Distance from downtown: 8 miles Via: Brown Line Best for: Eating, drinking, art, strolling Go: Afternoon, evening
LILL STREET ART CENTERÂ A unique center for art education in a former industrial building. The Center offers a huge variety of classes for both children and adults. Enjoy a class in drawing or painting, or just get a slice of pie at First Slice, a charitably based pie shop in the building, and check out the work of others.
SOLA One of the few Hawaiian restaurants in the city, former Top Chef’testant Dale Levitsky once worked here. Try the brunch, and any of the restaurant’s sustainable fish dishes or tropical drinks, particularly the refreshing-but-boozy Sneaky Pete.
TILLY’S Lincoln Avenue is dotted with antique stores, but Tilly’s has the biggest and best selection for the best prices. Owner Susan Lynch heavily shops estate stales for quality goods and has expanded her inventory with the recent trends of Gatsby-themed parties and weddings
MARTYR’S This venue has a little bit of everything, from bands to Pecha Kucha presentations (including an AIA Chicago Design + Dining event this Thursday!). With a decent selection of beer and almost daily performances, there’s always something to do at Martyr’s.
BREW CAMPÂ Recently expanded, this is the best place in Chicago to learn to brew your own beer. The employees are not pretentious and will answer any question you might have, no matter how weird.
