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A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

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NBC 5's Brant Miller celebrates 35 years with new documentary

The meteorologist also gives us what a perfect day in Chicago would look like.

Things to Do

This year, meteorologist and local media personality Brant Miller is celebrating his 35th anniversary at NBC 5. The latest: To honor the occasion, NBC 5 is airing &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meet the Millers: Chicago&#x27;s First Family of Weather" data-vars-click-url="https://app.frame.io/presentations/5a757d82-f059-43e3-aede-cb724ea42dbb" data-vars-content-id="f2c0376c-7c32-42a6-8f68-c709d2b93a6d" data-vars-headline="NBC 5&#x27;s Brant Miller celebrates 35 years with new documentary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.frame.io/presentations/5a757d82-f059-43e3-aede-cb724ea42dbb" target="_blank">Meet the Millers: Chicago&#x27;s First Family of Weather</a>,&quot; a documentary that peeks behind the scenes at the working relationship between Miller and his son, Joey Miller, who also produces forecasts at the station.

New Anne Frank exhibit goes far beyond the diary

A haunting new exhibit at MSI brings Anne Frank's story to life through immersive rooms and artifacts.

History

Even if you&#x27;ve read the book or seen one of the many stage or film adaptations, a new exhibit reveals <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anne Frank&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/26/where-we-were-anne-frank-tree" data-vars-content-id="dac67e4f-64f9-4da5-90c7-203b11004d27" data-vars-headline="New Anne Frank exhibit goes far beyond the diary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/26/where-we-were-anne-frank-tree" target="_self">Anne Frank&#x27;s</a> story in a new way.The big picture: &quot;Anne Frank The Exhibition&quot; is on display at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Griffin Museum of Science and Industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/19/chicago-museum-slide-powers-up-new-exhibit" data-vars-content-id="dac67e4f-64f9-4da5-90c7-203b11004d27" data-vars-headline="New Anne Frank exhibit goes far beyond the diary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/19/chicago-museum-slide-powers-up-new-exhibit" target="_self">Griffin Museum of Science and Industry</a> through early 2027.<ul><li>Presented by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anne Frank House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.annefrank.org/en/" data-vars-content-id="dac67e4f-64f9-4da5-90c7-203b11004d27" data-vars-headline="New Anne Frank exhibit goes far beyond the diary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.annefrank.org/en/" target="_blank">Anne Frank House</a> in Amsterdam, the Chicago exhibit follows its January premiere in New York.</li></ul>

Food Fight: Best Caesar salad in Chicago

Our crew crowns standout Caesars from Armitage Ale House, Zarella and Pizz'amici.

Food and Drink

As part of our regular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/18/best-chicago-breakfast-sandwiches-doma-samira" data-vars-content-id="1066e234-18e5-4d60-942b-3e7065d8bfb7" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Best Caesar salad in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/18/best-chicago-breakfast-sandwiches-doma-samira" target="_self">Food Fight</a> series, we are hailing the venerable Caesar salad and arguing over the best one.

Quiz: Do you know where these iconic Chicago high schools are?

Try and score a perfect ten on locating some of the best schools in the city.

How to avoid Memorial Day traffic in Chicago

Travel early in the morning on Sunday for the least traffic.

Holidays

Chicagoans leaving for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" data-vars-content-id="896d46b8-6a3d-4c19-9cbf-00e3242579f1" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Memorial Day traffic in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" target="_self">Memorial Day</a> roadtrips on Thursday or Friday afternoons will hit the worst traffic of the holiday weekend, per INRIX traffic data.The big picture: Despite soaring gas prices, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA is predicting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" data-vars-content-id="896d46b8-6a3d-4c19-9cbf-00e3242579f1" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Memorial Day traffic in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" target="_blank">AAA is predicting</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busiest Memorial Day ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" data-vars-content-id="896d46b8-6a3d-4c19-9cbf-00e3242579f1" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Memorial Day traffic in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" target="_self">busiest Memorial Day ever</a> for travel — making strategic timing essential.

Summer travel in Chicago: Flight cuts, rising fares and TSA delays expected

The summer outlook for Chicago flights is looking bleak.

Travel

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/12/ohare-airport-capacity-faa-united-american-airlines" data-vars-content-id="4ffc48b8-c069-4026-ad64-ecb5991ea8e3" data-vars-headline="Summer travel in Chicago: Flight cuts, rising fares and TSA delays expected" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/12/ohare-airport-capacity-faa-united-american-airlines" target="_self">summer outlook</a> for Chicago flights is looking bleak as rising fuel costs, FAA limits and security concerns squeeze air travel after a rocky spring. Why it matters: Summer is peak vacation travel season, when O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s already heavy traffic is pushed to its limits.

O'Hare Airport travelers face TSA shortages and ICE presence

Mayor Brandon Johnson said roughly 75 ICE officers were expected at O'Hare.

Travelers moving through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="O&#x27;Hare " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/19/chicago-airports-spring-break-travel-ohare-midway-faa-dhs" data-vars-content-id="b6f6cedc-59a9-4ee1-9640-32cf19cf5ec4" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare Airport travelers face TSA shortages and ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/19/chicago-airports-spring-break-travel-ohare-midway-faa-dhs" target="_self">O&#x27;Hare </a>on Monday braced for long lines, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="travel headaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="b6f6cedc-59a9-4ee1-9640-32cf19cf5ec4" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare Airport travelers face TSA shortages and ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">travel headaches</a> — and the added uncertainty of ICE officers stationed at airport security.Why it matters: A partial government shutdown is straining airport operations nationwide — and hitting one of the country&#x27;s busiest airports at the start of spring break travel.

O'Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos

The annual spring break for Chicago schools means a surge in traffic.

O&#x27;Hare and Midway are bracing for a spring break travel surge — just as delays and disruptions <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pile up nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/dhs-shutdown-tsa-fema-ice-democrats-discharge" data-vars-content-id="a9cf6a2c-0384-40c4-91f0-fddb3a8eb465" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/dhs-shutdown-tsa-fema-ice-democrats-discharge" target="_self">pile up nationwide</a>.Why it matters: Chicago Public Schools&#x27; spring break is sending thousands more travelers through local airports at a moment when a prolonged federal shutdown is straining the system.

Chicago's Jibarito falls apart in Puerto Rico

The delicacy really disappoints due to a weird cheesy Salisbury steak-like filling.

I recently spent a few days in Puerto Rico visiting family and eating lots of food including an island version of the Chicago-invented jibarito sandwich.Backstory: Humboldt Park restaurateur <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juan C. Figueroa started serving this steak sandwich " data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/06/18/saga-of-a-sandwich/" data-vars-content-id="0e5f1612-b18c-42e2-bbb9-a7da0fc016f0" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Jibarito falls apart in Puerto Rico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/06/18/saga-of-a-sandwich/" target="_blank">Juan C. Figueroa started serving this steak sandwich </a>using fried green plantain planks as bread in the mid-1990s at his Puerto Rican restaurant Borinquen.<ul><li>In the intervening decades it has spread to cities all over the country and even back to Puerto Rico, where I found it in San Juan&#x27;s old city at a spot called Restaurante el Jibarito or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="La Fonda del Jibarito " data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/lafondadeljibarito/" data-vars-content-id="0e5f1612-b18c-42e2-bbb9-a7da0fc016f0" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s Jibarito falls apart in Puerto Rico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/lafondadeljibarito/" target="_blank">La Fonda del Jibarito </a>depending on which sign at this location you follow.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Left: Woman with glasses holding a plate of food inside a restaurant with a Puerto Rican flag wall. Right: Green exterior wall of Restaurante El Jibarito on a colorful street with cars parked." height="1080" id="a0346c75-ee2b-46e5-b96d-b4890c61c93e" src="https://images.axios.com/w39zcR527o3o44m4dqD0Z7BrLTU=/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg" width="1920" srcset="https://images.axios.com/WY_SzVl1r2J1viypNAJBte5m_9s=/0x0:1920x1080/1920x1080/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/Lq7ArmfKvHEgas2GJTjaH-ky38M=/0x0:1920x1080/1600x900/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/WRH7ce1lMiyMabZptBvWW7t5InY=/0x0:1920x1080/1366x768/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/sHK6Zrt5Thn_YIjFQ7BIOANDYfE=/0x0:1920x1080/1024x576/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/KQxgbgz5ywARnooHQY5Nel_v0KU=/0x0:1920x1080/768x432/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/2_lO70t6xqE-X2nzI2PYi4ocC0Q=/0x0:1920x1080/640x360/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/Pur9pvPkipzWfNvOMw-9pfrd9x8=/0x0:1920x1080/320x180/2026/03/09/1773065919984.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Monica holds the Puerto Rican version of a Jibarito in San Juan. The exterior of Restaurante el Jibarito/La Fonda del Jibarito in San Juan&#x27;s old city. Photos: Monica Eng/Axios </figcaption></figure>The sandwich: Disappointing. The plantain planks came out broken and filled with — not ribeye, pork or any of other Chicago faves but — some weird cheesy Salisbury steak for $19.95.<ul><li>Yes, but the sandwich does come with a tasty trifongo (breadfruit, plantain and yuca fritter) on the side. Has anyone ever seen this in Chicago?</li></ul>The bottom line: When trying &quot;Chicago treats&quot; in other cities, I often brace for the worst but here I expected something better.<ul><li>I guess we can chalk it up to another delicacy Chicago does better than any other place in the world.</li></ul>

Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico

Sunday night at least eight continue to shelter in place after car jacking and bombed car.

News

At least eight Chicagoans were sheltering in place in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday amid violent attacks throughout the region in response to the capture and death of the Mexican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cartel leader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/trump-mexico-colombia-venezuela-strikes-maduro" target="_self">cartel leader</a> known as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Mencho" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" data-vars-content-id="0620688d-d624-485a-9556-6d28b5f1f789" data-vars-headline="Chicagoans caught in narco violence in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" target="_self">El Mencho</a>.&quot;Zoom in: Lakeview resident Jonathan Pizer tells Axios that he and his husband Brad Lippitz were heading to go whale watching with two Chicago friends Sunday morning when their car was stopped.

Travel's newest flex: "Skillcations"

72% of people want time off work to explore a personal passion, Hilton's 2026 trends report found.

In 2026, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/2026-vacation-holidays-pto" data-vars-content-id="4092dab8-936c-47ba-b758-117bda09eee0" data-vars-headline="Travel&#x27;s newest flex: &quot;Skillcations&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/2026-vacation-holidays-pto" target="_self">vacations</a> aren&#x27;t just about switching off — they&#x27;re about coming back smarter. Why it matters: Vacations are being redefined as investments in personal growth — a shift that&#x27;s reshaping how people use PTO and how the travel industry sells time away.

How to beat Illinois traffic this Thanksgiving

Avoid gridlock with travel advice for the busiest Thanksgiving week on record.

Culture

Thanksgiving&#x27;s almost here and AAA is expecting a record 4.1 million Illinoisans to travel at least 50 miles over the next six days.Why it matters: Record holiday trips could bring heavy holiday traffic. So we&#x27;ve gathered some data to help you do more chewing and less stewing, more baking and less braking, more memory sharing and less highway swearing. OK, we&#x27;ll stop.

FAA flight reductions could spark Chicago holiday travel meltdown

Chicago airports brace for impact of government shutdown as holiday season approaches.

Business

The FAA will begin reducing flights and restricting airspace on Friday to alleviate stress on air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown.Why it matters: These drastic moves will impact dozens of U.S. airports, including O&#x27;Hare and Midway, forcing airlines to cancel and delay flights.

O'Hare's boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos

O'Hare is seeing record growth as airlines compete for market share.

The government shutdown continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact both Chicago airports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/flight-delays-shutdown-controllers" data-vars-content-id="a1ea15cb-7d19-42d4-be0c-f503500704c5" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/flight-delays-shutdown-controllers" target="_self">impact both Chicago airports</a>, even as O&#x27;Hare sees record growth in 2025. Why it matters: Air traffic controllers have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calling in sick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/07/staffing-shortages-ohare-airport-federal-shutdown-delays-faa" data-vars-content-id="a1ea15cb-7d19-42d4-be0c-f503500704c5" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s boom continues despite shutdown flight chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/07/staffing-shortages-ohare-airport-federal-shutdown-delays-faa" target="_self">calling in sick</a> during the shutdown, forcing full airport ground stops and massive delays across the country.

A table that shows Memorial Day weekend 2026 road traffic forecasts by day. Worst driving windows are Thursdayfrom noon to 9pm, Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from noon to 5pm, and Monday from noon to 5pm.