What To See & Do Along Chicago's Brown Line Train
The Brown Line circles the Loop on elevated tracks and then heads to the northwest side of Chicago. This gives it the best of both worlds, with its origins in the center of the city and the slightly off-the-beaten-path route through neighborhoods like Lincoln Square and Kimball. Take a break from the marathon that is the Red Line and grab a seat on its friendlier – and often cleaner – cousin.
Things to do and see
Chicago’s Loop
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripLooking for an expert's perspective?
Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Stops: State/Lake, Randolph/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, HWL State/Van Buren, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy, Washington/Wells
You’re unlikely to need a detailed guide when looking for things to do in the Loop. This gridlocked business and tourist mecca is packed full of culture, dining, and entertainment, and the central Brown Line stops get you to it all. For culture, check out the Art Institute, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Civic Opera House, or the Broadway in Chicago venues. For shopping visit Macy’s on State or Block 37 and dine at Remington’s Restaurant, Nando’s, or Randolph Tavern.
Lakeview Shopping
Stop: Southport
West Lakeview on Southport Avenue has everything the savvy North Sider needs. It’s become an upscale area for young adults and families, and it truly has it all: shop at Lululemon, Anthropologie, Krista K Boutique, or Benefit; drink at Lange’s, Schoolyard, or Southport Lanes; and eat at Crosby’s Kitchen, Coda di Volpe, or Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Also be sure to schedule in a visit to the historic Music Box Theatre for unparalleled performance entertainment, and be on the lookout for Amazon’s newest brick-and-mortar bookstore, opening in the neighborhood next summer.
Lincoln Square
Stop: Western
Stop off at Western to visit the charming and underrated neighborhood of Lincoln Square (often confused with the better known Lincoln Park and Logan Square). It’s fairly self-contained and more reminiscent of a close-knit suburb than an urban neighborhood. You’ll find top-notch dining, nightlife, and plenty of family-friendly community events happening year round. It’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon and get lost in an old bookshop or quaint café: try The Book Cellar, The Grind Café, or Flirty Cupcakes.
Places to eat
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Stop: Armitage
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! is pretty much the closest you can get to an authentic Spanish tapas experience in Chicago. The traditional small-plate samplers offer guests the chance to taste several different menu options, making it a great place to come with a group. They serve more than 40 types of tapas, featuring seafood, vegetables, chicken, beef, and pork. Also try the main course paellas, and don’t forget about their brunch, dessert, kids, and gluten-free menus.
2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 935 5000
Kedzie Avenue
Stop: Kedzie
If you’re in the mood for hidden gem culinary wonders, Kedzie is the stop for you. The neighborhood is packed full of Asian fusion restaurants that cover the culinary spectrum. Get casual Vietnamese at LD Pho, Persian kebabs at Noon-O-Kabab, homey Lebanese at Semiramis Lebanese Cuisine, Middle Eastern fare at Salam Restaurant, or budget-friendly Thai at Thai Valley. All these options are more than worth the long train trek.
Places to drink
Headquarters Beercade
Stops: Diversey, Chicago
All you need to know about Headquarters Beercade is that they’re modeled after an old-school arcade with dozens of vintage video games that are completely free for you to play while you enjoy your favorite adult beverages. What more could you want? Their two Chicago outposts are massive, welcoming, and every gamer kid’s fantasy come true. Round up all your friends and expect to bring your competitive A-game.
2833 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 665 5660
213 W Institute Pl, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 291 8735
The Globe Pub
Stop: Irving Park
The Globe Pub is often recognized as Chicago’s premier soccer bar, serving tasty eats and drinks daily. Though it has European roots, it’s certainly not without some American flair: check out their How I Met Your Mother trivia nights or Halloween costume contest, for example. But you just can’t visit without trying their fish and chips (i.e., fries) or sampling from their crazy-long beer and cider list. One thing that’s guaranteed is their round-the-clock TV coverage of worldwide soccer matches. So whether you’re a hardcore USWNT fan, a casual Word Cup watcher, or just someone looking for a cozy nightcap, it’s the perfect pub for everyone.
1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 871 3757
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
