Vacation Rentals in Chicago

1. All Together Now

Have a relaxed weekend brunch at All Together Now, a bottle shop and all-day café. Dig into creamed eggs over toast with pork fat collards or choose to build your own meat and cheese board. As for the coffee, the beans come courtesy of the revered Ruby Coffee Roasters.

2. Cafe Marie-Jeanne

If you are looking for delicious French fare and excellent coffee, Cafe Marie-Jeanne ticks all the boxes. Popular for its deli counter treats and Chicago-style lobster rolls, this eatery also serves indulgent French pastries. Ask for the bottomless coffee or cold brew.

3. Beatrix

At Beatrix, you can choose a healthy brunch of quinoa cakes with poached eggs or treat yourself to fresh chocolate chip cookies. At the coffee bar, there are several options for your caffeine fix, ranging from iconic local roasters like Metric to Mexican iced coffee.

4. Dollop Diner

At Dollop Diner, coffee is elevated to an art form, much to the delight of locals. Choose your brew and savor it along with chicken and waffles or fluffy buttermilk pancakes. The seats by the large windows are ideal for people watching to complete the laid-back brunch experience.

5. M. Henry

Brunching at M. Henry means prompt refills of the yummy Metropolis house blend. Pair it with the much-loved peach and sour cherry brioche French toast or go for the comfort brunch plate. The café is BYOB, which is yet another cherry on the cake.

The best time to visit Chicago is in spring and fall, when the weather is pleasant and prices of vacation rentals are reasonable. Moreover, plenty of cultural activities take place in those seasons. If you intend to visit during summer, book your accommodation well in advance, as this is the most popular visiting season. Chicago can be just as magical in winter, making it a true year-round city.

Chicago's international neighborhoods are so true-to-life, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were genuinely in another country. There's Chinatown, the Korean community in Lawrence Avenue, the Swedish settlement at Andersonville, Little Italy, Greektown, and several other international pockets. The Polish Cathedrals of St. Mary of the Angels in Bucktown and St. Hyacinth Basilica in Avondale are exquisite. Experience the different facets of the city with guided architecture walks or a river boat tour.

The world comes to Chicago for gastronomical expertise, so indulge those taste buds! Devon Avenue is the place for Indian delights, and a mix of everything is served in Uptown, including American, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Japanese, and even Swedish delicacies.

Chicago is a drinking city that is home to a record number of dive bars, lounges, and breweries, the best of them found in the Logan Square and Bucktown areas.

Art and history enthusiasts will have plenty of choice with the variety of art galleries and museums scattered across the city. The Art Institute of Chicago in the Loop district houses priceless Impressionist and Modernist works, and there's also the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, the Museum of Photography, the Polish Museum of America in Wicker Park, the International Museum of Surgical Science, and more. Buy the Chicago CityPASS to save money if you plan on visiting several attractions in a short span of time.

For improvisational comedy and performance art, catch a show at The Annoyance Theater, I.O., or the Playground. Steppenwolf in Lincoln Park is more serious, having hosted the likes of John Malkovich. Visit the Auditorium in the Loop for its architecture and brilliant use of performance space. For rock, blues, jazz, and spoken-word performances, the Chicago Theater awaits.

Chicago has plenty to keep kids occupied. Right along the lake on Museum Campus lie three institutions within walking distance of each other. The Adler Planetarium has the coolest astronomy shows and exhibits, while the Shedd Aquarium features majestic sharks, dolphins, whales, and other superb marine life. The kids will love the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the Field Museum of Natural History. How about a picnic on the clean shores of Lake Michigan to finish up? The waters are safe and excellent for swimming.

1. Cindy's

Cindy's, the hip bar on the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel rooftop, overlooks Lake Michigan and provides spectacular views of Millennium Park. The picnic-style seating and artisan cocktails combined with the stylish ambiance make it just the bar for a relaxed evening with friends or a special someone.

2. Drumbar

Drumbar, one of the favorite night spots in Chicago, is known for its creative craft cocktails. The 18th-floor rooftop lounge and bar welcomes guests with refreshing views of Lake Michigan. Take your pick from the extensive bar menu and unwind on the lovely, breezy terrace complete with warming fire pits.

3. Terrace 16

Visit Terrace 16 at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago for its views of the point where Lake Michigan meets the Chicago River. Enjoy the evening as you sip on specialty cocktails and indulgent bar bites like truffle fries. The Wrigley Building Clock Tower is also within eyesight of this upscale bar.

4. J. Parker

Beautiful scenery throughout the year coupled with soothing views of Lincoln Park and the boats on Lake Michigan make the J. Parker another popular bar with a view in the city. The swanky lounge serves handcrafted cocktails with gourmet small plates and New American fare to accompany your drink.

5. Waydown

Head to the Waydown for a round of drinks in a stylish setting complete with live music. The two outdoor patios and excellent views of the city make this Scandinavian-chic bar perfect for lounging in an open-air space. Cocktails created by the celebrated Caitlin Laman are another reason to visit.

The city’s location makes it convenient to explore neighboring destinations on short day trips. Just a 90-minute drive will take you to Milwaukee, a city known for its breweries. The Milwaukee Public Museum, Discovery World, and Harley-Davidson Museum are popular attractions in this Wisconsin city.

Get more out of your stay at a Chicago vacation house with a trip to Starved Rock State Park. A delight for outdoor enthusiasts, this park is known for the many sandstone canyons that were created by glacial meltwater. Explore the different hiking trails through lush green areas and spend time by the waterfalls.

Another worthwhile trip is to Michigan City, just an hour away from Chicago. Spend the day visiting popular attractions like Washington Park, the Old Lighthouse Museum, and the gorgeous Barker Mansion. Family vacationers can visit the zoo and later hit the beach area for some boating, surfing, and swimming.

The year begins with colorful Chinese New Year celebrations and the highly-awaited Chicago Auto Show. April brings the Chicago Improv Festival and C2E2 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo. The summer months are chock-full with events, including the Puerto Rican Parade & Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, and Chicago Pride Fest in June, followed by the Square Roots Festival in July, and Lollapalooza and the Chicago Jazz Festival in August.

Film lovers and athletes should watch out for the Chicago International Film Festival and the Chicago Marathon in October. The year ends on a whimsical note with Christkindlmarket, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, and the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, where the entire city is adorned with lights.

Book a Chicago condo rental for an unforgettable time in the Windy City!

1. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

What better to way to see the city than from above? Travel up to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center for stunning views of the city and over Lake Michigan.

2. Lincoln Park Zoo

The city's most popular attraction, this iconic zoo houses African apes and other interesting species. Be sure to allow for plenty of time to explore its plentiful and varied exhibits!

3. Museum of Science and Industry

At this world-class interactive museum, you'll find a life-size replica coal mine and recreated historic Chicago streets, with functional shops and other interesting querks.

4. Cloud Gate

One of the most iconic pieces of art in the United States, Cloud Gate was created by Anish Kapoor. This beautiful reflective sculpture is nicknamed 'The Bean' due to its shape, and attracts photographers from across the world.

5. Millennium Park

This majestic urban park in the center of Chicago is a great place to wile away an afternoon amidst a tranquil backdrop. Concerts, local fairs, and fun events are held regularly at the park.

6. Art Institute of Chicago

As one of the oldest and largest galleries in the country, this impressive museum showcases over 300,000 artworks. Modern art, photography, and ancient sculptures are all on display for visitors to enjoy.