Big cities are full of little-known, back-alley, underground secrets – and Chicago is no exception. From restaurants to parks, you may be surprised to find that there is so much more to do here than you originally thought. If you’ve already done all the popular attractions, try these hidden gems. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or just enjoy the occasional visit, you’re about to find something you didn’t know about the Windy City. Keep scrolling as we share with you more thoughts on what we think are some of the best hidden gems in Chicago!

1. ACME Hotel Company

ACME Hotel Company, 15 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Facebook/ACME Hotel Company
Located in River North, this hip hotel features a fresh and modern design and is located close to downtown. Guests enjoy free coffee delivered to their rooms in the mornings and have several different sleeping options.

2. Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder

Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company, 2121 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.
Opened in 1972, Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder is a much-loved restaurant ibest known for its pizza pot pie, which is served in a bread bowl-like crust filled with homemade sauce made from fresh tomatoes and peppers, then topped with melted cheese. They also serve grinders, which are like pizza sandwiches.

3. The Neo-Futurists

The Neo-Futurists, 5153 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Facebook/The Neo-Futurists
This budget-friendly Chicago venue embraces that thing Shakespeare said about the world being a stage. Actors play themselves and tell their own stories, so the shows are authentic, unique, and excellently unpredictable.

4. Chicago Pedway

Chicago Pedway, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino
Located in Chicago's business district, the Chicago Pedway is trail of bridges, concourses, and tunnels and a magnificent part of the city. It helps people get to work, restaurants, shops, and attractions, especially in rain or snow.

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5. Maggie Daley Park

Maggie Daley Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Facebook/Maggie Daley Park
Like most Chicago parks, Maggie Daley Park is a fabulous place and open daily until 11:00 p.m. It is a project that continues to expand to include new play equipment regularly. It features several playgrounds, gardens, mazes, and other fun things to climb on and slide down.

6. 9th Level of the Harold Washington Library

Harold Washington Library, 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Giovanni-P
This lovely glass top atrium at the Harold Washington Library is the perfect spot to spend a morning or afternoon in contemplation or reading a good book. It can also be rented out for events like weddings and corporate meetings.

7. Myopic Books

Myopic Books, 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Zachary Zawila/Google Maps
Myopic Books is an award-winning used bookstore boasting more than 70,000 books for sale at any given time. It also hosts fun events like readings and live music.

8. 57th Street Books

57th Street Books, 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Facebook/57th Street Books
Located inside an old brick building, this large stock of literature, children's books, magazines, and newspapers is a hidden gem worth regular visits. 57th Street Book also has a sister location that sells scholarly titles.

9. Baha'i House of Worship

Bahá'í House of Worship, 100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA
Wikimedia Commons
As one of only eight structures of its type, this temple is the oldest surviving Baha'i House. It is popular for its incredible architecture, stunning dome, and intricate carvings, and is one of the many houses of worship in Chicago.

Which of these hidden attractions have you been to? Would you agree that these are among the most fascinating hidden gems in Chicago? Do you know of other awesome Chicago best kept secrets to explore? Share your experiences and photos with us below!

For more interesting attractions, check out these 16 things everyone in Chicago must do before they die.

Interested in making a weekend trip to Chicago? Then be sure to consider the JW Marriott Chicago.

If you’re still in the mood for more Illinois adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

More Fun Adventures In Illinois

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | December 13, 2023

Where can we find natural wonders in Illinois?

  • Giant City State Park in Makanda is known for its giant sandstone bluffs and rock formations.
  • The Cache River Natural Area in Belknap features giant ancient cypress trees with buttresses measuring up to 40 feet in diameter.
  • The Garden of the Gods in Herod is home to some otherworldly rock formations.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other natural wonders in Illinois.

Where can we find small towns in Illinois?

  • Galesburg was once a hub for industry as well as an important stop on the Underground Railroad.
  • Dixon is famous for being the boyhood home of former President Ronald Reagan.
  • Nauvoo was once the town where Joseph Smith and the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went to escape religious persecution.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other charming small towns in Illinois.

Where can we find the best hotels and resorts in Illinois?

  • The Goldmoor Inn in Galena features cottages and cabins overlooking the Mississippi River.
  • The CitizenM Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago features a rooftop bar and lounge offering spectacular city views.
  • The Sybaris Pool Suites Northbrook in Northbrook features tropical waterfalls, soothing whirlpools, and a steamroll.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fantastic hotels and resorts in Illinois.

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