Tess & Niles

Saturday, July 11, 2026 • Wilmette, IL

Tess & Niles

Saturday, July 11, 2026 • Wilmette, IL

Chicago White Sox game

333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Sox are in town all weekend! Let us know if you need to borrow any gear.

Lake Michigan beaches

Head to any of the beautiful public beaches in Wilmette or Evanston to enjoy Lake Michigan!


Wilmette: Gillson beach (Tess's favorite; can purchase daily pass at gate), Elmwood Dunes Preserve (Niles's favorite)


Evanston: Clark Street Beach, Greenwood Street Beach (walking distance from hotels; can purchase daily pass at gate)

Our favorite North Shore restaurants

Wilmette:

For dinner:

- Pit & Tap

- The Henry

- Valley Lodge Tavern

- Sophia Steak

- Small Cheval

- Napolita Pizzeria and Wine Bar


For breakfast/lunch (more casual)

- Chuck Wagon Restaurant (Niles's favorite)

- Walker Bros. Original Pancake House (you must get the 49er flapjacks)

- The Lunchroom at SPACE 519

- Buck Russell's


Evanston:

- Ten Mile house

- Campagnola

- The Barn Steakhouse

- Foodstuffs

- Mustard's Last Stand

- Backlot Coffee

- LeTour Social Kitchen & Bar

- Lou Malnati's Pizzeria


Winnetka:

- Mino's

- Hometown Coffee & Juice

- Pomeroy

- Fred's Garage

Chicago recs

While most of our events are in the North Shore, we highly encourage people to explore downtown Chicago if they have time!


Getting there:

Both the Metra train (UPN line) and L train have stations just a ~6 min walk from the hotel (Davis Street)

- Metra runs about every hour, gets you downtown in under 30 mins, and costs ~$6

- L trains run every few mins, but take about ~1 hour to get downtown. This is a better option if you want to explore the northern Chicago neighborhoods, like Lincoln Park, Lakeview/Wrigleyville, or Old Town


Activities:

- Chicago River Architecture Tour

- Bike/walk along the lakefront path

- Beaches: Ohio Street beach, Oak Street beach

- Bike/walk in Lincoln Park

- Shop on Michigan Ave

- Explore West Loop - great rooftops, restaurants, and bars


Restaurants:

- Pizzeria Portofino

- Au Cheval

- Momotaro

- Quartino

- Gilt Bar

- Ranalli's Lincoln Park

- Lou Malnati's

- Happy Camper Pizza

- Gemini

- Summer House Santa Monica

- Little Goat Diner


Bars:

Lakeview / Lincoln Park / Old Town:

- J Parker

- Cody's

- Sheffield's Wine & Beer Garden

- Will's Northwoods Inn

- Burwood Tap

- Marquee Lounge

- Butch McGuire's


The Loop / Streeterville:

- Timothy O'Toole's

- Londonhouse rooftop bar

- Cindy's rooftop bar