If “having it all” is an art, Heiji Choy Black is a master; the entrepreneur and tastemaker lives in a dream apartment overlooking Lincoln Park with her husband (hedge-fund manager Brian Black) and four kids, while serving on the boards of some of Chicago’s best cultural institutions. But like any ... More

With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. But now a new ... More

Once a city most known for its stick-to-your-gut deep-dish pizza and loaded hot dogs, Chicago’s gastronomic star is rapidly rising; in August, it was named the best restaurant city in the country by Bon Appétit. While it is undoubtedly deserving of that accolade, the city is also defined by ... More

It doesn’t matter if a festival has been around for 26 years (Lollapalooza) or two (Panorama): all festivals have their pros and cons. There will be a moment when you’re craving a delicious craft brew but are disheartened by the seemingly endless queue. Alternatively, there may also ... More

With more and more music festivals incorporating philanthropy into their programming, the power of the platform to spread positive vibes is growing every year. From Firefly fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to Coachella implementing sustainability initiatives like an "energy playground" and a recycling store, festivals are rocking out while ... More

The man behind celebrated haunts like chef Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat launches his 18th restaurant, The Bellemore, this season. Here are his favorite spots in Chi-Town. Power Lunch: Sumi Robata Bar serves superauthentic, robatayaki in a small, discreet setting. Chef Gene Kato’s food is always beautiful ... More

Here, we take a closer look at The Windy City's top rated hotels, bars and shops. Be sure to stop at these hot-spots on your next weekend trip to Chicago, Illinois. Where to Stay: The Gold Coast’s iconic Talbott Hotel debuts a luxurious new look following a recent $20 million face-lift. ... More

Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami’s psychedelic color schemes and cartoonish surrealism display a kind of eye-popping sensory overload, so it figures that at the opening of Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday, the art was just one of several sources ... More

Seeing The Nutcracker is as much of a Chicago holiday tradition as watching the tree lighting ceremony in Daley Plaza. But while the 55-foot evergreen’s decor changes each year, the whimsical ballet production has stayed steadfast—until now. This holiday season, the Joffrey Ballet will showcase an entirely new adaptation of the ... More

Art Institute of Chicago 111 South Michigan Avenue artic.edu Clocking in at one million square feet, the Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the country, following the Metropolitan. Book a tour through the museum for a guided walk through the ... More