Our daughter suggested we went to the Renegade Craft Fair Chicago 2025 as we were in the area.  She…read morehad been to the fair many times in previous years when she lived in the city and enjoyed it, and it was my husband's and my first time there.  The fair was held along Division Street between Damen Ave and Ashland Ave in Wicker Park, about half a mile one way. There were over 400 artists offering all types of arts and crafts.  There was something for everyone to appreciate.  It took us a little under 2 hours to walk around the entire fair.  Our focus was on ceramic art and all sorts of cute looking things.  I could not resist but purchased a very cute crochet baby chick on a stick, like a flower on a branch.  I guess I would need a tall vase to display it, haha. For any outdoor fair, weather is a main element to contribute to its success.  We were fortunate that it was a cool summer day, and it was a delight to leisurely browse the booths, even when walking from east to west facing the sun.  Of course, my sun hat helped a lot. There were many outdoor restaurants and eateries along the fair.  It was good people-watching while enjoying a snack and drink at those outdoor seats. Of course, passersby would look at people eating as well. It was amazing that there were so many dogs going out with their humans in the fair, and as always, my daughter and I loved watching them as well! We had a great time, and I would love to return to the Renegade Craft Fair Chicago in the future.

Well, I have been coming to various iterations of this fair for quite a while now and gotta say,…read moreclassic September Division St. is where it's at these days. The winter one has gotten too crowded in a place that once seemed sufficiently spacious, and I never liked the spring popup. That said, be sure to arrive right at opening (11 am) to beat the crowds as best you can, and do research on vendors ahead to see what you might want to seek out (we couldn't figure out their booth numbering system at all, though). Vendors from all over the country, not just IL, come to this thing! We were super stoked to see out favorite print maker, Alternate Histories, from Pittsburgh, since he was initially waitlisted; his art has WPA-style posters and other vintage graphics with Godzilla and other kaiju, among other things. I also added to my "meta election button collection" with a pin from World Famous Original from LA, and bought a small print from Family Tree Designs. Most of the vendors are along Division, but don't miss a few little side streets with food trucks, organizations, a van from True North (antique collective in Morris, IL) and such. I always pay attention to the trends at this fair, and 2019's seemed to be: - tiny plants, particularly in macrame pots - macrame in general (at one point I thought I thought we had jumped in a time machine to my childhood living room) - Ruth Bader Ginsberg - Brass jewelry - cbd oil in all sorts of stuff - flavored sugars + salts - as my friend observed, "Anyone thinks that they can make greeting cards" (some with more success than others...) - ethically made things (bravo to this, by the way) Music was provided by Reckless Records (who were also selling albums), and freebies/samples from Harken wine, Kind bars and Haribo gummis (the guy with the giant duffle of gummy bear packets just shoving them into everyone's hands as he walked down the street was hilarious). I still miss Magnolia photobooth; if they were there I could not find them. :( Bonus points for vendors that provided affordable water! $2 for a bottle from Dinky Delights donuts is totally doable. Props also to this fair for staying free admission for so many years; makes for a fun and affordable day out! There weren't too many things I couldn't live without, but i got the business cards of a lot of the artists I liked and added them here for your enjoyment. Overall, a nice day outside in the city; see you next year!

Entry fees and parking fees are too high. I am now a former attendee. I started attending in the…read morelate 60's.

Often modern art is minimalist which I'm supposed to interpret and draw inspiration. I usually fail…read moreon ink blots and their meaning on life. $10 to view contemporary art with the skyline as a backdrop and live French music is a good value. Especially, compared to what museums charge these days. In addition, most of the Art here is straight forward (see pics). As an added bonus if you like the Art you can purchase it and it's not just paintings, again see pics. The porta potties also have soap and water cleaning stations a definite plus. Being here reminds me when times were normal if just for a moment. Art and craft fairs is summer in Chicago. I realize I'm posting this after the fact. That's to prompt you to go the next one I know - The Lake View East festival of the Arts on September 11 to 12.

Home is where the art is, and there's few better places than Firecat…read more The unique approach the owners take is that every single month, there is a new installation, new premiere, new talkback with the artist(s). Although I'm not an avid art gallery visitor, I do pop in at least once a month to see what has taken over the space. Well worth a visit.

Firecat Projects is an independent art gallery in Wicker Park. A friend and I attended their…read more"Fourth Friday" monthly event, in which they have a reception (free admission) for a new and upcoming artist. There are complementary appetizers and alcohol (But you should tip, people. That child support can wait). So many studios take 40 - 50% of what the artist sells but Firecat Projects is unique because, like the artists' hair, they don't get a cut. This is a great, nonchalant crowd. Although most folks there are in the art scene, I didn't feel compelled to make profound, mind-numbing observations about the art. However, I did note that one piece was "transcendent" and another "really ties the room together." There were also a handful of freeloaders. They are the ones sucking down bottles of beer like piglets ferociously attacking their mom's teet. But overall it is a friendly place, and unlike the MCA Friday events, ladies don't need to worry about looking away and then discovering their drinks so bombarded with roofies, if you threw said drink at a charging rhinoceros, it would immediately collapse in its tracks. By the way dress code is way casual. The fashion bar is set so low even Stephen Hawking could jump over it. We are talking about artists after all. My friend and I spent 15 minutes talking to a guy wearing a tin foil sweater and shoes that would've gotten him kicked out of a bowling alley. The conversation about lake toxins and the city's antiquated tax code were interesting nonetheless. So get on out to this event and help local artists fulfill their dreams. Don't worry -- Starbucks will find someone else to make your mocha-cookie frappuccinos.

AMAZING butterfly room. There's sooo many butterflies I was surprised. We were able to watch them…read morerelease a few too. Sometimes they will also land on your arm. It costs money to get into the museum, then an extra $5 to go to the butterfly room.

We had a wonderful time exploring the Nature Museum with our two kiddos (2.5yrs & 5.5yrs old)…read moretoday! There was tons to do - water play (in multiple areas), living & taxidermy creatures to see/learn about, two play spaces to get the wiggles out, and of course the beautiful Butterfly Haven. We went on a weekday around 11am during spring break and it was moderately busy, but there was no line to get in. We paid extra to visit the butterfly haven (100% worth it!). The 1st exhibit included water play, which our kids loved, but def bring a change of clothes for when they get wet. There is another water play zone on the 1st floor next to the play area as well. The highlight of our visit was the Butterly Haven. It's very beautiful and I honestly could sit there forever watching butterflies flutter around. They release butterflies daily at 2pm, but we didn't see that. We also enjoyed the digital interactive butterfly exhibit, where kids color a butterfly on paper, scan it, and it appears fluttering on a giant digital screen. Street parking was full, but there is a small lot across the street from the entrance and it was $24 to park. It was a short walk to the entrance. The gift shop is super cute and has snacks/drinks, but nothing fresh-made (mostly pre-packaged options). They have tables & high chairs near the entrance for snacking/resting. Also family restrooms, stroller parking, & an elevator. Super kid/family friendly and we'll definitely be back!

Incredible Annual Book Fair in which individuals and businesses donate books as well as the…read moreNewberry Library and the four day book sale open free to the public provides affordable and classic literary genre options for sale. This year there were 5 Rooms categorized by signage denoting options by genre-and each individual is given a map upon entry denoting the genres and where they are located! See my pictures for the map and genres! What a wonderful way to support an historic institution as well as getting in touch with the bibliophile side of yourself!!!

The Newberry Book Fair is an annual event that raises money for the Newberry Library. During the…read moreyear members and citizens donate unneeded new (some) and used (mostly) books to the Library and, added to the books being weeded out of the Newberry collection, they are all put on sale once a year in a Summer festival at the Library...usually at the end of July. The Newberry Book Fair has been going on for decades (2015 marks the 31st) and it is always located at the Newberry on Walton just across the street from Washington Square Park. As a book fair, the Newberry consistently has over 50,000 books on sale at these events, and the books are organized into over 70 categories to make browsing manageable. The Fair has really become a must visit for hundreds of people. The Fair runs from Thursday through Sunday...Thursday being open only to Newberry Supporters/Members...and the next three days open to the public. This is a free event, and on checking out any purchases they accept cash and credit. The Fair is run by an all volunteer core of bibliophiles The other big annual book fair in Chicago is the Printers Row Book Fair which is held outdoors in June. The Newberry Book Fair is of course indoors and not subject to weather problems....it also has been ongoing longer and has a huge following. Either is a winner, but if I can only attend one it will be the Newberry Book Fair.

Intuit Art Museum has recently completed a massive renovation that expanded the facility threefold…read moreor so. Intuit features self-taught art by artists many of whom have a Chicagoland connection. My lovely wife and I have been to the "old" museum before, and it was an eye-opener to visit yesterday (Memorial Day) during a special free admission Grand Re-Opening weekend (the regular admission fee has also tripled to $15 from its former $5 ticket price). The star attraction is the recreation of Henry Darger's apartment and studio, along with a celebration of his works and methodologies. There are also spaces for the interesting and diverse Permanent Collection, as well as Special Exhibitions. Also interesting is the fact that the museum featuring self-taught art has bathrooms with fairly posh fixtures. Intuit Art Museum is not far from the Chicago Blue Line station. Check out the compact but cute gift shop before you leave.

A museum that celebrates the self-taught, accepts the "outsider" and values intuitive art. Current…read moreexhibit focuses on the im/migrants of Chicago. At the time of my visit, the entrance fee was $15. I live that I was able to see every piece in the museum display within 2 hours. Worth it

YES threewalls is an…read moreoasis in the west loop's gallery district. they provide a platform for local artists who's work doesn't fit into the commercial gallery world. often, this makes for more interesting exhibitions. in addition they present tons of great programming and events on a regular basis (last week i just attended an amazing lecture by Erika Nelson about The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. http://www.worldslargestthings.com/). support local art, GO TO THREEWALLS

I'm sure that anyone reading this is well aware of the notion of the art gallery as a stuffy,…read moresnooty white box filled with stuff they would never want to buy. Well, any place that remedies this preconception by installing a swing (no kidding - a real live swing) is alright in my book. Three walls is a non-profit visual arts program that has exhibitions on loan - according to their material. And while I was came by to check out the show "Turned Intos", I ended up grabbing a Grolsch and hanging out for one of their Salons. I will most certainly be coming back if and when they have one of these gatherings again. The organizers did an incredible job with the panel and the discussion that followed was hilarious! I do believe that this is the coolest place in the west loop - go take a look!

This is a review of the gift shop considering the museum was closed when we visited…read more But overall, it was such an enjoyable experience that I wanted to go ahead and write about this great spot -- with hopes of coming back to see the museum some day as well. My family and I made the trip to see the St. Lucia celebration that the Swedish American Museum puts on. My husband's family is part-Swedish, and it's been something we've always wanted to attend. Unfortunately, a snow storm on our way from Kentucky to Chicago added a few hours to our road trip, so we missed the processional. But we did get to check out the gift shop and ended up spending a lot of money there. We got my daughter, who is also named Lucia, a St. Lucia crown -- though with fake candles, not real ones. We also got my son a Star Boy hat and star scepter. This shop had a great selection of books and housewares, and we picked up some as gifts. It also had some lovely ornaments and food. We got some delicious bread, cheese and crackers. The clerks were very nice and patient as we browsed. We want to make attending the St. Lucia celebration and visiting family in the area an annual tradition. Next time, we'll check out the museum too!

I decided to visit the Swedish American Museum with my toddler one afternoon when we were looking…read moreto get out of the house. I've heard so many great things about Brunk's Children Museum and we were excited to check it out! We live down the street so it's been on our list to check out for a while now. When got there on a Saturday afternoon and it was really quiet inside. We paid $6 for admissions and I can confirm it was totally worth the 6 bucks! The children's museum is located on the third floor. We were the only ones there for the first 30 minutes or so, and had fun exploring the space. The museum focuses on the journey of immigration from Sweden to the United States. It starts in a farmhouse in Sweden compete with a cow, hens, and lots of fun old-timey home items like a butter churner. That leads you to the ticket booth to board the large steam boat, which takes you to a log cabin in the US! There was a pretend garden, fishing rods, and lots of interactive fun for the kiddos. My son is only one and a half, but still had so much fun! Some older kids (around 6-7) came and also had a blast. It's the perfect place to come on a rainy day and you want to get out of the house.