Wendy Altschuler

Chicagoans love new happenings, especially ones with full-sized quirky kicks. Finally filling in the vacant spot across from the future Bally’s casino, Universal Studios is bringing a brand-new horror-themed entertainment venue to the city at 700 W. Chicago Avenue. RECOMMENDED: The 26 most haunted places in Chicago are spooky, scary and just plain odd Universal Horror Unleashed has a snappy ring to it, don’t you think? Jam-packed with interesting mazes, jump scares, funky food-and-drink options and a retail space, the planned immersive attraction has been deemed “a world-class horror attraction and entertainment destination” according to city officials.The Windy City will earn the special accolade of being the second Universal Horror Unleashed location (the first is set to open this August in Las Vegas, Nevada), as well as the first Universal attraction full-stop in the Midwest, and frankly we couldn’t be prouder of the honor. The Las Vegas location will be home to haunted houses inspired by classic thrillers like The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the Chicago location will follow suit. Perhaps you’ll see Universal-owned horror characters like Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Count Dracula, or Phantom of the Opera?  Not a horror fan? You can at least appreciate that the project is expected to generate more than $1 billion for the local economy and create 400 permanent jobs for Chicagoans. “We’re excited to bring this bold c

Got an itch to get inked? Save it for September, when the city's first-ever Tattoo Lady Fest makes its mark on Chicago. Hosted by Julia Campione, a local tattoo artist who has been creating body art on Chicagoans for 11 years and running the Good Omen Tattoo on Belmont Avenue for seven, the new festival will feature the talents of 18 women tattoo artists from around the globe.  This is an indelible opportunity—literally and figuratively—for each ink master to show the public what they can do. Attendees can expect to encounter the likes of Nicha Hernandez from Puerto Rico, Jessi Preston from Portland, Britt Kuechenmeister from Los Angeles, Courtney O’Shea from Nashville, and many more at the event, which will be held on Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 at Loft on Lake in the West Loop.  “Tattoo Lady Fest emerged from years of making connections with other women in tattooing,” Campione told Block Club Chicago. “I found power in the shared experience of navigating a male-dominated field.” In truth, it was the presidential election that inspired Campione to take action and make her dreams a reality. “I needed to transform the grief I was feeling into some sort of action,” Campione said. “And I basically said to myself, ‘F— it, I’m doing this!” RECOMMENDED: Eight women who are making Chicago a better place “Chicago is where my tattoo journey began,” Campione told the outlet. “Hosting Tattoo Lady Fest in the city where it all began feels like coming full circle.” And

Chicagoans can’t catch a break when it comes to the cost of living—at least, according to a new study from home-goods pros Highland Cabinetry, which ranks the most overpriced cities in the U.S.  Analyzing a diverse range of metrics that consider not only the cost of living but also the quality of life in the Windy City—including the exorbitant expense of housing, earned income, relative safety, traffic and so on—the study sourced its data from the likes of the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Zillow real estate stats. RECOMMENDED: These are the 10 priciest zip codes in Chicago—did yours make the list? While Newark, New Jersey earned the number one spot for being the most overpriced city in the U.S., earning a perfect score of 100 (not an A+ in this case), followed by New York City with a score of 98.17, Chicago sailed in at No. 7 with an overall score of 89. Given that Chicago is a major city with 2.75 million people, the third largest in the U.S., those expensive results aren’t entirely surprising. According to the study, rent plus cost of living will set you back $3,704 in the Windy City. With a median household income of $74,474, the dollar doesn’t stretch too far in Chicagoland. The safety index comes in at 33.9, quite a low score; pollution rates at 50.69; and the traffic index comes in at 189.12—all of this is to say that Chicago can be a tough place to thrive, especially if you’re not a high-income earner. (The 5.3-percent unemployment rate, the worst on the list, doesn’t help

When it comes to Chicago pizza, we all have our favorites. Tavern style has that addictive cracker-thin crust and convenient square-shaped party cut, while for deep dish—that legendary Windy City delight—a special pan allows for the pie to have a high edge, providing bounteous space for thick cheese and a chunky tomato sauce. One heavy slice can feel like an entire meal. And now there’s a new guide that confirms what we already know: Chicago has some of the best pizza in the world. RECOMMENDED: This is apparently Pope Leo's favorite Chicago pizza joint There’s much debate in the Windy City around who serves up the best pizza: Is it Giordano’s, Pequod’s, Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s? What about Milly’s Pizza in the Pan, The Art of Pizza, or Rosati’s? Pizza politics run deep in the City of Big Shoulders. Certain heavy hitters have always been fan favorites, but according to 50 Top Pizza, one Chicago-based pizza restaurant was worthy enough to top all of those local favorites in its Guide to the Best Pizzerias in the World. The top three award winners for best pizzerias overall, celebrated at an award ceremony at New York City’s West Edge inside Chelsea Market, are Una Pizza Napoletana in New York City, Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles, and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, with L’Industrie Pizzeria in NYC earning the coveted Best Pizza Slice accolade. But Chicagoland held its own: Three award-winning pizzerias were represented on this year's list, with Chicago’s Robert’s Pizza

Part of what makes Chicago so great is our public transportation: The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the nation’s second largest public transportation system, serving not only Chicago, but also local airports (O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport) and the surrounding suburbs. The Red Line—which provides valuable 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service between Howard, way up north, and 95th /Dan Ryan, way down south—could use some updates, however. And thankfully, those upgrades are on the way: After being closed or partially closed for renovations for a troublesome four years, four shiny new Red Line stations are set to open on Sunday, July 20. The Red Line’s north branches—Bryn Mawr, Berwyn, Argyle, and Lawrence—are part of Lakeview’s $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization Project.RECOMMENDED: Steep service cuts could be coming to Chicago public transit—here’s whyPlanned upgrades include not only a fresh coat of paint, but also important improvements like escalators, elevators and wider platforms for ADA-accessibility. All Chicagoans will love the enhanced lighting, real-time travel information displays (imagine that!), and overhead canopies to protect commuters from Chicago’s sometimes less than ideal weather. Plus, CTA has replaced the tracks, support structures, bridges and viaducts between Bryn Mawr and Lawrence stations.“We are proud to bring new, accessible Red Line stations to our customers, which will provide a more comfortable and con

It wouldn’t be summer in Chicago if you weren’t worried about your commute in one way or another, especially along the lake front. And now there’s an additional cause for concern: The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race will return to Grant Park for its third edition on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6, which means street closures will be in full effect ahead of the event throughout the Loop for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. It’s one thing if you’re planning on attending the festivities (including the headlining performance from the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band) and it’s another if you’re just trying to get to work. RECOMMENDED: You can eat a tasting menu right on the NASCAR Chicago race track this summerHaving kicked off on June 19, closures will commence in phases with Balbo Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive shutting down, followed by Ida B. Wells Drive, Congress Plaza Drive, and Michigan Avenue. By race weekend on July 5 and 6, you can expect all roads around Grant Park to be off-limits to vehicular traffic, including: DuSable Lake Shore Drive between McFetridge Drive and Randolph Street. Northbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Monroe Street. Southbound Michigan Avenue between Monroe Street to 8th Street. Monroe Street from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street. Roosevelt Road from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue. Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSab

Cue Nelly’s "Hot in Herre," appropriate lyrics for new Google search data that suggests Miami is one of the most sex-curious cities in the United States. Access to online porn might be challenging if you live in Florida—one of the largest adult porn content sites has blocked access for Floridians; however, folks in the Sunshine State are consistently looking for alternatives, as Google Trends reports. RECOMMENDED: The Museum of Sex is bringing camp back to Miami in the raunchiest way possibleA recent ZipHealth survey, the “Libido Index”, delved into Google search data from all 50 states and major U.S. cities to determine how sexual health and libido varies across the country and the results are startling. ZipHealth, a US-based online pharmacy forFDA-approved medication, including options for sexual health, zeroed in on 303 search terms across 50 states and 50 US cities.Per capita, New York, Washington, and Virginia have the highest output of libido-related searches nationwide, while Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis hold the top three urban rankings for investigations on sex drive and sexual health. “What can I do to increase my sex drive female” is the most frequently searched phrase, sitting at the top of the list in eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.“Over the counter ED pills”, “testosterone supplements”, “why doesn’t my wife want sex”, “average sex drive of a woman” and “sex recession” all topped the search

Marked with its giant rainbow pillars, Chicago’s Boystown has long been a haven for the LQBTQ+ community and its allies. While not the only gay enclave in the Windy City—Andersonville also deserves props—Boystown is HQ for political activism and moving the social and political needle forward, with prosperous businesses supporting the cause. In the '80s, Boystown was shaped by gay bars, with Sidetrack on North Halsted at the helm, and now it might take flight as the first gay bar might open in a U.S. airport. (And no, the Delta Sky Club doesn't count as a gay bar.) RECOMMENDED: Chicago is one of the top Pride Month destinations for 2025, per Airbnb Chicago’s largest and arguably most iconic gay bar, Sidetrack, has put the wheels in motion and applied to open a specialty location at O’Hare International Airport. This would make the City of Big Shoulders home to the very first gay bar inside of an airport in the United States.Submitted just this month by restaurateur Germán González, managing partner of Somos Hospitality Group, this move is part of Chicago’s valiant efforts to update airport concessions—finally. (González partnered with Michelin-star chef Carlos Gaytán and opened Tzuco in 2019; in 2023, he opened an Italian restaurant called Ummo—both wildly successful endeavors in Chicago's River North.)With Somos taking charge of all of the hands-on operations, and Sidetrack co-owners and LGBTQ+ activists Art Johnston and José “Pepe” Peña serving as investors and licensing the

Summer is here and so is the heat and dreaded humidity. And, just as the Windy City is about to boil, all 50 Chicago Park District swimming pools are open to the public as of this weekend. This is the first time since 2020 that all of the outdoor pools will be open and operating seven days per week. The city's indoor swimming pools will also be ready to serve their communities, with 27 pools operating six days per week. RECOMMENDED: The best public swimming pools in Chicago for swimming, diving and more The last five years have been tough on the park district with lifeguard shortages; however, with over 3,000 applicants this year, the city is ready to serve its communities of swimmers.“We’re thankful to all of the strong swimmers that have joined our aquatics team this summer to help reach our goal of opening all outdoor and indoor pools for the start of the 2025 summer pools season,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEOCarlos Ramirez-Rosa in a news release. “Chicagoans can rely on parks to provide access to a vital resource during the hot summer months, while offering hundreds of lifeguards an important job in public service that equips them with strong work experience and essential lifesaving skills.”Outdoor swimming pools in the park districts care will be open until the start of the Chicago Public School year in August, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in most locations; indoor swimming pools tend to stay open throughout the year.While most swimming pools are ADA

Haven’t already nailed down plans for the Summer Solstice? We've got a fittingly mystical option for you: Head to Bucktown for Tarot Esoterica, a festival hosted by beloved Chicago curiosity shop Sideshow Gallery with three full days of art shows, tarot workshops, local vendors, live DJ sets and more. The best part? It's all free and open to the public. RECOMMENDED: Ravinia Festival in Chicagoland dropped this summer's lineup and it's looking dope The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 20 with the Tarot Esoterica Ball & Art Show from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Along with tarot-themed works from more than 30 artists on view, the evening will welcome attendees to dress up as their most compelling tarot card and participate in a costume contest, enjoy readings by special guest Glam Witch and dance the night away to supersensory tunes spun by Petra Steele. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ✦ Sideshow Gallery Chicago ✦ (@sideshowgallerychicago) The festivities continue on Saturday, June 21 when, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., guests can peruse the Tarot Esoterica Market, stocked with preternaturally cool wares from the likes of Acid Queen Jewelry, Witchy Woman World Apothecary, Laetitia Barbier Antiquities, and many more purveyors. Three tarot readers will be available to walk you through your card pulls or, for an even more dialed-in experience, you can attend a workshop: "Tarot for Love" with Jacob Mayfield is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. and "Risi

The nation’s second largest public transportation system, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a lifeline to residents and travelers in not only the Windy City, but also the surrounding suburbs and both international airports. The mass transit system includes the Chicago “L” trains as well as the CTA bus service and serves well over 950,000 riders on an average weekday. Is there room for improvement? Yes. Enter: “CTA Chats”, a series of interactive pop-up events at rail stations and bus terminals that aim to connect commuters with CTA leadership to gain a valuable understanding of the current dynamic and challenges, aswell as work toward solutions to improve the CTA riding experience.  Concerned passengers can now speak directly with Chicago Transit Authority leaders and share insights on how they'd like to see things improve onboard—the feedback collected will be used by the CTA to assist in budget planning and future investments.   RECOMMENDED: CTA's rainbow-bright Pride Train is back on the Red Line tracks this month “Engaging with our riders provides invaluable insights into how transit currently serves their daily lives and supports their communities, while also allowing riders to provide us feedback on the improvements they would like to see,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “We are in a unique time for transit in our region, and it important that decisions we are making and projects and programs we are prioritizing are grounded in our riders’ priorities and

Chicagoans take baseball seriously—fans stay fans, even during the Chicago Cubs’ 108-year championship drought, taking the moniker “loveable losers” out of everyone’s mouths. Cheering at a game at the famous Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago is an experience you’re not soon to forget. From rooftop stadium seats on neighborhood buildings to the unique ivy-covered brick outfield wall, from the massive hand-turned scoreboard to the classic red marquee hanging over the main entrance, it’s easy to see how Wrigley Field became a designated National Historic Landmark. And now there’s a nationwide study that reveals a fact that locals have always known: Wrigley Field is the ultimate bucket-list destination for American sports fans. RECOMMENDED: Chicago is getting a $650 million soccer stadium in South Loop Last month, Deadspin polled 2,000 sports enthusiasts across the nation to determine what banger experiences across the globe are travel-worthy. Edging out Boston’s Fenway Park, the oldest Major League Baseball stadium, Chicago’s Wrigley Field—the MLB's second eldest venue—has earned the number one spot. Utilizing the research platform Prolific, Deadspin cast a wide net, including respondents living in the U.S. who would consider themselves sports fans. This online survey set out to determine which sports destinations fans most want to visit in their lifetime. What did the poll determine? Out of all of the sports destinations across the globe, fans have determined that the