Secret Chicago: The Unique Guidebook to Chicago's Hidden Sites, Sounds, and Tastes

by Sam Weller

Ah, the thrill of discovery. It's exhilarating to unearth new favorite haunts. But how do you discover them if you never stray from the pack? There are thousands of tourist guides but it's no secret that they'll steer you towards safe, predictable, well-trodden places. Secret(TM) Chicago is all about leaving the herd behind and making the Windy City your own. It's a treasure map to the arcane, the cool, and the hushhush hot spots that the locals...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155022493X
• ISBN13: 9781550224931
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

In-depth and non-traditional

Mr. Weller is a former reporter and must have done a very good job in reporting. This book is not for the typical tourist but for the individual interested in an in-depth look at the city of Chicago. He digs to get the best out of every subject he covers and in very descriptive text and references, gives even the most experienced Chicago visitor and even resident a taste for almost 100 subjects. Listed alphabetically, are a myriad of aspects of the city from architecture and astrology, to almost any subject you can imagine. This is not a typical tour book but one which will entice you to investigate areas of interest and the city that you may not have imagined exist. The author is opinionated and frank, which makes the book even more useful.

Travel With a Twist!

I bought this guidebook on a whim and was not disappointed! "Secret Chicago" goes where few travel guides go. . . it's informative while highly entertaining. It's also really funny! As a new transplant to the Windy City, this book has been a great help. Weller's recommendations for restaurants are superb. I have visited several spots named in the book and they were all great. And since moving here (from Kansas City), I have seen Weller's name in the Chicago Tribune and New City often. Most guides are written by some unknowm. . . not this one! I'd love to meet this writer! He's really funny and knows Chicago like nobody's business.I highly recommend this book.

Tourist's Opinion...

This was a very helpful book for our one-week vacation in the Windy City. Weller has a witty style of writing and isn't afraid to share his opinion. My husband and I found him to be right on the mark, especially for the food. The book is a quick read, organized into categories as chapters so you can skip past topics that don't interest you. Weller gave helpful information you won't find in most tourist books like where to use the restroom when shopping on Michigan Avenue (not many public potties!). My husband would have liked to see Secret Automotive (for car shows and unique dealerships) as a category but outside of that we felt the book was pretty complete. It mentioned all the major attractions but it is more focused on the secret sites. I could see this book being helpful to a newer resident of Chicago as well.

Buy this book

It's about time a book like this was written. Chicago is America's often-forgotten crown jewel of cities, and Sam Weller does an amazing job of reminding even native Chicagoans of the endless wealth of possibilities this town holds. Written in flawless and exciting prose, Secret Chicago is a must-buy for Chicago natives as well as anyone traveling through.

A must read....

This book is an excellent way to see Chicago. I recommend it to a new comer that has just moved to the city. It is the best way to find your own little favorite places.