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Hyde Park was recently named one of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the WORLD, so here’s how to spend a solo day exploring! 

Solo Afternoon Exploring Hyde Park

Explore the historic Harper Memorial Library at U Chicago; enjoy its grand reading room's quiet, scholarly atmosphere perfect for individual study.

Reading Room Visit

✅ Before you go
•The Main Reading Room is open to the public and designated for quiet, individual study.

💪 Pro tips
• Reading Room Normal Quarterly Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM


Check out the reading room at Harper Memorial Library 

At Harper Café in Hyde Park, grab a coffee before exploring the iconic Harper Memorial Library's Main Reading Room. Note: no food or drinks allowed inside the reading room.

Grab Coffee

💪 Pro tips
• You can’t bring any food or drink into the Main Reading Room, so grab and drink your coffee before or after you plan on checking it out! 

Grab a Coffee at Harper Cafe

Explore the University of Chicago's Main Quadrangles, officially a designated Botanic Garden, and revel in the gorgeous campus greenery.

Campus Walk

💪 Pro tips
• Take note of the greenery - the Main Quadrangles of the University of Chicago have been officially designated a Botanic Garden by the American Public Garden Association since 1997!

Take a Walk Through U Chicago’s Campus 

Explore the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum, a free museum showcasing archaeology and artifacts from ancient civilizations, including mummies and coffins.

Museum Visit

✅ Before you go
• This museum is completely free, but donations to the Institute are appreciated and can be given at the front desk 😊

Walk through the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum 

Enjoy a solo meal at Plein Air Cafe, conveniently located near the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House in Hyde Park, perfect for a relaxing lunch break.

Solo Dining

✅ Before you go
• Plein Air Cafe is conveniently located next to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House, which is open for tours Thursday - Monday!

Grab a Bite to Eat at Plein Air Cafe

Promontory Point offers a relaxing spot with stunning views of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, ideal for winding down a day of exploration.

City & Lake View

✅ Before you go
• Promontory Point is about a 20 minute, 1.2 mile walk from Plein Air Cafe, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Promontory Point

Hyde Park has been named one of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the WORLD

So here's how to spend an afternoon exploring.

I started at U Chicago's Harper Memorial Library to

check out the reading room on the third floor.

this reading room gives off the ultimate Hogwarts vibes!

Behind the doors is a student run cafe where you can grab an afternoon pick me up

After coffee, I decided to do a hot girl walk to check out U Chicago's campus.

It's absolutely beautiful. Next, I walked through the quad to

check up the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures.

This museum is completely free and dedicated to

the archaeology and artifacts of ancient civilizations.

They even have exhibits with real mummies and coffins on display

for lunch. I grabbed a bite to eat at the French inspired Plein Air Cafe.

I ordered the kale and mushroom pie. It was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious.

Last I headed to Promontory Point which has an amazing

view of both the city and the beautiful lake Michigan.

It's the perfect spot to relax and end your

Here's your plan for a fun-themed paint night with cocktails and creative vibes in Westmont. Watch the video 👇

Join Paint and Sip Bar at one of their themed paint nights across the Chicagoland area

Themed Paint & Sip 🎨

Unleash your creativity at SIP and Paint Bar in Westmont—enjoy two craft cocktails while you paint your own masterpiece at this self-guided themed event.

Paint & Sip Night

✅ Before you go
• Browse the calendar for upcoming paint nights https://www.sipandpaintbar.com/general-2-1
• Purchase your ticket on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/o/49788979153

💪 Pro tips
• This is a self-guided paint event! No paint instructor present. 
• A ticket comes with two (2) craft cocktails, blank canvas, instructions, and supplies (food purchased separately)

Purchase a ticket 🎫 

SIP and Paint Bar is a traveling paint party that hosts themed

paint and sip nights in restaurants all over the Chicago land area.

A purchase ticket guarantees your spot in the restaurant,

2 craft cocktails and the canvas with your supplies.

The paint and sip event is a self-guided experience,

so come ready to channel your inner artist.

the staff was great with great music and surprise giveaways.

Check out the link in the info section for details.

Here's your plan for tasting beers and cocktails at three breweries and one distillery in Chicago. Watch the video 👇

Stop at 3 breweries and 1 distillery in Ravenswood/ North Center! 

Malt Row Brewery Crawl 🍻

Enjoy a diverse selection of approachable craft beers at Begyle Brewing in North Center, Chicago—perfect for groups looking to start their brewery crawl adventure.

Brewery visit

✅ Before you go
• Begyle Brewing prides itself on offering a diverse and approachable selection of quality beer that brings people together. 

Begyle Brewing 

Experience traditional European-style beers at Dovetail Brewing in North Center, Chicago—specializing in unique sours and expertly crafted brews.

Beer Tasting

✅ Before you go
• Dovetail specializes in continental European styles and traditional methods. 

Dovetail Brewing 

Demo Brewing Company offers creative, unique brews in a converted garage space. Enjoy their Secondhand Store draft for a truly distinctive beer experience in Lake View.

Craft Beer Tasting

💪 Pro tips
• The secondhand store draft is delicious and different from anything I’ve ever had! 

Demo Brewing Company  

Sip creative cocktails or whiskey flights at Koval Distillery Tasting Room—enjoy outdoor seating, board games, and a lively, inviting atmosphere in Lake View.

Cocktail Tasting

✅ Before you go
• Visit the KOVAL tasting room for cocktails, flights, perfect pairs, light bites, international coffee drinks and more.

💪 Pro tips
• They have outdoor seating and board games! 

Koval Distillery Tasting Room

This Ravenswood brewery crawl is perfect to get a

group of friends together and hang out this summer.

where I got a cider because I don't usually do beer.

and from there we walked up north to Dovetail Brewing.

which I actually really ended up liking for a beer.

we walked another 2 blocks up to Demo Brewing.

I really loved the space because it's a converted garage.

their drinks were really good and unique here,

but they have amazing cocktails and you really just need to check it out.

Here's your plan for savoring Italian ice and frozen yogurt in Chicago's Lincoln Park. Watch the video 👇

A way to romanticize your summer day—one scoop of Italian ice at a time 🍦

Summer Scoop at Annette’s

Grab a creamy Italian Fro-Yo—half Italian ice, half frozen yogurt—at Annette's Italian Ice, a beloved Lincoln Park spot with fun flavors and cash-only charm.

Italian Ice & Froyo

Italian Fro-Yo
A perfect combination of Italian ice and frozen yogurt. Creamy and fruity unite.

My fav Italian ice flavors: Passion Fruit-Red Raspberry, Guava-Orange-Passion Fruit, Blueberry-Lemon

Note that it’s cash only! 💵

What should I get?

Enjoy a summer scoop at Annette’s Italian Ice, open daily until late—treat yourself to unique frozen flavors and stroll through lively Lincoln Park.

Italian Ice & Desserts

🗓️ Hours
Mon-Thurs, Sun: 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Fri & Sat: 12:00pm - 11:30pm

Note that it’s cash only! 💵

When can I go?

Annette's Italian Ice is a Chicago staple in Lincoln Park.

You order from a walk-up window and can taste as many flavors as you want.

where it's half frozen yogurt and half Italian ice.

You'll be right at the heart of Armitage here so you can grab your Italian froyo,

and window shop all the cute boutiques around.

Here's your plan for a restorative yoga class with stretches and meditation at Soul House, Chicago. Watch the video 👇

Take a yoga class at Soul House! Soul House is a yoga, healing, and teaching center in West Town. 

Soul House Experience 🧘☮️

Join a restorative yoga class at Soul House in Fulton Market, Chicago. Enjoy a serene studio with all props provided—just bring yourself and water!

Yoga class

✅ Before you go
• You can register for classes here: https://www.soulhousechicago.com/yoga-class-schedule

💪 Pro tips
• All you have to do is bring yourself and water! Everything else is provided free of charge. 

Yoga class at Soul House  

so come along with me while I check out Soul House in West Town.

The studio itself is absolutely beautiful.

They offer yoga classes and other types of meditation classes.

What I really loved is that you don't have to bring anything with you.

They had any kind of prop you can think of.

The class that I took was a restorative class,

you might even see the studio pop on your way out.