illinois

Chicago, IL

Chicago is one of the biggest cities in the country and home to several unique neighborhoods. Take your time exploring each one’s character.

The Windy City Tips: 

  • Mmmm it’s windy. Really though. The winters can be insanely brutal, pack appropriately.

  • Chicago is pretty huge, so be sure to plan ahead so you’re not driving/Lyfting all over the place

Adventures & Ales Top Chicago Recommendations: ​​​

  • Phase Three Brewing: A fantastic brewery in an industrial park in Lake Zurich. They have incredible beers of all styles, an outside space and frequent food trucks.

  • Maplewood Brewery and Distillery: Absolutely delightful spot with amazing beers and a fun lounge atmosphere.

  • Whisk: A fantastic brunch option that is BYOB and cash-only. Get the biscuits and gravy—ya welcome.

  • More Brewing: In the ‘burbs of Chicago, this brewery is cranking out fantastic beers of every style.

  • Mikerphone Brewing: A fun music themed brewery with incredible beers. Close to O’Hare Airport as well!

  • Forbidden Root Brewery: They have their own herbs and fruits they grow and infuse into their beers—get the Strawberry Basil Hefeweizen. Also cheese plates.

  • Begyle Brewing: Great beers and a fun atmosphere!

  • Dovetail Brewery: A Lager-focused brewery that is right around the corner from Begyle with solid beers. They also have a small food menu and an outdoor bar in the summer months.

  • Half Acre Beer: A large taproom both inside and out with a plethora of beer options. They also have a small food menu. Keeping Together, a Mixed Culture project from Averie Swanson is housed here as well with draft and bottle options.

  • Local Option: A super fun beer bar with a full food menu and frequent events. Their tap list is killer!

  • Beermiscuous: A great beer bar and bottle shop with 16 taps and to-go cans and bottles. They offer single cans which is fantastic to get a variety of things.

  • Parlor Pizza: Delicious pizzas and a great tap list.

Phase Three Brewing

Chicago Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting: 

  • The Bean: Obviously you can’t go to Chicago without a stop at The Bean! Expect hoards of tourists.

  • Explore the Lakefront Trail! This 18 mile path runs along Lake Michigan through various parks and attractions.

  • The Signature Room at the 96th: The views are stunning but the drinks are pricey, it’s worth checking out!

  • Wander Logan Square: Get a bagel sandwich from Brobagel, pop into some shops!

  • Take an architecture tour!

  • Pequod’s Pizza: Fantastic deep dish (insert drool here)

  • Ohio Street Beach: A popular sandy beach on the lake with skyline views downtown. Close to navy Pier.

  • Montrose Beach: A popular area for walking, biking, dogs, volleyball, and a beach on Lake Michigan.

The Bean

The Bean

Other Chicago Things To Do:​​

  • Revolution Brewing: One of the most popular breweries in the city. They have a wide array of beers but their Stouts are particularly great.

  • Old Irving Brewing: Great beers and a full food menu. More of a restaurant-style set-up than brewery.

  • Pilot Project: A brewery incubator housing small, new breweries as they get their start. They have a great patio and a beautiful indoor space. Located in the Logan Square neighborhood.

  • Marz Brewing: A cool spot not too far from Midway Airport with solid beers.

  • Hubbard’s Cave/Une Année: This unique space started with Une Année producing Belgian beers and then expanded with Hubbard’s Cave specializing in Stouts and IPAs. They have BBQ onsite and a large outdoor space.

  • Goose Island: Not my favorite because Anheuser Busch owns them, but they’ve got quite a few unique beers only at their Chicago brewery.

  • Stan’s Donuts: I am a sucker for a good doughnut and Stan’s does not disappoint!

  • Taste of New York Bagels and Deli: A pretty authentic NYC bagel spot near Wrigleyville.

  • Corridor Brewery & Provisions: A restaurant-style brewery with average beers. The tap list is quite small. Located near Wrigleyville in a popular neighborhood.

  • District Brew Yards: Around the Bend Beer Co., Bold Dog Beer Co., and Casa Humilde Cerveceria Artesanal all under one roof with food and games