Chicago is a massive city—the third largest in the U.S., in fact, right behind New York and L.A. So needless to say there is a treasure trove of restaurants, stores and bars to explore, with seemingly a million more opening by the day. Until 2022, I was one of the Toddlin’ Town’s longtime residents, exploring its hidden gems one by one, from the newest music venues to the most beloved bookstores. But now that I’ve moved 186 miles away, with another 990 to go on my way to sunny Florida (sorry not sorry), I’m finding that the places I miss the most aren’t the hippest haunts (they’re always too crowded, anyway) or the most publicized. No, it’s the everyday unassuming spots that slowly became a part of my weekly, monthly or even yearly routine that made their mark on my heart. Below, the 20 places in Chicago I miss the most after moving away.
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Nicole Briese
Commerce Director
Nicole is the former commerce director at PureWow. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University and more than 15 years of experience writing and editing shopping content, she has made a career for herself covering her favorite topics: fashion, lifestyle, travel and rock 'n' roll. She lives in Florida with her boyfriend and two cats, and she can usually be found stalking hairless animals on the internet. Check out her blog at nicolebjean.com. (You can also follow her on Twitter or Instagram.)
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