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Near NCORE/Hilton Chicago

Exploring Chicago

The Hilton Chicago is in a bustling neighborhood with many shops, restaurants, and conveniences, only .  For more listings go to:  http://www.google.com/local , type in the hotel address (720 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago) and then search businesses

NOTE:  Listings on this page are for reference purposes only.  Listing does infer endorsement or recommendation on the part of the NCORE conference, The University of Oklahoma, or the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies. 

There is something for everyone in Chicago.  Although we encourage you to fully participate in the NCORE conference, we know that during your stay you will want to sample some of the richness our host city has to offer.  Below are selected resources to help you better plan your time and find the things you need.

Convenience Store – There are several convenience stores in the area of the Hilton Chicago. The convenience store closest to the hotel is a 7-11. Address: 525 S State St
Two blocks East of the Chicago Hilton on E. Balbo Drive, turn right (north) on State Street and continue two blocks North to the corner of State St. and E. Congress Pkwy

Quick Meals

Inside the hotel

	Kitty O’Sheas – Irish Cuisine & Bar Average price: US$ 20 Hours:  Sun-Thurs 11am-1am; Fri and Sat 11am-2am
	Buckingham’s Steakhouse – Steaks & Seafood Average price:  US$30-$50 Hours:  Restaurant: 5:30pm - 10:00pm Daily, Lounge 5:00pm - 12:00am Daily
	The Pavilion – Bistro, American Cuisine Average Price:  $20 Hours:  5:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Nearby & Inexpensive Meals – There are a variety of restaurants in the area of the Hilton Chicago & Towers.  Explore on your own, but if you’re in a hurry, here are some choices within 4-5 blocks of the hotel where you can get a quick meal.

	White Hen Pantry– 899 S Plymouth    Approx Cost: $7 - $15 Basics:  Chain deli serving coffees, bagels, muffins, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, etc… For more information visit www.whitehen.com Directions from Hotel:  Starting just North of the Hotel on E. Balbo Drive, go two blocks East on E. Balbo Drive on Michigan Avenue, then two blocks East, next to Dearborn Park)
	Clancy’s Commissary – 1130 S. Michigan Avenue Approx Cost: $7 - $15 Basics: Sandwich and lunch counter. Directions from Hotel:  3 blocks south of the hotel on Michigan Avenue
	Got Pizza (State Street Pizzeria) – 719 S. State Street Approx cost: $10 - $15 Basics: Pizza by the slice, salads Directions from Hotel: Starting just North of the Hotel on E. Balbo Drive, go two blocks East to State Street.
	Hackney’s – 733 S. Dearborn Approx cost: $10 - $15 Basics: Sandwiches, burgers, breakfast, and a vegetarian menu. Nice wine and beer list. Directions from Hotel: Starting just North of the Hotel on E. Balbo Drive, go two blocks East to State Street. Turn Left and go one-half block to W. Polk Street. Take a right on Polk, go to S. Dearborn Avenue, turn right and go to 733 S. Dearborn.
	Harold's Chicken Shack – 636 S Wabash Ave Approx cost: $10-$15 Basics: Fried chicken lines 'em up at this casual Chicago classic. Serves chicken, wings, fried catfish….and they deliver!! Phone: (312) 362-0442 Directions from Hotel: Starting just North of the Hotel on E. Balbo Drive, go one block East to Wabash Avenue, turn right on Wabash and travel approximately one-half block to Harold’s.

Official City of Chicago Website

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Chicago Office of Tourism

Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Center Stage Chicago
Since its founding in 1995 as Chicago’s original online city guide,
Centerstage Media has kept its focus trained on all aspects of the urban
lifestyle. Its unmatched database of the city’s restaurants, clubs, bars
and music and theater venues meets with unique coverage of organic
grocers, boutiques, art galleries, yoga centers and more. Thousands of
bios of Chicago's musicians, actors and writers; countless patron
reviews; and the neighborhood-centric “Virtual L” emphasize
Centerstage’s independent spirit.

Chicago Guide
Information about Chicago from the University of Chicago

Chicago Traveler  
A perfect tourist’s site with listings on things to do, favorite attractions
and historic spots.

The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago
The Encyclopedia of Chicago is a dynamic and unprecedented
metropolitan history. Thousands of historical resources-including
articles, photos, maps, broadsides and newspapers-related to Chicago's
colorful and complex history are at your fingertips.

Metromix
Chicago entertainment and restaurant guide provided by the
Chicago Tribune

City Pass
If you plan on visiting many of the major attractions in Chicago during your visit, you might be interested in pre-purchasing a City Pass.

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Art Institute of Chicago
One of the great art museums of the world, the Art Institute of Chicago presents a collection spanning 5,000 years of artistic expression. Paintings, prints and drawings, sculptures, photographs, video, textiles, and architectural drawings and fragments are complemented by a year-round schedule of exhibitions. And there’s more. The museum presents programs, lectures, workshops, performances, symposia, travel, or courses every day. From “Mini Masters” to “Senior Celebrations,” there is something for all visitors to do. Visit often, find your favorites, and make the Art Institute your museum.

111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404
Phone: 312-443-3600

DuSable Museum of African American History
The DuSable Museum of African-American History is the oldest
museum of its type in the country and is the only major independent institution in Chicago established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African-Americans.

740 East 56th Place
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-947-0600

Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum is an educational institution concerned with the
diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures. It provides
collection-based research and learning for greater public understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. Its collections, public learning programs, and research are inseparably linked to serve a diverse public of varied ages, backgrounds and knowledge.

1400 S. Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
Phone:  312-922-9410

NOTE:  Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs will be on exhibit at the Field Museum during the NCORE Conference.

Gallery 37
An unmatched state-of-the-art facility, the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts was established to nurture the creativity and innovation that energizes our communities and shapes our collective future. The Center for the Arts establishes a nucleus for Gallery 37's award-winning job training programs, while inviting people of all ages to explore a variety of artistic disciplines.

66 East Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 312-744-8925

Intuit:  The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
Intuit is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1991. Our mission is to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of intuitive and outsider art through a program of education and exhibition. Toward this end, Intuit strives to discover, document, maintain, preserve, exhibit, and collect examples of intuitive and outsider art; and to operate a permanent facility in which to pursue such activities.  Intuit defines "intuitive and outsider art" as work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world and who seem instead motivated by their unique personal visions. This includes what is known as art brut, non-traditional folk art, self-taught art, and visionary art.

756 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 312-243-9088

Jane Addams Hull House
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, part of the College of Architecture and the Arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a historic site and memorial to Jane Addams, her innovative settlement house programs and associates, and the neighborhood they served. Housed in two original Hull-House buildings, the museum is an internationally recognized symbol of multicultural understanding, reflecting the long Hull-House tradition of social service and reform, educational innovation, and urban research.

800 S. Halsted (M/C 051)
University of Illinois/Chicago
Chicago, IL 60607-7017
Phone: 312-413-5353

Little Black Pearl
Little Black Pearl is a thriving nonprofit serving youth in the
Kenwood/Oakland, Woodlawn, and Bronzeville neighborhoods on
Chicago’s south side. Firmly rooted in the black community, as the
population as changed, so has Little Black Pearl by working with an
increasingly diverse youth population and adding curriculum and services for adults and families. Today home for Little Black Pearl is its state of the art 40,000 square foot Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center located in the Kenwood/Oakland neighborhood. This cultural arts center not only houses LBP but provides opportunities in art, culture and entrepreneurship to youth, adults and families across Chicago.

1060 East 47th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60653
Phone:  773-285-1211
Fax:  773-285-1633

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is the largest Latino culture
organization in the country and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums.

1852 West 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: 312.738.1503

Museum of Contemporary Art
One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.

220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL  60605
Phone:  312-280-2660

Near Northwest Arts Council
NNWAC is the non-profit developer of the Acme Artists Community,
which demonstrates a pragmatic community building model, offering cost effective homeownership for families with modest incomes. NNWAC provides the research, advocacy and management of a professional development team. Acme residents participate in the design, planning and consensus decision process. Furthermore, provisions for limited equity protect future affordability.

1741 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL  60647
Phone: 773-278-7677

Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the most beloved and visited museums in the world, has origins that are tied to two great World's Fairs and to civic spirit and imagination of Chicago businessman Julius Rosenwald. Rosenwald, then Chairman of Sears Roebuck & Company, was inspired by a 1911 visit with his son to the Deutches Museum in Munich. He returned to Chicago determined to create America's first center for "industrial enlightenment," a vehicle for public science education. With the help of other Midwest business leaders, Rosenwald restored and converted the Palace of Fine Arts, the last remaining major structure from the 1893 World's Fair, into a new type of American museum - where visitors could interact with the exhibits, not just view displays and artifacts. In 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry opened to the public, at the same time as the Century of Progress Exposition.

57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-684-1414

The Peace Museum
The unique and valuable collection consists of more than 10,000 artifacts including original paintings, sculptures, drawings, ribbon banners, posters, buttons, and lithographs. Exhibits focus on individual peacemakers and artists, the horrors of war, Central America, domestic violence, human rights, prisons, and women's leadership. Thirteen rental exhibits are available and travel to many cities throughout the U.S. and internationally.

100 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60624
Phone: 773-638-6450

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) established in 1998, was founded to bring the richness of Puerto Rican culture and arts to its community on the North side of Chicago. Since its humble beginnings in the home of a volunteer, PRAA has become a major broker of Puerto Rican arts, sponsoring art exhibits, performances and arts-related educational programs for local residents as well as others beyond the traditional boundaries of the Puerto Rican community.

1440 North Sacramento Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 773-342-8865

eta Creative Arts Foundaiton
eta Creative Arts Foundation was incorporated in April 1971, as a nonprofit, tax exempt organization.  Now recognized as one of Chicago's leading African American cultural performing arts institutions, eta has garnered a national and international reputation for the quality of its artistic product, its management, volunteer leadership and community involvement.  eta Creative Arts Foundation seeks to be a major cultural resource institution for the preservation, perpetuation and promulgation of the African American aesthetic in the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the Nation. Toward this end, eta Creative Arts Foundation, shall provide professional opportunities by way of training and performance for the development of both youth and adults as artists and technicians; sales for visual artists through the gallery and exposure for the general public to authentic, valid projections of African American lifestyles, experiences and aspirations.

7558 S South Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619-2644
Phone: 773-752-3955

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Adler Planetarium

Brookfield Zoo  

Chicago Academy of Sciences

Chicago Architecture Foundation  

Chicago Board of Trade

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Chicago Children's Museum   

Chicago Historical Society   

Chicago Mercantile Exchange  

Chicago Public Library

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace   

Frank Lloyd Wright home

Garfield Park Conservatory

House of Blues

John Hancock Observatory

Kohl Children's Museum

Lincoln Park Zoo

Navy Pier

Sears Tower

Shedd Aquarium

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American Indian Center
From the beginning, AIC has been a brave experiment in community
self-determination. Managed by a Board of Directors comprised of Native Americans elected from out of the Chicago Indian community, the Center has steadfastly refused to distinguish between the service population and the agency managers. Policy is set and administered by the people who receive AIC services.

1630 W. Wilson
Chicago, IL  60640
Phone: 773-275-5871

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
Programs include: Research & Resource Center for East European Studies, Immigration History and Lithuanian American Genealogy Society, The Irene Balzekas Memorial Map Collection, Language Education, Folk Arts, The Edward Mankus Audio-Visual Room and Archives, Children’s Museum of Immigrant History.

6500 S. Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629
phone: 773-582-6500

Bethel Cultural Arts Center
The Bethel Cultural Arts Center is borne out of a community development project on Chicago 's West Side . Bethel 's cultural development program began in 1989 and has since blossomed into providing significant arts and cultural programming for Austin and West Garfield Park , as well as the surrounding communities. Bethel Cultural Arts Center exists to: Enrich artistic resources; Celebrate and build upon diverse cultures; Promote community participation; Increase economic development 

1140 N. Lamon
Chicago, IL  60651
Phone:  773-378-3600

Beverly Arts Center
The Beverly Arts Center is an independent, not-for-profit cultural and educational institution dedicated to enriching lives through the visual and performing arts. 

2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
Phone: 773/445-3838

Chinese American Service League
Founded in 1978, the Chinese American Service League (CASL) is the largest and most comprehensive social service agency in the Midwest dedicated to serving the needs of Chinese Americans.  Housed in the Kam L. Liu Building, with over 200 multilingual and multicultural professional and support staff, CASL’s nearly $7 million budget supports programming that mainly serves newly-arrived immigrants who often do not have formal education, possess few transferable job skills, and know little of the world around them.  Since many of these individuals do not speak English and sometimes have no family or friends in the area, CASL becomes their instant family, friend, and teacher.

2141 South Tan Court
Chicago, IL  60616
Phone:  312-791-0418

Indo-American Center
The Indo-American Center was established in 1990 in response to the wide spectrum of needs in the South Asian immigrant community, one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in the Chicago area. Many of its members are affluent professionals and business owners. However, a large number lack vocational and language skills and struggle to make ends meet. While the Center's educational, cultural, social, and charitable programs serve this diverse group, its doors are open to anyone who needs help, regardless of ethnicity or language, religious or political affiliation. The center assists nearly 10,000 people annually. In addition to people from South Asia, many other ethnic groups including European, Middle Eastern and others use its services.

6328 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL  60659
Phone:  773-973-4444

Japanese American Service Committee
Founded on August 30, 1946, the Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago originally served the needs of the Issei and Nisei (Japanese immigrants and their American-born children) who left World War II internment camps to resettle in Chicago and start new lives. As the needs of the community have changed over the years, so, too, have the programs and services provided by the JASC. The JASC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services agency.

4427 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Phone (Administration): 773.275.0097

Korean American Community Service
Korean American Community Services (KACS) is a not-for-profit social service organization located on the north side of Chicago, in closest proximity to the Albany Park, Irving Park, and Ravenswood communities. KACS is dedicated to serving the local community and the Chicago metropolitan area by offering a wide range of services including counseling, child care, senior housing, health care programs, immigration services, employment assistance, computer resource and training center, and English/civics education classes.

4300 N. California Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Phone:  773-583-5501

Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
The purpose of this non-profit corporation is to promote and strengthen the integral development opportunities for individuals and families in education, cultural awareness, creative expression, leadership skills, vocational and professional training towards goals of an integrated multicultural society.

1632 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-235-3988

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Spertus invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the
multifaceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, locally, regionally and around the world.

618 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL  60605
Phone: 312-322-1700

Swedish American Museum Center
The Museum Center is located in Andersonville, a traditionally Swedish area of Chicago's north side. The entire community celebrates all of the Swedish holidays. Merchants and residents turn out for the very traditional Midsummer, Lucia and Christmas celebrations. But, tourists visit the area continually to sample Swedish food, buy gifts, and visit the Museum Center.

55211 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773-728-8111

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DePaul University

Eastern Illinois University  

Illinois Institute of Technology

Loyola University Chicago

Northern Illinois University

Northwestern University

Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center

University of Chicago  

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

University of Illinois at Chicago  

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There are many terrific restaurants from every possible cuisine and price range in Chicago. The Metromix website (http://metromix.tribune.com) has a search engine for restaurants by keyword and neighborhood.  Just to give you some idea of the variety available, enjoy this short list, by neighborhood, from www.roughguides.com    

Downtown

The Berghoff 17 W Adams St tel 312/427-3170. The beautifully
preserved Chicago landmark, dating from 1893, offers plentiful
Germanic specialties plus fish dishes and corned beef and cabbage.
Try the draft or root beer. A bargain.

Billy Goat Tavern 430 N Michigan Ave, lower level tel
312/222-1525. This legendary journalists' haunt opens early and
closes late, serving the 'cheezborgers' made famous by John
Belushi's comedy skit. Very reasonable.

Everest One Financial Place, 440 S LaSalle St tel 312/663-8920.
Take in the stunning vista from the 40th floor and tuck into chef
Jean Joho's wild mushroom consommé and roasted Maine lobster.
Very expensive; closed Sun, Mon.

Italian Village 71 W Monroe St tel 312/332-7005. Three Italian
establishments flourish under one roof. The Village has traditional
Italian-American food and a world-class wine cellar. The basement
La Cantina serves chicken Vesuvio, a Chicago creation, among its
reasonably priced dishes. The expensive Vivere (tel 312/332-4040)
has an adventurous menu, a mesmerizing wine list and a large
pre-theater crowd (so arrive after 8pm).

Lou Mitchell's 565 W Jackson Ave tel 312/939-3111. Near Union
Station, Lou's has been around since 1923, serving terrific omelets,
waffles and hash browns all day long. Try the pecan-laden cookies.

Marché 833 W Randolph St tel 312/226-8399. Creative French
cuisine – try the porcini-crusted Chilean sea bass – is served in an
eclectic atmosphere in the Market District. Entrees $16–28.

Prairie 500 S Dearborn St, in the Hyatt tel 312/663-1143. Modeled
on a Frank Lloyd Wright interior, this place uses only fresh
Midwestern ingredients in dishes such as sirloin of buffalo and
brandied loaf of duck.

Printers Row 550 S Dearborn St tel 312/461-0780. Seafood and
game are highlights among the captivating New American
concoctions devised by owner/chef Michael Foley. Quite pricey.

Russian Tea Time 77 E Adams St tel 312/360-0000. This
Midwestern nod to New York's Russian Tea Room offers a
sampling of authentic fare from the former Soviet empire. Pricey,
but lunch can be a bargain.

Sorriso 321 N Clark St tel 312/644-0283. The alfresco dining
comes with a spectacular view of the Loop riverfront and skyline.
The menu features Italian and American dishes including scungilli
(conch) salad. The piano bar occasionally serves free pizza during
the cocktail hour.

Trattoria No 10 10 N Dearborn St tel 312/984-1718. This
charming surprise, in a series of underground rooms, serves up
delicious warm bread (stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes), grilled
sea scallops and risotto.

Greektown and Little Italy

Costa's 340 S Halsted St tel 312/263-9700. At this casual Greek
place, which is reasonably priced, try the Mussels Salonika, or the
cheese-stuffed roasted peppers.

Gennaro's 1352 W Taylor St tel 312/243-1035. The speakeasy
atmosphere is enhanced by the locked front door, opened after
you're checked out through the peephole. Fine gnocchi.

Greek Islands 200 S Halsted St tel 312/782-9855. A large place,
it has several rustic "taverna" nooks. The grilled sea bass and red
snapper are fresh and flavorful.

Mia Francesca 1400 W Taylor St tel 312/829-2828. Here's the
most subdued of the Francesca restaurant family. That said, it
offers some of the best Italian in the city, period. Don't be surprised
to find a crowd here all day.

Parthenon 314 S Halsted St tel 312/726-2407. One of the oldest
places in Greektown: saganaki (fried cheese doused with Metaxa
brandy and ignited) was invented here.

Pegasus 130 S Halsted St tel 312/226-3377. True hospitality and
evocative wall murals add to the appeal of this popular
establishment. Stuffed squid and pastitsio (macaroni, meat and
cheese casserole) are recommended. The rooftop garden has a
superb view of the Loop skyline.

Santorini 800 W Adams St tel 312/829-8820. The decor re-creates
a Greek island village, and the food is beguiling, too; grilled
octopus and lamb exohiko (wrapped in filo pastry and fried) are
highlights.

Tufano's Vernon Park Tap 1073 W Vernon Park Place, near the
United Center tel 312/733-3393. A neighborhood landmark for
more than 60 years. Its recent face-lift has eroded some of the
original charm, but the chalkboard specials, good service and
moderate prices remain. The antipasto and homemade ravioli
are standouts.

Tuscany 1014 W Taylor St tel 312/829-1990. The creative menu
here includes wood-roasted chicken and terrific risottos. Service is
very attentive, and there's a huge, bustling bar.

Chinatown

Emperor's Choice 2238 S Wentworth Ave tel 312/225-8800. The
attractive storefront serves delicious egg rolls and seafood dishes.
Try steamed clams, poached shrimp or the lobster.

Hong Min 221 W Cermak Rd tel 312/842-5026. Superb dim sum,
with more than 36 lunch items. Cantonese and Mandarin specialties
include West Lake duck with barbecued pork.

Seven Treasures 2312 S Wentworth Ave tel 312/225-2668.
Cantonese and some spicier Szechuan dishes concentrate on soups,
dumplings and noodles. Reasonable prices.

Sixty-Five 2414 S Wentworth Ave tel 312/225-7060. The two-story
Cantonese restaurant emphasizes exceptional seafood. Try the
family-style meals.

Near North Side and River North
Big Bowl Café 159 E Erie St tel 312/787-8297. Diner with an
Asian accent. Filling soups and pot stickers make it a budget
choice for weary shoppers.

Café Iberico 739 N LaSalle Blvd tel 573-1510. At this authentic
and reasonably priced tapas bar, you can share plates of eggplant
stuffed with goat's cheese or grilled octopus on potatoes.

Eli's The Place For Steak 215 E Chicago Ave tel 312/642-1393.
This glitzy room is perfect for celebrity-spotting and for great
steaks, seafood and other nicely rendered dishes – and a famous
cheesecake.

Frontera Grill & Topolobampo 445 N Clark St tel 312/661-1434.
Wildly imaginative Mexican food: La Frontera is crowded and
boisterous; Topolobampo is more refined and pricier.

Gino's East 633 N Wells St tel 312/943-1124. A Chicago
tradition: huge deep-dish pizzas (no need for appetizers here) and
graffiti-covered walls. Expect to wait.

Nacional 27 325 W Huron St tel 312/664-2727. A popular new
Latin place serves food from a variety of Central American
cuisines. Salsa dancing on weekends.

Pizzeria Uno 29 E Ohio St tel 312/321-1000. The place that put
Chicago deep-dish pizza on the map.

Portillo's 100 W Ontario St tel 312/587-8930. This Chicago-area
chain serves good Chicago hot dogs and the best Italian beef
sandwich in the city.

Scoozi! 410 W Huron St tel 312/943-5900. At this ebullient
mixture of nostalgic (there's an accordion player) and trendy (it's
a place to be seen), the emphasis is on northern Italian, with
splendid pizza and risotto.

Shaw's Crab House 21 E Hubbard St tel 312/527-2722. This large
1930s Key West-style dining room is crowded at lunch and after
work; its consistently high-quality fare includes baked crab cakes,
Dungeness crab in garlic butter, seafood gumbo and popcorn
shrimp. Not cheap.

Star of Siam 11 E Illinois St tel 312/670-0100. Terrific Thai food
served in a spacious, inviting setting. The Tom yom soup, Pad
Thai noodle dish and curries are top-notch.

Old Town

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! 2024 N Halsted St tel 773/935-5000. One of
the city's Spanish hot spots, it delivers a good variety of hot and
cold tapas, filling paella and, of course, sangria.

Flat Top Grill 319 W North Ave tel 312/787-7676.
Create-your-own stir-fry with a wide variety of meats, vegetables
and mild-to-spicy sauces.

Old Jerusalem 1411 N Wells St tel 312/944-0459. This old-time
favorite serves reasonable Middle Eastern dishes; the falafel is
great. Bring your own beer or wine.

Topo Gigio 1516 N Wells St tel 312/266-9355. The well-prepared
Italian cuisine is served by the very friendly staff in a peaceful
garden amid the Old Town bustle. The homemade tiramisu is
fabulous.

Twin Anchors 1655 N Sedgwick St tel 312/266-1231. You'll wait
for a seat in a neighborhood spot that's famed for its BBQ ribs, but
the interesting clientele and 1950s-style bar make it worth it.

Lincoln Park and around

Ann Sather 929 W Belmont Ave tel 773/348-2378 and four other
locations. This Chicago institution serves breakfast, brunch and
some of the city's finest Scandinavian food. Only this location is
open for dinner.

Brother Jimmy's BBQ 2909 N Sheffield Ave tel 773/528-0888.
The BBQ chicken and three kinds of ribs (aficionados say
Northern are the best) come with side orders such as candied
yams or collard greens and corn bread. Moderate prices, and
loud live music Thurs–Sun.

Charlie Trotter's 816 W Armitage Ave tel 773/248-6228. Prepare
for a superb, and appropriately pricey, experience. Chef Trotter is a
true artist and his daring creations, such as caviar-stuffed quail eggs
or Maine salmon with blood sausage, are constantly evolving.

Chicago Diner 3411 N Halsted St tel 773/935-6696. This
vegetarian restaurant incorporates international influences in its
expansive menu. Soup, salads, tempe burgers and the macrobiotic
plate are popular. Vegan dishes are served as well.

Little Bucharest 3001 N Ashland Ave tel 773/929-8640. A
Romanian inn serves huge stews, roasts and sweetbreads. Rich
desserts come with a complimentary slivovitz (plum brandy).
A bargain.

Mia Francesca 3311 N Clark St tel 773/281-3310. Huge servings
of pasta and tasty pizzas (try the quattro formaggi) ensure that this
cozy Italian place with a no-reservations policy is always packed.
R J Grunts 2056 Lincoln Park W tel 773/929-5363. Check out the
great burgers and a top-notch salad bar – purported to be the
nation's first – in a casual neighborhood atmosphere.

Wishbone 1001 W Washington Blvd tel 312/850-2663 and 1800
W Grand Ave tel 312/829-3597. The rich, down-home Southern
cooking come in large portions at reasonable prices. The
yardbird chicken (served with a red-pepper sauce), baked ham
and sweet potato pie are wonderful.

Yoshi's Café 3257 N Halsted St tel 773/248-6160. An East-West
fusion with a French accent, it works especially well with tuna or
fluke (sea urchin). More Asian is the three-course kaiseki menu
of tiny dishes. Very expensive.

Wicker Park

Café Absinthe 1954 W North Ave tel 773/278-4488. Fine French
dining in a romantic, casual setting. One of the city's best.

Irazu 1865 N Milwaukee Ave tel 773/252-5687. Wonderful Costa
Rican diner; great burritos plus a small selection of authentic main
courses.

Smoke Daddy 1804 W Division St tel 773/772-6656. Arguably
Chicago's best BBQ, with jazz and blues nightly, also offers
vegetarian options.

Soul Kitchen 1576 N Milwaukee Ave tel 773/342-9742. At this
loud joint, a youthful crowd munches on the likes of pecan-breaded
catfish and fire-and-spice lamb.

The South Side:  Hyde Park

Dixie Kitchen 5225 S Harper, Harper Court tel 773/363-4943. The
great soul food includes pulled pork sandwiches, breaded oysters
with chili sauce and desserts like peach cobbler and pecan pie.

Medici on 57th 1327 E 57th St tel 773/667-7394. At this
quintessential collegiate hangout next to the University of Chicago,
the chummy crowd chows down on burgers, pizza, salads and ice
cream.

Mellow Yellow 1508 E 53rd St tel 773/667-2000. A soul food
emphasis is evident in the catfish, steaks, seafood and rotisserie
chicken served at this casual, popular place – it does crepes and
quiche, too.

Valois Cafeteria 1518 E 53rd St tel 773/667-0647. A
budget-priced menu features baked chicken, barbecue ribs and
pork sandwiches. Don't skip the freshly baked biscuits.

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http://www.themagnificentmile.com/
The Magnificent Mile area is filled with fun family entertainment and
exciting adventures. Experience outstanding theater, classic or on the-edge comedy, inspirational music, modern sculpture and celebrated works of art while immersed in the timeless beauty of Chicago 's famous architecture. There's no end to what you can do in this playful neighborhood.

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Theatre

Chicago Architecture Tours
Varied tours of the city’s architecture.

Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours
Nightly bus tour of Chicago’s Haunted Places

Chicago Line Cruises
Architectural and Historical Cruises

Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Ethnic, Neighborhood, Special Interest, and Cultural Historian tours.

Chicago Tours
Boat sightseeing in Chicago

Double Decker Bus Tour
Cultural Chicago or Ethnic Chicago trolleys with an all day pass available
to better enjoy stops on the route.

Sally’s Place
This chef’s site offers tours of Chicago ethnic grocery stores.  Odyssey
Cruises - premiere dining and cruise aboard a luxury cruise yacht

Seadog Sightseeing
lakefront speedboat rides from Navy Pier

Spirit of Chicago
lunch and dinner sightseeing cruise on the lakefront