Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood is bursting with Puerto Rican culture, from its authentic family-owned restaurants to the colorful murals lining the bustling cultural corridor in the heart of the community. Learn more about the history and heritage of this vibrant neighborhood from Eduardo Arocho, a lifelong Humboldt Park resident and founder of Paseo Boricua Tour Company. What makes the Humboldt Park neighborhood unique? Humboldt Park has long been synonymous with the Puerto Rican community. Puerto Ricans started moving into the area in the early 1950s and the neighborhood is now home t ..read more

Chinese immigrants first began settling in Chicago in the late 1800s. Since then, the city’s Chinese population has put down deep roots in Chinatown, transforming the neighborhood into a close-knit community where residents and visitors can immerse themselves in Chinese culture and history. But the influence of the city’s Chinese residents has spread far beyond Chinatown. Today, you can find homages to Chinese culture in almost every corner of Chicago, from restaurants to art museums to cultural events. Start your exploration with this guide to Chinese culture in Chicago curated by Sharyne Mo ..read more

If you are looking to spend a weekend exploring and celebrating the rich heritage and creativity of Chicago’s Latinx communities, this guide from a local’s perspective has everything you need. Venture through museums, events, dance performances, and public art installations that embody the diversity of Latinx culture in Chicago. Hispanic art and culture in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen Start your cultural exploration in the Pilsen neighborhood, where you can walk through Harrison Park and step into a world of vivid colors and cultural richness at the N ..read more

From the start of the Great Migration until today, Chicago has supplied a rich tapestry of Black art and culture. The Chicago Black Renaissance produced groundbreaking literature from Gwendolyn Brooks and Richard Wright, dance from Katherine Dunham, and art from Archibald Motley Jr., and Elizabeth Catlett during the ‘40s and ‘50s. The Black Art Movement fostered influential groups like the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and AfriCobra, an artist collective focused on creating a Black aesthetic during the ‘60s and ’70s. Today, that legacy continues to thrive thanks to a d ..read more

Millennium Park is truly the heart of downtown Chicago, an urban sanctuary that’s home to free events, tranquil gardens, and stunning public art like the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”). With so much to do and see, it’s no wonder that this stunning space is visited by more than 25 million people every year.  This summer marks 20 years since the park’s official opening in July 2004 and the city is pulling out all the stops to celebrate. The park’s landmark 20th season anniversary season is packed with free programming showcasing the city’s vibrant dance, music, and film communit ..read more

For as long as Chicago has been Chicago, Black people have been shaping the city’s culture and leaving a lasting impact. After all, Chicago’s first permanent non-Indigenous settler, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was a Black man from Haiti (who now has a museum and bridge named in his honor).  The city’s historically Black neighborhoods (like Bronzeville, Pullman, Chatham, Jackson Park Highlands, Kenwood, and Oakland to name a few) grew to become enclaves for Black Americans flocking to Chicago after the Civil War in search of jobs, resources, and a different way of life.  Since then ..read more

When people ask me where I’m from, I love sharing that I’m from the city of Chicago, born and raised in the heart of Lincoln Square. Now, as a proud mom and advocate to two boys on the autism spectrum, experiencing all that Chicago has to offer has come full circle, but through a different, neurodivergent lens. For many autistic children with sensory processing challenges, family outings can be overwhelming and stressful. Neurodiverse families thrive on predictability and routine, so novel experiences in urban environments can be challenging to navigate. Fortunately, sweet home Chicago doesn ..read more

Nestled off the Argyle Red Line Stop is Uptown’s Asia on Argyle, a vibrant cultural corridor home to authentic Southeast Asian cuisines and locally owned businesses. Also known as Little Saigon, the area was transformed in the 1970s by refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia along with Chinese entrepreneurs. Today, people can enjoy a wide range of places to eat, shop, and explore, from trying a rich bowl of phở to buying a new bonsai tree. Here’s a guide to restaurants, shopping, and events around Asia on Argyle, one of Chicago’s most diverse areas. Asia on Argyle restaurants Immm Thai For an exte ..read more

April’s total solar eclipse is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest events, and Chicago’s museums and attractions offer plenty of opportunities to watch the rare astronomical phenomenon. The Chicago area will experience around 94% totality on Monday, April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse won’t happen again in the U.S. for 20 years, so don’t miss the opportunity to experience the eclipse for yourself! Just make sure to always look at the eclipse safely with eclipse viewers.  Check out the Chicago institutions hosting watch parties, including local museums and the oldest planetarium i ..read more

Little Village, often referred to as “La Villita” by locals, offers a vibrant Mexican cultural experience without leaving Chicago. With nearly 1,000 locally owned businesses, their commercial corridor along 26th Street serves as the epicenter of this lively neighborhood, offering a diverse array of shops, eateries, and art. Here’s what to eat, drink, and do during a day in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. What to eat in Little Village La Catedral in Little Village Every restaurant in Little Village tells a story and offers something special to delight your palate. If you want a heavenly ..read more