Chicago

June is a great time to visit the city.

- You will find some of Chicago's higher-rated restaurants in West Loop. The "bar scene" isn't as pronounced, but Lone Wolf typically has Zombie Dust on tap, Parlor is a pizza spot with a sprawling space, and Booze Box is a speakeasy underneath Sushi Dokku.

- Wicker Park is a densely-populated neighborhood in Chicago that is more-known for it's "hipster" culture. Walking down Milwaukee from North/Damen to Division, you're bound to run into a restaurant/bar that you'll pop into. Big Star, which is just off six-corners in Wicker Park is one of the most-popular summer spots in the city. They make excellent margaritas and have an array of street tacos. Violet Hour, directly across the street from Big Star in an unmarked door, is one of the higher-rated cocktail bars in the country. Links is known for their beer menu. Emporium is an arcade bar. Division between Milwaukee and Damen has a stretch of bars that are all very fun.

- Old Town is my favorite neighborhood to go out in Chicago. A lot of bars on Wells Street.

- Directly SE of Old Town is Gold Coast and there are a lot of bars east of LaSalle on Division.

- If you go to a Cubs game, Clark Street, and most of Wrigleyville, will be lively before games. Very fun atmosphere. Wrigley is easily accessible via the Red Line, which has a station (Addison) right at Wrigley.

- I don't spend much time in River North / The Loop, since I'm there five days/week, but there are plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs in River North and The Loop will have the newly-renovated Chicago Riverwalk and other tourist attractions (i.e. Bean, Millennium Park, Grant Park, boat tours). Another popular spot for weekend visitors is Navy Pier. I joke that it's the one place in the city that people go with no plan, which is somewhat true, but it's just a fun experience to walk along the pier, eat food, have a couple drinks, and get a good vantage point of downtown Chicago.

- Lincoln Park / Lakeview are both fine neighborhoods, too, that are just north of Old Town, but much-less visited by tourists. Plenty of good restaurants/bars in these neighborhoods, so I'm happy to provide recommendations if you'd like.

Thanks everyone, will pass this along to my friends and see what they think. Also give me some pizza recs, it's been a bucket list thing for me to get the best slice while I'm up there ...

Our preliminary planning has been in the river north area so far but we are flexible.

We are planning a tour of Wrigley as the Cubbies are out of town the weekend we will be there .

just got back from there for the first time. We stayed at
The Raffaello hotel near the Hancock Center. Liked it a lot and it's in a good location.

West Loop is an awesome area. The Little Goat is a cool spot down there with a little rooftop bar/chill area.

We went to the Laugh Factory and saw a show and it was entertaining. I recommend it.

Go to the Purple Pig for at least one meal. Hip spot and very good food. Also recommend Roister for brunch/lunch.

The Field Museum of natural history is awesome. You really need at least half a day there.

Such an awesome town.

Interesting replies about the comedy clubs. That's definitely something we are all into and would definitely enjoy.

Get cocktails and a steak at Bavette's. Go to the Redhead piano bar.