One of the things I miss about my time at college is being in Chicago every week. I love that there is always so much to do and it’s almost impossible to get bored. Ever since graduating a few years ago, I still try to go to Chicago at least once a month to explore new areas, take outfit pictures, and try out new restaurants. So I have compiled a list of my favorites places down below for you to consider checking out if you ever find yourself visiting Chicago.
BOOKSTORES
Myopic Bookstore: Of course I have to start with books. Going to bookstores is one of my all-time favorite things to do. Personally, I think Wicker Park has the best bookstores. Myopic bookstore has so many used books. I remember the first time I walked in there I didn’t know where to start looking. If you want to get lost in a bookstore for hours I think you might enjoy Myopic.
Volumes Bookcafe: Now if you want to look at books and maybe get a coffee then I would say Volumes Bookcafe is the one for you. They have a nice section for a little book browsing. The small café area is cozy and a great space to get some work done.
I don’t know about you but walking down the aisles and just looking at books all day sounds like a good time to me.
FOOD
Pierrot Gourment: Pierrot Gourment is a European café. It’s super cozy and the food is great. Being plant-based I always worry that I won’t be able to order something vegan, but their menus are pretty easy to make vegan. It’s at the Peninsula Hotel so it is pretty close to stores if you want to do a little bit of shopping as well.
Lyfe Kitchen: Lyfe Kitchen has plenty of vegan options, which is the number one of the reasons I love going there. The River North location is the one I go to and it has a clean modern vibe. The Quinoa Crunch Bowl is so good, and I love the Orange Ginger Chia Juice.
The Goddess And The Baker: This café is so pretty. If you go there you probably won’t be able to resist taking a few Instagram pictures. The menu is on the pricey side so I wouldn’t go there every day. But it is a nice treat to have every once in a while. I got the Mayan Mocha with almond milk the last time I was there and it was delicious.
Peet’s Coffee: Peet’s Coffee is a great place to go get some work done. The Michigan Ave location was cozy and not crowded when I visited. The coffee is good and not super expensive. If you’re a college student you might want to check this place out if your looking for a new study place.
The Wormhole Coffee: The Wormhole Coffee is in Wicker Park. I love the vibe of this place. It’s dark and cozy when you step inside and the coffee is one of my all-time favorites to drink. The last time I visited I couldn’t resist buying a bag of the Halfwit Coffee Roasters coffee to go.
Native Foods: If you don’t want anything too fancy and just want a quick plant-based meal then maybe check out Native Foods. They have a few locations around the US so you might be able to find them in the State you live in. I love their Native Nachos, and the Big Ol’ BBQ Burger.
HERO Coffee Bar: I found this coffee bar last year and I really like it. The one on Jackson Blvd is another café you won’t be able to resist taking a picture in front of. It’s at the end of an alley so it’s pretty easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. This location only has seating outside since it’s actually a really small café. The coffee is good. It’s a great place to stop by if you just want a quick coffee or snack.
Places To Visit
Millennium Park: If you’re in Chicago you might want to check out Millennium Park. Some of my favorite things to see are Cloud Gate and the Laurie Garden. If you don’t know what Cloud Gate is – it is literally a big sculpture of a bean. Then there is the Laurie Garden, which looks really pretty in the spring and summer. Both are great locations for pictures.
The Art Institute of Chicago: If you love art and you have the time to go to a museum then look into visiting The Art Institute. It’s a big museum with so much to see. I honestly don’t think you can get bored there. Once you’re done looking at all the art inside make sure you look around at the gardens outside. I used to love just sitting outside drinking coffee waiting for my next class to start. The gardens are a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing and shopping.
Museum of Contemporary Photography: I loved going here when I was studying at Columbia College Chicago. It’s not a very big museum but there is always something to see. Whenever I was there the vibe was very relaxed and not super crowded.
SHOP
Magnificent Mile: I feel like everyone goes shopping on Michigan Avenue. Although it is always crowded, it is a really beautiful area to go shopping. I am more of an online shopper, but I do love walking the Magnificent Mile in the fall.
State Street: If you don’t want to go shopping on Michigan Avenue then maybe check out the stores on State Street. They have a lot of the same stores, but it can also get really crowded as well.
Wicker Park: If you want to go shopping in an area that’s not super crowded then consider Wicker Park the next time you want to go shopping. There are different stores there that you won’t find on the Magnificent Mile. I love stopping by Asrai Garden whenever I am in that area; it is a really beautiful boutique filled with jewelry, flowers, crystals, and more.
I hope you found my guide helpful. I am thinking about doing a blog post on my favorite locations to take outfit pictures in Chicago. Let me know if you would find that helpful, and if you have gone to any of these places down in the comments.
