Spring is gradually (very gradually) arriving in Chicago, which means that hibernation season is officially coming to an end – it’s time to get out and about again! I’ve been thinking of all the things I’m looking forward to doing now that it’s getting nice enough to be outside, and I recently realized how many of the things I’m looking forward to are things I didn’t even know existed when I moved to Chicago.
Chicago is truly a gigantic place – I still get a touch overwhelmed by it from time to time – and there are so many things to see and do that a lot kind of gets lost in the shuffle. Particularly smaller, lesser known attractions. But those smaller, more hidden things can frequently be some of the most worth visiting, and as someone who gets overwhelmed/annoyed pretty quickly by large crowds, I am a huge fan of lesser-known attractions. Hidden gems, if you will.
Below is a list of five of my all-time faves:) (And no, you will not find The Bean or Willis Tower on it.)
Ping Tom Memorial Park – For the first couple of years I lived in Chicago, I had no idea this park existed. It’s overshadowed by the likes of Lincoln Park, Millennium Park, and Grant Park, and generally doesn’t rank at the top of search results for Chicago parks, so it can easily slip by unnoticed.
I absolutely love it because it’s one of the most beautiful, serene parks I’ve ever been to. It isn’t overly large – it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other – but it’s meticulously landscaped and comes complete with winding stone paths, pagodas, and benches artfully placed under flowering trees. It’s also right on the south branch of the Chicago River, and has amazing views of the city skyline.
It’s a quiet and peaceful park, and is the perfect place for a summer picnic, an evening stroll, or. . . to rent a kayak and explore the river! (I did that with some friends last summer and will definitely be doing it again, so much fun.)
As if that weren’t enough, the park is also just down the street from Chinatown. So when you’ve had enough of the great outdoors, you can just meander on down the street and get some delicious food. (I’d recommend QXY Dumplings or Strings Ramen Shop.)
La Chaparrita Taqueria – My boyfriend introduced me to this place, and I will be forever in his debt. It is home to, hands down, the best tacos I have ever tasted in my life. (The al pastor, get the al pastor. Seriously just do it, you’ll thank me.)
I love this place because it’s a tiny little family-run restaurant-slash-convenience store located in the heart of Pilsen. Don’t let the restaurant-and-also-convenience-store thing throw you – it adds to the charm, I promise. That charm (and mystique, I suppose) is augmented still further by the fact that, as far as I’ve been able to tell, all the food is made by one guy. You can see him in the open kitchen, working away and chatting to any customers who stop by the counter to talk. And when I say one guy, I mean one guy. If he’s not there – which rarely happens – the place isn’t open.
The location (in addition to the food) is great, because Pilsen is one of Chicago’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. So after dinner, when you’re stuffed with yummy tacos (and cebollitas, definitely get those too), you can go stroll around the National Museum of Mexican Art, watch an impromptu soccer match in Harrison Park, or explore the many colorful shops along 26th Street, which is known as the Magnificent Mile of Little Village.
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore – I am, one hundred percent, no holds barred, always have been and always will be, a bookworm. I LOVE a good book. I was the kid who got in trouble in school for reading during class.
All of that to say that I also love a good bookstore, and Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, located in Printer’s Row, is one of the coolest I’ve come across in a while. It’s housed in an old, historic building and is complete with creaky wood floors and huge plate glass windows (with lettering across them spelling out the shop’s name, of course.)
My favorite thing about it though is that it’s not a huge space, which means the owner has to be selective about what books to stock. You can find recent bestsellers, but you can also find quirky, lesser-known titles like Dead Presidents and Death in the Haymarket. (Both fascinating reads, btw.) There are sections dedicated to thought-provoking non-fiction (think The Color of Law), biographies, and philosophy, plus one whole section on Chicago history. As an added bonus, Sandmeyer’s also has a great selection of cookbooks, home decor books, and absolutely adorable children’s books.
Argyle Street – If you’re looking for amazing Vietnamese food, look no further. Located in Uptown, this street is a hotbed of Vietnamese restaurants, which range from pho to delicate pastries. Argyle is also home to Tank Noodle, which is where I got the best pho I’ve had in my life to date. If you decide to stop by Tank Noodle (and you should), there will more than likely be a wait – I’m not the only person to have discovered how good it is, after all. But luckily, there’s plenty to see in the surrounding area.
While you wait, you can wander through shops selling Asian art and home goods, and, if you’re in the area during the summer months, pay a visit to the Argyle Street Night Market. It’s free, and boasts a fascinating combination of street food, unique items, and musical performances.
Devon Avenue – This area is similar to Argyle Street in that it boasts rich cultural influences (and awesome food), but Devon is a hub of Indian culture, rather than Vietnamese. Though the big draw is the food (for me), it’s also an amazing place to walk along the streets and take everything in.
If you’re a people-watcher, this street is for you. I absolutely love spending a summer evening strolling along the avenue, watching people in bright, traditional Indian garb hurrying by. Equally lovely is wandering in and out of the many shops lining the street, many of which sell those beautiful, traditional Indian clothes.
Once you’ve had your fill (both of wandering and of yummy food), make one last stop at one of the bakeries dotting the avenue and pick up some goodies for the road. My personal favorite is Tahoora Sweets and Bakery, but honestly, I’ve yet to have any bad food from Devon.
And there you have it – my list of five of the best hidden gems Chicago has to offer. I hope you enjoy, and happy exploring!
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