By Red Line Project Staff
Comedy Clubs
Looking for a fun activity for the weekend or need an emotional pick-me-up after a tough week? There are several comedy venues spread throughout Chicago. From newer start-up locations with intimate settings to grander stages seating hundreds, you are bound to find something that you’ll enjoy. Most of these spaces offer food and drinks on site and, if not, there are always places within walking distance of each venue to ensure a perfect evening. Check out the map below for all the details. — Jon Wesley Bustalena
Retro Shops
Whether you are trying to find furniture, a new wardrobe, physical media, gaming tools, collectibles or a unique one-of-a-kind gift, this list of retro shops has you covered. As the rise of older styles has made its way into every category of merchandising, so has the number of stores that offer just that. No need to go to the mall to find something new when you can visit these shops to bring a retro item a new life.
This list doesn’t just focus on the North Side as most other lists do. It accounts for almost all parts of the city, giving you the option to experience these retro shops no matter where you are. Even if you aren’t looking to purchase anything or don’t have anything specific you are looking for, these stores offer unique entertainment just by seeing what they have to offer. The beauty of retro shops is that the same merchandise will never be offered twice, giving shoppers a tailored experience every time. — Janya Herrera
Community Gardens
There are many community gardens in Chicago for residents to take advantage of, yet many people are still unaware of the various benefits that such gardens can provide.
Living in Chicago is expensive, and residents in the area are always looking for another way to save money. The gardens provide a cheaper, healthier way to get some of the groceries that residents typically buy at the store. Also, community gardens may foster community growth and engagement among residents and encourage gardeners to be active members of their community.
Furthermore, community gardens are an environmentally friendly way to utilize extra plots in the city, and your participation can support this change. Community gardens are an accessible way for you to do your part in counteracting climate change.
There are financial, community and environmental benefits of community gardens, but they also foster personal growth. The National Institutes of Health published an article which found “that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health.”
You can choose from “edible” gardens, ornamental gardens, gardens with children programs and more. These resources can be a creative outlet for you to explore a new hobby, whilst supporting your community, playing your role in fighting climate change, and benefiting your mental health.
Chicago offers over 90 ornamental and “edible” gardens across the city. If you want to volunteer as a member of a community garden or start a new community garden, Chicago Park District’s website provides steps to do so. — Cassidy Peterson
Batting Cages
With temperatures being significantly warmer the past two weeks in Chicago, and spring being right around the corner, many Chicagoans are looking forward to America’s favorite pastime, baseball.
The season is just over a month away. With the college season kicked off this weekend, and the high school season is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to get some preseason training in and start honing your skills.
This map lists 10 batting cages in the Chicagoland area. But you do not need to be an athlete to go to the cages. Whether you want to take some hacks and see if you still got it, or you’re an athlete preparing for the upcoming season, or you are new to baseball and want to try it out. These 10 batting cages got you covered.
The list has a variety of batting cages. Some are indoors and on turf, while others are outdoors. Along with a variety of pitch speeds, ranging from slow-pitch, to higher speeds. They feature other baseball equipment and even HitTrax, a system that allows you to track the analytics of your swing in MLB stadiums. — Noe Gonzalez
Music Venues
Chicago’s rich social and entertainment life is sometimes overwhelming, but this map will serves as a guide to notable and unique places to spend your night out. Within the often claustrophobic grids of the city, there are pockets of history that provide consistent and entertaining experiences.
These venues provide access to a wide range of genres and artists. Being familiar with a venue that has an often eclectically themed lineup of shows can bring music fans out of their comfort zone. It can provide gateway experiences to music.
A large portion of these venues, particularly the smaller ones, tend to spotlight lesser-known bands. This can not only mix up your playlist, but going to these smaller concerts help contribute to the local scene and bands in the area. Supporting local venues will help enrich the sphere of entertainment in Chicago, and every contribution counts.
There are always benefits to larger shows as well, but people outside of Chicago usually look to places such as Allstate Arena and United Center because of the big-name artists playing there. Places such as The Salt Shed tend to be cheaper than stadium shows (which can be hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars) while still being able to hold a large capacity of people. — Edward Riseman