Think you’ve seen all of Chicago? Think again!
We asked our Chicago community to share their favorite hidden gems in Chicago – the places that even some locals don’t even know about.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or you’ve lived here for years, these are the places that’ll make you fall in love with Chicago all over again.
1. International Museum of Surgical Science
If you have a weak stomach, maybe sit this one out.
For everyone else, this Gold Coast mansion offers a fascinating look at medical history before modern anesthesia (yikes).
We’re talking ancient amputation saws, iron lungs, and halls lined with statues of medical pioneers. It feels a bit like walking through a mad scientist’s beautiful home.
You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for your doctor and plenty of creepy photos.
2. Oz Park
Most people know L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz while living in Chicago, but few realize there’s a whole park dedicated to it in Lincoln Park.
It’s a surreal little green space where you can casually stroll past life-sized statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy herself.
It’s whimsical without being cheesy and makes for a perfect photo op.
If you want to go full Oz-nerd, Baum’s actual former home is over in Humboldt Park, complete with a yellow brick road leading up to the sidewalk. Follow the road (literally).
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3. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
Walking past the chaos of Michigan Avenue, you’d never guess one of the country’s most opulent Gilded Age mansions is sitting right around the corner.
Known as the “Marble Palace,” this place is pure drama. We’re talking Tiffany glass, grand staircases, and enough gold leaf to make a Kardashian jealous.
It’s an immersive step back into late 19th-century Chicago wealth—without the coal smog.
4. The Music Box Theatre
Forget the sticky floors of your local megaplex.
The Music Box on Southport is a cinematic time capsule.
It’s got that old-school atmospheric design—complete with a ceiling painted to look like a night sky with twinkling stars and moving clouds. You feel like you’re watching a flick in an Italian courtyard rather than Lakeview.
Whether you’re catching a 70mm screening, a midnight cult classic, or just want to hear the live organist play before the show starts, this is how movies were actually meant to be seen.
5. Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
The Art Institute gets all the glory, but the MCA is the cool younger cousin with the nose ring.
Located just a block off the Mag Mile, this is where you go when you’re done looking at Impressionist haystacks and want something that actually challenges your brain.
The exhibits rotate constantly, featuring everything from massive pop-culture retrospectives to avant-garde installations that might leave you scratching your head.
Bonus: the architectural spiral staircase is arguably the most photogenic spot in the entire zip code.
6. The Garden of the Phoenix (Jackson Park)
Tucked behind the Museum of Science and Industry is a literal remnant of the 1893 World’s Fair.
It’s one of the most peaceful spots in the city—a legitimate Japanese garden with stone lanterns, moon bridges, and cherry blossoms in the spring.
While you’re down there, check out the massive gold Statue of the Republic nearby.
It’s a smaller replica of the original behemoth that stood over the fair, but it’s still gigantic enough to make you feel tiny.
7. The Leather Archives & Museum
Chicago has a wild history, and we aren’t just talking about Al Capone.
This dedicated space in Rogers Park preserves the history of leather, fetish, and BDSM culture.
It is respectful, educational, and absolutely fascinating. Just a heads up: this isn’t for the prudish.
It’s an unvarnished look at a subculture that has deep roots in the city.
8. The Palmer House Hilton Lobby
You don’t need a room key to enjoy one of the best interiors in Chicago.
Walk in off the street, look up, and try not to get dizzy staring at the ceiling murals.
It’s Art Deco perfection.
But the real pro move? Head to the restaurant and order a brownie.
The chocolate brownie was literally invented here for the 1893 World’s Fair (specifically for ladies to eat out of boxed lunches without making a mess). You’re eating history, and it tastes like fudge.
9. The Chicago Occult Bookstore
This isn’t some new-age trend hop; this place has been slinging spellbooks and tarot decks for over 100 years.
Whether you believe in the supernatural or just appreciate the aesthetic, the atmosphere is undeniable.
It claims to be the oldest spiritual shop of its kind in the US. Go for the history, stay for the curiosities, and maybe leave with a candle to fix your love life.
10. The Insect Asylum
If you like your nature slightly macabre, this is the spot. It’s a museum dedicated to taxidermy insects and vintage science classes. It’s weird, wonderful, and incredibly specific. It’s less about being grossed out and more about appreciating the tiny, intricate details of the natural world—pinned behind glass. A perfect spot for the friend who thinks they’ve seen everything.
11. Graceland Cemetery
Okay, telling you to hang out in a cemetery sounds morbid, but hear us out. Graceland is essentially a massive arboretum and sculpture garden where Chicago’s most famous residents happen to be buried. We’re talking Marshall Field, Louis Sullivan, and George Pullman. The landscaping is gorgeous, it’s dead quiet (pun intended), and it’s one of the best places in the city for a reflective walk.
12. Merz Apothecary
Stepping into Merz in Lincoln Square feels like teleporting to 19th-century Europe. It’s a classic apothecary that smells like lavender, sandalwood, and luxury. The shelves are packed with hard-to-find soaps, teas, and natural remedies. It’s chaos for your nose in the best way possible.
13. Robie House & Rockefeller Chapel
Hyde Park is a trek for North Siders, but it’s non-negotiable for architecture nerds. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House is arguably the best example of Prairie School architecture on the planet. Just down the street is Rockefeller Chapel, which looks like it was ripped straight out of Harry Potter. It’s a one-two punch of design history that justifies the commute.
