Any Chicago native will tell you that our city has it all: hundreds of parks, award-winning restaurants and museums, incredible food, and a nightlife that’s to die for. And what better way to take it all in than with a few of your best girlfriends.
But when you have all the options in the world, that can almost make it harder to plan a weekend. But don’t worry, ladies. We have some awesome ideas for a girls’ weekend out in Chicago that will be perfect for whatever you and your friends are into.
Cultured Girl’s Weekend
Chicago is one of the cultural capitals of the United States, and experiencing all the arts and history Chi-town has to offer would take you way longer than a single weekend. But here are a few ways you and your friends can get a little taste of it:
- Go see a play at one of the famous Chicago theatres like the Cadillac Palace, Nederlander, or Harold Washington Cultural Center.
- Explore Black history and art in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
- Visit one of Chicago’s famous museums, such as the popular Field Museum, or some of the cultural museums like the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian or DuSable Museum of African American History.
- Go check out a poetry slam, like the ones featured at Madame Zuzu’s Plantbased Emporium.
You can also wait to have your girl’s weekend until they have one of their cultural festivals, such as the Lit & Luz Festival celebrating Mexican-American literature or the Intersect Art Fair.
Music Lover’s Weekend
Chicago is famous for its blues and jazz scene, but you can find incredible performances from all types of music. Talented artists often put Chicago on their tour list, especially for Lollapalooza. Or you can check out some outdoor concerts. Just be sure you dress for the weather if you’re seeing one in the fall.
Another option is to catch some of the local talent. Visit one of the historic blues or jazz clubs, like Buddy Guy’s Legends or the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. Otherwise, you can always hit up restaurants with open mic nights to see some yet-undiscovered gems.
Foodie’s Weekend
If you’ve ever talked to a Chicagoan, you know they will fight you over a deep-dish pizza. But Chicago has a whole host of other foods that cross the cultural gamut. Leave the beaten food path to grab an Ethiopian, Cambodian, or Bolivian meal or eat from the classics, like authentic Mexican or Italian.
If you’re planning your Chicago girls’ weekend for summer, you can also check out the Taste of Chicago. This weekend-long festival will allow you to sample a little bit of everything Chicago has to offer.
