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.

A Chicago city guide that suggests an adventure 15:08 Share

The Rundown | Chicago News

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A Chicago city guide that suggests an adventure