Off the beaten path Chicago: Travel like a local in Chicago's north side neighborhoods

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Located in a traditionally Swedish area of Chicago, this museum weaves the heritage of two great countries through historical exhibits, art and artifact collections dating back to the mass immigration of Swedes to Chicago in the 19th century. The 24,000 square foot center also houses a Swedish library and meeting and workshop areas. Concerts, educational programs, lectures and films are held throughout the year. Free to members.

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The first thing you'll want to do after entering the Swedish Bakery is to take a number—you can expect a bit of a wait at this popular bakery, especially on Saturday mornings and afternoons. But your wait will be well-rewarded, as the cookies, pastries, cakes, and fresh-baked breads are all quite delicious. The huge selection of butter cookies is a great place to start—you may want to pick up a pre-made box to bring home to share with friends and family, or select your favorites and build a box of your own. The bakery also features a number of seasonal items throughout the year, including paczki (Lent), king cake (Mardi Gras), soda bread (St. Patrick's Day), hot cross buns (Easter), and pepparkakor (traditional Swedish ginger cookies available for Christmas).

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Touted as the home of the city's best burger by three local newspapers, this out-of-the way burger joint and watering hole is worth the trip. Moody's has been serving up its half-pound burgers and skin-on French fries since 1959. The restaurant's decor is simple, with heavy, dark oak tables reminiscent of a German beer hall. But during the summer, the best seats are outdoors. The tree-covered patio, ivy-covered walls and gurgling water fountain will whisk your troubles away and take you to a world where the only thing that matters are good burgers and a pint of brew.

Description:

All rooms feature contemporary furnishings and a hip design. Free wireless Internet access is available throughout the property. Our common areas feature relaxing furnishings, a large screen plasma television, and a work area with computer printer and fax. A beautifully landscaped garden is available for your enjoyment. Typical room occupancy is for two persons, but additional guests can be accommodated in certain rooms. Special arrangements can be made for meals or for dinner parties hosted in our first floor space. Our kitchen is stocked with complimentary fresh water, coffee, tea, milk juices and soda. A light continental breakfast of croissant, cereal and fruit is provided each day between 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. A fully equipped office with conference room facilities and a large outdoor garden is located just 4 blocks away and can be reserved for your business meetings. Cheetah Gym is located just two blocks from the property and in-room spa treatments (massage, pedicure, manicure and facial) can be arranged at your convenience.

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Description:

Renowned for its comfortable atmosphere and unusual travel theme, this cafe offers live music (classical guitar, folk and jazz) on Monday and Thursday evenings. Besides the usual coffee drinks, a food menu offers a few light choices that lean towards vegetarian. Clocks around the walls keep the time of countries around the world. You can step up into alcoves in the front of the building and sit on pillows and read. There is a boutique in the back of the cafe called Jalan Jalan, stocked with a decent selection of travel books, textiles and jewelry from around the world. A nice place to hideaway for an inexpensive afternoon or evening on Chicago's North Side.

Our Local Expert Says:

Hop Leaf is a welcome change to your run-of-the-mill bar in Chicago. Beer snobs flock here, and if beer's not your thing, there are lots of other options that are different than standard mixed drinks. Don't miss the mussels or frites.

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If you don't know your Farmhouse from your Trappist or your Abbey-style ales, or perhaps, more importantly, if you do, then Hopleaf should be your next destination for a goblet or two. In addition to an extensive list of Belgian beers available on tap (over 15) or by the bottle (over 100), this tavern also features beers from all over North America and Europe. If beer isn't your thing (gasp!) then check out the wine list; Hopleaf features a number of wines available by the glass or bottle. Of course, with all this drinking you'll probably want to do a little eating. A few standout features on the menu include the mussels (white-wine steamed or white-ale steamed, your choice) and the frites with aioli.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great history, great music, great fun!

Description:

This is the absolute best place to see jazz in Chicago! The Green Mill is a former speakeasy from days of Prohibition, where it was the headquarters Chicago gangsters, including the infamous Al Capone. Also famous for being the location where Joe E. Lewis was attacked with a knife. The ornate, sophisticated, and dark atmosphere has not changed much from the old days, and neither has the music. It has definitely upheld its mission to uphold a "mix of down-to-earth friendliness and class." There are different regular acts every night, with Big Band swing on Thursdays, Sabertooth Jazz Qunitet on Saturday and Sunday after 1am, and even a Poetry Slam on Sundays.

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A fixture on Chicago's late-night theater scene, the Neo-Futurists have been doing their hit Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind since 1988 (it's now the longest-running show in Chicago). The setting -- a cramped room above a funeral home -- isn't much, but the gimmick is irresistible: Every night the performers stage a new collection of "30 plays in 60 minutes." The "plays" vary from a 3-minute comedy sketch to a lightning-quick wordless tableau; the mood veers from laugh-out-loud silly to emotionally touching. The show starts at 11:30pm on weekends; get there about an hour ahead, because seats are first-come, first-served, and they do sell out. The late-night curtain attracts a younger crowd, but I've taken 60-something relatives who have had a great time (unlike many improv comedy troupes, the Neo-Futurists don't rely on raunchy or gross-out humor). Admission is random: Theatergoers pay $9 plus the roll of a six-sided die. If you want to feel that you've experienced edgy, low-budget theater -- but still want to be entertained -- this is the place to go.

Our Local Expert Says:

Nestled in the quasi-pedestrian section of Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie is right off a plaza, giving it a hearty dose of European feel. The entrance at the bakery is pretty smart — it's hard to leave without picking up a dessert (or two).

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Nestled into charming Lincoln Square, looking out onto the square's fountain, Cafe Selmarie is a delightful eatery to enjoy a treat, lunch, or a cup of coffee in the morning. It is hard to bypass the beautiful pastries in the bakery, where your mouth will water at beautiful cakes, cookies, and tortes. The menu offers homemade soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches, and plenty of fresh and creative entrees. Patrons can also choose to dine on the outdoor patio during the summer months, right on the square.

Our Local Expert Says:

Uncommon Ground supports local farmers, so the ingredients are always fresh and the menu changes every couple of weeks. Always delicious!

Description:

 As you enter Uncommon Ground, the beautiful, bright wooden interior seems to glow.  After you get over the incredible warm décor, you'll see that their menu is replete with sustainable, locally sourced delicacies like fall egg scramble with bacon brussels sprouts, and swiss and tempura avocado tacos.  Enjoy an agripolitan (cranberry-infused organic rain vodka, apple cider, chai-infused sweet vermouth, licor 43, and lemon, served up with an apple slice) and a portion of the proceeds is donated to Chicago Rarities Orchard.  Take in work by local artists and performances by indie bands.  In 2011, Uncommon Ground received the title of "Greenest Restaurant in the Country" from the Green Restaurant Association.

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From the music played before the show starts, to the live organ music played on the weekends, to the twinkling stars and wispy clouds projected overhead, a trip to this theater can be a romantic trip through time. Every month, the schedule is crowded with a huge variety of films, including foreign films, American art films and classics. The theater has been known to show such outlandish things as a 1970s 3-D adult film for the midnight and cult crowd. See website for show times, event calendar and more.

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Things were getting a little too noisy for customers of nearby Schuba's Tavern as the evening's bands started to warm up and go through their sound checks. To alleviate this, owner Mike Schuba expanded his operation in 1996 and opened this bright, contemporary restaurant that manages to retain some flavor of the building's historic character. The prices are reasonable and offerings include a variety of appetizers, 17 different sandwiches, thin-crust pizzas and a number of interesting entrees such as the Galexico (a large Mexican salad). You can also choose corn cakes, biscuits and gravy or build-your-own omelets from the a la carte menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, with many regional specialties such as Texas Barbeque and Maryland crab cakes rounding out the menu.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is the place to see great bands before they go big! Great venue to relax, eat, and drink while listening to your favorite bands.

Description:

This tavern is housed in one of the former Schlitz bars, but the Schlitz is gone. Instead, you will find a good collection of beer and a wonderfully eclectic variety of live music on a stage in an adjoining room. You can drink at the bar for no extra charge, but to hear the music, you have to pay a cover fee. Both parts of the tavern, performance and bar areas, tend to host a mix of locals from the Lakeview neighborhood and others from throughout the city who have come to check out this week's jazz, rock or folk act. If you get hungry, you can sneak away to the Harmony Grill, which is owned by the same person and attached to the bar.

Description:

The City Suites Hotel is located only a few blocks from Wrigley Field and is a good choice for those in town to watch a Cubs game. Guests say the western side of the hotel faces the elevated train and can be noisy. The bathrooms are well-stocked with bath products including bath salts and fluffy bath robes. Guests mention that the regular rooms are smaller than comparable hotels, but the suites are spacious.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best cinnamon rolls in the city!

Description:

Ann Sather offers four locations in Chicago with two in the Lakeview neighborhood, meaning you have many chances to eat some of the best cinnamon rolls in the city! The Belmont location has been an institution in the neighborhood, serving delicious Swedish food for over 30 years. Scandinavian favorites can be found here at very reasonable prices, including meatballs, dumplings, and sauerkraut. However, the real draw here is the breakfast menu, featuring fantastic, buttery, sticky cinnamon rolls, which come with virtually every menu item. Or, you may just love them so much, you have to take several to go! Ann Sather is great for families, and groups of all ages.

Our Local Expert Says:

Beer lovers will appreciate the Village Tap's dedication to quality beer, having a couple dozen high-quality beers on tap.

Description:

Roscoe Village is a comfortable, working class neighborhood that has become more and more attractive of late because of its shady streets and reasonable rents. Village Tap is the favorite hangout of the locals - a place where the bartender might, in fact, know your name. With 31 kinds of beer on tap, good food in the kitchen, and lots of board games, plus a large beer garden, where else would you want to ruin your liver?

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Founded in 1981 after a split with Second City, the ImprovOlympic has become one of finest comedy clubs in the Midwest. While not as well known as its cousin, this club showcases high-quality comedic talent and entertainment and boasts a number of famous alumni, such as Andy Dick and the late Chris Farley. In addition to stand-up, professional plays and musicals are staged in the upstairs theater. Something funny is happening every night of the week.

Description:

The City Suites Hotel is located only a few blocks from Wrigley Field and is a good choice for those in town to watch a Cubs game. Guests say the western side of the hotel faces the elevated train and can be noisy. The bathrooms are well-stocked with bath products including bath salts and fluffy bath robes. Guests mention that the regular rooms are smaller than comparable hotels, but the suites are spacious.

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There are no two finer words in the English language than 'encased meats,' my friend. Try the duck fat fries if they have them.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Fleet Foxes deemed this establishment the "best vegan diner in the world" at last summer's Lollapalooza! See if they are right...

Description:

If you think it is hard to find restaurants that cater to your vegetarian/vegan needs, the looking is over. Not only does the Chicago Diner keep your needs in mind, the entire menu is completely vegetarian and can be made vegan upon request. Plus, there is even a gluten-free menu that has more than just a few choices. This local favorite has an all-American diner feel, and includes a full brunch menu, plus a liquor menu featuring gluten-free beers, and local and sustainable wines and liquors. The restaurant offers free parking.

Our Local Expert Says:

While it's maybe best known as a concert venue, The Brew and View is big draw for locals on the weekends. Everyone loves a beer and a bad movie.

Description:

The people who patronize the Vic Theatre do not seem to mind that it is somewhat rundown, dreary, dilapidated, dank and falling apart. It is all part of the charm of a crumbling once-luxurious five-story vaudeville house with floors and stairways of Italian marble. Customers pack in to hear various rock acts like Skinny Puppy, the Black Keys and Jackson Browne. On non-concert nights (which means three to four nights a week), the Vic is home to "Brew & View," an ongoing series of second-run and cult films (during screenings of which, moviegoers can drink cheap booze and smoke pack after pack of Marlboros. It is just like your living room back home, with a bigger screen, better acoustics, a balcony (with wonderful sight lines) - and a funkier smell. The Vic can easily accomodate 1400 people with seating for 1000. See Vic website for concert calendar. See Brew & View website for movie showtimes.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great place to support local artists and experience the wide array of Chicago talent!

Description:

Wrigleyville is packed with sports fanatics and a plethora of bars, but is also home to one of the best performance venues in the city. Established in 1978, Links Hall is home to many local performing artists, and virtually every weekend you can catch a show in the small, intimate performance space, which also seconds as a rehearsal studio rented by many local theater and dance artists. This is a great way to see some of Chicago's smaller scale artists and experience something off the normal tourist path.

Description:

The City Suites Hotel is located only a few blocks from Wrigley Field and is a good choice for those in town to watch a Cubs game. Guests say the western side of the hotel faces the elevated train and can be noisy. The bathrooms are well-stocked with bath products including bath salts and fluffy bath robes. Guests mention that the regular rooms are smaller than comparable hotels, but the suites are spacious.