A Taste of Weekend Chicago Farmers Markets

Buying food from farmers markets is a great way to support the local economy and do your body a favor by eating some healthy produce! Skip eating out (saves you money!) and leave the quick, frozen meals for when you’re really pressed for time. Chicago has many, many farmers markets that take place every day of the week and all over the city. Here are just a few of the ones happening on the weekends! 

Friday 

City Farm Market Stand: This market is really interesting because it borders two very diverse Chicago neighborhoods: Cabrini Green and the Gold Coast, the former considered to be a very wealthy area of the city. The farm is known for having thirty varieties of tomatoes, along with beets, carrots, arugula, gourmet lettuces, herbs and more. “All produce is grown in composted soil generated from various sources, such as restaurant trimmings from some of the city’s finest kitchens.” 

When? Weekly every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

            Now-September 28, 2012

            1-5:30 pm

Where? River North area

             1204 N. Clybourn Ave

How do I get there? Take the Red Line to the Clark & Division stop. Walk west along Division until you see it on the corner of Clybourn & Division. You can also take the Brown Line and get off at Sedgwick. Walk south along N. Sedgwick St. until Division, turn right.

Saturday

Printers Row: This market is a great choice for travelers because it’s so close to the hostel!  There’s plenty of fresh produce, baked goods, and flowers to choose from. 

When? Every Saturday

            Now-October 27, 2012

            7am-1pm

Where? Printers Row Park

             Dearborn & Polk

How do I get there? From the hostel you can walk! Just make a left on State St. and then a right on Polk.

Green City Market: This independently run, year-round farmer’s market does more than just provide fresh food. It also promotes sustainability by offering educational programs and free resources to shoppers and farmers. The Chef demonstrations that take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 am are a market favorite. “Chefs from the finest restaurants in the city demonstrate how to prepare meals using locally produced, seasonal ingredients from our market farms and producers.” It’s free to watch, but it’s standing room only so it’s first come, first served. 

When? Every Wednesday and Saturday

            Now-October 31, 2012

            7am-1pm

Where? Lincoln Park

             1800 N. Clark St.

How do I get there? Take the Brown Line to the stop at Sedgwick, walk east on North Ave, and then north on Clark. Or you can catch the Red Line and get off at the Clark & Division stop, then walk north on Clark (also known as N Sandburg Terrace).

Sunday

Logan Square: The Chicago Reader named this farmers market “the best in the city” in its 6/12/2012 “best of” issue! This market offers more than 50 vendors and loads of food, music, flowers, and fun! There’s even live music on the fourth Saturday of every month until September. If you’re still not convinced, check out this video that gives you a virtual tour of the marketplace.

When? Every Sunday

            Now-October 28, 2012

            10am-3pm

Where? Logan Square

             Logan Blvd & Milwaukee Ave

How do I get there? Take the Blue Line all the way up to the Logan Square stop. Then just follow Milwaukee Ave. east until you stumble upon the market.

Pilsen Community Market: Here you can find a variety of fresh produce, arts & crafts, and music in what is considered to be Chicago’s Hispanic neighborhood. This market serves a diverse community because it connects to other local neighborhoods like the Near West and Lower West Side of Chicago. 

When? Every Sunday

            Now-October 28, 2012

             9am-3pm

Where? Chicago Community Bank Parking Lot

             1800 S. Halsted 

How do I get there? Take the pink line to 18^th and then walk east along 18^th St. until you come to Halsted. 18^th is the main road of the Pilsen area and is filled with history and a strong influence from the Mexican culture so be sure to take a look around!

If you won't be visiting Chicago over a weekend, don't worry! There's plenty of farmers markets that take place during the week. Here are a couple examples (and they're right in the loop, so they're very close to the hostel).

Federal Plaza Market: Your typical farmers market selling fresh fruit, veggies, plants, and flowers.

When?  Every Tuesday
             Now-October 30, 2012
             7am-3pm

Where? Federal Plaza
             Adams & Dearborn

How do I get there? You can walk there from the hostel! Just head north on State St., then make a left on Adams.

Daily Plaza Market: Choose from a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and more at this market in the heart of the city!

When? Every Thursday
            Now-October 18, 2012
            7am-3pm

Where? Daley Plaza
             50 W. Washington

How do I get there? Once again, you can easily walk! Just head north on State St, and then turn left on Washington.

*All farmers markets can also be reached by bus, so just ask the hostel information desk volunteer for more information*

Resource Links: Explore Chicago

                         CTA map 

                         

5 Ways to Save Money While Traveling in Chicago

1.      Cook in our Awesome Kitchen 

Eating out for every meal adds up quickly, so why not grab food from the grocery store and cook in our large, fully equipped, self-service kitchen instead? If you need an idea, pasta and vegetables is a cheap and popular meal choice among travelers. Maybe you’ll even score something from the free food shelf or meet fellow travelers to share a meal with! 

2. Use the CTA 

The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is our public transportation system around the city. It is quick, reliable, and cheap. It costs $2.25 per ride, or if you’re staying a while we recommend purchasing a 1 day ($5.75), 3 day ($14), or 7 day ($23) pass for unlimited rides on any CTA bus or train. The elevated trains are also a great way to get a mini tour of the city before you set out to explore on foot. 

3. Check out “Free Things to do in Chicago”

Take a look at Free Things to do in Chicago , which provides a nice sampling of current low-cost events in the city. Favorite free destinations in Chicago include Millennium Park, Grant Park, Navy Pier and in the summer the miles and miles of beautiful beaches. And of course Lincoln Park Zoo is always free.

(The Bean: always free, always an amusing picture)

4. Check out Groupon and Living Social

These websites are an excellent source for purchasing discounts to restaurants, bars, attractions, and much more. With the right deals, you could potentially have a night out in the city (dinner, drinks, and a show) for half the price. Especially useful are the “Now” deals that you can purchase and use immediately – perfect for those of us who like to be spontaneous without spending too much cash. 

5.Ask the hostel's front desk and info desk for discount coupons

We have loads of discount coupons in the hostel for you to use during your stay with us. Also, your hostel key card can get you discounts at various restaurants, museums, and tours in the area. Check at the info desk for more information. 

Bonus! Go on an HI-Chicago Free Walking Tour

Take advantage of the awesome weather we've been having lately and sign up at the info desk for one of our free volunteer-led walking tours or cheap excursions. Examples include free walking tours of downtown Chicago and excursions to comedy clubs, festivals, and blue's bars. It's a great chance to mingle with locals and travelers alike!

The Hottest Ways to Stay Cool

I’m a bit tired of the festival scene, so I think we’ll take a weekend off from the Chicago fest round-up to gear up for Lolla. Instead, in honor of the heat wave that we just finished and will be starting again shortly (although high-80s and sunny this weekend doesn’t sound too shabby!), here is your guide to the hottest places in the city to cool down – apart from sticking your head in the freezer, which is always a decent and efficient idea. (*Big thanks to Huffington Post for some of the pool ideas!*)

 

Public Pools

Chicago Park District has put a ton of time and money into developing the city’s parks, and most of them boast awesome outdoor public pools that Chicagoans can frequent during the summer!

Hamlin Park Pool: Roscoe Village (3035 N Hoyne Ave)

Lots of lounge chairs, sunny space to lay out, and shower and restroom facilities free of charge make this spot in Roscoe Village a popular spot on weekends (so we recommend arriving ~15 minutes prior to opening if you want to snag a chair!). The young adult crowd dominates the facility, and kids with their parents tend to stay in the shallows. Vending machines are available, but no other food/drink vendors beyond ice cream carts—you should bring your own drinks (especially some water!), but no coolers allowed. Free entry and use of all facilities!

Schedule: Mon/Wed/Fri 1:15pm-7:15pm, Tues/Thurs 1:15pm-8:15pm, Sat/Sun 11-7:15

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Portage Park Pool: Portage Park (4100 N Long Ave)

Boasting an Olympic-sized pool with diving boards, a large deck for sun-bathing, misting sprays and an interactive play area for kids, Portage Park Pool also draws a large crowd on hot summer days. Passes are needed for Adult Lap Swim times, but otherwise it is open to the public for free. Quick warning – the lockers don’t actually lock, so be careful with valuables you leave in there! You might be better off taking a bag out with you to the pool deck.

Schedule: Mon-Fri 7am-10am + 4:30pm-7:15pm, Sat/Sun 9:30am-6pm

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Chase Park Pool: Ravenswood (4701 N Ashland Ave)

With a smaller sized pool (maybe the size of a basketball court), Chase Park is definitely less crowded than the others, and usually has lounge chairs open – so what more do you need? Bike-friendly areas are available, and this park is actually a wonderful place to work out as well. An outdoor track, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball diamonds are all available free of charge (as is the pool), and use of the workout room is offered for a nominal fee. Work up a good sweat and hop in the pool to cool off!

Schedule: Mon-Fri 3pm-7:15pm, Sat/Sun 12pm-7:15pm

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Beaches

Lake Michigan, a.k.a the Heavens’ gift to Chicago, is quite possibly my favorite thing about this great city. As a New Yorker who grew up swimming in the Long Island Sound, trust me – you really don’t know how good you have it with the lake, so take advantage!

North Avenue Beach: Lincoln Park (1600 N Lake Shore Dr)

The young adult crowd that frequents North Avenue Beach makes it a bit of a singles scene, with sand, surf, and booze aplenty. Biking and running paths, volleyball tournaments, and equipment rentals also make this a work-out fiend’s dream. It’s easily the busiest beach in the city, so public transportation is recommended because parking is limited.

Oak Street Beach: Gold Coast (1000 N Lake Shore Dr)

Close to the Magnificent Mile and John Hancock Building, Oak Street Beach is steps away from the bustle of the city and thus a great place for people-watching (though there are definitely some eensy-weensy Speedos you may not want to look too closely at…). It’s also got a great running and biking path along Lake Shore Drive – but watch out for bicyclists with 2 headphones in and no cares as to whether or not they run you over.

Montrose Beach: Uptown (200 W Montrose Harbor Dr)

The home of Windy City Watersports, Montrose Beach is the best place to rent your WaveRunners, sailboats, and other equipment for some action sport fun on our Great Lake. This Saturday, you can even check out Beach Palooza, a crazy 5K obstacle course race on the beach starting at 9am. Either join in the festivities (race-day registration will be available for $65), or just come laugh at the fools crawling around drunk in the sand. All participants will also receive a pineapple hat, and you know how often that comes in handy. Every. Day.

*If you’re traveling with your pooch, check out Belmont Harbor (3200 N Lake Shore Dr) – the fenced in beach area makes this the city’s perfect unofficial doggie beach!*

A few more water-related ideas

-Splash around in Faces Fountain at Millennium Park – just because the average age of frolickers is somewhere around six shouldn’t stop you. Man up and channel your inner child!

-Rent a kayak to cruise down the Chicago River with Kayak Chicago. Be forewarned, this is not an activity for the faint of heart! Paddling back upstream is a work-out, and the river, while not toxic anymore, also has a bit of a garbage aroma at times. Nothing to worry about, just be sure to shower afterwards…really well.

-If you’re up for a bit of a drive, trek out to some of the best water parks in Illinois – Raging Waves in Yorkville is a great time, as is Hurricane Harbor at the Six Flags in Gurnee (and who doesn’t love a Six Flags?!).

-And finally, you can always head out to the suburbs and run through somebody else’s sprinklers. This is pretty self-explanatory. If it isn't, please see diagram below for directions.

And for those festival die-hards, here’s a brief list for this weekend:

Taste of Lincoln Avenue: N Lincoln Ave b/w Fullerton + Wrightwood Ave – Sheffield/De Paul

Saturday 12pm-10pm, Sunday 11am-10pm, $10 suggested donation

Randolph Street Market Festival: 1340 W Washington Blvd – West Loop

Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, $10 entry ($5/students)

Fiesta del Sol: 1400 W Cermak Rd – Pilsen/Heart of Chicago/Little Village

Thursday 5-10pm, Friday/Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm, Free

Celebrate Hyde Park – July Summer Festival: 53^rd St b/w Harper + Kimbark Ave – Hyde Park/University of Chicago

Saturday/Sunday 11am-9pm, Free

Also, don’t forget that Critical Mass is this Friday (the last Friday of every month) – take back the streets of the city with your fellow bicyclists for a fun, free community building event! Just show up with your bike in Daley Plaza by 5:30pm on Friday and join in the two-wheeling fun, and be sure to wish pedestrians, drivers, and passers-by a Happy Friday!

Enjoy the weekend, the weather, the water, and wow – so many good words start with a w (waffles, walruses, wine, Wham!…). Anyways, until next time!

Written by: Keren Mikva

Things to do on Christmas Day

Traveling in Chicago over Christmas? Don't get stuck with nothing to do on the holiday!

Here's a selection of places that are open on X-mas Day!

RESTAURANTS
• Dragon Court: This is one of the best restaurants in Chinatown (almost all the restaurants in Chinatown will be open on Christmas Day!). The menu is Cantonese and specializes in seafood. Hours: 8am-2am Directions: Take a right out of the hostel and walk west to Clark St. Pick up bus #24 Wentworth Southbound and get off at 24th and Wentworth. The restaurant is at 2414 S Wentworth Avenue.
• Sushi Samba Rio: Try something different for Christmas dinner at Sushisamba Rio, which will offer its full menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Selections on its eclectic Japanese/Brazilian/Peruvian menu include items from the raw bar, Japanese style Kobe beef, various ceviches and sashimi tiraditos as well as Brazilian style churrasco. Price: Entrees cost between $20-$40 Hours: Noon-2am Directions: Take a right out of the hostel and a right onto State Street. Pick up the brown line at State/Van Buren and get off at Merchandise Mart. Walk two blocks north to 504 N. Wells Street/
• Ann Sathers: Classic holiday fare at the Lakeview location of Chicago’s favorite Swedish restaurant. Hours: 7am-7pm Price: $18.95 for a 3-course meal Directions: Take the Red Line (towards Howard) to Belmont. Take a right out of the station and walk a block to 909 W. Belmont Avenue.
• Buca di Beppo: Family-style Italian food. Great for groups or leftovers! Get a coupon at the hostel’s info desk! Hours: 10am-11pm Directions: Take the red line (towards Howard) to Grand. Walk one block east to Rush. 521 North Rush Street.

MOVIE THEATERS
• All movie theaters are open on Christmas. Try the Kerasotes Roosevelt at 150 W Roosevelt Rd, AMC Loews at 600 North Michigan Avenue or the AMC theaters River East at 322 East Illinois Street.

MUSEUMS/ACTIVITIES
• Millennium Park Ice-Skating
Skating in Millennium Park is free and open to the public. Enjoy this favorite winter activity in the heart of Chicago. Hours: 10am-4pm Price: Skate rental is available for $10. Directions: Walk left out the hostel, then two blocks to Michigan Ave. Walk up Michigan six blocks. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets.
• Garfield Park Conservatory
One of the largest and most impressive conservatories in the United States. Often referred to as "landscape art under glass," the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies approximately 4.5 acres (18,000 m²) inside and out and contains a number of permanent plant exhibits incorporating specimens from around the world (including some ferns that are over 300 years old). Additionally, thousands of plants are grown there each year for displays in Chicago parks and public spaces. Hours: 9am-5pm Price: Free and open to the public. Directions: Take the Green line towards Harlem. Get off at the Conservatory-Central Park stop.
• Also Open: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory, Willis Tower, and Hancock Observatory (buy tickets to Willis and Hancock at the front desk).

NIGHTLIFE
• Kingston Mines Blues (21+)
Go to Kingston Mines for a full night of blues. Joanna Connor Blues Band plus Eric "Guitar" Davis and The Troublemakers and 8PM Acoustic Set with Joanna Connor. Hours: Acoustic set starts at 7:30pm Price: $12 with hostel coupon (at the info desk or front desk). Directions: Take the Red line towards Howard. Get off at Fullerton and walk east to Halsted. Take a left. The address is 2548 North Halsted Street.
• Smart Bar (21+)
A Smart Bar Christmas! Enjoy dancing to the sounds of RON TRENT, TEVO HOWARD (LIVE), SPECTER, LUIS BARO, and TIM BIARS. Hours: Starts at 10pm Price: FREE with hostel coupon (before midnight). $12 after Directions: Take the Red line towards Howard. Get off at Addison and walk west to Clark. Take a right and walk about 3 blocks. The address is 3730 North Clark Street.
• Crocodile Lounge (21+)
Dance the night away in Wicker Park at Crocodile Lounge at the “A Very Dirty Christmas” celebration. Free gourmet individual-sized pizza with the purchase of any beer! Hours: Starts at 9pm Price: Free with RSVP: http://chicago.going.com/event-865494;A_Very_Dirty_Christmas# Directions: Take the Blue Line (towards O’Hare). Get off at Damen. Take a left out of the station and a right onto Milwaukee Avenue. Walk less than 5 minutes to 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile isn't really a neighborhood; it's more of an attraction. Chicago’s equivalent of New York City’s Fifth Avenue or Paris’ Champs Elysées, the “Mag Mile” spans Michigan Avenue’s 8 blocks from Wacker Drive to the lake. It is home to over 460 stores and boutiques, from Gucci to The Disney Store, and more than 200 restaurants. Michigan Ave is the place to go for Chicago’s famous eateries - Chicago Style pizza, Garrett’s Popcorn, and Ghirardelli Chocolates. The Mag Mile is home to Chicago’s famous yellow brick Water Tower, one of the few buildings that survived the great fire of 1871. The Mag Mile also boasts the Water Tower place mall, which features 8 levels of shopping and restaurants, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the historic Fourth Presbyterian Church, and the sky-high John Hancock building.

> KNOWN FOR: Famous shopping and dining; shiny skyscrapers; the historic Water Tower & Water Place Mall; and the John Hancock Building.

> DON’T MISS: The 95th Floor Signature Lounge at the John Hancock building (875 North Michigan Avenue) for drinks before, after, or instead of going to the Observatory ($11 tix at the HI-Chicago front desk; the lounge is free); the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 East Chicago Avenue), especially on Tuesdays when it’s free and open until 8pm!

> GET THERE: By foot: Walk 25 minutes north on Michigan Avenue; By bus: Take bus #147 (north) from State and Van Buren to Chicago and Michigan; By train: Take the Red Line (towards Howard) to Chicago and walk east.

Chicago in the Summer Top Ten List

Kayak the Chicago River-The Chicago river, which is probably best known for being dyed green every Saint Patrick’s Day, is a great way to see the city while getting a nice work-out. Kayak tours on the river will take you through the heart of downtown in what has become known as Skyscraper Canyon. On both sides of the river you will be surrounded by amazing architecture which provides for great picture taking opportunities and a unique way to see Chicago. Alternatively, if for some reason you are unable to do the kayak tour, you can jump on a Water taxi and for just $2 take the trip from Sears Tower to Michigan Avenue. For more information visit the website links below:

http://chicagoriverpaddle.com/chicago.html
http://www.shorelinewatertaxi.com/commuterrates.php

Visit a Comedy Club-If you have heard of Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Dan Akroyd, Steve Carell, or Stephen Colbert, then you surely realize that Chicagoans are a funny bunch. Many of the most prominence comedic personalities have had their start in Chicago, which is why a visit to a Chicago comedy club is a must. You will find the “Second City” comedy troupe theater in Chicago’s Old Town Neighborhood as one of the premier destinations for funny people all across the nation. “Second City” which has been around for nearly 50 years draws large groups of visitors and is known for producing many cast members of “Saturday Night Live.” Near North and Wells you will also find Zanies, a small comedy club that features both well-known and up and coming comics. I love going to Zanies because such an intimate atmosphere allows you to chat with the performers after the show. The seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure to arrive early. Tickets to Zanies are $22 plus a purchase of two item minimum is required, expect to spend about $35-$40 in total. Also note that this venue is open for those over 21. Best way to get to either Zanies or Second City, is from the Sedgwick stop on the Brown line, or Clark and Division stop on the Red Line (about half a mile walk away). For more information visit:

http://chicago.zanies.com/
http://www.secondcity.com/

Free Concert in Millennium Park- While talking to numerous visitors to Chicago, I found one commonality, everyone seems to love Millennium Park. As the name denotes, the park was built to celebrate the arrival of the second millennium, and has quickly turned into one of the biggest tourist attractions in Chicago. Throughout the summer, the park is a great place to take a stroll, admire the modern art, and also to listen to music at the Pritzker Pavilion. While sitting on the lawn, grab some food and a blanket and picnic out while listening to a free concert, which takes place weekly. Millennium Park offers an ideal opportunity for visitors to relax and enjoy themselves away from the hustle and bustle of the “Loop”. For a list of events in Millennium Park visit http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/

Michigan Avenue Shopping-When foreigners come to the United States, often shopping is at the top of the to-do list. Michigan Avenue provides a great opportunity to do just that. With both high-end and mid-level stores, everyone is sure to find a suitable shopping experience. Just because, the stores are located in the middle of the city, does not mean you cannot find a bargain. If shopping is not of much interest to you, taking the stroll from the Tribune Tower to the John Hancock building will provide an excellent opportunity for people watching and enjoying local street performances. If you feel energetic continue your walk up to the Gold Coast and explore some local boutiques and fine restaurants. Grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream at the intersection of Rush and State and watch all the fancy cars go by.

Although Chicago has many more things to do and see, I wanted to provide you a list of my favorites which are by no means all-encompassing. Some of you might also be interested in events such as Taste of Chicago and the Air and Water Show, or a visit to Navy Pier, all of which I have left out. Although these events can be unique, more often than not they are extremely crowded and attended by suburbanites and other visitors to the city, rather than Chicagoans. Whatever activities you decide to undertake, I truly hope you enjoy your stay in Chicago.

-Peter Razumovskiy, volunteer

Summer in Chicago

Welcome to Chicago! By now, you probably have found out that this is a “City of Broad Shoulders”, Blues Brothers, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, and deep dish pizza. But besides these well known symbols of Chicago, what does Chicago have to offer to its visitors? The answer is everything!

One of the wonderful things that Chicagoans truly appreciate about their city is the broad range of activities that will suit nearly anyone. While there are many other cities in the world that are bustling with culture and round-the-clock activity, Chicago offers a wonderful balance between large city adventure and small town coziness.

As flowers begin to blossom and a new leaves spring up on trees, the entire city of Chicago awakens from its winter slumber. Although, our Chicago winters have been known to intimidate many, Chicago residents believe our colder season builds character, and forces us to truly appreciate our warmer months.

With that said, over the next several weeks I would like to share with you the top 10 activities to do in Chicago during the next few months, in no particular order.

Attend a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field - If you are visiting from another state, chances are that someone has already recommended a visit to Wrigley Field. This modern day shrine to baseball is the second oldest baseball park currently used in the Major Leagues. A trip to Wrigley, can easily transport a baseball aficionado to an era of baseball long gone. However, if baseball isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll definitely find a great party in the stands. Before and after the games, I highly recommend visiting the bars surrounding Wrigley Field, an area residents have come to call Wrigleyville. You will find bar after bar on Clark Street, making it ideal for pub crawls even on a day when the Cubs are not playing. The drink prices are quite affordable and the atmosphere is very casual. Best way to get to Wrigley is on the “El”, getting off at the Addison stop on the Red line.

For the Cubs schedule visit http://sports.chicagotribune.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=chicagosports&page=mlb/teams/002/scheduleCT.aspx?team=002,season=2010

Go to a Blues Bar – It’s no coincidence that the Blues Brothers films have been filmed in Chicago. Chicago has a long standing reputation of being one of the premier blues destinations in the entire nation. The multitude of blues clubs can be found throughout the city. For a unique night of true Chicago blues, the Hostel offers free tours to Kingston Mines nearly every Monday evening. Kingston Mines provides a very casual laid back atmosphere, inexpensive drinks, free entrance (to Hostel groups or students) and wonderful music played by some of Chicago’s most talented musicians. If you love blues, definitely check out the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park (June 11-13), the largest outdoor blues event in the world. With good music and the amazing Chicago skyline behind you, you are sure to have a wonderful time.

-Peter Razumovskiy, HI Volunteer

Amy's Downtown Nightlife Ideas

Looking for a couple of cheap drinks downtown Chicago on a Saturday Night? Here are a couple of good places to try out, all within walking distance of HI-Chicago. 

Franklin Tap
325 S. Franklin St. (300S, 300W) (Franklin – Between VanBuren and Jackson)
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 212-3262
Saturday Night Specials
½ off appetizers after 5 pm with a drink
$3 call drinks
$3 all bottled beer
$5 Patron Silver Shots 
$5 Jameson shots
Free WII – get your golf on!
Run-of-the-mill bar with some video games, great, high windows made for people-watching, and good service. Honestly though, it’s the $3 Bacardi drinks and half-priced pretzels appetizers that draw me in. For $3.50, you get 2 generously-sized warm pretzels. 

Stocks & Blondes
36 N. Wells St. (50N, 200W) (Between Madison and Washington)
Chicago IL 60606
(312) 372-3725
Everyday Specials
$10 High Life pitchers
$4 Miller light and Coors Light stadium drafts & $3 refills
This place is a classic dive bar and kind of random for downtown. Perfect to just get some cheap beer, served in 85 Bear themed pints, and enjoy some greasy fries. 

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
226 S. Wabash Ave. (200S, 100E)
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 939-9128
Everyday Specials 
$3.75 Monthly Beer Special
This is not my favorite of the four, but their good drink specials and delicious pizza are worth noting. Also, the hostel offers coupons for 10% off. Girl loves a deal!

Brando's Speakeasy
343 S. Dearborn St. (350S, 50W) (VanBuren & Dearborn)
Chicago, IL 60604
(773) 216-3213
Best Special
$2.00 PPR
The bar is more of a lounge with super friendly service (we got a free round of drinks after chatting with the bartender - score!). A mixed group of patrons, so the people-watching is great. On Saturday nights expect some karaoke in the early evening. 

-Amy Weber, hostel volunteer

Why February is a Great Time to be in Chicago

As I shoveled out about 14 inches of snow from my back porch, I thought, “At least it’s not raining." February can be a truly awful month in Chicago, liable to snow, rain, and freeze, perhaps all in one day. It’s winter’s last hurrah, but the gray days can make spring feel like a long way off. To be fair, today and yesterday were gorgeous blue-sky days, with crisp clear views of the skyline and the sun sparkling on the snow. It was also cold enough to look for a place to spend the day inside.

My favorite winter respite in the city is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Located in Lincoln Park, the conservatory is a breath of warm air. The beautiful antique-glass greenhouse is free year round, and its four houses showcase abundant ferns, palms, orchids, and other tropical plants. It’s a local treasure, just slightly off the beaten tourist track.

Another gem of a building, the Chicago Cultural Center, is in the heart of downtown, yet often overlooked. The Cultural Center is worth visiting any time of year for its stunning Tiffany glass dome and tile mosaics, but this month you can also catch the Peace on Earth Film Festival. The weekend of Feb 26-28, ten films covering peace towards humans and the earth will screen at the Center. All films are free and open to the public. Did I mention that this was in addition to their usual offerings of free music concerts and art exhibits?

The city’s greatest cultural landmark is also vying for your winter hours. The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the great art museums of the world, is free in February. Every day. The gallery of the Impressionists, the early Christian masterpieces, the new Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing— all free, all month. 

Finally, don’t let the late winter weather keep you indoors the whole time. The hostel offers its usual free Saturday walking tour of downtown, as well as the lakefront, Grant Park, and Millennium Park being free year round. Millennium Park offers free ice-skating (skate rental is $10), as do other public parks around the city. Up near the Lincoln Park Conservatory, you’ll also find the Lincoln Park Zoo. You guessed it— also free. The Zoo is large enough to occupy you for an afternoon of investigating the lives of giraffes, reptiles, birds, tigers, and polar bears. One other great way to visit a different ecosystem is through the world-class Shedd Aquarium. The Shedd offers stunning views of the lake, and thankfully from an indoor vantage point.

-Hostel Volunteer Rachel Miller

Chicago Beginnings

The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, the Second City, and The City That Works are some of Chicago’s nicknames according to their official tourism website, explorechicago.org. Chicago’s multiple titles match its well-known diversity. With over 200 theatres and art galleries, more than 7,300 restaurants, the lakefront, and 77 community areas with even more neighborhoods, it is impossible to be bored in this beautiful city.

As a new comer myself, the endless possibilities can be slightly overwhelming. Beginning my semester as an intern downtown I had several expectations of Chicago and what I would learn in my first few days. Already Chicago has exceeded these expectations. Public transportation makes it very easy to get around the city and to visit so many different locations. In addition to this, there are numerous incredible resources to narrow down what you would like to experience.

Walking up to Hostelling International’s second floor information booth, I immediately began searching through the brochures. With the help of the volunteer, I walked away with quite the stack; I find myself very eager to experience all that Chicago has to offer; my fridge already has a long list of “to do’s”!

Even though I have only been in Chicago for two weeks, some things on that list have already been crossed off. Within the first week I had already been to several local restaurants and seen a show at the iO Improv Theatre in Wrigleyville. The Improvised Shakespeare comedy was hysterical and provided a great Friday night activity! Next on my list was the Museum of Contemporary Art (admission is free on Tuesdays). Despite the fact that I know very little about art, the museum was fascinating and there was such a variety. Don’t miss the Hide and Seek Exhibition! Lastly, I spent a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Even though it is cold, there were still plenty of exhibits and animals inside. My personal favorites were the penguin and monkey houses. I spent a considerable amount of time simply watching in amusement!

So, if you are a newcomer as well and are at a loss for where to start, here are a few other places that I am also very excited to visit: the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, Chinatown, the Hancock Observatory, the Adler Planetarium and Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago. And there are so many more to discover! So grab your coat and gloves, and hit the streets of Chicago! Happy Exploring!

-Erika Ter Louw, intern

Megabus

Megabus is an discount intercity bus service that began in 2006. Fares start at a mere 1.00 dollar and a 50 cent booking fee although these are primarily promotions. A more typical fare like from Chicago to Minneapolis, MN is still only 20 bucks. Megabus manages to have such incredibly low fares by having very little infrastructure. For example, there is no Megabus station, with Chicago departures leaving from Union Station at a designated bus stop. Also, all purchases are done over the internet and riders must print out their reservation. Despite the low fares, Megabus manages to provide free wi-fi for its riders and its fleet of buses is soon to have electric outlets as well. It's also considered to be a more comfortable ride than Greyhound. Megabus looks like it is laying the ground work for country wide bus service but it is still only servicing three regions: Midwest, Northeast and Southwest. Below are the maps and routes:





To take advantage of the cheapest deals you have to make a reservation in advance although there usually are seats available in the last minute at highly affordable rates. Consider Megabus for your travels!

Special Offer:
100,000 seats are available for free for travel between the dates of Jan. 6, 2010 and March 20, 2010.
Use the promo code GETAWAY today to access sale seats that are available.
FREE seats are subject to availability and the $0.50 booking fee applies to all purchases. Promotion ends when all free seats are reserved.

Cold Cold Chicago

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Chicago is -27°F (-33°C) on January 20, 1985, with a wind chill of -83°F (-64°C). Although this was certainly an extraordinary occasion, freezing temperatures and snow are common during the winter months of December, January and February. Being unprepared for the weather can be very unpleasant and even painful when exploring the city. Make sure you have adequate clothing for the frigid conditions. A hat, scarf and gloves are a necessity. If you were caught off guard and need some mittens you can check out the nearby H&M for some relatively cheap fashions.



Yet don't let the temperature keep you inside for the winter has its own charming beauty. A layer of fresh snow makes the city look incredibly pristine and pure. Unfortunately, that unspoiled and faultless image will soon turn into street gutters full of slush so don't forget your boots!

When your toes and fingertips get too numb to continue stop by Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea for the best hot drinks in downtown Chicago.