Renaissance Court

(2 reviews)

0.1 mi

Free English lessons, bring them on! New classes with trainee teachers starting every 4 weeks so it…read morenever gets boring :)

I attended the Teaching House in Chicago during the summer of 2014 and it was wonderful. The…read moreteacher trainers where extremely thorough in their feedback and help and they continue to help you and give advice about job searching even after the program has ended. They really know what they are talking about and are very experienced. I learned amazing things from the trainers at Teaching House Chicago. If you are willing to learn and ready to work hard and prepared for it all to pay off, join the Teaching House Chicago, you won't be disappointed

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Roosevelt University

2.9

(63 reviews)

0.5 mi

Roosevelt University has a number of significant issues, and I will keep this brief…read more The university places strong emphasis on social justice in its messaging, but my experience did not reflect those values in practice. Administrative and bureaucratic processes are slow to respond when students need support, yet communication becomes very frequent when something is required from you. There was also a cybersecurity incident during my time at the university, and I felt the institutional response did not adequately address the impact on students whose information was affected. In addition, policy enforcement appears inconsistent across departments, which adds to the lack of clarity in day-to-day processes. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this institution.

I'm older now, and I recall my days at RU fondly . As a non traditional aged student I felt at home…read moreand supported on campus. RU was my career launching pad.

Roosevelt University in Downtown Chicago

Roosevelt University

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Chicago Toastmasters

(1 review)

0.3 mi

If you are looking to improve your public speaking skills in a laid back and fun setting, then…read moreChicago Toastmasters would be a great club for you! This group meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 12-1pm sharp at 30 N LaSalle St. 36th Floor in the Polysystems office. Check out the website for additional information on how to attend a meeting as a guest.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

3.7

(54 reviews)

0.2 mi

I took a class here as a teenager and it was top notch! I have talked to many students who have…read moretalked classes here recently, and you know what, they can't speak highly enough about it! Yes, the rumors are true! It's just as good now as it was 45 years ago! Hats off to all the great teachers for encouraging all the students from around the world (yes, I knew a young woman from Italy who attended classes back in 2005!). A big standing ovation to all the teachers keeping this great institution world class all these decades later! You are the greatest!

Continuing Ed "intro" courses are not worth it. Don't bother unless you've already mastered the…read morebasics elsewhere because you will not be taught any techniques here.

Children's Workshops in Art and Creativity

LeRoy Neiman Center

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Middle School Program Fashion Camp

The Writers Loft

(1 review)

0.7 mi

If you are an aspiring writer looking for a way to nudge yourself to the next level then The…read moreChicago Writer's loft is for you. The curriculum was developed by Jerry Cleaver and taken from his book "Immediate Fiction". Sadly, Jerry is no longer with us but the class is ably and cheerfully taught by Mary Carter. Ms. Carter has published close to a dozen novels and is a former workshop participant. The class is six weeks long. The first class is absolutely free. You pay nothing if you decide not to pursue the course. You do get a free copy of Jerry's book though. Each class goes through the basic elements of good storying writing (WOARS take the class and find out what that means). Each of the five remaining classes provides time at the end to write. The work is read and critiqued at the subsequent class. I think you'll be pleased at the jumpstart your writing projects will receive from participation. I've gotten great help from Mary on my writing projects from both in and outside of class. I'm afraid to take a workshop anywhere else for fear of rank disappointment.

From the owner: Chicago's longest-running and most successful writing workshop. Taught by USA Today bestselling…read moreauthor. Founded by Jerry Cleaver, author of best-selling writing book Immediate Fiction (St. Martin's Press). A workshop series designed to give writers of all levels the crucial skills that make every story and every writer a success. Learn everything you need to unlock your imagination and bring your ideas to life on the page, stage, or screen. "I recommend it to everyone who writes." -- Linda Lael Miller, author of eight NY Times bestsellers "The best there is." -- Michael Harvey, Emmy winner, Academy Award nominee for Best Screenplay

Books by previous students

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Directions Training

(6 reviews)

0.4 mi

I was glad that an acquaintance referred me to Directions. They were able to set me up with a…read morecurriculum that included software training through a vendor that met my career needs when nobody else could. I will say that not everything has run smoothly though. There have been some items that seem to have been left out of our initial conversations. When I attempted to work through them with the staff, they spoke to me as if I should have known. I was quite disappointed with them that they treated me as though it was my mistake when clearly they left information out. I would only recommend Directions to someone with the caveat to ask a ton of questions. Ask questions about things you may not think are important. Ask questions that you might ask a college/university if you were taking out student loans and taking classes with them. Rescheduling will happen. Be prepared for it! It will be difficult to work some of the dates around other classes that have been scheduled. Be prepared to be frustrated!

Directions Training did a very thorough job with customizing our training per what we have…read morerequested. The instructor that was sent out on-site to our office did a wonderful job training and was very knowledgeable. The content of the material is of a high caliber, but very applicable to our needs in our industry. I would take courses from Directions again, if given the opportunity.

Kim Manzuk, Director of WIOA Programs.

Directions Training's Chicago Facilities.

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Directions Training's Chicago Facilities.

Latin School of Chicago

4.3

(6 reviews)

1.9 mi

My kids don't go to Latin school but they played many basketball games with the Romans. The school…read moreis well located and beautiful. There is a lot of art on the walls. I'm sure that kids get good education in this school. This review is about behavior of parents of the Romans and the Romans Coach in season 2025/26. They put so much pressure on kids. One of the siblings of the Romans was cheering with mean words. The kid would position itself next to the hoop, so that only the players can hear. Unbelievable. One of the fathers was yelling at his kid because they were loosing. I felt so sorry for those kids, even though they are probably similar to their sickly ambitious parents. The Romans Coach is a nice looking woman, but unfortunately in traveling team she is well known to be mean toward the girls. She was so annoying during the games, she was too hard on her team, with an attitude of cruelty toward opposite team. Again - unbelievable. This is expensive school and kids in Latin school will be successful, but in the background of their success, there will be a lot of therapy, substance abuse, hidden inappropriate sexual behavior and on the top of that, life long competitive cruelty that was built in them in such a young age. Such a pity.

I started at Latin in Jr. Kindergarten and went all the way through my senior year of high school…read more At the time I didn't realize how lucky I was to have had parents that insisted that I have the best education available; Latin is absolutely that. I was learning things in my freshman and sophomore year of high school that many people didn't study until college. I made life-long friends there and had a wonderful grade school, middle school, and upper school experience.

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Language Loop

(19 reviews)

0.8 mi

I've been taking lessons here and Johanna is so friendly! The team really wants to help you grow…read moreand learn and they're very accommodating. Highly recommend checking them out and booking! Such a nice group of people

I submitted an online form for more information and did not hear back. Upon calling to confirm that…read moremy form was received, I was told that I had not received a response because they were not currently offering the language that I wanted...glad that I called so that I could at least search for another provider. Not a good experience. Had I been seeking a more common language, my interactions *may* have been better, but this was a clear message of "We wouldn't get any money out of you, so we didn't bother to respond." The person on the phone was polite, which is why I gave two stars.

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Midwestern Career College

(4 reviews)

0.3 mi

Midwestern Career College helps students to become successful professionals and provide them with…read moreresources that help to build their networking and job search skills. Be part of the MCC's talks

Midwestern career college is a great place. I recently had a chance to visit its campuses and learn…read moreabout its programs. It is amazing how it is the only college in Chicago that has a Surgical Technology and EEG Tech programs. The retention and graduation rates well exceed those of its competitors, including community colleges. The staff and faculty take pride in serving their students and enabling them to begin their careers in healthcare, and now in IT and business. It's definitely a great value proposition for this who thing the traditional college is not the right path for them.

Setting up the Mayo stand during MCC surgical technology lab

Our winning team!

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Final results of the Surgical Technology scrub bowl at the annual meeting :)

Equinox The Loop

Equinox Loop will always hold a special place in my heart because it's where my journey with the…read morebrand began. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and after graduating from college, my first city apartment was in Wicker Park. In 2007, I was working a couple of blocks away at One North Wacker and joined this club through a corporate discount. Looking back, it was one of the most consequential memberships I've ever purchased. At the time, I was trying to figure out adulthood. Like many young professionals, I was learning how to balance work, health, ambition, and independence. Equinox became part of that education. I started modestly: a few studio cycling classes, 20 minutes on the treadmill, some stretching afterward, and the occasional steam room session. What began as a simple attempt to stay in shape became a lifelong practice, one that ultimately led to thousands of workouts, countless classes, and challenges that would have seemed unimaginable to the person who first walked through those doors. The timing was significant too. I joined as the global financial crisis was unfolding around us. I was young enough to be somewhat insulated from its full impact, but old enough to sense that the world was changing in ways I didn't yet understand. Many people around me were experiencing layoffs, uncertainty, and losses that would reshape their lives. Looking back, I think Equinox became a refuge during that period. While the world outside often felt unsettled, this was a place built around routine, discipline, and self-improvement. That stability was more valuable than I understood at the time. The club itself embodied everything that drew me to Equinox. It was clean, polished, and unmistakably urban. Chicago has always had great fitness options, but Equinox felt different. It was smaller, more design-conscious, and more connected to a broader world beyond Chicago. In a city that can sometimes be skeptical of ideas and brands that arrive from elsewhere, Equinox brought a more cosmopolitan perspective to the fitness scene. I thought that was a positive thing then, and I still do. One of my favorite memories of this club has nothing to do with a workout. I'd finish exercising, spend time in the steam room, and then step outside into a Chicago winter evening. Snow would be falling. Steam would rise from my head into the cold air. The city would feel sharp, quiet, and alive all at once. For a few moments, everything seemed perfectly calibrated. I've experienced that feeling in other cities over the years, and it's still one of my favorite sensations in the world. It's the closest thing I've found to stepping out of a ski lodge and into the mountains. This was never one of Equinox's largest clubs, but that was part of its charm. I still remember the small retail area near the entrance, the salad bar, the old gray "Member" T-shirts, and buying my first pair of Balega socks, a South African running brand I've continued to support over the years. I also appreciated that this location had both a sauna and a steam room, a combination that's uncommon across the Equinox portfolio today. Over the years, I spent time at the original Chicago-area clubs as well, including 900 North Michigan, Lincoln Park, and Highland Park, near where I grew up. Since then, Highland Park has closed, and Equinox has expanded in the city with new locations in Fulton Market and Lincoln Common. Each club reflected a different chapter of the brand's evolution in Chicago. But Loop was my original Equinox. Whether it was the first club Equinox opened in Chicago or not, it was the first one I joined and the one that started my relationship with the brand. As the pace of my life accelerated, that consistency became even more valuable. I moved between cities, changed jobs, traveled constantly, and experienced all the unpredictability that comes with adulthood. Through it all, Equinox remained a reliable point of return. No matter where I was, I knew what awaited me: a clean locker room, a familiar steam room, quality equipment, and a space designed to help people reset. That may sound like a small thing, but it isn't. When your life becomes increasingly mobile and fragmented, familiar places take on greater meaning. Equinox became a kind of home base for me. It was where I went to clear my head, regain my footing, and pull myself back together before moving on to whatever came next. I've now visited more than 20 Equinox locations across the country. Returning here years later felt less like visiting a gym and more like revisiting the starting point of a much longer story. A great gym helps you build strength. The best ones become part of the architecture of your life. For me, Equinox Loop did exactly that.

Gym photos look like any other gym. 3.6 stars for a place that should only be 5 stars?? This…read more"premium" and expensive experience doesn't seem so premium. Better off at LA Fitness across the loop for less than half the price

Trx training

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Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

4.5

(162 reviews)

21.0 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)

0.7 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)

15.1 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)

1.3 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

Renaissance Court - communitycenters - Updated August 2026

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Loyola University Chicago

4.1

(9 reviews)

My favorite College Radio station in Chicago. Best website. Best female DJ's. I only listen…read morebetween 1PM-9PM.

I really like the downtown loyola campus because it is so close to Michigan Ave in the beautiful…read morecity of Chicago. Close to all the stores, shops and boutiques. The only downside is that if you attend Loyola University you won't have money to spend it on these stores because of tuition. The school itself is good the buildings are nice and I believe there is a new building now for business majors that will be open soon. The library downtown is really nice, multiple floors with computers on hand. Many rooms with computers to just browse the web or do some homework. The cafeteria is nice with a good assortment of sandwiches, pizzas, breakfast and drinks. This school is close by the red line train and there is also a shuttle that can take you back to the Lakeshore Campus.

Leonard M Louie fieldhouse

(2 reviews)

Beautiful Park located in Chinatown, on the North side of Chinatown. Just north of the 18th street…read morebridge . In the east side of Wentworth. Beautiful open space . Stone Talk. Free Parking available

I play table tennis here and it has so much more to offer the community. The Leonard M. Louie…read moreFieldhouse has a pool, work out room, gymnasium, with many different activities. Easy to get too and it has its own parking lot with 16 spaces. This is a part of the Chicago Park District.

DePaul University's Richardson Library

4.3

(16 reviews)

Why not continue my tradition of reviewing libraries? This time, it's an academic library. The…read moreRichardson library, located on DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus, is beautiful and a really great campus space. It was named after John Richardson, DePaul's president from 1981-1993 and chancellor 1993-2017. There are of course plaques honoring him at the entrance, but perhaps my favorite thing is that there's a framed copy of the title page and first page of manuscript of a mixed voice and instrumental piece that was written in his honor. I'd love to hear it played sometime! The library is very large and its four floors are dedicated to varying activity--the first and second are collaborative floors where you can speak regularly, with the third and fourth floor being quiet floors. Lots of windows let in a good deal of natural light, and there are clusters of comfy chairs scattered around the place. There are a few meeting rooms on the first floor, at least, and of course computer workstations available. There are also a few spaces where students can share their work on a larger screen to work from together. Also really cool is the artwork by the faculty of the department of art, media, and design is installed throughout the library. I'm glad that when I was most recently in the library it was spring break and I was the only one there, so I could look at the pieces without bothering others. Staff are very friendly--librarians love to help! During the pandemic (still, anyway, as of March 2022), you must use your ID card in order to swipe into the library.

This library has been a second home to me since I moved to Chicago. And to be honest, it has a…read morecharm that not a lot of universities offer in addition to its accessibility. The staff has done a great job maintaining this building constantly throughout the day. Although WiFi is not offered to the public, the space enables people to get studying or any sort of readings done in test-like conditions. The hours are very flexible and the lighting is stimulating. I think a lot of students and visitors would agree that this library is SUPER COLD during the summer. I bring a north face or a hoodie to cover my body and sensitive ears. It's understandable that's the case to maintain the books but at times, it is a bit unbearable to keep on working. I love the heat they put on during the cold winters!!

Cook County Law Library - Daley Center

(3 reviews)

Nice, quiet library with STUNNING views! Like amazing, amazing views lol. I came here to study for…read moreSTEP 1 and between the expansive view of Lake Michigan to the quiet, calm ambiance, I was able to focus and get in the zone. You have to go through security in the lobby to get here but it's well worth it. When you enter the building you can ask the person at the information desk how to get to the Law Library and they'll instruct you. Or, if you want to look like you know where you're going just get in line for security (no badge or credentials needed), get on the elevators (the library is on the 29th floor), sign in at the library front desk and find your spot! There's free wifi and outlets available. It says there's a 2hr limit to be here but I really don't think that's enforced.

This is one of the most friendly and beautiful, both in that mid-century modern glass and steel,…read morebeautiful views of the city way, and in the serenity and focused that it allows one to find in the center of the city. I can't recommend enough the support of the librarians, trying the most mundane research project

Chicago-Kent College of Law

(12 reviews)

I had a great experience as a Chicago-Kent student. You really can't beat the location as a law…read morestudent. It is incredibly easy to get to campus and you're very close to tons of law firms, corporate offices, and government buildings which makes networking and externing very accessible. I really liked all of my professors and felt like they were all approachable and invested in my success. I particularly felt like the legal writing program and clinical programs were standout opportunities for me. I was not as happy with career services, but in their defense, they have just added a bunch of new staff who have put in a lot of work to revamp the office. The bar success office is also incredibly. I am so thankful that I had Erin and Kate to guide me through the bar exam process. Admin was also really approachable, in my opinion. I felt like they were very receptive to student feedback and did try to implement changes accordingly. The student success office was great and was really willing to coordinate with me to grant disability accommodations that made class more accessible. Overall, I have been happy with my decision to attend Chicago-Kent. While the school isn't perfect, no school is, and I felt like I was supported by my professors, classmates, and most of the administration.

Had a visit to Chicago-Kent College of Law down on Adams Street in Chicago. Very nice building just…read moreon the outskirts of downtown Chicago and right by Union Station for those that ride the train. It is also near a stop on the "L". You can drive and park but it would be expensive. Their facility is a ten-story building with tons of room. Most of the classrooms are laid out like traditional square or rectangle rooms...all seem to have up-to-date technology keeping students plugged in. The lecture and seminar rooms were very nice and on the newish side. The moot courtroom and other specialty rooms were also very nice. It is obvious Chicago-Kent is reinvesting in its property. The law library takes up three floors...from 8 to 10. On the 10th floor is the main reading room...a very large room with a soaring ceiling and a huge glass end fronting the north side of Chicago and letting in tons of natural light. The library has a series of large tables with nice lamps and chairs...students use mostly this reading room and other seating around the library...they really are not a library of carrels for each student. In other areas of the building are all the administration and faculty offices, along with the classrooms. They have a nice large diner on the 3rd floor with a lot of seating. Chicago-Kent is well-ranked in the second-50 tier of schools and the faculty is well regarded. Being so close to downtown Chicago they have the benefit of a lot of experienced lawyers coming in as adjuncts. We were out looking at law schools and stopped by for a visit...even though we showed up unannounced they had an admissions person give us a personal tour...very nice touch. It just showed a welcoming attitude, and a school that is not resting on its laurels. A good choice for a commuter law school in Chicago.

Woman's Athletic Club

4.7

(7 reviews)

Wow, what a swanky luxurious place. I loved having a chance to see inside this venerable club…read more I am obviously not a member but I know a wonderful lady who is. She had a working luncheon here for a writing group. We had a delicious salad with mouth watering rolls. To finish it off there were cookies and coffee. I had to try several purely for research for this review. Yes, they were out of this world. The ladies room was elegant, the elevator operators a nostalgic look at the past and the wi fi strong. A great combination! If you ever get an invitation to cross the threshold. If you ever join, invite me!

Delicious lunch with two members there. Wonderful service! This is a very unique experience.read more

The Green Room Studio