FSTNR Week – Chicago Guide
While you're in Chicago for FSTNR Week '26, bring the whole family and take advantage of one of America's greatest cities at its absolute summer peak. Here's your insider's guide to all of it.
🎶 Old School Chicago
Blues, mob history & legendary nights outBuddy Guy's Legends
Owned by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy — the premier blues club in the world. Live electric blues every single night on South Wabash. Catch a legend in his own house.
buddyguy.comKingston Mines
Chicago's oldest continuously running blues club since 1968. Two stages, two bands, alternating sets all night in Lincoln Park. Open until 4 AM on weekends. The real deal.
kingstonmines.comBlue Chicago
Intimate River North blues bar open since 1985. Live electric blues nightly — a block from the Mag Mile, no attitude, just authentic Chicago music every night.
bluechicago.comThe Green Mill
Open since 1907 — Al Capone's personal favorite, his old booth still reserved. Live jazz every single night. One of the great American bars. Period.
greenmilljazz.comUntouchable Gangster Bus Tour
Chicago's original gangster tour for 35+ years. Costumed actor-guides take you on a 2-hour bus tour through Prohibition-era landmarks — Capone, Dillinger, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre site and more.
gangstertour.comChicago Crime Tours
A deeper dive into the underworld — Capone, Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, H.H. Holmes, Leopold & Loeb. Climate-controlled bus with stops at real historic crime scenes and famous gangster haunts.
chicagocrimetours.comGene & Georgetti
Chicago's oldest steakhouse, open since 1941 under the El tracks in River North. Dark wood, checkered tablecloths, enormous chops, and old-school Italian-American service. Where Chicago power brokers have always eaten.
geneandgeorgetti.comTwin Anchors
An Old Town institution since 1881 — Frank Sinatra's personal favorite Chicago spot. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, vintage bar, a jukebox that still plays Ol' Blue Eyes. Cash only and worth every penny.
twinanchorsribs.com★ Iconic Chicago Experiences
The bucket-list moments that define this cityArchitecture River Cruise
Voted #1 boat tour in the US by USA Today. A 90-minute narrated cruise past 50+ iconic skyscrapers. The single most Chicago thing you can do — book early, it sells out weeks ahead.
architecture.orgWrigley Field — Cubs Game
An American classic. See a game at one of the oldest ballparks in the country — ivy walls, rooftop bleachers, the whole scene. Take the backstage tour if no game is scheduled.
mlb.com/cubsWillis Tower Skydeck
Step out onto The Ledge — glass-floored balconies on the 103rd floor, 1,353 feet above Chicago. The highest observation deck in the US. Views of four states on a clear day.
theskydeck.comMillennium Park & The Bean
Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, free outdoor concerts — all completely free. The Bean is the must-photograph Chicago moment. Walk the lakefront trail to Navy Pier from here.
chicago.gov360 Chicago Observation Deck
94th floor of the historic John Hancock Center on the Mag Mile. 360° skyline and lake views. Try TILT — the tilting window experience over Michigan Avenue.
360chicago.comKayaking the Chicago River
Paddle right through downtown between the skyscrapers — one of the most unique urban experiences in America. Guided tours and rentals available from the Riverwalk. No experience needed.
chicagoriverwalk.usOak Street Beach
A real beach — white sand, clear water, skyline looming behind you. Chicago's most iconic stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, steps from the Magnificent Mile. Free, stunning, and very Chicago.
chicago.gov/beachesThe Hand & The Eye
Brand new in 2026 — the world's largest magic venue inside the historic McCormick Mansion in the Gold Coast. Multiple floors of immersive magic performances, bars, and dining. Truly one-of-a-kind.
choosechicago.com✦ Indulge & Unwind
Luxury, relaxation & world-class shoppingChuan Spa at The Langham
Chicago's most acclaimed luxury spa — heated stone loungers, herbal saunas, steam rooms, and world-class massage. A full-day retreat in one of the city's finest hotels. Book in advance.
langhamhotels.comCindy's Rooftop
Rooftop dining atop the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel — panoramic views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Perfect for a long, celebratory lunch with cocktails.
cindysrooftop.comMagnificent Mile
Over a mile of flagship stores, boutiques, and designer brands along Michigan Ave — Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, luxury brands, and one-of-a-kind Chicago shops. World-class retail in a world-class setting.
themagnificentmile.comShanghai Terrace at The Peninsula
Hidden-garden rooftop terrace on the Mag Mile serving Cantonese delicacies and classic dim sum. One of Chicago’s most intimate and elegant dining experiences. Reserve ahead.
peninsula.comLH Rooftop at LondonHouse
22nd floor rooftop on the Chicago River — jazz-age cocktails, American fare, and one of the absolute best sunset views in the city. Reserve well in advance.
londonhousechicago.comMonteverde Restaurant
James Beard Award-winning Chef Sarah Grueneberg’s beloved West Loop pasta restaurant. One of the best Italian spots in America — house-made pastas, serious wine list. Reserve well ahead.
monteverdechicago.com🎨 Arts, Culture & Museums
World-class institutions steps from downtownArt Institute of Chicago
One of the world's great art museums — Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Seurat’s Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Currently showing a major de Kooning drawings exhibition through September 20. Closed Tuesdays.
artic.eduMuseum of Science & Industry
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere — a real WWII submarine, a coal mine ride, and the famous whispering gallery. Kids and adults equally captivated.
msichicago.orgThe Field Museum
Nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens, including SUE — the most complete T. rex ever discovered. The Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit opens May 2026. On the lakefront Museum Campus.
fieldmuseum.orgObama Presidential Center
Opening spring 2026 — the former president lived on Chicago’s South Side for two decades. Set in historic Jackson Park, featuring exhibits, performances, and community events. A landmark opening.
obama.org◆ Kids & Family Adventures
Crowd-pleasers that delight every ageShedd Aquarium
World-class aquarium on the lakefront — beluga whales, dolphin shows, Amazon rainforest exhibit, and starfish touch tanks. Plan 3+ hours. One of the top aquariums in the world.
sheddaquarium.orgChicago Children’s Museum
Right on Navy Pier — three floors of hands-on exhibits where kids can be firefighters, use construction equipment, and splash in water areas. Ages 1–10.
chicagochildrensmuseum.orgNavy Pier
Centennial Ferris wheel, restaurants, boat rides, and gorgeous Lake Michigan views. Saturday night fireworks at 10:15 PM — Aug 30 is a Saturday. Don’t miss it.
navypier.orgMaggie Daley Park
A free 20-acre adventure playground next to Millennium Park — climbing walls, mini golf, and themed play areas that wow kids and parents alike. Completely free.
maggiedaleypark.comLincoln Park Zoo
One of the last free major zoos in America — lions, gorillas, polar bears, and more in the heart of Lincoln Park, steps from the lakefront. Free admission, all summer long.
lpzoo.orgChicago Riverwalk
A mile-long pedestrian path along the main branch of the Chicago River — restaurants, bars, boat tours, kayak rentals, and stunning architecture views. The city’s outdoor living room.
chicagoriverwalk.us🍕 Chicago Food Classics
Dishes you can only get right hereLou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza
The gold standard of Chicago deep dish since 1971. Signature butter crust, Italian sausage, and extra cheese. Call ahead — it takes 45 minutes to bake. Worth every minute.
loumalnatis.comPortillo’s Chicago-Style Hot Dog
Vienna Beef frank on a poppy seed bun — yellow mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, sport peppers, celery salt. Never ketchup. A Chicago religion since 1963.
portillos.comGene & Georgetti
Chicago’s oldest steakhouse, open since 1941 under the El tracks in River North. Dark wood, checkered tablecloths, enormous chops, and old-school Italian-American service.
geneandgeorgetti.comAlinea
Three Michelin stars — one of the best restaurants in the world, right here in Lincoln Park. Chef Grant Achatz’s avant-garde tasting menu is a full theatrical experience. Reserve months out.
alinearestaurant.comPequod’s Pizza
Chicago’s cult-favorite deep dish — famous for its caramelized cheese crust that forms a dark, crispy ring around every pie. A local’s choice over the tourist spots. Worth the wait.
pequodspizza.comAl’s Beef — Italian Beef Sandwich
The Chicago Italian beef sandwich — thinly sliced seasoned beef, soaked in au jus, on a chewy roll, topped with giardiniera or sweet peppers. Order it “dipped.” As Chicago as it gets.
alsbeef.com