By Natasha Gabrielle
Planning a trip to The Windy City? While in Chicago, you can see a lot more than just the big city highlights like The Bean, Millennium Park, and Wrigley Field. If you head off the beaten path, there are some fantastic gems.
Pre-Prohibition Drinks
Looking for a place to grab a cocktail? Check out The Violet Hour in Wicker Park. This speakeasy-style bar is known mostly by locals, and it offers a hip, chic vibe and creative house-made drinks. Be warned—the drinks are strong!
Billiard Balls & Poker Chips
Feeling competitive? Play your favorite games at Chicago’s Game Room. This lounge is the place to play all your favorite childhood games like checkers, foosball, cards, and more. Of course, there are plenty of drinks and finger foods to enjoy, too. You can find this wonder on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association.
Treat Yourself
Taste all the chocolate your heart could desire at the Chocolate of the Pen buffet. You can experience this at the Peninsula Chicago’s Chocolate Bar on Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests can eat as many chocolatey snacks and desserts as they’d like—coffee, cappuccino, and espresso are included in the entry fee.
Local Culture
If you love learning about the places you visit, you’ll want to spend time at the Chicago Cultural Center. Many people don’t know about this great attraction. Guess what—entry is always free! Not only is the architecture here gorgeous, but you’ll learn a lot, too. This gem is a great spot to spend a whole afternoon.
Get Your Nose in a Book
Calling all book nerds! Be sure to head to Myopic Books. This hidden gem of a bookstore features thousands of secondhand books just waiting to be paged through and the shop has a lot of character.
Be sure to check out the lesser-known sites when you plan your own Chicago adventure. No matter what you plan to do during your trip, you’re sure to create lasting memories of the Windy City.
