Shannon Shreibak

The official start of fall in Chicago might be in September, but the season doesn't really hit its stride until October—a month replete with crisp air, colorful fall foliage and a heaping helping of spooky fun. Take advantage of everything autumn has to offer by exploring the best pumpkin patches near Chicago, attending an apple-themed neighborhood fest, getting lost in corn mazes or staring up at the changing leaves at your local park or garden. And of course, celebrate Halloween in Chicago with spooky pop-ups, haunted houses, horror movie marathons and even more ghoulish events. Ready to embrace autumn? Check out the rest of the best things do to in Chicago this October.  RECOMMENDED: Check out our 2025 Chicago events calendar

Last updated October 6, 2025: We may be in the midst of an alarmingly summery spooky season, but Chicago's event calendar has more to offer than tricks and treats. If you’re looking to embrace the month’s Halloween themes, there’s no shortage of events for you: Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is haunting Goose Island once again, Lincoln Park Zoo is hosting Fall Fest all month long and Island Party Hut's Fall Fest will dominate the Chicago Riverwalk this week. If you’re saving all your stamina for the weekend, spend the week prepping your wittiest Chicago Marathon sign to cheer on this year’s runners or kick back at Music Box Theatre’s annual horror movie marathon. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago in October 2025

Last updated October 3, 2025: Some of the world's most famous collections and exhibits can be found in Chicago. Want to see premier pieces from famous artists? Book your tickets for the Art Institute or Museum of Contemporary Art. Obsessed with the deep unknown of the sea or space? Take a trip to the Shedd Aquarium or Adler Planetarium, which are two of the best children's museums. Whether you enjoy art, science, history or architecture, the city’s many museums are some of the top Chicago attractions and provide a great way to spend an afternoon. They're also among the best things to do with kids in Chicago. So spend a day exploring the best museums in Chicago.  RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago

Last updated October 3, 2025: As a chill runs through the air and the leaves begin to change, it’s not just fall that’s upon us, but spooky season. Autumn is the perfect time to watch horror movies, tell scary stories and walk through haunted houses. If you’ve ever wanted to have a real paranormal encounter, though, Chicago has plenty of destinations to try and make that happen. Historic buildings aren't the only places that have reported hauntings—music venues, cemeteries and hotels all have ghost stories surrounding them as well. So for those who are looking for more than pumpkin patches and corn mazes this fall, we’ve put together a list of some of the most haunted spots in Chicago that offer a truly chilling experience. Quick picks: The best haunted spots in Chicago Holy Name Cathedral – Bullet holes from a 1926 gang hit are said to resist patching. Congress Plaza Hotel – Historic Michigan Avenue hotel infamous for ghost sightings and mobster lore. Graceland Cemetery – Resting place of Chicago notables with legends of ghostly children. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Halloween in Chicago

Last updated October 3, 2025: Fall in Chicago is officially underway, which means it's time to turn your attention to all things spooky, ghoulish and pumpkin-filled. Hoping for a fright? Visit one of Chicago's most haunted places, attend one of the city's many Halloween parades and parties or wander through a ghostly haunted house. No matter your age, embrace the thrills and chills of spooky season with our guide to the best Halloween events in Chicago this year.  RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Halloween in Chicago

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means: time to track down a phenomenal costume (and some spooky decorations) to greet the season in style. Not to fear—Chicago is filled with places where you can rent a Darth Vader getup, throw together a quick skeleton 'fit or stock up on those cobwebs that inevitably glom onto everything you love. Before you party at the city's best music venues, cocktail bars or dance clubs, make sure you're donning an ensemble no one will soon forget. We rounded up the best Halloween costume stores in Chicago, including plenty of shops that are open year-round. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Halloween in Chicago  

Last updated October 1, 2025: Along with the arrival of milder weather and fall colors, October ushers in some of the year's finest events and happenings: The Chicago Marathon, Halloween parades and parties galore, Open House Chicago—the list goes on and on. It goes without saying that now is prime time to enjoy fall foliage at Millennium Park, the Chicago Botanic Garden and beyond. Whether you're hoping to enjoy the autumnal atmosphere from a haunted house or the top of Navy Pier's ferris wheel, there's no shortage of things to do in Chicago this month. No matter where your interests lie, you can always find something to get excited about in this no-nonsense Midwestern metropolis. The best things to do in Chicago run the gamut—from seriously fun to awesomely educational. Looking for culture? Spend a day exploring Chicago museums. Hungry? You've come to the right place, because Chicago is famous for its delicious cuisine. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Chicago that highlight the city's rich and diverse culinary landscape. (And plenty of uniquely Chicago bars that do the trick, too.) We've searched all across the city to assemble this list of the best things to do in Chicago. Follow it and never get bored here again. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the best things to do in the world right now. RECOMMENDED: Check out Time Out's interactive map of the best things to do i

September might be here, but don't despair—there are still plenty of things to do in Chicago—whether you're still embracing a summertime state of mind or welcoming fall with open arms! From Oktoberfest celebrations to outdoor music festivals (including Riot Fest), we've still got plenty of warm weather fun to take advantage of before the leaves start to turn and the temperature drops. Soak up the sun at the best Chicago beaches and rooftop bars, or spend your weekends checking out the end of festival season at events like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Printers Row Lit Fest and Taste of Chicago. And if you really can't wait for fall to arrive, might we suggest some early leaf peeping and apple picking? Whatever your mood, you'll find plenty of ways to keep busy with our roundup of the best things to do in Chicago this September.  RECOMMENDED: Events calendar for Chicago in 2026

We’re probably not alone in saying that the weekend is always on our minds here at Time Out Chicago HQ. Like you (probably), we spend the workweek daydreaming about the next restaurant to obsess over and obsessively updating our concert calendars. Whether you’re museum-hopping, plotting a day trip to escape the city, or ready to ghost your original plans for something spontaneous, you’ll find plenty of ways to make the most of your weekend in Chicago. Last updated October 1, 2025: The temperature is cooling down and events are heating up in Chicago! This is a perfect weekend to eat or drink your way through the city, whether it’s at one of Chicago's many Oktoberfest celebrations or booze festivals. There’s no shortage of music this weekend, too, with Taylor Swift album listening parties, World Music Festival and Florasonic at the Lincoln Park Conservatory all popping up this weekend. Wrap up the week by treating yourself to some wares from local makers at Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest, Chicago Ceramics Crawl or the spookier Witch Crafts Market hosted at Andersonville’s Bramble Arts Loft. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago today RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in Chicago this month RECOMMENDED: The best cheap eats in Chicago RECOMMENDED: Discover the 50 best things to do in Chicago right now

Last updated October 1, 2025: As it turns out, some of the best things in life—or at least, some of the best things to do in Chicago—are free. There are plenty of free ways to spend your time over the next few weeks, including ice skating and a handful of winter markets. Plus, don't miss out on gallery shows, concerts and other recurring events that won't cost you a dime. Ready to save some money without sacrificing any fun? Check out more of the best free things to do in Chicago this month. RECOMMENDED: The best cheap eats in Chicago

Fall in Chicago has arrived, and with it comes a colorful burst of fall foliage throughout the city. According to this interactive guide, which uses an algorithm to predict when the leaves will change, local trees will start showing patchy colors the week of September 30 and hit their peak in late October. Hoping to go leaf peeping this year? Head to some of the more well-known Chicago parks and gardens to see towering oaks and fiery red Japanese maples, or take a contemplative stroll through a cemetery to watch yellow weeping willows drape over a leaf-filled pond. Plus, if you're itching to take a quick day trip from Chicago, you'll find several suburban conservatories and arboretums worthy of an afternoon leaf-peeping expedition. So take a look through our roundup of the best places to see fall foliage in Chicago and get ready for some stunning sights. RECOMMENDED: Find the best places to see fall foliage outside of Chicago

If Wes Anderson designed a cafe-meets-gift shop, it would probably look a lot like The Center of Order and Experimentation. Step inside and you're greeted by a velvet-upholstered counter, sticker-covered clipboards and sleek, futuristic-font signs declaring that the space is "not a cult." Cake-shaped candles, fluorescent tea boxes and handmade ceramics are artfully arranged on shelves and tables, every detail carefully curated. The space is often buzzing, especially during weekend micro-bakery pop-ups, watercolor workshops and other whimsical events.  

Inspired by the cultural resurgence of Mort Garson’s synth-powered album Mother Earth’s Plantasia, Empty Bottle Presents and Sacred Bones Records have been hosting an annual music festival celebrating plants and people who love them for nearly half a decade. Spread across two days, attendees can enjoy experimental music and on-site activations in the Garfield Park Conservatory's lush confines. This year's Plantasia lineup includes electronic music legend Suzanne Ciani, ambient juggernaut Tim Hecker, Pakistani composer Arooj Aftab and more.

What happens when a grift lands you smack dab in the center-court spotlight during the Chicago Bulls’ legendary 1996 reign? BULL, a two-act comedy following unathletic schemers Scott and Bryce, sets out to answer exactly that. As the duo navigates a grand con and the chaos of unexpected fame, they struggle to hold their friendship together—all against the backdrop of one of the most iconic eras in Chicago sports history.

The latest addition to the Salt Shed's sprawling grounds is a pinball palace owned by none other than Jim Zespy of Logan Arcade. Housing over 100 games, 8-bit purists, pinball wizards and casual gamers alike will all find fun ways to collect virtual prize tickets, which can be redeemed at a fully-stocked prize shop. Billed as an all-ages space by day and adult-centric playground—complete with jello shots—by night, there's something for everyone at Elston Electric.

There's a new kid joining Chicago's street festival scene, and this one promises to be unlike anything else. Edgewater will be hosting over 35 musical acts—including indie rock mainstays Cloud Nothings, Chicago hip-hop standout Ric Wilson and local drag punk outfit Bev Rage & The Drinks—and 100 vendors for the inaugural Edgewater Music Fest. The fest is open to all ages, with a Kids' Zone activity area for the little ones.

Wander into Carol's Pub on the second or fourth Tuesday of the month, and you might not recognize the iconic country dive. No cowboys downing High Life, no two-stepping in sight. Instead, you’ll find a rowdy crowd waving jello shots (proceeds benefit a rotating charity) and gleefully dabbing bingo cards with multicolored markers. Welcome to Cougar Bingo, hosted by comedian Brittny Congleton, who performs as the fabulous Aunt Nance. Throughout the night, Nance calls out bingo numbers with the flair of a tipsy Midwest aunt, mixing in musical interludes, sharp one-liners and the occasional George Michael reference.

When Pitchfork Music Festival announced its sudden sunset at the start of 2025, Chicago’s music scene collectively wondered how festival co-founder Mike Reed would fill the sonic void. Turns out, Reed had an ace up his sleeve: Sound & Gravity, a five-day music marathon featuring 48 performances across six venues in Bricktown and Avondale. Lineup highlights include Bill Callahan, Mdou Moctar and Mary Lattimore, with some special sets curated by Electrical Audio—the recording studio founded by the late Steve Albini. Read more about Sound & Gravity's inception here.

This one’s for the birders out there! Stop by the Newberry Library this August and September for a free guided tour of "Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity's Relationship with Birds,” an exhibit exploring the cultural and environmental resilience of birds across eras and civilizations. The tour ends in one of the library’s cozy reading rooms, where you can chat about what you’ve learned or dive into everything else the Newberry has to offer. (Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.)

During the summer, spending more time indoors than absolutely necessary feels almost sacrilegious. The Music Box Theatre gets it—and fully embraces the season by inviting movie lovers into its charming outdoor garden. Grab a specialty cocktail (each one cleverly named after an iconic film) and settle in for a night of cinema under the stars. Highlights of this year’s lineup include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the 2003 remake, for the horror purists out there), Dirty Dancing and The Goonies.

The Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary festival returns this September for its 40th year. Book lovers can browse offerings from more than 150 booksellers and exhibitors, while six stages and over 200 presenters deliver programming for all ages. While the full lineup is still under wraps, this year's festival will be headlined by Sandra Cisneros—author of The House on Mango Street and recipient of the 2025 Harold Washington Literary Award.

Stationed on the first floor of the Chicago Cultural Center, Buddy is a one-stop shop for any locavore on the hunt for the perfect gift—whether for a friend or just yourself. The boutique features work from over 400 Chicagoland artists, with options ranging from ceramics and clothing to zines and more. Don't miss their rotating lineup of events, including the “Art 4 Sale” exhibition series, seasonal window installations on Randolph Street and monthly in-store happenings.    

With its latest exhibition, the Chicago Botanic Garden showcases the patterns and prints that adorn the natural world. Through meticulously planted gardens and nature-inspired art installations, Patterned by Nature highlights the intersection between graphic design and horticulture. Exhibition highlights include colossal embroidered flowers by Raquel Rodrigo, a collection of upcycled fashion sourced from garden materials by Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion and a paisley patterned succulent garden. 

Avondale—a former industrial corridor on Chicago’s northwest side that was recently named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world by Time Out—is home to some of the city’s hottest bars, galleries, restaurants and businesses. We’d like to add yet another feather to Avondale’s proverbial cap: The best neighborhood for all things spooky, scary and witchy. From insect museums and gothic tea shops to horror-themed cafés and memorabilia stores, Avondale has no shortage of businesses vending all things strange and unusual. Just in time for Halloween, here’s your guide to Avondale’s most spellbinding businesses.  The Brewed 2843 N Milwaukee Ave Named in homage to David Cronenberg’s body horror film The Brood, the Brewed is every horror lover’s dream—and perhaps everyone else’s nightmare. More museum than coffee shop, it’s crowded with massive movie posters and curio cabinets overflowing with tchotchkes and collectibles. The Brewed’s menu features cheeky themed drinks like the “Leland Palmer” and “Firestarter,” along with grab-and-go bites and treats from local confectioner Bad Channel, which crafts macarons inspired by horror movies. The café’s pièce de résistance, though, is the mural painted on the shop’s northwest wall: a pink art nouveau number recreating the lobby of the dance academy featured in Dario Argento’s Suspiria (1977). To celebrate spooky season, The Brewed will be hosting a Halloween Block Party on Sunday, October 12 from 11am to 8pm. Photograph: Courtesy Bucke

We’ve all been there: hauling a lopsided pumpkin from the grocery store parking lot, gamely sawing at it with a blunt kitchen knife and ending up with something that looks less like a jack-o’-lantern and more like a crime scene. Good news, gourd enthusiasts: The experts are here to show you how pumpkin carving is done. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s annual display of artist-carved pumpkins, returns next week—and it's bigger than ever before. In celebration of its 10th year—and in response to popular demand—Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns is extending its residency at the Garden from 10 to 15 days. More than 1,000 hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins—some weighing as much as 150 pounds—will haunt the garden’s outdoor paved path for this family-friendly annual event. Attendees are also encouraged to wear costumes and share their experience on Instagram for a chance to win two VIP tickets to Lightscape, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s annual (and quick to sell out) display of festive lights, complete with a 110-foot tunnel made up of 100,000 lights. “Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns has been so popular because it’s a unique opportunity to enjoy a spirited evening strolling through the Garden at night,” Jodi Zombolo, Associate Vice President, Visitor Events & Programs at Chicago Botanic Garden, said. “There’s always something new to see at this annual fall tradition, and we’re excited to offer more opportunities this year for visitors to experience with friend

Three Illinois state parks—and one Indiana state park within driving distance of Chicago—just joined some good company, ranking among America’s Best State Parks for Great-Value Stays. Even more exciting news: one of those parks placed in the top 10. The list, assembled by vacation rental company HomeToGo, analyzed 100 U.S. state parks with the lowest median vacation rental cost in 2025. HomeToGo then crunched some more numbers including park size, general affordability and a “hidden gem score” (i.e., the park’s desirability and notoriety). The ranking’s extensive methodology also entailed an analysis of each park’s trails, wildlife and scenery. That's enough math for me, thank you very much. With the highest possible score being 60, the already-revered Starved Rock State Park received a score of 49.76—the top mark for an Illinois park—landing the No. 7 spot. This should come as no surprise: Starved Rock was recently named the fourth most visited state park in the country, according to a recent report released by Google Maps. One of the most beautiful attractions in the state, Starved Rock offers visitors 13 miles of trails winding through echoic canyons, cascading waterfalls and sky-high bluffs—not to mention trolley tours, river cruises and guided hikes. Seizing the No. 27 spot with a score of 46.76 is Rock Cut State Park, located in Rockford, Illinois. Just a two-hour drive from Chicago, Rock Cut has something for nature buffs of all persuasions: more than 40 miles of hikin

It wouldn’t be a tired ol’ adage if it wasn’t true—Chicago has two seasons: winter and construction. Much to the (rightful) dismay of commuters, we are crash-landing into the latter.  Starting Monday, October 6, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River—better known as the Lake Street Bridge—will close for a years-long rehabilitation project, adding to the growing list of city bridges shut down for major reconstruction. The renovations, which were originally planned for 2024, will entail several improvements on the downtown bridge, including a replacement bridge deck and CTA tracks, along with a rehabilitation of crucial mechanical and electrical systems. Construction on the 109-year-old bridge will stretch into January 2028, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation. Chicagoans should brace themselves for some transit-related headaches: The Lake Street Bridge will be fully closed to both vehicles and pedestrians starting Monday, October 6. Eastbound vehicles will be pushed into the following detour route: Desplaines Street to Washington Street to Franklin Street to Lake Street. Westbound vehicles will be detoured to the following: Wacker Drive to Madison Street to Jefferson Street to Lake Street. Pedestrians will be shuffled to Canal Street, then Wacker Drive and finally Randolph Street. Diagram: Chicago Department of Transportation CTA commuters will go (mostly) unscathed: Green and Pink Line traffic will run continuously throug

Nothing makes you feel more terminally thirtysomething than taking a disco nap before heading to a nightclub, preoccupied with the mental math of how many Fernet shots you can down without guaranteeing yourself an earth-shattering hangover the next morning. But for a visit to Podlasie Club, Avondale’s destination discotheque, it was worth the sacrifice, even if it reminded me of my age in clubbing years.  I won’t claim to reign as a supreme expert on Chicago’s nightlife, but I’ve spent my fair share of hours molting my worries away at Smartbar’s front left speaker and crying into my cardigan at Danny’s Smiths Night (R.I.P.). At the very least, I’m still dialed enough into the pulse to know that Podlasie (pronounced “pohd-LA-shyeh”)—once a bustling dive catering to the Polish working class back in the ’80s and ’90s—has become one of the Chicago’s buzziest nightclubs and the cornerstone of Avondale nightlife. Every Thursday through Saturday (and some weekdays), a line of eager, maddeningly stylish dancers snakes down Central Park Avenue, sometimes winging around the corner in a halo around Central Park Bar. Skittish twentysomethings suck on their vapes while dance floor veterans sort their cash and fish earplugs from their pockets as the line inches closer toward Podlasie’s retro red-and-white marquee, complete with glittering incandescent bulbs. Podlasie has developed a following not so much around genre—the programming zigs and zags around musical conventions, from Italo disc

What would you be willing to do to make new friends? Would you sit down to dinner with a group of complete strangers? Brook Anderson, the founder of Second Helping Supper Club, believes that sharing a meal is one of the fastest ways to break the ice and spark genuine connections.  When Anderson, a native Minnesotan and passionate home cook, moved to Chicago in early 2020, she didn’t know a soul in the city. Over time, as her circle of friends grew, she began hosting dinner parties and soon realized they were more than just meals—they were a chance to connect with intention and care. Anderson scaled that notion city-wide in 2024, when she launched Second Helping Supper Club, a series of pop-up dinners and events hosted at various secret locations throughout the city.  “I hope that people feel that for one night they were included in something,” Anderson says of Second Helping Supper Club’s ethos. “That feeling of connection can be so fleeting and rare I hope more than anything that [diners] feel like they did something unique and different.” Photograph: Chuy Reyes, Courtesy of Second Helping Supper ClubBrook Anderson, founder of Second Helping Supper Club, prepares for a communal dinner. Since its inception, Second Helping has expanded beyond its flagship communal dinners by dabbling in pop-ups—think one-day café concepts and concession stands at beachside concerts. Anderson also produces an event series dubbed “Second Hangs,” a gathering open to previous attendees of Second

A pricey art playground is floating into town. The traveling Balloon Museum is bringing the wildly photogenic “EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel” exhibition to Chicago for a limited run this fall. The museum, which has welcomed over 7 million visitors worldwide across four different showcases, will arrive in the city with nearly 20 large-scale balloon-based installations in tow. True to its name, “EmotionAir” endeavors to rouse big feelings from viewers one inflatable at a time. Since its 2021 debut, “EmotionAir” has popped up across three continents, including stops in London, Paris, Miami, San Francisco, New York and Singapore. Emily in Paris fans—and, let’s be honest, hate watchers—may recognize the exhibit’s interactive centerpiece, Hyperfeeling, a dreamily lit ball pit Emily and Gabriel romped through during the show’s third season. With soundstage-sized pieces like horned sculptures emitting soap bubbles, inflated spheres bedecked in abstract squiggles and surreal faceless figures hovering in space, “EmotionAir” reimagines the humble balloon as any other artistic medium—a conduit for creativity and emotion. The exhibition will be housed in Field Studios, a Marshall Fields warehouse-turned-production studio on the Logan Square-Avondale border. Photograph: Danilo D'Auria, Courtesy of Balloon MuseumHyperfeeling by Sila Sveta and Kissmiklos To some, the Balloon Museum may feel like a specter of the rapidly deflating “made-for-Instagram museum” trend that swept the zeitgeist du

Great news, gworls: A RuPaul’s Drag Race fan activation will be sashaying to Chicago this fall. This fully immersive experience—which will be popping up in Logan Square—will celebrate the unmatched glamour and singularity of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which has aired for 17 seasons and generated several spinoffs. Drag Race: The Experience will transport visitors through the most iconic spaces featured on the drag competition show: Put the bass in your walk on the Main Stage, play a round of Snatch Game, tape your confessional and more. Visitors can also enjoy bevvies and snacks at the Gold Bar, shop exclusive merchandise and race the clock during RuPaul’s Best Friend Race Scavenger Hunt. To the skeptics out there: Drag Race: The Experience isn’t some unauthorized, fly by night operation. The activation is masterminded by the Emmy Award-winning team at World of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul’s Drag Race and DragCon, an international series of drag conventions. “For the first time ever, we’re untucking and taking you behind the one-way mirror to show you how the sausage is made,” Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, cofounders of World of Wonder, shared. “You can werk the Werk Room, walk the runway and become the image of your imagination—sashaying away with a portrait of yourself transformed via our Dragrulator.” Throughout its residency, Drag Race: The Experience will host an abundance of events, including screenings and premiere parties supporting shows across the global

These days, talk of college feels fraught with discussions about labyrinthian student loan legislation, rapidly rising tuition costs and the sovereignty of thought at universities. But that national tenor hasn’t changed U.S. News & World Report’s tune: The outlet has released its annual ranking of the top universities in the U.S., sending prospective students into a tizzy over application deadlines and long gone graduates like myself into a thought spiral: Were those loans really worth it? Depends on the day. Have I lost my physical diploma forever? Almost certainly. According to U.S. World News & Report’s Best National Universities Rankings for the 2025–26 school year, Illinois is now home to four of the country’s best universities. Of those four universities, two are stationed in Chicago. These rankings are far from random, too: U.S. News & World Report analyzed both third-party and direct report data from over 1,700 universities across the nation. From there, they crunched numbers like graduation and retention rates, borrow debt averages and post-college earnings to yield a definitive ranking. Illinois’ highest ranked university is, unsurprisingly, the University of Chicago, coming in at the No. 6 spot—just behind Yale and Stanford. Trailing behind the University of Chicago is Northwestern University, which claimed the No. 7 spot. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign made the cut at No. 36, and University of Illinois Chicago clocked in at No. 84. How’s that for braggin

At Time Out, it’s our job to keep you dialed into the latest and greatest things to do, eat and drink in Chicago. But now, we’re turning the tables—it’s your turn to tell us what life in the city is like for you.  We want you to spill all the Chicago tea: What’s it actually like to navigate the city via CTA? Has biking throughout Chicago notably improved over the years? We want to know how easy—or hard—it is to date and find new friends. Which Chicago neighborhood is the city’s crown jewel? We want to know your opinion on all things nightlife, live music, art, theater, restaurants and shopping in Chicago. Have your voice heard in our survey!  You’ll be asked to rate a range of topics on a scale of one to five—one being “awful” and five being “amazing”—and which parts about Chicago bring you the most joy. The whole survey takes just 10 minutes, and as a thank you, we’ll give you the chance to enter into a raffle for a $500 Amazon gift card. Act fast, though: The raffle closes on October 12.   You’ll need to be 18 years or above to take part in the survey. Find the terms and conditions here.  Take the survey here.

Chicagoans don’t need to be reminded that our city is home to some of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet, but let’s make it official: Avondale is one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, according to Time Out. Avondale, a Northwest Side gem next door to buzzy hipster enclave Logan Square, has been ranked the world’s fifth coolest neighborhood by Time Out. Nicknamed “Bricktown” for its historic brickyards, Avondale houses an eclectic mix of charming two-flats and bungalows, vibrant street art, repurposed warehouses and lively stretches of Polish and Latin American storefronts. Back in 2022, Time Out named Avondale the sixteenth coolest neighborhood in the world. This ranking isn’t just our opinion, though—we’ve got the stats to prove it. Time Out surveyed thousands of readers from around the globe about the coolest spots in their cities and used that data—along with expert input from our editors—to compile the final rankings. In total, the 2025 edition of the list features 40 neighborhoods spread across five continents. Taking the global crown this year is the neighborhood of Jimbocho in Tokyo, Japan. Avondale—which ranks higher than any other U.S. neighborhood—is joined by other domestic spots like Red Hook, New York (No. 14); Little River, Miami (No. 28) and Clarksville, Austin (No. 34). Chicago neighborhoods that have previously ranked among the best of the best include Logan Square (2024), Hyde Park (2023), Andersonville (2021), Uptown (2020), Pilsen (2019) and

This Friday, September 26, Chicago nonprofit Urban Rivers and Tito’s Handmade Vodka are inviting locals to touch grass for a great cause. Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic arm of the global spirit brand, and Urban Rivers are breaking ground on a new riverfront pocket park at the entry to the Wild Mile, the world’s first-ever floating eco-park. Chicagoans can help kick off phase one of the community project at Block to Block, a free event that will activate the space with free programming and eco-centered activities. Block to Block attendees—who must be 21 years old or over—can choose from an array of projects that will bring them closer to nature and help revitalize the soon-to-be pocket park at the Wild Mile's land-bound entrance. Aquatic adventurers can remove litter from the Chicago River via kayak, detail-oriented folks can survey native mussels and help reintroduce them into the ecosystem and crafters can build seed bombs that will encourage native plant growth. Volunteers will be treated to food throughout the day, and the event will culminate in a happy hour along the Wild Mile boardwalk. Stretching across the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River, the Wild Mile is the world’s first-ever floating eco-park, a currently 700-foot-long dock lined with native plants that floats along Goose Island's eastern border. This flagship project from Urban Rivers recreates the wetland ecosystems that once thrived in Chicagoland long before urban development. Conceived as a massive 17