Local press Secret Chicago
Chicago Cat Tour video shows massive crowds in Bowmanville
Media Manager
The Chicago Edition
Wednesday, October 14
Local press Secret Chicago
AlleyCat Comics video: inside Chicago’s hidden comic shop
Media Manager
Local press Secret Chicago
For over 80 years, this iconic Chicago deli has served a signature favorite—and people willingly wait in line for it
There’s something special about a no-frills deli—somewhere with regulars, a place that has been around for decades, and serves a delicious sandwich that doesn’t cost a quarter of your paycheck. In New York City, you have Katz’s…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Could Chicago see its first frost of the season this weekend? Heavy rains, followed by sharp cool-down forecasted
Chicagoans enjoyed a historic October heatwave in time for the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, but the weather is about to take a drastic turn for the colder. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts heavy rains followed by a sharp…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Local press Chicago Reader
Chicago-France improvised-music exchange the Bridge taps into the city’s diverse venues for its final iteration
ConstelNation Multiple dates from Fri 10/30—Sun 11/5 at various locationsMusic at Chicago Reader
Bill Meyer · Music
Local press Secret Chicago
Santa rides every trip on this 90-minute Indiana Christmas Train, and tickets start at $34
Santa’s taking the train this year. In Indiana. And you can ride along. The Indiana Christmas Train, run by the Indiana Rail Experience, is a 90-minute holiday train ride through the northern Indiana countryside, leaving from Pleasant…at Secret Chicago
Tyler Schoeber
Local press Chicago Reader
Nosferatu (1922) screens in Chicago with a newly composed score by Circuit des Yeux
When Haley Fohr began working on a score for Nosferatu (1922) more than a year ago, she was thinking about parasitic love. All-consuming love. Identity-surrendering love. Fohr, better known as her avant-pop project Circuit des Yeux, had…Music at Chicago Reader
Micco Caporale · Music
Local press Choose Chicago
Where to see holiday lights in Chicago: Top Christmas lights displays
‘Tis the season to be merry and bright! Celebrate this magical time of year with Chicago’s most luminous Christmas light shows. Save the date: Holiday…at Choose Chicago
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Local press Secret Chicago
CTA Pink and Green Line service disruptions in effect now through October 25—here’s what it means for your commute
Downtown commuters in Chicago may have to reroute their usual trip this month. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is altering Pink and Green line service in and around the Loop amid ongoing construction on the Lake Street Bridge. Here’s a…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Local press Secret Chicago
Viral New York bakery The Dotcakes lands at Chicago Costco stores with its famous mini cake cups
If you can’t resist scrolling through TikTok (like us), you’ve probably encountered numerous viral food trends. One night, you might see someone enjoying a sprinkle-topped cake cup, and by morning, that video has gone viral, and everyone…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Milwaukee’s Colectivo Coffee opens its 8th Chicago cafe in Roscoe Village on Oct. 21, and the first 250 guests get a free tote
Roscoe Village, your morning coffee is about to get a Milwaukee accent. Colectivo Coffee Roscoe Village opens Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 a.m. It’s the Wisconsin roaster’s eighth Chicago cafe and 24th overall. Colectivo has been quietly…at Secret Chicago
Tyler Schoeber
Local press Secret Chicago
FDA announces recall for 100,000+ Acetaminophen bottles sold on Amazon over discolored tablets: full list of affected lot numbers and expiration dates
If you recently purchased a bottle of acetaminophen from Amazon, make sure to check the label. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that over 100,000 bottles of acetaminophen sold nationwide have been recalled. The…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Chicago Super El Niño could continue through spring 2027 according to latest data
Chicago has seen some wild weather in recent months thanks to the ongoing Super El Niño, from sweltering heat to torrential rains. Unfortunately, it’s looking like Windy City residents may have to wait a while before things return to…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Tuesday, October 13
Local press Secret Chicago
How 14,000-year-old glacial ice carved Lake Michigan’s 90-foot wooded bluffs—and why engineered barriers now protect the shrinking shoreline
A little north of Chicago, you’ll encounter the flat lakefront suddenly rising into wooded bluffs. It seems quite out of place beside Lake Michigan—and if you’re wondering why, we’re about to dig deep into the phenomenon. The bluffs rising…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Time Out Chicago news
Chicago just smashed a nearly 20-year-old temperature record—what this means for fall ahead
In other words, just stay indoors.at Time Out Chicago news
Primary Author: Mark Peikert
Local press Secret Chicago
Chicago is among America’s rattiest cities in 2026
Chicago made headlines in 2025 when its decade-long run as the rattiest city in America finally came to an end. But if recent findings are any indication, the Windy City is still a front-runner for the title of rat king. Orkin Pest Control…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Local press Chicago Reader
An oral history of Chicago nightlife’s most beloved visitor
No one has been to as many Chicago shows this century as Claudio Velez. For decades, he visited between 20 and 50 bars and venues each night (his own estimates have varied), mostly on the northwest side. He wasn’t trying to see any…Music at Chicago Reader
Leor Galil · Music
Local press Secret Chicago
Chicago is among the friendliest cities worldwide according to a new study
Move over Philadelphia, Chicago might be the new city of Brotherly Love—well, according to one study anyway. A recent survey from travel experience booking platform Fernwayer has ranked Chicago among the friendliest cities in North…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Local press Secret Chicago
Calvin Harris is finally bringing his first-ever North American headlining tour to Chicago
How about we meet you in the summer? (Actually, the spring, but summer sounds better with what we’re about to say next.) Calvin Harris has announced his first-ever full headlining North American tour, and he’s set to take over the United…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Chicago smashes record high for Oct. 12 in rare October heat—and a sharp cooldown is next
You can keep the puffer in the closet for one more day, Chicago—because it is somehow still giving full-on summer. The city reached an unusually warm 88 degrees on Monday, setting a new record high for October 12 and surpassing the…at Secret Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Chicago Reader
V.V. Lightbody poured sweat into a serene new album
Vivian McConnell hoped that making her third V.V. Lightbody album, Period Piece, would be more carefree than it was. “I had a migraine for, like, a year from being so stressed out about the record,” says the Chicago indie-pop…Music at Chicago Reader
Leor Galil · Music
Local press Choose Chicago
Holidays in Chicago: Top things to do and see
Come discover the magic of Christmas time in Chicago. The holiday season fills the city with festive excitement, including charming markets, outdoor ice rinks, dazzling…at Choose Chicago
Local press Choose Chicago
Your guide to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 2026
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 State Street The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a local tradition for more than 90 years, kicks off the holiday season with a…at Choose Chicago
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Local press Secret Chicago
“A hell of a show”: Loki, Thor & the Norse gods are coming to Chicago this March
Melissa Maynard
Monday, October 12
Local press Secret Chicago
Acclaimed London restaurant Berenjak opens its second public US spot in Chicago
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Why fall is the perfect season for self-care: 3 Chicago experiences to help you reset
Tori Levy
Local press Secret Chicago
Viral French café and bakery Paris Baguette is opening a new location in Chicago
Love pumpkin spice lattes and French pastries of every variety? You’ll have a new spot to get your gourmet treat fix in Chicago soon! Viral French bakery and café chain Paris Baguette is opening its 6th Windy City outpost in Lakeview, and…at Secret Chicago
Elena Smentkowski
Chicago’s Best 100
Not looking for Chicago? Switch to a different metro edition.
- 1 OrioleChicago Eat score, 98
- 1 SmythChicago Eat score, 98
- 3 AlineaChicago Eat score, 96
- 4 FeldChicago Up from 12 Eat score, 95
- 4 KasamaChicago · Filipino Eat score, 95
- 4 Milly’s Pizza In The PanChicago · Pizzeria Eat score, 95
- 7 GalitChicago · Middle Eastern Eat score, 94
- 7 Milly’s Pizza In The PanChicago Eat score, 94
- 9 BokaChicago Eat score, 93
- 9 CariñoChicago · Mexican Eat score, 93
The full 100 → 605 ranked
- 1 KumikoChicago · Cocktail Bar Drink score, 98
- 2 Gus' Sip & DipChicago · Cocktail Bar Drink score, 93
- 3 Best IntentionsChicago Drink score, 92
- 3 Nine BarChicago · Cocktail Bar Drink score, 92
- 5 BisousChicago · French Cocktail Bar Drink score, 91
- 6 The MeadowlarkChicago Drink score, 90
- 7 Queen MaryChicago · British-Inspired Cocktail Bar Drink score, 87
- 8 ScofflawChicago · Gin-Focused Cocktail Bar Drink score, 85
- 8 The Duck InnChicago · Modern American Drink score, 85
- 10 TruceChicago · Cocktail Bar Drink score, 83
The full 100 → 98 ranked
- 1 The Peninsula ChicagoChicago Stay score, 92
- 2 The Langham, ChicagoChicago Stay score, 91
- 3 Four Seasons Hotel ChicagoChicago Stay score, 89
- 4 The St. Regis ChicagoChicago Stay score, 88
- 4 Trump International Hotel & Tower® ChicagoChicago Stay score, 88
- 4 Waldorf Astoria ChicagoChicago Stay score, 88
- 7 Park Hyatt ChicagoChicago Stay score, 87
- 8 The Gwen, Michigan Avenue ChicagoChicago Stay score, 86
- 9 Thompson ChicagoChicago Stay score, 85
- 9 Viceroy ChicagoChicago Stay score, 85
The full 100 → 38 ranked
- 1 The St. Regis SpaChicago Do score, 91
- 2 Chuan Spa at The Langham, ChicagoChicago Do score, 86
- 2 The Peninsula Spa & Wellness CenterChicago Do score, 86
- 2 The Spa and Fitness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel ChicagoChicago Do score, 86
- 2 The Spa at TrumpChicago Do score, 86
- 2 Waldorf Astoria Spa ChicagoChicago Do score, 86
The full 100 → 6 ranked
Heat measures the density of honors, not our taste.
Now scoring:
any address
Sample · Brooklyn
Williamsburg
and Greenpoint
74
Higher than 62% of scored places
In this report
- One score, 0 to 100, and its rank among every scored place
- The good stuff within a walk, and within a drive
- The weather and the air, right at that spot
- How life goes in the country, and where it ranks
We score the map point and keep no record of who asked. The report names the neighborhood, never the street.
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