Time Out Chicago's 2023 Best of the City award winners

There’s no shortage of music venues in Chicago but the Salt Shed received a lot of attention when the project was announced. Housed within the former Morton Salt warehouse, the new entertainment complex features amenities like a state-of-the-art soundsystem by L-Acoustics, retail shops and a rotating lineup of local food vendors. While the Salt Shed debuted in 2022 with outdoor concerts, the indoor portion wasn’t finished until this year. And it’s already attracted some big names, including Japanese Breakfast, Tove Lo, the Postal Service and Run the Jewels.

Chicago is renowned for its comedy and restaurant scenes so why not combine the two? On the first and third Sunday of the month, the Lincoln Lodge plays host to Sauteed Standup, a cooking-comedy competition. Launched in early 2020 right before the pandemic shutdown, the show challenges two comics to prepare a dish for a panel of judges while also performing a stand-up set during the process. The result is a unique, and oftentimes unintentionally hilarious, experience that has been steadily growing in popularity.

Nobody visits O’Hare International Airport for pleasure. But if you’re flying out of Terminal 5 this holiday season, take a moment to stop and admire the latest collection of public art. The city spent $3.5 million commissioning pieces from over 20 Chicago artists—the single largest acquisition of artwork made by local artists in the past three decades. You can check out what to expect here.

When news broke that NASCAR was bringing its inaugural street race to Chicago, many simply wondered, “Why?” Puzzlement later turned to annoyance after it was revealed major thoroughfares around Grant Park would be closed for several weeks, and that the Taste of Chicago was being pushed back from its usual July dates. Then on race weekend, pouring rain canceled most of the festivities—including concerts by the Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert—and shortened the length of the event. But despite it all, those who tuned in were treated to an impressive spectacle that showed off the beauty of Chicago. Even skeptics had good things to say, and the city agreed by bringing the race back for another run in 2024.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, Disney brought a new exhibition to the city where Walt Disney was born. Fans have the opportunity to check out over 250 rare and historical artifacts from the company’s storied history, such as early drawings for 100 Dalmatians, Ariel’s dinglehopper from The Little Mermaid and the original Winnie-the-Pooh. With 10 immersive galleries and 14 interactive installations, it’s very easy for both adults and kids alike to spend a few hours getting lost in Disney’s magical past.

Universal Studios isn’t coming to Chicago anytime soon but locals still got to enjoy the magical world of Harry Potter this past year thanks to an immersive experience inside Water Tower Place. Spanning three floors and 30,000 square feet, “Harry Potter: Magic at Play” transported Potterheads to all of their favorite locales from the series, such as Platform 9 ¾, the Forbidden Forest and, of course, Hogwarts. There were also various interactive activities like Quidditch training and potions class, plus Butterbear and exclusive merch.

What started off as a fun tradition among friends a few years ago exploded in popularity this past summer when thousands descended upon Montrose Harbor every Friday morning. Aptly dubbed Friday Morning Swim Club, the meetup brought folks (and sometimes pets) together for a friendly, community-building dip in Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, the influx of swimmers raised concerns about safety, causing organizers and the city to cut the season short, but not before the event went viral.