology – coupled with a few choice purchases – can dramatically transform your home.

Galleries

Echt Gallery | 222 W Superior St. One of the best galleries for contemporary sculpture in all of Chicago, Echt Gallery currently features stunning work from Martin Blank, Pearl Dick, Mira Maylor, Joseph Rossano, and Marek Zyga as well as a host of others. Echt Gallery has been well known for some time as a premier destination for inventive and exciting sculptures that run through an array of styles.

Jean Albano Gallery | 215 W Superior St. Since 1986, The Jean Albano Gallery has been a leading force in the contemporary art scene in Chicago and beyond. The gallery features drawings, paintings, and sculptures from a cadre of famous and not-yet-famous artists and is one of the more varied and diverse galleries in the area. Jean Albano is currently running a wildly diverse exhibition of various sculptures, paintings, and constructions from a group of artists in SOFA (sculpture, objects, functional art, and design) that runs until late December.

Berlanga Fine Art | 230 W Superior St. If you’re a photography enthusiast, Berlanga is your ideal destination. Photographs and photo-related work are displayed throughout their space, many from famous photographers such as Howard Dearstyne, Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Jean-Philippe Charbonnier, Barbara Crane, Vivian Maier, and numerous others. Many of their prints are decades old, and the curation here is meticulous, to say the least. Every photograph in Berlanga is simply beautiful, and each seems to capture life and the moments therein in truly inquisitive and exploratory ways.

Dinner & Drinks

Tanta | 118 W Grand Ave. Tanta is a bright, vivid Peruvian restaurant situated on Grand Ave. The food is inventive, inspired, and – most importantly – delicious. The space is fairly large but far from daunting or impersonal, and the aesthetic is as bright and luminous as the food served here. Also known for incredibly well-crafted cocktails, Tanta always offers a top-notch experience, from ambiance to imbibing.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria | 439 N Wells St. I mean, you’re in Chicago, you have to try the pizza. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is the antithesis of the classic Chicago-style pies that put the region on the map. For decades, Lou’s has been an acclaimed destination in Chicago, with its delicious and well-crafted deep dish pizzas featuring mozzarella that is so silky and smooth it all but melts in your mouth. In Northern Chicago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better pizza option that Lou Malnati’s.

Bub City | 435 N Clark St. Whiskey fans, you have found your mecca. Bub City is a charming establishment that stocks more than 150 different types of whiskeys. Bub City looks like an old saloon, providing an atmosphere that’s the ideal frame for whiskey tasting. Here, the aesthetic and vibe perfectly match the drinks they serve. The place just feels genuine and cohesive. If you like whiskey and/or country music (they serve up live music performances on a regular basis), do not miss Bub City.

Howl at the Moon | 30 W Hubbard St. If you’re looking for something a bit more lively, Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano bar that is about as high-energy as a bar can dream to be. The space is always brimming with excitement thanks to the enthusiastic piano performances that fuel the entire experience. There a symbiotic relationship here between crowd and performers that is more palpable than at most other live music bars. At Howl, the music is always swirling, the liquor is always pouring, and the party is always on.

Chicago Weekender: Bucktown

Posted on November 12, 2015 by relatedchicago

Just north of Wicker Park, you’ll find Bucktown, a historic neighborhood brimming with great food, culture, and shopping. A weekend spent exploring its attractions and charming street life will make it clear why this neighborhood is fast becoming one of Chicago’s most desirable enclaves. Bucktown has been a Chicago Landmark District since 1991. It was first known as Kozie Prery (“Goat Prairie”) to the Polish immigrants who settled here, and by the 1930s, the English name “Bucktown” had stuck (a “buck” is a male goat). By World War II, the compelling mix of residents that has given Bucktown its special character began to form an eclectic community. Germans, Scandinavians, African Americans, and Eastern Europeans have all lived here, making it one of the most diverse areas in the city.

In the 1980s, artists and students were attracted to Bucktown’s relative affordability, proximity to the Loop, and charming housing stock. Soon, young professionals began renovating some of the neighborhood’s ornate houses and mansions. As a result, the new developments here are surrounded by historic architecture from different time periods, and a walk through the streets of Bucktown offers a glimpse of Chicago’s storied past. Today, the area is popular with young families, and the local culture reflects that: Bucktown has many green spaces and leafy streets, great schools, and unique and welcoming shops and restaurants, all of which make it a desirable place for Chicagoans of all ages.

Damen Avenue Shopping, Food, and Culture One of the major thoroughfares in Bucktown, Damen Avenue runs through the heart of the neighborhood and serves as its main commercial street. Here you’ll find numerous restaurants and cafes, plus some of Chicago’s coolest retailers.

Robin Richman | 2108 North Damen Avenue One such destination boutique is Robin Richman, a luxury store for women that looks as much like a cool art gallery as a stylish place to find unique accessories and fashions. Richman, who specializes in the work of Japanese and European designers, cultivated her sophisticated color sense in her years as a fiber artist.

Apartment Number 9 | 1804 North Damen Avenue Bucktown’s source for cool menswear, Apartment Number 9 stocks fashion-forward designer clothes, accessories, and shoes by the likes of Thom Browne, Paul Smith, and Seize sur Vingt. Dressier options commingle with comfort classics like Converse All-Stars and cozy A.P.C. sweaters.

Marine Layer | 1646 North Damen Avenue This San Francisco brand is famous for its cotton basics, which are stylish enough to wear almost anywhere and so well made you’ll want to wear them all the time. Their sustainably produced, custom blend of cotton is fashioned into chic dresses and skirts for women, refined button-downs and jackets for men, and must-have tee-shirts and socks for everyone.

Quimby’s Bookstore | 1854 West North Avenue Younger shoppers will revel in the array of goods at Quimby’s Bookstore, an ultra-hip comic book shop that might just entice some adults, too. Quimby’s has a wide selection of journals, magazines, and books, and often hosts author readings.

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate | 1747 North Damen Avenue Chicago kids know that an invitation to Mindy’s Hot Chocolate restaurant and dessert bar is an offer they can’t refuse. Equally popular with grownups, this hip chocolate-lovers dream collaborates with a network of local farmers and gourmet chocolate makers to create both high-quality sweets and savory fare. Imaginative drinks and desserts have made Mindy’s a neighborhood favorite, and the decor and atmosphere are charming, to boot.

The Bristol | 2152 North Damen Avenue Known for its local following of off-duty chefs – a very high compliment in the food world – The Bristol is a Bucktown destination that serves unpretentious American fare with a European accent. Charcuterie, handmade pasta, local produce, and an array of crafted cocktails lure local regulars and visiting foodies alike. The Bristol takes a “snout-to-tail” approach to cooking. Their wine list represents over two hundred vineyards, and they offer beer from around the world.

Schwa | 1466 North Ashland Avenue Dinner in Bucktown presents a wide array of choices, from Italian to Asian to old-fashioned barbeque. Schwa is named for a neutral vowel, so you might be pleasantly surprised to find New American dishes full of original combinations of flavors and textures here. Savory options often have subtle sweet touches, and some especially inventive dishes like the tagliatelle or their honey, yuzu and chamomile dessert make Schwa a unique and delicious Bucktown choice. Schwa is BYO, so don’t forget to bring your favorite bottle of vino to enhance your dining experience.

Mott Street | 1401 North Ashland Avenue Before or after a stop in one of Bucktown’s cultural outlets, satisfy your craving for something with an Asian flavor profile at Mott Street. Chef Edward Kim has created a family-style restaurant inspired by Asian night markets, where passersby can enjoy bites of a wide variety of tempting options. A hoisin-topped omelet with pickled mushrooms and fried oysters doesn’t line up exactly with any one culinary tradition, but it’s wonderful. Local favorites here include creations like the candied shrimp and kohlrabi salad with chicken and peanuts. The cocktails are memorable, too, from the Dashi Martini to the “How Bazaar.”

Chopin Theater | 1543 West Division Street Bucktown offers lots of off-the-beaten-path art and culture. The innovative Chopin Theater features over 1,400 programs in film, theater, literature, dance, and music each year. Upcoming performances include the 17th Annual All Souls Jazz Festival; “Death and Harry Houdini,” a dynamic, circus-style staging of the life and death of the legendary magician (with original music); and, just in time for the holidays, an inventive, fast-paced interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker that tells Clara’s story without ballet.

Chicago Weekender: South Loop

Posted on October 13, 2015 by relatedchicago

The South Loop is one of Chicago’s fastest-growing residential neighborhoods.

Many of the large, light-filled warehouses and factory lofts of the area’s industrial past have been reborn as stylish condos, and the presence of Columbia College Chicago has bolstered the area’s reputation as a cool, cultural enclave. The South Loop Lakefront is also home to glass condo towers that boast what many believe are the best views of the city.

Grant Park | Monroe Harbor

Start your weekend with a Friday-evening stroll along Lakefront Trail in “Chicago’s Front Yard,” the exquisitely landscaped and expansive 319-acre Grant Park. An active public space, Grant Park plays host to musical and theatrical performances as well as festivals of all sorts throughout the year. This fall, as part of the multi-venue World Music Festival Chicago that will run September 11-22, Grant Park will help launch festivities on Friday, September 11, with the assistance of Passistas Samba Dance Troupe & Planeta Azul Band, a Brazilian music-and-dance ensemble. The Passistas are Chicago’s best-known Brazilian dance company. True to form, the group’s performance will begin with dance lessons from 6-7 p.m. followed by music from 7:30-9:30. All ages are welcome.

Mercat a la Planxa | 638 South Michigan Avenue, Renaissance Blackstone Hotel

If your Samba session in Grant Park has you eager for a hearty meal that’s rich in flavor and variety, head to Mercat a la Planxa, where you can sample chef Jose Garces’s original take on traditional Catalonian tapas. Inventive tastes of Barcelona include the chef’s signature espinaca a la Catalana (Catalan-style spinach), Marcona almond gazpacho with smoked sturgeon and pickled gooseberries, butternut squash dumplings, rabbit agnolotti with brandied cherries and truffle-chestnut purée, and tocino con cidra, or cider-braised pork belly. Desserts such as sweet potato cake with cardamom cream cheese and candied pecans or horchata ice cream with dark chocolate, cinnamon, puffed rice, coconut cream, and Marcona almond brittle are unlike anything you’ve had elsewhere, and the extensive wine list hails almost exclusively from Spain.

Art Institute of Chicago | 111 South Michigan Avenue

What better way to spend a Saturday in Chicago than by visiting the standout attraction in South Loop, the Museum Campus, an array of institutions including the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. Nearby, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts in the world. The AIC is the second-largest museum in the United States after New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and one the nation’s most visited, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors each year. The permanent collections span the millennia of art itself, featuring over 260,000 works of art, some dating back as far as 5,000 years.

Antiquities aside, the AIC is renowned for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection. Its galleries are home to iconic paintings like Paul Cézanne’s “The Basket of Apples,” six of Claude Monet’s “Haystacks” and several of his “Water Lilies,” plus George Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece (and subject of the broadway musical Sunday in the Park with George) “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” American painters are well represented, too: the Institute is home to Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” Mary Cassatt’s “The Child’s Bath,” and Edward Hopper’s atmospheric “Nighthawks.” You could spend all day taking in the permanent collections, but don’t miss the temporary exhibitions focused on special topics and single artists. This fall, check out Kesa: Japanese Buddhist Monks’ Vestments, which includes breathtaking examples of the traditional rectangular garments worn by Buddhist monks and priests in Japan. A Voyage to South America: Andean Art in the Spanish Empire focuses on works produced during the viceregal, or colonial, period (i.e., when Spain ruled the Andes) including devotional paintings, portraits, and maps.

Dining options near the Museum Campus include Zapatista (Mexican) and Gioco (Italian) on South Wabash Avenue, with plenty of other choices on surrounding streets.

Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation | 2120 South Michigan Avenue

Another great choice for a Saturday afternoon is Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, where the legacy of the blues legend is alive and well. Located on the former site of Chess Records, which has been called one of the greatest American blues labels, Blues Heaven Foundation hosts guided tours that feature vintage memorabilia and historic artifacts such as the original Ampex reel-to-reel recorder used in the studio. Guides also share stories of the great musicians who recorded here including Bo Diddley, Etta James, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Aretha Franklin.

Chicago Pet Friendly Real Estate finds homes for the whole family

The South Loop is one of Chicago’s fastest-growing residential neighborhoods.

Grant Park | Monroe Harbor

Mercat a la Planxa | 638 South Michigan Avenue, Renaissance Blackstone Hotel

Art Institute of Chicago | 111 South Michigan Avenue

Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation | 2120 South Michigan Avenue