The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is Chicago’s primary residence for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world.

The best new/used bookstore in Chicago––and with every sale, they put money towards buying books for classrooms in the neighborhood schools. Great selection, well organized, helpful staff, and they hold occasional events where they'll stay open late.

The ONLY place to get fresh fish, H Mart is a mecca for Asian (particularly Korean) ingredients. Their huge store, out in the suburbs, was a haul, and their recent opening in the loop has made me super happy. Gorgeous range of seafood, marinated meats, kimchi, green tea mochi, korean fried chicken, soju, enoki mushrooms, purple yam; this place is da' bomb (in the best sense)!

This is my favorite music venue in the city. It's on a unassuming strange corner, has the perfect amount of dirty-ness, good beer, and great music. I've spent many nights here watching some of my favorite bands.

I am lucky enough to have one of the five Great Lakes of North America right in my backyard. How cool is that?