Chicago's NPR News Source
The Rundown Podcast - PM Show Tile

Stay in the loop with the Windy City’s biggest news.

The Rundown Podcast - PM Show Tile

Stay in the loop with the Windy City’s biggest news.

A Chicago city guide that suggests an adventure

Lauren Viera’s new city guide to Chicago doesn’t read like a typical guidebook – no 72-hour itineraries or explanatory advice on how to ride the CTA. “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago” is mostly just lists of unique places. Five dance clubs, five farmers markets, five nature outings, five small museums, five high-end cocktail bars, five city myths – totalling up to 500. “I'm not a fiction writer,” Viera said. “I'm very bad at making stuff up. So this is really just in my mind reporting times 500.” In this episode, Viera explains her favorite “hidden secrets,” how she chose the places she chose to include and how she welcomes feedback from Chicagoans ready to argue about what should be inside.

Stay in the loop with the Windy City’s biggest news.

   

Lauren Viera’s new city guide to Chicago doesn’t read like a typical guidebook – no 72-hour itineraries or explanatory advice on how to ride the CTA.

The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago” is mostly just lists of unique places. Five dance clubs, five farmers markets, five nature outings, five small museums, five high-end cocktail bars, five city myths – totalling up to 500.

“I'm not a fiction writer,” Viera said. “I'm very bad at making stuff up. So this is really just in my mind reporting times 500.”

In this episode, Viera explains her favorite “hidden secrets,” how she chose the places she chose to include and how she welcomes feedback from Chicagoans ready to argue about what should be inside.

More From This Show
We can’t let National Transportation Week pass without revisiting our conversation with Lee Crooks. He’s basically a local celebrity, with a highly-recognizable voice. He’s been announcing stops on the CTA for 25 years. “It does become something of a legacy,” Crooks said. In this episode, he talks to host Erin Allen about trains, legacy and Midwest accents. And yes, we have him do the voice. This episode was originally published on Oct. 18, 2023.