Best Chicago

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Rankings are calculated based on verified user reviews, recency of updates, and community voting weighted by user reputation score.

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Best 1 The Devil in the White City
The Devil in the White City

Erik Larson's 2003 masterpiece intertwines the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the chilling tale of H.H. Holmes, Americas first documented serial killer. Larson masterfully juxtaposes the...

9.8 Brilliant
2 University of Chicago
University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university famous for its rigorous Core Curriculum, which provides a foundational background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fo...

9.3 Excellent
Visit
3
IM
ImprovOlympic (IO)

ImprovOlympic, or IO, is a Chicago-based troupe known for its experimental and deconstructive approach to improv. Founded by Del Close, IO pioneered techniques that emphasized emotional honesty and vu...

9.2 Excellent
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4 The Spice House
The Spice House
From Varies by product

The Spice House is a Chicago-based institution known for its exceptional quality and extensive selection. They offer a wide range of whole spices, herbs, and blends, with a focus on sourcing from repu...

9.2 Excellent
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5 Erik Larson - Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Chicago in the Fair of 1893
Erik Larson - Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Chicago in the Fair of 1893

This captivating book intertwines the stories of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, and H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. La...

8.9 Very Good
6 The Annoyance Theatre
The Annoyance Theatre

The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago is known for its edgy, experimental, and often dark-humored improv and sketch comedy. They frequently incorporate music, dance, and performance art into their shows, c...

8.7 Very Good
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7 The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Storm Front introduces Harry Dresden, a wizard and private investigator operating in modern-day Chicago. Butchers series combines elements of detective fiction, urban fantasy, and action-packed advent...

8.7 Very Good
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8 Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium

Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Shedd Aquarium is an architectural gem that has been a Chicago landmark for nearly a century. It combines historic charm with cutting-edge marine science....

8.7 Very Good
Visit
9 Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago boasts a world-renowned collection spanning diverse cultures and time periods. Highlights include Impressionist masterpieces by Monet and Renoir, as well as significant wo...

8.6 Very Good
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10 Charles Walgreen Jr.
Charles Walgreen Jr.

Charles Walgreen Jr., heir to the Walgreens drugstore chain, donated extensively to healthcare, education, and the arts, particularly in Chicago. He established the Walgreen Foundation, which supports...

8.5 Very Good
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11 The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneross *The House on Mango Street* is a collection of vignettes told through the eyes of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. While not overtly magical, the novel em...

8.5 Very Good
Visit
12 LEGO Architecture Chicago
LEGO Architecture Chicago

The LEGO Architecture Chicago (21042) set showcases the architectural highlights of the Windy City. Featuring the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the John Hancock Center, and the Art Institute of...

8.4 Very Good
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13 Mystery Escape Room - Chicago, IL
Mystery Escape Room - Chicago, IL

Mystery Escape Room in Chicago offers a unique blend of mystery and adventure. Their rooms are designed to be immersive and engaging, with a focus on storytelling and puzzle-solving. The puzzles are o...

8.4 Very Good
Visit
14 The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago

Located on the Magnificent Mile, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, is a premier choice for business travelers in the Windy City. The hotel offers a sophisticated and comfortable environment, perfect for both...

8.4 Very Good
Visit
15 Neo-Futurists
Neo-Futurists

The Neo-Futurists are a Chicago-based experimental theater company known for their signature show, The Infinite Wrench, which features 30 short plays performed in rapid succession. While not strictly...

8.3 Very Good
Visit
16 Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza, held annually in Chicago, Illinois, is a large-scale music festival featuring a diverse lineup of rock, hip-hop, and electronic artists. The festival takes place in Grant Park and offers...

8.3 Very Good
Visit
17 Goose Island IPA
Goose Island IPA

Goose Island IPA is a well-regarded and approachable IPA that delivers a balanced hop profile with notes of citrus and pine. Its a versatile beer, suitable for a wide range of palates. The beers moder...

8.1 Very Good
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18 The Chicago Code
The Chicago Code

The Chicago Code offered a gritty and realistic look at the Chicago Police Department, focusing on a newly appointed Superintendent tasked with cleaning up corruption within the force. The show aimed...

8.0 Very Good
Visit
19 Cadillac Records
Cadillac Records

Cadillac Records tells the story of Leonard Chess, the founder of Chess Records, and the legendary blues artists he brought together in 1950s Chicago. The film features performances by Muddy Waters, C...

8.0 Very Good
Visit
20 3 Floyds Brewing
3 Floyds Brewing

3 Floyds Brewing, located in Munster, Indiana, is renowned for its dark, intense, and often experimental beers. They are particularly known for their stouts and barleywines, often aged in bourbon barr...

7.9 Good
Visit
21 The Great Believers
The Great Believers

M. L. Rio's *The Great Believers*, published in 2018, is a poignant and moving novel set in 1980s Chicago during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The novel explores the lives of a group of friends as...

7.9 Good
22 Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival

Pitchfork Music Festival, held in Chicago, Illinois, is a curated music festival known for its focus on indie rock and experimental music. The festival features a lineup of critically acclaimed artist...

7.9 Good
Visit
23 Boss
Boss

Boss is a dark, Shakespearean drama set in the world of Chicago politics. It follows Tom Kane, the powerful and ruthless mayor of Chicago, as he struggles to maintain his grip on power while battling...

7.9 Good
24 The House on Mango Street
The House on Mango Street

Sandra Cisneros's collection of vignettes tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. The novel explores themes of identity, poverty, and the search for belonging....

7.7 Good
Visit
25 Maple & Ash
Maple & Ash

Maple & Ash is a luxury steakhouse chain that also offers a highly-regarded brunch service. Known for its indulgent menu featuring decadent pancakes, eggs benedict, and a variety of savory dishes, Map...

7.6 Good
Visit
26 Hotel Valencia River North, Chicago
Hotel Valencia River North, Chicago

Hotel Valencia River North in Chicago offers a blend of Spanish Colonial architecture and modern luxury. The hotel features a rooftop bar with city views, stylishly appointed rooms, and a vibrant atmo...

7.6 Good
Visit
27 Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs introduced a unique blend of open-world action and hacking mechanics. Players control Aiden Pearce, a hacker seeking revenge in a digitally connected Chicago. The games ability to manipulat...

7.5 Good
Visit
28
HI
Hidden Sector Improv

Hidden Sector Improv in Chicago is known for its narrative-driven long-form improv shows. They create intricate and immersive stories based on audience suggestions, often incorporating elements of mys...

7.5 Good
Visit
29 Robert Pritzker
Robert Pritzker

Robert Pritzker, a businessman and philanthropist, supports initiatives focused on healthcare, education, and mental health through the Pritzker Foster Care Initiative and other philanthropic endeavor...

7.2 Good
30 The Committee
The Committee

The Committee is a Chicago-based improv troupe known for its experimental and theatrical approach to long-form improvisation. They often incorporate music, movement, and visual elements into their per...

7.0 Good
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