One of the many reasons why we love Lakeshore East is how pet-friendly it is. From the dog runs in the buildings themselves to the park areas and easy access to Lake Michigan and the Lakeshore drive paths, it's a little piece of heaven for dogs and their human companions alike.

Living in downtown Chicago during the summer can be one of the most amazing times of the year for dog owners. After all, the weather is just about perfect, the parks and trails are open, and almost every restaurant with a patio welcomes your canine friend with open arms.

Speaking of parks and trails, the Lakeshore Drive path is quite dog-friendly, and so are many of Chicago's beaches. And there are plenty of dog parks as well, making this city perhaps the ideal place to

…

As soon as the summer starts, everyone in the city wants to get out there and explore new neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, and more. And with more than 200 amazing neighborhoods in the city, there's a lot to explore! And here's how to do it...

• Pick a festival and go from there! The Red Eye always has a comprehensive list that will help you plan your summer weekends, and once you're in a given neighborhood you can walk around and explore more.
• Pick a cuisine and go from there - in the mood for Mexican? Explore Pilsen? Vietnamese? Head north to Argyle Street. German? Lincoln Square is calling your name. And of course there's Chinatown and Little Italy. Follow your tastebuds and discover a new area.
• Pick a park and explore the rest of the

…

Is there anything better than being out on the water on a beautiful Chicago summer day? We don't think so, which is why we've rounded up some of the best options for boat rentals and tours that will let you experience the city from a Lake Michigan or Chicago River view.

Chicago Architecture Foundation Boat Tour - These tours are perpetually popular with tourists and locals alike, and for good reason! You can learn about our city's most amazing buildings and architectural features from a knowledgeable guide all while you're enjoying the summer breeze from atop a river boat. There are lots of other architecture tours, but this one is perhaps the most consistently highly rated.

Jet Ski Chicago - Okay, these aren't exactly boats, but there's nothing

…

Celebrating Memorial Day in the Windy City might be the actual most wonderful day - or entire weekend - of the year. The summer is starting, it's getting warm out after a long winter, and there so many events to attend, restaurant patios to try out, and parks to experience that you'll wish you had more three days to enjoy it.

Here are some of our favorite Chicago events happening this weekend, as well as our favorite things to do on Memorial Day in Chicago (and summer weekends in general)!

1. The Memorial Day parade runs along State Street from Lake to Van Buren, and it's always a lovely spectacle.

2. Follow that up with a trip around the City in a Garden in the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park.

3. And kick off the summer fireworks season

…

One of the many fantastic things about living in Chicago is the many different festivals and other international events that happen in the city - it truly is a melting pot of many different cultures and ethnicities. No matter where you are from, or what you want to explore, there is something from nearly every corner of the world.

Year Round Festivals:  Chicago's summer festivals are legendary for a reason - we have to celebrate the best season of the year! But there is much more than Lollapalooza. Nearly every nationality has a unique festival, from Maifest in Lincoln Square (German) to the African/Caribbean Festival Of Life to the Fiesta Del Sol to the Chinatown Summer Fair (and much more), there is something for everyone.

Music: Bands of

…

Well, it's almost summertime. But that's close enough for us and it's time to start planning your most amazing Chicago summer yet! Here are some of our favorite activities...

1. There Is Live Music Everywhere. From major festivals like Riot Fest, Pitchfork, and Lollapalooza to smaller neighborhood or regional shows to the free concerts in Millennium Park, you can see and hear everything from internationally renowned acts to local up and coming groups.

2. So Many Delicious Eats And Treats. All sorts of Chicago favorites simply taste better when the sun is shining and we're at one of the many food festivals that happen in and around the city every summer.

3. You Can Work Out - Outside. Keeping in shape is important year round, of course, but it is

…

Once you've found the perfect piece of Chicago real estate, it's time to personalize it and make your home. And while Ikea is convenient and sites like Wayfair or Joss & Main will deliver you basically anything you need, there's no reason to stick with the mainstream when Chicago is home to so many amazing interior design resources.

The Merchandise Mart - The Merchandise Mart and the surrounding River North area is home to dozens of showrooms and galleries that feature high end options and interior design studios that will help you craft the perfect living space. For instance, Haute Living is the place to go for bespoke kitchens and bathrooms, while neighboring Luminaire has high end lighting and more.

Andersonville's Design Boutiques - This

…

Much has been written about the design, height, and general architecture of the upcoming Vista tower in Chicago's downtown Lakeshore East neighborhood, and there's no doubt that our hometown hero Jeanne Gang and her team have outdone themselves by designing a truly magnificent building, and it's exciting to watch it go up! And of course while the residences themselves are spectacular - no expense has been spared or detail overlooked - and the exterior is soon to be an integral part of Chicago's iconic skyline, one cannot live on architecture alone.

That's what sets Vista apart from the leading luxury properties in Chicago - its amazing array of amenities. Here are some of our favorites:

Indoor And Outdoor Pools.  The aquatic options at the

…

When it's still snowing in April (in fact, it's currently the fourth coldest April in 1872), it might seem like summer will never arrive in Chicago...so we're come up with some ideas for you!

Explore A New Museum.  You've probably been to the big ones like the Art Institute and the Field Museum, but the city is home to a lot of smaller gems like the Children's Museum and the Mexican-American Art Museum. Here are some more recommendations from the experts at Time Out Chicago.

Try A New Restaurant - In A Different Neighborhood. If you're feeling stir crazy, why not check out a new place to eat in an area of the city you don't normally go? Bonus points if it's a different cuisine than usual. If you live downtown, getting out into the neighborhoods

…

One of the many things we love about living in Chicago is how we combine all-American Midwestern charm with a global mentality and cosmopolitan lifestyle. And of course, the amazing real estate opportunities certainly don't hurt either! Here are some of the reasons that Chicago is one of the jewels in the United States' multi-cultural crown.

Two Major Airports (And Many Other Options)

Of course, Chicago is served by O'Hare (one of the world's busiest!) and Midway airports, which connect the city with the rest of the world. Plus there are a number of regional airports within a short drive, along with Union Station if you'd prefer to reach the rest of the U.S. by train.

International Affairs

Chicago is the diplomatic hub of the Midwest, with

…