Local – Eat and See!

Here are the variety of restaurants and cultural sites recommended by our Local Committee!

Eat: 

Restaurant Name Address Venue type (bar, restaurant, etc.) Website Close to conference? Group size? Tips on getting there (walk, bus, etc.) What makes this awesome? (eg: description)
Cafecito Chicago 26 East Congress Parkway, Casual lunch and dinner http://www.cafecitochicago.com/ Yes 2-4, 6 is a stretch Walk Where else in Chicago can you get all sorts of AMAZING Cuban sandwiches made from a former student of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago? The answer is only at Cafecito.
Vapiano’s 44 S. Wabash Ave. Casual Italian vapiano.com Yes 2-many, depending on tables available Walk – it’s across the street from the Palmer House! With all the great pizza places in Chicago, this fairly new establishment serves some yummy thin crust pizza that puts it at the top. Even our Italian boss approves!
Toni Patisserie & Cafe 65 E. Washington St. Casual French http://www.tonipatisserie.com/ Yes 2 – 6 Walk Cute little French cafe with good soups, sandwiches and desserts! Oui Oui!
Bombay Wraps 122 N Wells St Casual Indian street food http://bombaywraps.com/ Yes 2 – 4 10 Minute Walk The paneer wraps are a favorite, along with samosas and Indian sodas like Thumbs Up and Limca!
Hot Woks Cool Sushi 30 S Michigan Ave Asian Fusion http://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-woks-cool-sushi-chicago-2?osq=Asian+Restaurants YEs 2/6/2015 Across from Art Institute Always full
GePaDe 60 E Adams Italian cafe http://www.yelp.com/biz/ge-pa-de-caffe-chicago-3 Yes 2 to 4 Across from Art Institute Great coffee and pastries, light Italian lunch
Kim and Carlo’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs Museum Campus – 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Hot Dog Stand https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-And-Carlos-Chicago-Style-Hot-Dogs/356325084420684 A good walk or short cab ride to Museum Campus Any You could walk South up the lake front path to the Museum Campus or take a quick cab ride there Best Chicago-style hot dogs, and they even have veggie dogs. Definitely get the peppers, they are spicy but so worth it!
Seven Lions 130 S. Michigan American for lunch or dinner http://www.sevenlionschicago.com/ Yes 2-many Walk up to Michigan, head South and it’s just a block up Former Check Please host Alpana Singh opens up her second restaurant in Chicago. Good selection of wines and definitely try the cauliflower steak!
Potbelly Sandwich Shop 200 S. Michigan Casual lunch, sandwiches http://www.potbelly.com/Shops/ShopLocator.aspx?PotbellyShopId=245 Yes 2-many Walk up to Michigan, head South and it’s right past Adams Good, satisfying sandwiches.
Benjyehuda 10 S. LaSalle Casual lunch http://www.benjyehuda.com/ yes, long walk 2 to 6 Walk west to LaSalle and take a right Falafels and shawarma made to order and delicious
Harold’s Chicken Shack Various locations around Chicago Casual http://www.yelp.com/biz/harolds-chicken-shack-chicago-8 Short cab rides 2-many Cab it Good, greasy fried chicken
Frontera Fresco 111 North State Street Casual http://www.fronterafresco.com/home.php Yes 2-many Walk North on State or Wabash to Macy’s Top Chef star Rick Bayless is known for his Mexican food and brings it to this accessible location.
Yolk 1120 S. Michigan Casual http://eatyolk.com/ Yes 2 to 12 Walk South on Michigan or take a short cab ride Yummy brunch
The Bongo Room 1152 S. Wabash Casual http://thebongoroom.com/ yes, long walk 2 to 8 Walk South on Wabash or take a cab A long time Chicago establishment known for brunch.
Artopolis 306 S. Halsted Casual http://artopolischicago.com/ Yes, long walk or short cab ride 2 to 8 You could walk straight down Monroe to Halsted, take the Madison Bus, or cab it In the middle of Greektown, Artopolis or any of the nearby Greek restaurants offer authentic food and great atmospheres.
Meli Cafe & Juice Bar 301 S. Halsted Casual http://www.melicafe.com/ Yes, long walk 2 to 8 Long walk or take the bus A variety of juices and brunch
Heaven on Seven 111 N. Wabash Casual http://www.heavenonseven.com/wabash.html Yes 2 to many Take Wabash up a few blocks and you’re there Cajun-Creole food, cash only
Nellcotte 833 W. Randolpsh Casual/Fancy dinner http://www.nellcoterestaurant.com/ Yes 2 to many Short cab ride to Randolph St. European small plates in a beatiful setting
Parlor Pizza Bar 832 W Washington Blvd Casual Pizza http://www.parlorchicago.com/ Yes 2 to many Short cab ride Neopolitan-inspired pizzas
RM Champagne 116 N. Green St. Bar http://www.rmchampagnesalon.com/ Yes Small groups Short cab ride Unique setting for drinks, especially if it’s nice outside
Au Cheval 800 W. Randolpsh Upscale diner http://auchevalchicago.com/ Yes Small groups Short cab ride
Tesori 65 E. Adams St. Casual bar/pizza http://www.tesorichicago.com/menu/ Yes Small groups Walk North on Wabash to Adams
Pizano’s 61 E. Madison St. casual http://www.pizanoschicago.com/ Yes 2 to many Walk North on Wabash and take a right on Madison The buttery crust!
Wildberry 130 E. Randolph casual brunch http://www.wildberrycafe.com/ Yes 2 to many Walk East to Michigan, take a left, and then left on Randolph Pancakes!
The Gage 24 S. Michigan Casual/Upscale http://www.thegagechicago.com/ Yes 2 to many Walk East to Michigan and hang a left Shishito peppers, cocktails, and nice atmosphere
Acanto 18 S. Michigan Casual/Upscale http://www.acantochicago.com/ Yes 2 to many Walk East to Michigan and hang a left Italian food

Museums:

Museum name Address Website
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 www.adlerplanetarium.org
The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 www.artic.edu
Chicago History Museum 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 www.chicagohistory.org
DuSable Museum of Aftrican American History 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637 www.dusablemuseum.org
DePaul Art Museum 935 W Fullerton http://museums.depaul.edu/
The Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 www.fieldmuseum.org
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture 3015 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 iprac.org
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 www.mcachicago.org
National Museum of Mexican Art 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608 www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 www.naturemuseum.org
Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 www.sheddaquarium.org
Chicago Cultural Center 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html/
Brookfield Zoo 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 www.brookfieldzoo.org
Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 www.lpzoo.org
University of Chicago Oriental Institute 1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637 oi.uchicago.edu
International Museum of Surgical Science 1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610 www.imss.org
Swedish American Museum 211 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60601 www.swedishamericanmuseum.org
Chicago Children’s Museum 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
Loyola University Museum of Art 820 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 www.luc.edu/luma
University of Chicago Smart Museum of Art 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
Museum of Contemporary Photography 600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 www.mocp.org
Driehaus Museum 40 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611 www.driehausmuseum.org
National Hellenic Museum 333 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org
Museum of Broadcast Communications 360 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654 www.museum.tv
Leather Archives and Museum 6418 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 www.leatherarchives.org
Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629 www.balzekasmuseum.org
Pritzker Military Museum & Library 104 S Michigan Ave http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art 40 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208 http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/

Sights:

Venue name Location Walkable from venue? Why visit?
Millennium Park 201 E Randolph St Yes Visit this collection of sculpture from world-renowned artists and debate whether or not Chicago is the open-air museum for public art it claims to be.
The Chicago Picasso 50 W Washington St Yes In case you need more sculpture after Millennium Park, this work was initially reviled by Chicagoans and is now deeply loved.
Dearborn St. Dearborn/Jackson to Randolph/Jackson Yes The main public art pieces are there – start with Calder’s Flamingo in front of the postal office at Jackson; walk north on the W sidewalk; sneak into the Marquette building and enjoy the mosaics; the huge Chagall mosaic piece is a block north; keep going north and stop by the Miro and Picasso in Daley Plaza; walk a block NW across the plaza and see the Dubuffet in front of the Thompson ctr.
Maggie Daley Park 337 E Randolph St Yes This beautiful new park is fun for kids and adults alike. We dare you to brave the slides! Many feel like mini roller coaster rides!
The Rookery 209 S. LaSalle St. Yes Originally designed by Burnham and Root, then remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright, this building lobby is a true gem in the middle of the Chicago Loop. Tours: http://cal.flwright.org/tours/rookery
The Lakefront The Lake Yes Walk straight up East on Monroe and you’ll arrive at our beautiful lakefront. Take a seat and enjoy the beautiful serene views or take a walk South along the path up to Museum Campus or North to Navy Pier.
The Signature Lounge 875 N Michigan Ave Yes or short cab or bus ride Go up to the 95th floor of the John Hancock building and enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of Chicago while enjoying a martini or two.
Buddy Guy’s Legends 700 S. Wabash Yes You wanna hear Chicago Blues? This is one of the best places to go. BTW, Buddy Guy just won a lifetime Grammy award.
Smart Bar 3730 N. Clark No, cab it or take the red line to Addison House music was born in Chicago. Go to Smart Bar to listen to talented DJs spinning music you can’t help but dance to!
Divvy Everywhere Yes Grab a Divvy bike and explore Chicago and its unique neighborhoods. Bikes stations are everywhere throughout the city.

Galleries: 

Venue name Location Website Walkable? Why visit?
Illinois State Museums Chicago Gallery 2nd Floor James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, Il 60601 http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/ Yes See local artists, witness state beaurocracy. Current exhibits highlights indigenous peoples perspectives on environmentalism.
Aspect Ratio 119 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607 http://www.aspectratioprojects.com/ No. CTA Green Line to Morgan Station A unique Chicago gallery dedicated exclusively to video art and artists
Threewalls 119 N. Peoria #2C Chicago, IL 60607 http://three-walls.org/ No. CTA Green Line to Morgan Station Currently showing “Outreach: Jaime Davidovich, 1974-1984” the first solo exhibition in Chicago of video and television works by the pioneering, overlooked Argentine artist Jaime Davidovich, curated by Daniel Quiles.
Gallery 400 400 South Peoria Street (at Van Buren Street) Chicago, IL 60607 http://gallery400.uic.edu/ No. CTA Blue Line to UIC Station Gallery 400 is the gallery for University of Illinois-Chicago. They’ll be showing graduation MFA thesis work during MW2015; who knows what you might see?