Like a Local: Get the Insider's Guide to Chicago

Tourists flock to Museum Campus for the cultural institutions, downtown's theater district, skyscraper observation decks and legendary pizzerias and steakhouses. Locals go to these places, too, especially when out-of-town guests arrive. But another Chicago awaits for tourists who like to venture beyond the guidebook standards and explore the more unique things to do.

You Know You're Talking to a Local When...

Every big city has its own lingo, and Chicago is no exception. The tallest building in town is Willis Tower, but many locals still call it by its original name, "Sears Tower." They also call the Macy's store on State Street "Field's" because it used to be Marshall Field's department store. The downtown area is called "the Loop." If you ask a Chicagoan for directions and they tell you to "take LSD," that means "take Lake Shore Drive." Similarly, Interstate 290/Eisenhower Expressway gets shortened to "the Ike." Concerning public transit, "the L" refers to the elevated rail lines of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), not a specific route. And the can't-miss Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park is known as "the Bean," because that's what it looks like from a distance.

Let a Local Show You Around

The big tour companies cater to tourists and go to the well-known tourist spots where you'll encounter...more tourists. Try a smaller company run by natives to take you off the beaten path. Start with Chicago Elevated, a one-woman operation run by a longtime local. Try the tour of the Chicago Pedway, an enclosed pedestrian walkway consisting of below-ground tunnels and above-ground bridges connecting multiple buildings downtown. Another tour company owned and operated by locals is Walk Chicago Tours. The company provides an array of tours around town, including food and public art sojourns. They'll even customize a private tour just for your party to do non-touristy things.

Show Yourself Around on a Divvy

If you're not the guided-tour type, hop on a Divvy bike instead. This is an alternative means of transport for your self-guided explorations of the city. Divvy is Chicago's bike-share program with bikes available around the lakefront and downtown areas. Purchase an affordable 24-hour pass and head out to see the sights all day long in this surprisingly bike-friendly town.

Explore These Pubs and Clubs

Enter some well-established night spots where you'll encounter locals noshing on pub grub, taking in some live music, and drinking craft beer and cocktails. The first is Longman and Eagle, a community-oriented, farm-to-table gastropub with an extensive whiskey selection that's also open for breakfast and lunch. Or try Kuma's Corner, a traditional neighborhood corner pub known for its burgers and craft beer offerings. Fitzgerald's Nightclub is a great option, a longstanding music venue where scenes in many famous films were shot, including "A League of Their Own" and "The Color of Money." Or head to Reggie's, a popular rock club with an indie record store upstairs.

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