HAPPY CITY NEWS · CHICAGO
Chicago Happy News
Good news from the Windy City — uplifting stories, local wins, and reasons to smile.
Latest Happy News
The Spider-Tailed Viper: Field Museum Scientists Uncover the Secret Inside Nature’s Wildest Lure
Nature never runs out of surprises, and one of the wildest tricks of all lives right here in Chicago. Scientists from the Field Museum have just solved a new piece of the puzzle of the spider-tailed horned viper, a snake whose tail tip looks exactly like a spider — bulbous body, long dangling legs and…
Two Young Scientists in Chicago Discover a New Species — and Name It After Their Moms
Science just got a little sweeter in Chicago. Two young student scientists at the Field Museum have described a brand-new species of proto-amphibian — and named it after their mothers, who both happen to be named Jean. Meet Jeanerpeton mazonensis, meaning “Jean’s crawler from Mazon Creek.” The tiny creature swam in a lush river delta…
Griffin MSI Unveils Plans for a Bright, Fully Accessible Welcome Hall at Its Historic North Portico
Big, bright news for one of Chicago’s most beloved museums: the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has announced plans to transform its historic North Portico with a stunning new glass Welcome Hall that will make the Museum easier to visit, friendlier to arrive at and more connected to the community than ever before. The…
Chicago’s Most Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns: Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light Celebrates Its 84th Year
The holidays are starting early in Chicago! The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has announced the 84th annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, its legendary seasonal exhibit, opening Saturday, November 7, 2026, and running through Sunday, January 3, 2027. Step into the Museum’s Rotunda and wander through a sparkling forest of…
Tours
Handpicked tours and experiences in Chicago — reviewed by our team, loved by travelers.
Historic Chicago Walking Tour Review: Michigan Avenue’s Timeless Treasures
Few cities wear their history on their facades the way Chicago does. This guided walking tour, led by the Chicago Architecture Center, celebrates the golden age of the city’s architecture: the four decades between 1890 and 1930 that gave downtown many of its most memorable buildings. The route follows the grand landmarks of Michigan Avenue…
Chicago Food Tour Review: Deep Dish, Hot Dogs and the Windy City’s Best Bites
Chicago knows how to feed a visitor, and this walking food tour proves it from the very first bite. Led by the team at Bobby’s Bike Hike & Food Tours — whose food tours rank among the top 20 worldwide on Tripadvisor — the Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour is the perfect introduction…
Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Review: See the City Your Way
Chicago’s treasures are spread along the lakefront and through its canyon-like downtown — which makes the Big Bus hop-on hop-off the ideal first-day strategy. These open-top double-deckers loop past Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the Willis Tower, letting you ride for orientation, then hop off to explore. Live guides (or recorded commentary)…
Chicago Architecture River Cruise aboard First Lady Review: The City from the Water
If you do one thing in Chicago, make it this. The First Lady’s architecture river cruise — narrated by volunteer docents from the Chicago Architecture Center — is consistently rated among the world’s best boat tours, and with 7,300+ five-star reviews, it’s easy to see why. Ninety minutes on the river will change how you…
Events
Mark your calendar: the happiest happenings around Chicago.
Chicago’s Most Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns: Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light Celebrates Its 84th Year
The holidays are starting early in Chicago! The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has announced the 84th annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, its legendary seasonal exhibit, opening Saturday, November 7, 2026, and running through Sunday, January 3, 2027. Step into the Museum’s Rotunda and wander through a sparkling forest of…
Arts & Culture
Art, music and culture lighting up Chicago.
Griffin MSI Unveils Plans for a Bright, Fully Accessible Welcome Hall at Its Historic North Portico
Big, bright news for one of Chicago’s most beloved museums: the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has announced plans to transform its historic North Portico with a stunning new glass Welcome Hall that will make the Museum easier to visit, friendlier to arrive at and more connected to the community than ever before. The…
Places to Love in Chicago
Beloved landmarks, hidden gems, and spots worth visiting in Chicago — our favorites, no sponsors attached.
More places are on the way — check back soon!
Where to Stay
Rest easy: our favorite places to stay in Chicago. Hotel guides coming soon.
The Langham, Chicago Review: Modern Luxury on the River
Housed in Mies van der Rohe’s iconic IBM Building on the Chicago River, The Langham is where modernist architecture meets contemporary luxury. The soaring interiors, the river views, and the impeccable service have made it a favorite among discerning travelers — and its afternoon tea is legendary. The River North location puts you steps from…
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Review: Gold Coast Grandeur
Perched in the 900 North Michigan tower, the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has long been the Gold Coast’s address of record. The grand lobby — all chandeliers and marble — sets the tone for service that’s anticipatory without being intrusive, and rooms that balance classic comfort with contemporary polish. The Magnificent Mile location is unbeatable:…
The Peninsula Chicago Review: Asian Elegance on the Magnificent Mile
The Peninsula brings its legendary Asian hospitality to the heart of Chicago. From the moment the doormen in their distinctive uniforms greet you, the service is choreographed to perfection — warm, precise, and utterly personal. The rooms blend Eastern serenity with Midwestern comfort. The Superior Street location, just off the Magnificent Mile, puts you amid…
Where to Eat
Taste the city: where Chicago eats happiest.
More places to eat are on the way — check back soon!
Family
Family fun in Chicago: ideas everyone will love.
Two Young Scientists in Chicago Discover a New Species — and Name It After Their Moms
Science just got a little sweeter in Chicago. Two young student scientists at the Field Museum have described a brand-new species of proto-amphibian — and named it after their mothers, who both happen to be named Jean. Meet Jeanerpeton mazonensis, meaning “Jean’s crawler from Mazon Creek.” The tiny creature swam in a lush river delta…
