Chicago Collection has been nominated for the 2012 River North Best Business or Service Award! Help us win here!

As much fun as it is to be a tourist in our own town, it’s also fun to see the hidden gems we’ve yet to discover throughout Chicago.

Introducing the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago 2012. This ultimate, live-like-a-local handbook to the Windy City goes beyond the typically listed attractions to showcase Chicago’s best restaurants, nightlife, art scene and kid-friendly activities and more as chosen by resident and editor Adam Shielke. Essentials such as highway maps, public transportation explanations and dotted neighborhood guides are also included alongside Shielke’s humorous and all-too-true commentary: Parking in East Lakeview IS “absolutely awful,” and one SHOULD “bring your bars of gold” to shop on the Mag Mile and Oak Street.

Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago 2012

Available at Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N. Broadway St., 773.883.9119

$20

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s your last chance to reflect on 2011 before the New Year—and your last chance to catch The Fine Print Theatre Company’s new production, “Christmas in Chicago.” Taking a comedic, musical approach to nostalgia, the show features four comedic improvisers, who take to the stage to poke fun at the recession, Occupy protests and all the rest of the events that made this one a year to be remember.

This combination of humorous satire and traditional Christmas songs with original arrangements by Aaron Benham and Charlie Worth on piano make it a Christmas story like no other. But be sure to get your tickets now: The show’s been selling out like hot cakes!

Christmas in Chicago

$10-20 

Through Sunday, December 18

8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday

Chicago Dramatists,1105 W. Chicago Ave., 312.633.0630

Ring in the New Year and pop open those bottles with charm and pizzazz this holiday! We love this adorable bottle opener in the shape of a ring pop: Manufactured by Wild Eye Designs, the opener is comprised of stainless steel and glass and is available in pink, blue, amber, green, red and clear. Sure to dazzle the crowd, this nifty piece is the perfect stocking stuffer for that fabulous someone on your list.

Wink Bottle Opener Ring Pop

$10-15

Available at fredflare.com

Photo Credit: National Hellenic Museum

Ancient Greece arrives in Chicago this winter with the brand new, four-story, 40,000-square foot National Hellenic Museum in Greektown. The only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history, arts and culture and, of course, mythology of the Greek culture, the museum caters to guests of all ages. Children and adults alike will enjoy interactive computer experiences that allow you to test the knowledge of Aristotle and the weaving skills of Athena, and also tell you which Greek god you’re most like in “Gods, Myths & Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece.” The museum’s permanent exhibit, set to open in 2012, will be previewed on the second floor, while the Gus & Mary Stathis Library and Resource center houses 2,800 square feet of information on Greek American History. Those courageous enough to brave the cold should be sure to check out the rooftop terrace for a spectacular panoramic view of the magnificent Chicago skyline.

National Hellenic Museum Historic Grand Opening

Adults, $10; seniors and students, $8;  children ages 12 and under, $7; members and children ages 3 and under, free.

Saturday, December 10

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

333 S. Halsted St., 312.655.1234

Read all about local band Republic of Lights in the winter issue (out now!) then catch them live next week at Schuba’s!

Republic of Lights at Schuba’s Tavern

$8

Tuesday, December 13, 8 p.m.

Schuba’s Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 773.525.2508

Gallery Café, Caramel Apple Cider

Some people look forward to the lights while others favor the seasonal music—but the holidays just aren’t the holidays without the bevy of specialty drinks that our local coffee shops bring us! Check out these tasty treats from a few of our favorites.

The Gallery Café in Bucktown/Wicker Park features a very special drink for the holidays with its own take on a steamed cider. The cider is steamed, then mixed with both caramel and cinnamon in what promises to be one of the sweetest drinks this season.

Gallery Café, 1760 W. North Ave., 773.252.8228

Safari Cup Coffee, another great local coffee haven, offers the drink perfect for chai aficionados. Theirs is unique in the sense that it’s made in-house and brewed from The Safari Cup’s own blends. Throw in some special spices and this chai is sure to be one of the tastiest throughout Chicago.

Safari Cup Coffee, 3404 N. Southport Ave., 773.770.6162

The Coffee Studio offers several delicious drinks for the holiday season. Their hot caramel cider chai in house is a mix of local regional ciders, chai spices and seasonings, topped off with caramel sauce made in-house—don’t forget to ask for your dollop of their homemade whipped cream! Hot chocolate, also made in- house, is the base for the studio’s famous “chocotella” drink—hot chocolate made from nutella!

The Coffee Studio, 5628 N. Clark St., 773.271.7881

With a new film in theatres, a recent appearance on Chelsea Lately and an article in Marie Claire, Miss Piggy is in demand like never before. Lucky for us, there’s still a few days left to cop her look with her limited edition web-exclusive makeup line for M.A.C. Cosmetics, Miss Piggy for M.A.C. The collection includes a blue-pink frost eye shadow titled “Miss Piggy Pink,” a Penultimate eyeliner and a full lash set sure to deliver all the drama the iconic muppet is known for.

Miss Piggy for M.A.C.

$15-18

Available through December 5

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

For a single lady in the city, obtaining, transporting and setting up a tree can seem a daunting task indeed. This season, leave the hard work to the experts and head over to the lot at Big Star to peruse a line-up of trees, wreaths, lights and stands from City Tree Delivery before having your decorating supplies delivered, set-up, picked up and even recycled once the holidays are over! Better yet, a portion of all sales will be donated to green charities and local Chicago schools. Keep warm while you shop with the restaurant’s signature Mexican hot chocolate Champurrado with cinnamon and fresh mesa, available through the winter season—chef Justin Large recommends it with a shot of bourbon.

Big Star Christmas Tree Lot

Through December 25, Monday – Friday noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

1531 N. Damen Ave., 773.235.4039

The Adler After Dark series returns tonight with a special Thanksgiving-themed evening of festivity. Check out the organization’s Edible Science Fair to enjoy some truly out of this world tastings and food demonstrations. Particularly noteworthy is tonight’s featured specialty drink, the Autumn Kiss—its combination of apple cider, rum and cinnamon will have you in the holiday spirit in no time. Resident music guru, DJ Bearcat, also spins smooth groves for your enjoyment.

Adler After Dark

Advanced tickets $12 non-members, $9 member/student

Box office tickets $17 non-members, $12 member/student

Must be 21+ for entry

Thursday, November 17

6 to 10 p.m.

Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312.922.7827