Every month or so, bunnies scamper among the mats during a 75-minute class, then linger for snuggles and selfies. They’re available for adoption — ask instructor Sue Coogan, who brought one home — and either way, your class fee supports the no-kill Red Door Animal Shelter. $25 per class. 7009 N. Glenwood Ave., Rogers Park, … Read more
If holing up in a room is your definition of a getaway, the Hoxton, which opened in April, is not your hotel. Not because the industrial-lite rooms don’t have everything you need (including breakfast in a bag, delivered to your door). But because everything you ought to do — Chris Pandel’s Mediterranean restaurant Cira in … Read more
Mood-shifting colored lights, pumped-up tunes, and upbeat instructors keep you smiling (or at least not wanting to barf) through uphill sprints on the treadmill and strength work on the floor. Classes shift regularly between hard and fast workouts, which ensures results. From $30 per class. 228 E. Illinois St., Streeterville, runawayfitness.com
This two-hour Chicago River trip works out more than your shoulders: Shedd Aquarium guides lead paddlers as they collect litter, observe flora and fauna, and gather data about aquatic life on the way to a man-made island planted with native flowers. $40. 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus, sheddaquarium.org
It’s a perennial parental conundrum: Go stir-crazy at home or risk contracting coxsackievirus at an indoor play hell. The solution? This breezy storefront, owned by former HGTV producer Nina Makovski and her husband, where the toys are (mostly) made of wood, the coffee is delicious, and every surface is spotless. $12 day pass. 25 S. … Read more
At long last, there’s quality shared office space for South Siders, with plenty of nine-to-five amenities and reasonable rates. 6127 S. University Ave., Woodlawn, universitycowork.com
This charming trattoria pulls off that rarest of tricks: managing to please even the pickiest of palates (a perfect rigatoni carbonara, brick chicken with crackling-crisp skin) while not shying away from more interesting regional fare (sweet-tart spring onions in a balsamic agrodolce). 5316 N. Clark St., Andersonville, anteprimachicago.net
In a 24-hour period, this “Twitterstorian” will post a 1904 photo of the Fullerton L stop, a 1942 ad for all-night barbecue, and a one sheet for James Bond Aston Martins. @backwards_river
Topped with a streusel-like crumble, this is summer in a pie pan. And good news for city dwellers: The sisters behind the Oak Park pie shop have opened a new storefront in Pilsen. $30. 103 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 1844 S. Blue Island Ave., Pilsen, spiltmilkpastry.com
At this sunny brewery and café, Jess Galli (formerly of the Mill, a San Francisco bread shop) bakes up rustic loaves daily, slices them ultrathick, then smears and sprinkles each toasted slab with all sorts of housemade goodies. Her tastiest creation (pictured) combines cream cheese and turmeric milk jam. It’s sweet, spicy, sticky — and … Read more
