Big cities are full of little-known, back-alley, underground secrets – and Chicago is no exception. From restaurants to parks, you may be surprised to find that there is so much more to do here than you originally thought. If you’ve already done all the popular attractions, try these 11 hidden gems.
Whether you’ve lived here all your life or just enjoy the occasional visit, you’re about to find something you didn’t know about the Windy City. Keep scrolling for more details…
- ACME Hotel - 15 E Ohio Street
Facebook/ACME Hotel Company Located in River North, this hip hotel features a fresh and modern design and is located close to downtown. Guests enjoy free coffee delivered to their rooms in the mornings and have several different sleeping options.
- Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder - 2121 N Clark Street
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. Opened in 1972, this much-loved restaurant is best known for its pizza pot pie, which is served in a bread bowl-like crust filled with homemade sauce made from fresh tomatoes and peppers, then topped with melted cheese. They also serve grinders, which are like pizza sandwiches.
- BBQ Supply Co. - 6954 N Western Avenue
Facebook/BBQ Supply Co.
Facebook/BBQ Supply Co. Using all-natural cooking methods (which means no electricity or gas), this joint uses old fashioned methods to produce the best BBQ chicken, brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and burgers around. You can also get sides like cornbread, potato salad, and mac and cheese.
- The Neo-Futurists - 5153 N Ashland Avenue
Facebook/The Neo-Futurists This budget-friendly venue embraces that thing Shakespeare said about the world being a stage. Actors play themselves and tell their own stories, so the shows are authentic, unique, and excellently unpredictable.
- RM Champagne Salon - 116 N Green Street
Facebook/RM Champagne Salon This super secret, hidden gem features sparkling wines from around the world. Enter through the alley where you’ll find a charming outdoor patio. Guests may also enjoy the romantic and intimate candlelit interior, as well as the raw bar.
- Chicago Pedway
Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino Located in Chicago’s business district, this trail of bridges, concourses, and tunnels is a magnificent part of the city. It helps people get to work, restaurants, shops, and attractions, especially in rain or snow.
- Maggie Daley Park - 337 E Randolph Street
Facebook/Maggie Daley Park Like most Chicago parks, this fabulous place is open daily until 11:00 p.m. It is a project that continues to expand to include new play equipment regularly. It features several playgrounds, gardens, mazes, and other fun things to climb on and slide down.
- 9th Level of the Harold Washington Library - 400 S State Street
Wikimedia Commons/Giovanni-P This lovely glass top atrium is the perfect spot to spend a morning or afternoon in contemplation or reading a good book. It can also be rented out for events like weddings and corporate meetings.
- Myopic Books - 1564 N Milwaukee Avenue
Facebook/Myopic Bookstore This award-winning used book store boasts more than 70,000 books for sale at any given time. It also hosts fun events like readings and live music.
- 57th Street Book - 1301 E 57th Street
Facebook/57th Street Books Located inside an old brick building, this large stock of literature, children’s books, magazines, and newspapers is a hidden gem worth regular visits. It also has a sister location that sells scholarly titles.
- Baha’i House of Worship - 100 Linden Ave, Wilmette
Wikimedia Commons As one of only eight structures of its type, this temple is the oldest surviving Baha’i House. It is popular for its incredible architecture, stunning dome, and intricate carvings.
For more interesting attractions, check out these 16 things everyone in Chicago must do before they die.
Facebook/ACME Hotel Company
Located in River North, this hip hotel features a fresh and modern design and is located close to downtown. Guests enjoy free coffee delivered to their rooms in the mornings and have several different sleeping options.
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.
Opened in 1972, this much-loved restaurant is best known for its pizza pot pie, which is served in a bread bowl-like crust filled with homemade sauce made from fresh tomatoes and peppers, then topped with melted cheese. They also serve grinders, which are like pizza sandwiches.
Facebook/BBQ Supply Co.
Using all-natural cooking methods (which means no electricity or gas), this joint uses old fashioned methods to produce the best BBQ chicken, brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and burgers around. You can also get sides like cornbread, potato salad, and mac and cheese.
Facebook/The Neo-Futurists
This budget-friendly venue embraces that thing Shakespeare said about the world being a stage. Actors play themselves and tell their own stories, so the shows are authentic, unique, and excellently unpredictable.
Facebook/RM Champagne Salon
This super secret, hidden gem features sparkling wines from around the world. Enter through the alley where you’ll find a charming outdoor patio. Guests may also enjoy the romantic and intimate candlelit interior, as well as the raw bar.
Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino
Located in Chicago’s business district, this trail of bridges, concourses, and tunnels is a magnificent part of the city. It helps people get to work, restaurants, shops, and attractions, especially in rain or snow.
Facebook/Maggie Daley Park
Like most Chicago parks, this fabulous place is open daily until 11:00 p.m. It is a project that continues to expand to include new play equipment regularly. It features several playgrounds, gardens, mazes, and other fun things to climb on and slide down.
Wikimedia Commons/Giovanni-P
This lovely glass top atrium is the perfect spot to spend a morning or afternoon in contemplation or reading a good book. It can also be rented out for events like weddings and corporate meetings.
Facebook/Myopic Bookstore
This award-winning used book store boasts more than 70,000 books for sale at any given time. It also hosts fun events like readings and live music.
Facebook/57th Street Books
Located inside an old brick building, this large stock of literature, children’s books, magazines, and newspapers is a hidden gem worth regular visits. It also has a sister location that sells scholarly titles.
Wikimedia Commons
As one of only eight structures of its type, this temple is the oldest surviving Baha’i House. It is popular for its incredible architecture, stunning dome, and intricate carvings.
Which of these hidden attractions have you been to? Do you know of other awesome secret spots to explore? Share your experiences and photos with us below!
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