Cowabunga Concession Stand

A trip to Chicago is not complete until we also make a trip to Garrett. I love getting the caramel…read moreand cheese corn mix. It is so quintessential Chicago experience. The service is always great. Please come and create your own adventure.

Garrett Popcorn is one of those Chicago staples that feels like part of the city's identity. We…read morewalked up to the Magnificent Mile location, and the smell of fresh popcorn hit us before we even reached the door, a warm, buttery aroma that immediately set the tone for the visit. The shop itself is compact and usually busy, with a steady line of customers moving through the counter, but the staff keeps orders moving efficiently enough that the wait never feels excessive. The Garrett Mix is the obvious choice for a first visit, combining sweet caramel and savory cheddar popcorn in a way that somehow works perfectly together. We ordered a bag and found the popcorn had a light, crisp texture, with each kernel coated evenly and the flavors balancing without one overpowering the other. The caramel added a rich sweetness, while the cheddar brought a sharp, salty contrast that made the combination addictive. The popcorn is made fresh throughout the day, and the quality of each batch felt consistent, with no stale or undercooked pieces. While there are plenty of other flavors and seasonal options available, the classic mix remains the standout, and it is easy to see why it has become synonymous with Chicago. The shop is more of a grab-and-go experience than a place to linger, making it convenient if you are exploring downtown or looking for something to enjoy on the walk back to your hotel. The packaging is practical, with bags that seal well to keep the popcorn fresh, and they also offer a variety of collectible tins if you are planning to bring some home as a souvenir or gift. The staff handled the steady flow with efficiency, and the turnover was fast enough that even when the line stretched, we were out within a few minutes. Garrett Popcorn has earned its reputation over the years, and it is one of those places that lives up to the hype. It is simple, consistently fresh, and a stop we would recommend to anyone visiting Chicago for the first time. The combination of the iconic mix, the freshness of the product, and the efficient service makes it a reliable choice for a classic Chicago treat that feels both familiar and distinctly local.

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Garrett Popcorn Shops

While downtown I just had to stop at Garrett's Popcorn to get me a mixed bag of caramel and cheese…read morepopcorn. The staff was friendly and ready to take your order. I was disappointed that my popcorn was stale.

It was good popcorn. I got the standard mix while my son just got the butter popcorn. I thought it…read morewas good, but I can't say it was worth the hype. Would I get it again? Probably, but I would have to go out of my way to do so. The workers at this particular location could've been nicer. It seems they all had a case of having a stick shoved up so far, they couldn't even smile or acknowledge customers in the shop, and that attitude was for everyone. I mean, that's a job you chose, amirite? Other than the nastiness for no reason, I did enjoy the popcorn. I'll just go to another shop where employees are actually happy to be there.

The world-famous Garrett Mix

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Garrett Popcorn Shops

Went in deciding what I wanted to get so I let a couple of people ahead of me. I guess the lady in…read morefront of me was having trouble deciding between the spicy and cheddar so she kept coming in and out. Staff tried to give me the lady in front's order that was returned by her since she came back and I guess we ordered the same thing but I was not going to have that. Got a small for $5.55 (with tax) and it was yummy! Really a fan of the mix that comes with cheddar and caramel. It was only good for a few hours because the next day it was super stale. Heard if you buy the super expensive tin, it also doesn't help that much in terms of freshness, so best to buy and eat instantly.

Takeiya Simmons was so sweet and considerate and super helpful. Such great staff here and super…read morekind and friendly to Taurus and locals.

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Popus G Popcorn

4.9

(10 reviews)

4.6 mi

Wow -- what a wonderful owner, small business, and of course, POPCORN! We were greeted the moment…read morewe walked in with warmth, expertise, and hospitality. We were able to try as many samples as we wanted (we chose the banana pudding and buffalo) and were so impressed by the selection and quality. This is absolutely a hidden gem. You will not regret stopping by Popus Gourmet Popcorn!

I drive past this place all of the time and finally had the pleasure of stopping in tonight. We…read morewere greeted by Doug (I'm sorry if that's not your name) and were walked through their amazing selection of popcorn. You can feel his enthusiasm and excitement when telling you about all of the different flavor combinations. Everything we tried was amazing. I went with his own twist on the Cheddar/Carmel mix and a bag of buffalo and elote popcorn. Can't wait to crush it all in one sitting on the couch later.

Cheezy Carmel - Buffalo & Elote -

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RIP bag of Caramel drizzled with White Chocolate.

Garrett Popcorn Shops

A couple of my Miami friends highly recommended that we stop by at Garrett's and buy their…read moreGarrett's Mix, which is exactly what we did! The famous Chicago style Garrett Mix (formerly known as "Chicago Mix" per my friends) combines two distinct recipes: CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn. Its core ingredients are Non-GMO popcorn kernels, brown sugar, organic brown rice syrup (or corn syrup), unsalted butter, coconut oil, and real cheddar cheese. The end result is the best popcorn you have ever tasted! It is also gluten free! We walked over to this shop as we were staying close by. I'm not sure about the parking situation. We bought 3 bags. Taking a bag home for a friend.

Whenever I have traveled through the Chicago airports, I have always been on the lookout for…read moreGarrett Popcorn Shops so that I could get some amazing popcorn as I had a layover in Chicago. This time, I was actually spending several days in Chicago, so it was only natural for my friend and me to swing by the first Garrett Popcorn Shop we found near our hotel to buy gifts for people at home. We stopped by the 173 N Michigan Avenue location, and there was no line at first (though there was when we were leaving). We saw a whole bunch of options from the Chicago-style Garrett Mix (caramel and cheddar) to Caramel Crisp, Cheese Corn, Almond Caramel Crisp, and Pecan Caramel Crisp. We decided it only made sense to get the Chicago-style Garrett Mix for everyone. The service was quick, and the employee helping us was helpful and walked us through the best deals to get the most items. We ended up getting $5 off (due to how much we ordered) plus got an additional discount due to the number we ordered, too. We chose tins for the ease of packing and travel, which is considered a part of the "Build Your Bundle" promotion. The hours at this location are generally 10 AM to 7 PM though that is subject to change. Like at many other stores, there were also options for Frango Chocolate mixed in or using the app or website for Skip the Line & Order Ahead options. They also provide for meetings and events. If you sign up on their website for their newsletter, you can earn $10 in savings. Since 1949, they have been creating special experiences for customers. As they state on their website, they are "more than just popcorn!" To me, it's a taste of Chicago!

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Berco's Popcorn

So glad Berco's is open again on Armitage! Literally the best popcorn I've ever had, especially…read morethe White Truffle. As my son says, "it's fire"! Anyway, we are always sure to stop by for some treats whenever we're in Chicago. The best!

So good! Just went today for the first time and everyone was so friendly and the popcorn was…read moredelicious!

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Garrett Popcorn Shops

Every time I pass through O'Hare I stop here as they have some of the best popcorn you will ever…read morehave! I've been here soo many times over the years and it never disappoints I've honestly left another terminal to come here to get popcorn yeah it's that good so do yourself a favor and get some it's totally worth it! I've always gotten the classic Chicago mix as me being stubborn and only getting this once in a while you gotta go with what you know lol. That cheesy goodness is perfect full flavor and then mixed with that delicious Carmel corn your in for a treat! Overall this is not to be missed so do yourself a favor and grab some on your next adventure you'll be stoked that you did!

So good but waaayyyy too expensive. Packages was not wrapped…read moreadequately for travel. We would have bought more but the pricing is very high.

Store front at terminal 1

Across from my gate... How do I resist?

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Exterior

Chicago Kernel Gourmet Popcorn

I was introduced to this place August, 2025 when someone offered me some popcorn from there. I…read moretasted it and was like "WHOA"!!! It was so good! I wanted to eat the whole bag, LOL. I pass by this place alot when traveling to/fro work as it's in the Metra station. I had a little bit of extra time on 7/9/26 so I went in and got a mix of Smokin Hot, BBQ and Cheddar. A small is $4.99. The guy waiting on me was very nice. After leaving and getting on the train to eat my popcorn, I regretted not getting a bigger size. Fresh, delish! Much better than Garrett's as I don't eat theirs anymore - it doesn't taste fresh like it used to. I will definitely be back. The next time I will just get the bbq & smokin' hot together. Maybe get the white cheddar separately. Thank you Chicago Kernel Popcorn, you are great! A+!

The popcorn was delicious..The last time I had some of this popcorn was over thirty years ago, a…read morefriend of mine would bring the popcorn back from Chicago...The great taste has not changed...

Smokin' Hot, BBQ and Cheddar. Small size for $4.99.

My receipt.

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Garrett Popcorn Shops

I visited this location twice during my trip to Chicago, and both visits were great. The employees…read morewere friendly, welcoming, and happy to answer questions. The first visit the popcorn was good but seemed to lack freshness as it began to taste stale within 24 hours. I'm hoping the second batch that I purchased to take home is better. I also like that the photo op fits the area being in the theatre district. Free samples are available upon request, which gave me the chance to try the spicy cheese flavor. It had a nice kick and was definitely worth sampling. Overall, this is a nice quick location to grab popcorn.

I don't usually get to this Garrett's Popcorn location since I'm not usually in this area of the…read moreLoop. But it's really convenient when leaving the theatre! You aren't supposed to take the popcorn into the theaters (it's right next door to the Nederlander, and around the corner from the Goodman) so best to purchase it afterward, if they're open. Like all locations, they sell standard Garrett's products and the popcorn is yummy. They have a little spot where you can take photos if you're an especially proud Garrett's fan. No parking since it's smack dab in the middle of the Loop, but it's just off the Lake el.

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Windy City Sweets

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you're out and about, and are craving something sweet. However,…read morealmost all places and bakeries you walk into have, at smallest, a cookie the size of one's face. I'm looking to satisfy my sweet tooth, not have a full meal in dessert form! Windy City Sweets fits the bill perfectly! They have a very wide selection of all sorts of sweet goodies! Homemade chocolates and candies, commercially made candies, ice cream, jelly beans by weight (buttered popcorn is peak, and you can't change my mind). There are likely many others, but I found what my heart was craving and went for it. Looking at their selection, there is something for everyone, even stuffed animals! (Eating these is not recommended, HA!) I suppose a candy shop has *some* appeal to the young and young at heart, so why not? I also love that they have reasonable prices, are open late-ish (until 9pm), and have friendly, welcoming service. Final verdict: To make it dead-simple: if you have a sweet tooth, and are within a couple miles of Northalsted, get yourself in here already!

Very expensive for what it is in terms of chocolate but staff is very kind and helpfulread more

Windy city fudge ice cream

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Peanut butter cup (handmade version of resse's)

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

4.5

(162 reviews)

18.3 mi

Well maintained. Not too crowded…read more Challenging enough on a bike for me. Beautiful and well maintained trails that are well marked. Love it. If you're out of shape this place can whip you back into shape if you let it.

Waterfall Glen is a beautiful display of nature. Trails offer a robust adventure. Two parking lots,…read moreone off of Cass Avenue and the other off of Lemont Road.

Brown-eyed Susan

Creeping bellflower

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East Bank Club

(354 reviews)

3.6 mi

Gorgeous health club!! My friend belongs here and I joined her for dinner at the restaurant/grill…read more The food was tasty and excellent service. I was given a 90 minute pass for dinner and they seem strict on the time. My friend also gave me a tour. It's an impressive space!! About 450,000 square feet, spanning across 2 full city blocks and 5 levels. They have everything you can think of: pools (4 pools!), saunas, restaurants, tennis, golf, basketball, boxing, group glasses, weights, machines, pickleball, spa, hair and nail salon, indoor running track, co-working space, and so much more. Beautiful artwork, pristine locker rooms and restrooms. Wow! High ceilings and so much space overall. Nothing felt crowded. Beautiful design and layout. I was in awe and very impressed.

(Kari's Rating 7.5/10)…read more TLDR -Up-to-Date equipment -Work from home spaces -Convenient Healthy Market Came with a friend to hang out on a Wednesday around 5:30pm to see what East Bank Club is all about. After seeing all the crazy amenities which were super cool with a ton of variety, I think the thing that surprised me the most is how up-to-date all of the equipment was and the variety of activities they had for people to enjoy. If you're looking for an all encompassing workout/work space, this is it! They have everything from full-size tennis courts, to a golf simulator-like set up,except you get to hit into an inflatable pillow! They also had plenty of Pickleball courts, and they offer so many different workout group classes.both a wet and dry, sauna, and tons of treadmills and free weights. I was also really impressed that they also had a physical training area. So think something that was my personal favorite and the best thing for Chicago Summers is a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge area. Not only did they have two outdoor pools (one for adults and one for kids) but they also have an indoor pool as well for winter as well as an indoor hot tub! They also had a common area workspace where people can come to take meetings and do their work from home gigs. You could practically move in here haha! As of right now, it is a $750 new membership fee as well as $295 a month, which is a pretty hefty chunk of change if you ask me considering most of the high rises around, have some kind of rooftop pool and workout area. It is cheaper if you join with a domestic partner or if you're between the ages of 16 and 29-see pic for current pricing. They also sometimes host social events which is super fun to meet everyone else in the club, but at the same time I think it is more of an investment in your future and your future health if you can afford it! I will not be joining at the moment, but hey-that could change anytime if I decide I should be on a health kick.

The Sundeck in season on the East Bank rooftop

Showtime Cycle Studio

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The North Outdoor Pool

Meadowlark Golf Course

3.8

(24 reviews)

13.4 mi

Course was in good shape and staff are friendly. It's unremarkable to play but generally wide open…read moreand easy to walk. Pace was slow. Plenty of carts available. There's a grill setup on hole 4 with all the usuals you'd expect and the porta-potty is accessible from a couple different holes. The clubhouse bathrooms are gross. Price is good.

9-hole course. The staff is very accommodating and nice. No external alcohol allowed, but they do…read moresell snacks and drinks on site. Golf carts available for reservation. The brush around the course is pretty thick because it's located in a forest preserve, making your chances of losing balls higher.

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UIC Student Recreation Facility

(28 reviews)

2.4 mi

Great facility open year around BUT CLOSED FOR SCHOOL…read moreHOLIDAYS! Spa and sauna are super nice. The rec app says there is a Pilates reformer but no classes to sign up. Testing to find out if true.

**UIC Swim Classes: A Budget-Friendly Option for Kids**…read more We enrolled in UIC Swim Classes for our 1.5-year-old and found it to be a solid, budget-friendly option. At $22 per session, the classes offer structured swim lessons at a more affordable rate compared to other local options. There is a chill vibe that works great for a 1st learner, but the level of rigor is lower than Goldfish so we switched there once we got off their wait list. Classes are sold in 5 week packages, and reschedules are not typically allowed. The class structure follows a set sequence of exercises. Instructors are friendly, but engagement is inconsistent. While they guide kids through various activities, the level of encouragement and feedback varies, with some instructors mentally checking out after providing initial directions. The UIC facility itself is quite nice - The water is comfortably warm and there are changing areas. Parking is available but paid for a few dollars. Note that your access is restricted to within 15 minutes of class time, so don't go too early. Though there are fewer opportunities for underwater practice and confidence-building dips, the parent/tot classes are primary about getting your kid comfortable in water. Overall, UIC Swim Classes deliver decent value for the price, though parents seeking a more intensive training that will get kids swimming faster may want to explore Goldfish.

The front desk area with a climbing wall. Pretty solid and clean!

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Pool

Cowabunga Concession Stand - popcorn - Updated July 2026

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My favorite ice cream and empanada spot! Ice cream is always made fresh to order. The restaurant is…read morespacious with plenty of board games and a television to keep you occupied while you wait or enjoy your food. The staff is always smiling and welcoming. They also have really good recommendations if you're unsure of what to get! Can't wait till my next visit!

Love that there is a ice cream hangout spot in Bronzeville! I appreciate that they have a variety…read moreof ice cream bases to work from: dairy, vegan (coconut) and sorbet. I got the cookies & dream ice cream, which was ok - I couldn't pinpoint what was overpowering the ingredients, but it was unfortunately prominent and lingering. Minus the ice cream, I'm primarily giving this a 3 because of the clean, beautiful space (TVs, games, group and lounge seating abound) and the empanadas. My birria one was phenomenal, and my husband's spinach one was really good. They alone are worth coming back for. One last thing - 2 milkshakes, a scoop of ice cream and a milkshake cost us nearly $50.

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Truly a hidden gem!! was craving a sweet treat after taking a painting class w some friends in…read morePilsen on a friday night and it was the perfect ending to a lovely evening :) i got the chili mango paleta and it was so good!! my friend got 2 paletas bc of how much he loved the first one he got lol. they have a huge variety of foods & treats so there's definitely something for everyone. the ladies working here are so so sweet and kind. i'd definitely come back here!!!!

The store had a wide variety of unique and nostalgic ice cream flavors. Besides ice cream, they…read morealso have different fresh postres for sale as well- all very tasty. My favorite was the superman ice cream. Prices are very reasonable. They also offer savory bites, such as tamales, but we didn't get to try those. The service was great! The vibe is vibrant and energic, painted with extremely colorful and eye-catching decor. A good place to come in for a small bite in Pilsen.

Reggie's on the Beach

3.7

(52 reviews)

Perfect place to chill and people watch. Food is descent and drink plentiful. I recco a spot in the…read moreshade

This was an end of summer beach hang. Service was slow and food was just okay. We were able to pay…read morefor checks individually at the bar..

Kelli's

3.7

(16 reviews)

Kelli's is a Black Woman Owned restaurant lounge. You do have to be 21 to enter. We went here…read moreduring happy hour. I ordered the buffalo wings with the house sauce and a lemon drop with house liquor in it. My friends ordered the truffle fries, Caesar salad, salad and jerk tacos. It was all delicious. The buffalo wings were really good. I do wish that they fried them a little longer. If your pallet is savory with a little bit of sweet. This is the place for you. The staff was informative and recommended everything we ordered. The margarita tower can be split amongst 4 to 5 people. The happy hour deal for it is very much worth it. The drinks were hitting! The ambience of this place is very chill. They do need to work on their decorations to fill the space more. It's never a dull moment in there. lots of foot traffic. Free seating upon entering. I will be coming again! They do have select days for happy hour be sure to check before you go because they're happy hour deals are highly worth it!

I like this place! Came here on a double date and had great service with great music!…read more We came during Happy Hour where everything on that menu was $10. The passenger princess is a 10/10 - tasted good and got us all right! The nachos were also good but I just wanted a little bit more meat. My friend had the sliders and she said they were solid. It's really cute inside and I recommend this spot for their daily deals & happy hour- can't go wrong! Not too many spots like this in the area so much appreciated!

La Michoacana 1

3.3

(7 reviews)

Vengo regularmente a este lugar, todos las cosas que hemos pedido están buenas y las personas que…read moretrabajan allí hacen todo lo posible por sacar las órdenes rápido, Pero creo que los dueños del lugar deberían de contratar más personal.

Yummy! They never fail. Always delish . Definitely recommend if you have the munchiesread more

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