Best Chicago Skyline Photo Opportunities

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

The Chicago skyline is world famous, and for a very good reason. It’s almost impossible to visit Chicago and not see it, but how do you get the best Chicago skyline photo? Whether you’re a professional photographer or just have a smartphone, going to one of these places will give you a big beautiful view of the city. Perfect or that memorable selfie and Instagram account!

Here is a list of the best places to capture your Chicago skyline photo. Remember to check the weather before you go to make sure you will have good visibility.

Whole Foods Market

1101 Canal St #107, Chicago, IL 60607

This may not be a traditional place to view the glorious Chicago skyline, but you can get an amazing view here! This is one of the best kept secrets for viewing the skyline and admission is free. With the large windows and open floor plan, there is plenty of space to view the skyline.

The Art Institute of Chicago

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

The Art Institute has some great views of the Chicago skyline. If you are an Illinois resident, you can view the skyline for free on Thursdays from 5-8pm. This is perfect for the locals who want to take a glimpse at the skyline. For every other day, and for those who live out of state, admission is $23. On the bright side, showing your student ID will get you $5 off!

We want to take this moment to let you know that several of places on our list can be accessed when you purchase a Chicago CityPass which can save you over 50% off the listed admission price into The Shedd Aquarium, The Skydeck at Willis Tower, The Art Institute of Chicago & The Field Museum. If you plan to visit these places during your trip it’s worthwhile to check if this can help save you money.

The Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

If you are already planning on going to the aquarium, you can get a good view of the Chicago skyline too! The Shedd Aquarium is one of the top aquariums in the country and its home to countless amazing exhibits. Admission to the aquarium is $89, so if you plan on going make the most out of your visit and check out the Chicago skyline on the upper level!

Lake Point Tower Restaurant

505 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611

The Lake Point Restaurant has some incredible skyline views of the city as well as Lake Michigan! Admission is free, and you can also get a great meal while you are there!

Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower)

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Willis tower, formerly the Sears Tower, is one of the most popular places to view the skyline in the city. It features a see through glass floor on the edge of the building, where you can walk out and get a great view of the city. Admission varies, but it’s usually less than $20. Be sure to check for discounts they do offer them frequently.

ROOF on theWIT

201 North State Street, 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

This rooftop view is completely free to check out depending on the date. It’s usually busy, but there are some great views of the city that can be captured here.

Chicago Helicopter Experience

2420 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

For those who want to have a fun experience alongside getting a good skyline view or picture, you can always charter a helicopter ride. If you get a group to all pitch in, the price can drop substantially.

Have you taken a great Chicago skyline photo from a different location? Let us know where below.

Greatest Chicago Movie Scenes Ever

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

Chicago has a long history of being the film location for hit movies. In fact, more than 200 well known movies have filmed in Chicago! The most notable director to use Chicago as a filming location was John Hughes (a native of Chicago), who wrote and directed some of the best grossing movies of the 1980’s including one of our favorites National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Since Chicago has such a rich filming history, we have put together a list of what we think are the top 5 Chicago movie scenes!

Warning: This blog post may contain some spoilers.

# 5: The Color of Money

This Martin Scorsese film stars Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. The Color of Money is about a pool hustler in Chicago’s west side and his protege. There is one scene that stood out to moviegoers, and that was the infamous White Cadillac scene!

# 4: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

https://youtu.be/pPJzNNpUFsU

The ending scene of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is one of the most heartfelt scenes in the movie, and it takes place, and filmed, in Chicago! The ending scene begins with a beautiful skyline and you see Steve Martin and John Candy standing on the L platform. In this scene, we see Neil (Steve Martin) find out the truth about Del (John Candy) and how he is homeless. This scene was a bombshell when it came out, as many were expecting the film to be a lighter comedy like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which came out a year before.

# 3: The Dark Knight

Since Gotham City is fictional, this movie was filmed in both New York and Chicago to mix up the architecture. The opening scene of the movie where The Joker and his henchmen rob the bank, was filmed in Chicago. If you look closely, you can see some familiar buildings!

# 2: The Blues Brothers

This classic comedy has many scenes filmed in Chicago. One of the best scenes from this movie is the scene where John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are being chased by the Chicago PD. As they are being chased, they name off a few familiar those in Chicago might be familiar with.

#1: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

This movie gets our #1 pick for the greatest movie scene filmed in Chicago. For those who have not seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it is about three high school students who ditch school and spend the day in Chicago. There are many great scenes of Chicago in this movie, but the Twist and Shout scene was one of the most notable.

There have been so many great movies filmed in Chicago that it can be tough to pinpoint the best scenes. Other notable films filmed in Chicago would be The Untouchables, Rookie of the Year, High Fidelity, and Risky Business. But with over 200 films made here, there ought to be more great scenes that we just haven’t seen yet!

Must Try Coffee Shops in Chicago

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

You may not realize this, but Chicago is home to some of the finest coffee in the world. If you live in the Windy City, or if you’re just visiting, make sure to take advantage of these coffee shops in Chicago. There are so many coffee shops in Chicago that it can be hard to choose, but the list we put together will hopefully make your choice easier.

The only downside is that once you try one of these places, regular coffee will just never be the same again!

This list contains the top five coffee shops in Chicago. They are rated on quality, atmosphere, and the approach the company takes to sourcing coffee.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters

Multiple Locations in Chicago

La Colombe is one of the best known quality coffee companies in the United States. They source coffee beans from all over the world and directly from the farmers. La Colombe has consistently been recognized for its quality product and their charitable work.

The founder of this company was also the subject of the Travel Channel documentary ‘Uncommon Grounds’ in which he goes to remote and sometimes dangerous locations to make deals on quality coffee beans directly from the source. When you get coffee from La Colombe, you are getting some of the finest coffee beans in the world. Currently, they have four (soon to be five) locations in Chicago, so hopefully you can find one near you!

Osmium Coffee Bar (Dark Matter)

1117 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

If you are looking for the traditional ‘quirky’ coffee shop with a laid back atmosphere, Osmium is the perfect place for you! Not only is the environment fun and creative, but the product itself is superb. There is a reason so many people

This coffee shop is located in an industrial space, so you might miss it if you don’t look closely enough. Many people have called this coffee bar a ‘hidden gem’ because many just assumed it was a wholesale coffee vendor, but they indeed do sell by the cup. The prices are also reasonable!

Caffe U mbria

346 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Caffe Umbria is a Seattle based coffee chain with a branch in Chicago. They are known for their in house coffee beans. So unlike other premium coffee shops, the taste of their coffee is consistent because it’s the same bean. Many other premium coffee shops change flavors frequently based on availability. But with Caffe Umbria, you can get the same thing every time, making this the perfect coffee shop for those who like consistency with their coffee.

Caffe Streets

1750 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

As soon as you walk into this coffee shop, you are greeted with an incredible wood decor that will inspire you to feel more creative. The coffee is ground on demand and their specialty coffee is great! But honestly, just go for the atmosphere!

We love Caffe Streets because they are genuinely a part of the fabric of the community. Not only do they aspire to serve the best coffee (and they do) they want to create a warm, friendly and welcoming place for you to get work done and socialize.

Bridgeport Coffee

Multiple Locations

Bridgeport Coffee is known for their ethical approach to coffee. Instead of going through suppliers, they have created direct relationships with growers themselves. This is why many choose to shop at Bridgeport, but the coffee is also incredible! They have several locations throughout the Chicago area.

Is there anything better than a great cup of coffee? We think it’s hard to beat! Enjoy while you’re in Chicago!

6 Best Chicago Lunch Specials Under $10 [Updated 2018]

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

Chicago has an incredible food scene. Heck Chicago has an incredible Food Tour scene. But this can come with a hefty price tag. One of the best ways to find a deal on a meal is to check out a Chicago lunch special.

We have listed our favorite 6 restaurants offering great Chicago lunch specials.

And we took it one step further – these are the best Chicago lunch specials that won’t cost you more than $10. Remember, just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean that its bad! These restaurants are incredible, and this list has a variety of options to make sure there is something for everyone.

Pierogi Heaven

169 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606

This popular Polish restaurant has only a few menu items but there is a good reason for that. For under $10, you can get a large dish of Pierogi’s and a drink and still have some meter change.

L‘ Patron

3749 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

This is one of the most popular ‘street restaurants’ in Chicago. This restaurant serves Mexican cuisine. No reservations needed. Just walk up and grab your food! You can also sit out on their patio and enjoy the hip industrial area. $10 goes a long way here. In fact, $10 might be enough for two people! If you go, be sure to try The Gringo, it’s delicious!

Nhu Lan Bakery

2612 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

The Nhu Lan Bakery is a Vietnamese bakery located in Lincoln Square. The word on the street is they have the best banh mi in the city, and for under $10! $5 can get you a delicious and healthy meal that will keep you full until dinner, and you would still have enough for one of their delicious smoothies.

Pequod’s Pizza

2207 North Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

This has got to be one of the best pizza deals in the city. For $5, you can get a 7-inch personalized pizza with a soda. This deal is available on Wednesdays during lunch, so if you are in the mood for a classic deep dish pizza for lunch make sure you take advantage of this deal. If you can’t be there on Wednesday, they still have great deals during the rest of the week and their caramelized-cheese crust is incredible!

Harold’s Chicken Shack #88

124 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60625

For $10 at Harolds Chicken Shack, you can get a quarter chicken dinner meal. This meal is available for lunch as well! Prices vary by location, but it’s usually at or under $10. But in this case, you came for the quality! There are plenty of cheap chicken places in Chicago, but none of them are Harold’s.

Lutz Cafe & Pastry Shop

2458 W Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60625

If you are still hungry after eating one of these delicious cheap lunch specials, be sure to go out and try a pastry from the Lutz Cafe! For $5, you can get a pastry just for yourself. Sometimes, we deserve to treat ourselves!

Hopefully, the next time you want a cheap lunch you will skip the fast food places and head to a place that is unique to Chicago. If you are spending time in this beautiful city, be sure to get the full experience and try something new!

The Best Chicago Books

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

If you are thinking of taking a trip to Chicago, reading one of our best Chicago books before you go is a great way to get familiar with the city and decide how you want to spend your time here. Chicago is an enormous city full of history, culture, and a vibrant nightlife. If you really want to make the most of your trip, start here.

**Please know the links on this page will take you to Amazon. If you make a purchase Free Chicago Walking Tours will receive a commission. Thank you in advance for any purchases that are made!**

111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss

While in Chicago, it’s important to make the most of your time here. There are so many great things to do in this city it can almost seem overwhelming. Of all the Chicago books in our list this one gives it to you straight.

This book pinpoints all of the best attractions in Chicago in a list-style format. A book like this is a great read for the plane ride over! If you are driving, let somebody else take the wheel so you can check out this incredibly well put together book.

The million dollar question is: Can I see all 111 places in one visit? Technically sure, we don’t see why you couldn’t. That might take you longer than you anticipate as most locals haven’t seen all 111 in their lifetime. We think you should see all 111 over a few different trips in different seasons too.

Chicago: Then and Now

This popular picture-based book shows how the skyline of Chicago has changed over the years. This is the perfect book for lovers of history and architecture!

After you get back from your trip, you can also put this book out on your coffee table as it makes a perfect coffee table book! If you did go to some of the sites listed in the book, you can talk about these places with your guests. This book serves as a helpful guide as well as a great educational experience!

Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago 2018

If you are not taking one of our Free Chicago Walking Tours and still want to check out some of the best sites, getting a few guidebooks before you head to the city is always a great idea! And honestly, even if you are touring with us it’s not a bad idea to grab a guidebook.

One of our favorite guidebooks come from ‘Not For Tourists’ series. These guidebooks are advertised as a way to travel the city like a local! Not only will this help you avoid embarrassing tourists cliches, but navigating the city comfortablely will help you make the most of your time when you travel.

Lonely Planet Chicago (Travel Guide)

This is another incredibly popular travel guide. When searching for a travel guide, the more reputable the company the better the information will be. The Lonely Planet guides have tons of useful information for every age group and interest! Sure, you can read up on blogs and articles on the internet, but having a book with this much information is a great way to make sure you do not miss everything.

No matter what your interests are, Chicago has something for everyone. Whether you are coming to the city for business or pleasure, you should make the most out of your time while you are here! Our short list of the best Chicago books will have you feeling like a local. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Did we miss a great book? Let us know!