Chicago’s Favorite Newsletter

Chicago news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Chicago, IL
244Events this week
48Free things to do
92New spots
83New stories

● Checked this morning, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Chicago

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 244 events, day by day →

Autumn Adventures in the Treetops 🎃

Tuesday 12am · Western Springs

Supan's Sewing Machine Repair

Tuesday 9:30am · Top Shelf Quilts

Dog Admission

Tuesday 3pm · The Morton Arboretum

Anti-Normal Trivia @ Barleyhaus (Itasca)

Tuesday 5:30pm · Itasca · Free

Cruise Night

Tuesday 6pm · Expedia Cruises NorthShore · Free

New in Chicago

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

Fosco Park

Parks & Outdoors

Your new rec HQ: When cabin fever hits, Fosco Park delivers with an Olympic-sized zero-depth indoor pool, a solid fitness center, two playgrounds with splashy water features, and family-friendly happenings like Movies in the Park.

chicagoparkdistrict.com ↗

Fat Cat

Nightlife

Vintage vibes, cold drinks: If you’re after neighborhood comfort in a time capsule setting, Fat Cat leans into a 1940s vibe with hearty comfort food, a strong beer list and classic cocktails, plus a pool table and sports on TV so you can post up, snack, and actually follow the game.

fatcatbar.com ↗

Los Mangos Neveria Y Fruteria

Bakeries & Sweets

Crave-worthy cool treats: Los Mangos Neveria Y Fruteria is the spot when you want more than vanilla.

los-mangos.com ↗

Chicago’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Chicago’s best →

Most read in Chicago

The five stories Chicago readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. You can tour the shuttered Uptown Theater during Open House Chicago 2026

    Open House Chicago, a free public festival put on by the Chicago Architecture Center, will be held on Oct.

    Full story at cbsnews.com ↗

  2. Science Fest, Children's Book Fair and Critical Mass: This week's Hyde Park Happenings

    The Obama Presidential Center and Peace Runners 773 continue their weekly exercise program through Jackson Park Field and Jackson Park.

    Full story at hpherald.com ↗

  3. Open House Chicago Offers Behind-the-Scenes Access to Iconic Buildings. Here’s What You Can Expect

    Open House Chicago is set to return this weekend with over 200 sites across Chicago, offering a behind-the-scenes look at buildings that are not normally open to the public.

    Full story at news.wttw.com ↗

  4. Mayor Johnson signs executive order to protect the rights of adults 60 years and older

    Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order protecting the rights of adults 60 years and older to ensure safe housing and access to city services.

    Full story at chicago.suntimes.com ↗

  5. Best Big City Day (10/10)

    The City of Chicago has officially declared October 10 as "Best Big City Day" in celebration of the city's 10th year as the Best Big City in the U.

    Full story at choosechicago.com ↗

Explore Chicago

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.