Enjoy Chicago from the comfort of your home
We are all stuck at home and that's for the best, for now anyway. Since I am unable to take you on a walking or bike tour, I have some alternatives that may help get you through this temporary new way of living your life. Enjoy Chicago from the comfort of your own home and join me for the real thing in the future!
Virtual tours
My dear colleague and friend Larissa posted the best virtual tours of museums, architectural gems and other hotspots on her blog. Check them out here and make sure to check out the rest of her beautiful website as well. My favorite virtual introduction tour is the brand new El Greco exhibit at the Art Institute on YouTube.
Chicago Food Classics
A huge part of everyone's day during this unseen shelter-in-place situation is about food. We cook, we eat, we cook again and we eat some more. Why not order some of Chicago's favorite classics and enjoy them at home? Through the Tastes of Chicago website, you can order all of your and my favorites: Lou Malnati's pizza, Portillo hotdogs & Italian Beef kits, Garrett popcorn and much more. Everything is available for nation-wide delivery.
But dear friends, please do not forget your local restaurants and bars! Most of them deliver or have curbside pick-up options. One of my amazing neighbors created a Google doc with the options in the West Loop and several websites have published lists of their favorite takeaway and delivery options in the Chicago area. Bon Appétit!
Binge-watch Chicago's best
Even though it is a remake of a British series, my favorite Chicago series is probably Shameless. Netflix now has 9 (NINE!) seasons ready for your enjoyment! If you are not a Netflix subscriber yet, try it out for 30 days. It's free.
Shameless is also available on Hulu and Showtime and the original series, set in Manchester, is on Prime Video.
Also on Prime Video: the Good Wife seasons 1 through 7. Even better than the Good Wife is the Good Fight, available on ABC.
And there is great news for the fans of NBC’s Chicago dramas. All three Dick Wolf-produced shows (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med) will be available to stream on the new FREE NBC streaming service Peacock, which will be launched on April 15.
Chicago books
When visitors ask me what the best Chicago souvenir is, I tend to point them to a few of my favorite books. Check out 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson, 'The Women' by TC Boyle or 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger,
Also, check the more recent series for young adults 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth.
Rumor has it Scorsese is working with DiCaprio on a 'Devil in the White City' movie or tv series but so far nothing has been 100% confirmed.
Other books have been already made into movies or tv series, but please try supporting your local bookstore as well during these trying times for many small businesses. For my fellow West Loopers: try Open Books or the recently opened Madison Street Books. Both have delivery options.
Music from Chicago
On nugs.net you can stream audio from 15,000+ live shows and 100+ videos on demand.
Check out some of my favorite Chicago bands: Wilco, Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam (Eddie is from the suburbs!). You can try it now for free (30 days)
You can also support Chicago based record stores like Reckless Records or Dusty Groove by ordering vinyl or cd's online.
Chicago souvenirs & gifts
Why not send a gift to someone you love but are not able to see right now? Or why not buy something nice for yourself or for your upcoming birthday? Or maybe you just feel like surprising someone during this shelter-in-place? My favorite gift shops in the city definitely have the perfect souvenirs or gifts.
Owner Ann of The Fig Tree (West Loop-based) probably has the best sense of humor on Madison Street. Her collection of gifts and cards is amazing. Her webshop has over 200 items. Be careful, you may buy too much!
Another classic is Transit Tees in Wicker Park. I love to go to the actual shop but for now, the website will do. Check out all CTA related merchandise and mucho mas. Some favorites of mine are the recently added CTA boardgame and the Chicago puzzles, all perfect for long quarantine days!
E-mail me at [email protected] if you have any questions about the tours or the 'Donate a Tour to a Covid-19 healthcare worker or first responder' fundraiser.
#stayhome #stayhealthy