Hey, fellow Tigers!
I’m Eliza Basel, Class of 2023. I moved to Chicago after graduation to join Pregis, a packaging manufacturing company. I first fell in love with Chicago during my 2022 co-op rotation with Pregis and am happy to now call this place home. It’s a city of legendary architecture, great food, live music and wonderful people. Here are some of my favorite spots that will make your visit memorable.
Architecture Boat Tour
Everyone says you need to do the Architecture Boat Tour, and they’re absolutely right. Every single building has a story, and no two tours are alike. If you’re visiting in summer or fall, enjoy the beautiful weather and grab lunch or dinner after the tour in River North. Siena Tavern (fantastic Italian food) and Three Dots and a Dash (a moody tiki bar) are both a quick walk from the boat launch.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio
If you find yourself in Chicago in the winter, a boat tour might not be the best call. To get a taste of Chicago’s architecture, visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio for an indoor (and heated!) tour. Wright has so many buildings in Chicago, like the Robie House in Hyde Park (considered the pinnacle of his Prairie style), but I’d recommend the Home and Studio because it’s furnished and gives you a strong sense of his family life and emerging style.
Fun fact: Wright was only 22 when he designed and built the Robie House.
Green Mill
You have to check out the Green Mill, an iconic jazz club in Uptown. They say it was Al Capone’s favorite spot — you’ll have to ask the bartender which booth was his favorite. The drinks are strong, the jazz bands are great, and on Thursdays, they open the floor to swing dancing. If the Green Mill is too far from where you’re staying, Blue Chicago is closer to the Loop and also has a great vibe, though no ties to the mob that I’m aware of.
Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC) is an underrated gem. The sprawling greenhouses are packed with ferns, flowers and cacti from all over the world and pleasantly warm if you’re here in the colder months. Don’t overlook the architecture — the GPC revolutionized conservatory design in 1908 by creating naturalistic landscapes instead of collections of potted plants. This spot is also kid-friendly with free activities going on all the time.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago can’t be missed, though it’d take countless visits to see everything. If you don’t know where to start, join one of the free guided tours, like the one that takes you through the famous paintings featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, check out the “Cloud Gate” sculpture (aka the Bean) and stop for lunch or a game of pool at the Chicago Athletic Association across the street.
