Best Things To Do & See In Chicago's Little Italy

Your visit to the Little Italy neighborhood would not be complete without stopping by Mario’s Italian Lemonade. Painted in the colors of the Italian flag, the Mario’s Italian Lemonade stand on Taylor Street serves refreshing shaved ice all summer long. With varied flavors, like lemon and cantaloupe, there’s something for everyone. Mario’s Italian Lemonade reopens for the season on May 1st!

>> Enjoy the lemonade, unique Chicago pizza and hotdogs done the local way with Chicago’s signature dishes!

Situated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago is the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. The museum once occupied as a series settlement homes and offered programs for immigrants seeking opportunities in the bustling city of Chicago. The house was started and run by Jane Addams in 1989. Jane Addams became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and her efforts as a social reformer are reflected in the Hull-House Museum. Today, the museum offers activism programs and exhibitions focused on telling the stories of the people of the Hull-House and confronts issues that still affect the community today.

>> If you’re interested, you can also skip the queue and visit the Art Institute of Chicago!

After visiting the Jane Addams Hull-House, stop by The Rosebud for dinner. The Rosebud has been a staple in Little Italy for over 40 years, attracting both regulars and tourists. The restaurant is famous for its authentic Italian cuisine and offers beloved dishes like classic spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant Parmesan, and chicken Vesuvio. Come for the hearty pasta and stay for the tiramisu.

For a fun night out in Little Italy, visit Vintage Lounge. With décor inspired by the 1920s, Vintage Lounge is a cozy place for a night out with friends. Enjoy specialty drinks and appetizers while listening to music handpicked by local DJs. Vintage Lounge hosts many monthly events, like Movie Trivia Night, costume contests, and themed parties. Visit Vintage Lounge for a unique experience in an old-fashioned setting.

A staple of Chicago since 1948, Conte de Savoia has been serving up sandwiches and salads for those on the go for decades. Locals use this place to prepare for picnics too, and you can ask for a basket to be prepared with bread, cheese salami and wine.

The iconic Maxwell Street Market will return to its original home on Maxwell Street for the 2024 season beginning Sunday, May 26, with six market days taking place on the last Sunday of each month through October 27. Visitors will experience an eclectic mix of foods and bargain finds – including handmade crafts, resale housewares, clothing, and much more. This year’s edition will also feature live entertainment and programming from cultural partners, and will incorporate nearby businesses and restaurants including several “Maxwell Street originals” with longstanding ties to the neighborhood; highlights include: Hashbrowns, Express Grill, Jim’s Original Hot Dog. Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar Louie.

This 9-ft bronze statue was completed in Rome, Italy in 1892 by Moses Ezekiel, a leading American sculptor. It was commissioned by the owners of the Columbus Memorial Building for the opening of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. When completed, it received the blessing of Pope Leo XIII and was shipped to Chicago. It was first displayed at the Italian Pavilion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Then it was moved to the corner of the newly constructed Columbus Memorial Building, located on State and Washington Street in downtown Chicago. The Columbus statue lost its perch on the Columbus Memorial Building when the building was torn down in 1959. The statue is now located in the center of a granite fountain in Columbus Plaza of Arrigo Park on the corner of Loomis and Polk Street in the Old Italian section of Chicago.

>> Make sure you also check out the architecture while walking around!

Once you’re done check out the south of Chicago!

Additional reporting by Cassam Looch