In our new section for sustainability, we show our guests around the hottest, greenest places on our patch. This ranges from boutique and vintage shopping to museums and repair shops to the neighbourhood’s most loved green, organic or eco-friendly restaurants and bars. We call it The Good Guide – happy exploring.
Curious?
5531 S Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
Escape the concrete and skyscrapers for a time out in nature – mid-city. Explore the trails snaking through more than 35 acres of native prairie, wetland and aquatic habitats within Washington Park, nurtured by a team of community volunteers.
1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
The Field Museum is about connecting us to the natural world, and its dedicated green team (“A Greener Field”) embraces sustainability across the museum via numerous programmes. And that’s before you get to the Science Action team, ongoing research, exhibitions and education all aimed at helping the planet thrive. To top it off, the building is LEED-certified. Phew.
Feeling spenny
1219 W 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
The stylish know slow and sustainable fashion is where it’s at, so if you’re on the hunt for that perfect preloved piece, look no further: this is the vintage shop of your dreams. The store also offers a personal shopping and styling service (and will take your old wardrobe pieces off your hands, too).
1320 E 7th Street #114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Originally selling clothes out the back of an RV, this vintage shop has put down roots with three Chicago spots (one focused on homeware). Shop unique pieces from a range of stylish secondhand and upcycled gear – and check the website for upcoming workshops.
4750 N Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60625
As Chicago’s first zero-waste general store, The Eco Flamingo is committed to making eco-friendly living more accessible to all. From skincare to homeware, this shop’s got all the sustainable, ethical swaps you need to green up your life.
Hungry?
2734 W Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL 60618
The team at Eden wanted fresh, flavourful, local produce in their seasonal dishes – and so popped up a greenhouse to grow their own, as you do (additional ingredients come from nearby suppliers). Expect clean, minimal, new American cuisine.
2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
A café that spearheaded Chicago’s farm-to-table movement, Lula Cafe has become a neighbourhood staple, using locally sourced ingredients to whip up some of the best eats around. Brunch is popular, and the first Monday of the month is Farm Dinner – a set menu of three brand new, never-to-be-repeated courses.
Thirsty?
180 N Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
Our neighbourhood wine bar serving up organic and biodynamic vino from around the globe. Natural winemakers use regenerative agriculture practices, plus Good Funk strives to find sips you may be new to, such as cider champagne, skin-contact wines and experimental blends. There’s also an all-day menu of dishes perfect for pairing.
3624 W Wrightwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Sort out your caffeine fix at this female-owned coffee shop. Containers are compostable, plus there are plant-based food options (using fresh, local ingredients) and cute kids’ serves going beyond the babycino. Tip: early risers can nab discount coffee between 7am and 8am weekdays.