Chicago City Guide · Things to Do in Chicago

Trish Lindsay Thomas

Trish spent the first 20 years of her career as a globetrotting entrepreneur founding product, toy and media companies for kids. Since meeting her husband, Dick, on a plane in 2004, he started a business, Tris3ct.com; she gained four teenage stepsons, gave birth to two more sons, adopted two dogs and mastered the carpool. Trish plans to start another adventure as soon as her brain starts working again.

Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Chicago

I don’t just drink Argo Tea, I am ADDICTED to it: I consume about two quarts of the iced green tea a day. I selected my office location because it was close to Argo. I usually sprint from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 (and back again) at O’Hare so I can grab several glasses of tea before flights. When we stay downtown, we stay at the Park Hyatt because Argo Tea is around the corner. I own my own Argo-style teapot and try to brew it at home, but it never tastes quite the same. Argo Tea offers free Internet and a festive atmosphere.

Argo Tea
3135 N Broadway Street
Chicago
773.248.3061

Most people plan ahead, reserve a table in the festive dining room of The Stained Glass and spend several hours enjoying five-star food in a casual setting. But our favorite last-minute date night is sitting at The Stained Glass bar, tasting (or just flat out drinking) several of its amazing wines by the glass, and sharing appetizers. Our favorites include the Fois Gras BLT, Tuna, Tuna, Tuna and Pretzel Panzanella.

The Stained Glass
1735 Benson Avenue
Evanston
847.864.8600

Stay: Chicago Hotels

My soon to be favorite place to stay—besides my own bed—will be the new Stone Porch Bed and Breakfast opening this Spring. This impeccably renovated mansion is just steps from all the best beaches, Northwestern University (which has miles of beautiful walking paths on the lakefront), the downtown shops and all the best restaurants. We plan to rent the whole place for an upcoming family reunion.

Stone Porch B & B
300 Church Street
Evanston
847.980.2350

Play: Things to Do Outside in Chicago

Evanston is home to five white sand beaches on beautiful Lake Michigan for people as well as a designated beach for dogs! The Lighthouse beach is bordered by rolling dunes that the kids love to explore. Dempster Street beach, which is a few steps out our front door, rents paddleboards, kayaks, and small sailboats by the hour. Our family loves to spend a few hours at the beach every weekend. But the winter here is just as fantastic because the parks adjacent to the beaches morph into miles of contiguous cross country skiing trails. I never knew any of this existed until we lived here.

City of Evanston

Play: Things to Do Inside in Chicago

The first time I walked into Union I thought I was back in the city! It has amazing flatbread pizzas, a bar that is always packed but is kid friendly so we can enjoy a few margaritas and steer the stroller home! But the real treasure is the small music venue, SPACE, tucked behind the restaurant. The petite concert hall boasts lots of blasts from the past (Cowboy Junkies, Billy Bragg, English Beat, Todd Rungren), popular artists (Lucinda Williams, Alabama Shakes), and soon to be popular artists. We know even if we haven’t heard of the artist, if they are at SPACE they will be awesome.

Union Pizzeria and SPACE
1245 Chicago Avenue
Evanston
847.475.2400 and 847.492.8860

Michelle Leiter

Michelle is a lifelong Atlantan. She attended The University of Georgia, where she met her husband David. Before moving with their three children to the North Shore of Chicago in December 2010, they lived in The Vinings/ Buckhead area of Atlanta. The Leiter family is adjusting to the new city and they enjoy finding new and unique places that feel like “home.”

Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Chicago

Restaurant Michael offers culinary excellence and an ever-changing and interesting menu. The ambiance is cozy and the service is warm yet professional. It has a nice selection of wine and a very helpful sommelier. It also offers free corkage on Tuesday evenings. We often take one of our own bottles because we know the variety and quality of the menu will always pair well!

Restaurant Michael
64 Green Bay Road
Winnetka
847.441.3100

Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops

I love the eclectic village of Highwood, which is a little farther north along The North Shore, in between Highland Park and Lake Forest. There are several great restaurants but it’s also fun to spend the afternoon antiquing at places such as Anna’s Mostly Mahogany. I recently acquired my own booth at Anna’s and I’m honored to be surrounded by other dealers offering beautiful and unique items.

Anna’s Mostly Mahogany
531 Bank Lane
Highwood
847.432.9151

Play: Things to Do in Chicago

Bella’s is a very friendly family owned and operated spa in the village of Winnetka. They offer a personal and customized level of service different from some of the larger day spas.

Bella’s Day Spa
810 Chestnut Court
Winnetka
847.501.2910

Mary Collins

Mary, who recently started working in interior design, grew up in Houston, Texas, and has lived on the North Shore for more than 12 years. She spends her free time focusing on family and friends, vintage fashion and backyard gardening.

Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Chicago

FUEL
Best breakfast on the North Shore. The fresh-ingredients fare is local, which is how the clever name was derived: Food U Eat Locally = FUEL. Try Genny’s Benny for a divine eggs benedict with a twist.
1222 Washington Court
Wilmette
847.251.3835

12th Street Market by the Noodle
Go with your girlfriends to this low-key lunch spot and share deliciously inventive flat breads, skewers and salads. Everything on the menu is scrumptious.
708 Twelfth Street
Wilmette
847.251.2228

Nick’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill
The modern barn decor sets the vibe for this chic bistro where comfort food goes way beyond that of the typical burger joint. It’s the perfect spot for a great family dinner. It features heavenly mac-n-cheese, to-die-for mussels and everything in between.
1168 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette
847.251.3262

Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops

Peachtree Place
This well-edited, elegant home store is the best for picking up a lovely hostess gift. The complimentary French grosgrain ribbon gift wrapping alone makes your gift all the more special.
303 South Happ Road
Northfield
847.441.7585

Heritage Trail Mall
Love to hunt for that one-of-a-kind vintage piece? With more than 70 vendors you can find just what you’re looking for. I’ve decorated our home with many treasures from here, both large and small.
410 Ridge Road
Wilmette
847.256.6208

Jayson Home
The cool warehouse building sets the stage for the collected vignettes of modern, vintage, and unique home furnishings. Get inspired on how to mix old and new together to create inviting spots in your own home.
1885 N. Clybourn Avenue
Chicago
773.278.8180

Chalk
It’s my go-to for that exquisite fashion investment piece that is chic and timeless. Throw on whatever you get from this stylish boutique with your favorite jeans, an Old Navy tee and voila…you will be so pulled together and fabulous.
2611 Prairie Avenue
Evanston
847.424.0011

Intermix
For that funky, edgy addition to your closet, this is the your shop. The accessories are especially fashion-forward and the hip salespeople help guide you a bit out of your comfort zone and into a fresh look that is all you but even better.
40 E Delaware Place
Chicago
312.640.2922