Off the Beaten Path/Non-Touristy Chicago Suggestions

Hey all~

We will be heading to Chicago sometime in July for the first time in over 5 years (egads!) This will be our 4th or 5th time to visit. We have done most of the popular things over the years...Navy Pier, Shedd%26#39;s, Mag Mile, Lincoln Park Zoo, Hancock, etc. This year we%26#39;d really enjoy doing something a little different. Something that would give us a good glimpse of the hidden Chicago.

So far our itinerary includes the New Maxwell Street Market, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Old Town (been there once, but it was 20+ years ago!) %26amp; the Pilsen area. We will have a car (but I love riding the El!) %26amp; are staying at a family member%26#39;s apt. near downtown. We%26#39;ll be there Thursday through Sunday. We like to explore, shop for funky, unique or handmade items, and need to be pretty frugal with our dining %26amp; activities. Any tips/ideas/suggestions from people who know the city well are appreciated. Greatly!

Thanks.

Off the Beaten Path/Non-Touristy Chicago Suggestions

Your list is a great start - you%26#39;ve been doing your research. Old Town is not the hippie mecca it was in the %26#39;60s and %26#39;70s, it%26#39;s gone pretty yup-scale :-).

A few other thoughts:

- Oak Park (OK it%26#39;s on the tourist radar, and worth the trip for the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff, but also has boutiques, funky coffeeshops, etc.)

- Devon Ave on the far north side - India and middle-eastern shops and restaurants.

- The Lincoln Park neighborhood (Clark St., Armitage, Lincoln Ave) for shops, eats, etc., as well as the nightlife (bars, clubs, dining)

- Chinatowns - the ';original'; centered at Cermak %26amp; Wentworth (red line ';Cermak-Chinatown'; stop) or the ';newer'; north side area around Argyle and the red line - actually, as much Thai, Korean, and especially Vietnamse as well as Chinese.

Off the Beaten Path/Non-Touristy Chicago Suggestions

Definitely Halsted and Armitage area for shopping, and Damen in Bucktown. what about the Chicago Botanic gardens which is north of the city on the Edens expressway (I think).

If it%26#39;s 5 years since you been gone, you have to see milleniun park on Michigan Ave - touristy but the big peanut is awesone and the park is a pleasant place to be.

If you are looking for the authentic chicago you%26#39;ll head to the neighborhoods...wicker park, lincoln park, southport corridor (Belmont and southport)....check out some of the ethnic neighborhoods...devon (indian/pakistani etc), andersonville (swedish/turkish), lincoln Square (german), Little Italy (nuff said), Argyle Red Line stop (asian), Chinatown (nuff said), Greektown (nuff said).

recipes cream