Edge of Sweetness Bakery, 6034 North Broadway, is located in Chicago's Far North Side neighborhood of Edgewater. Since opening in 2017, the small-but-mighty bakery has become a go-to for locals in need of cakes, cookies, bagels, pies, cupcakes, and so much more.

The bakery is locally owned and specializes in catering, group events, preorders, and custom cakes. Its interior can be rented out for private events, and its kitchen also has space for aspiring small bakery businesses to rent.

Mouthwatering, homemade cinnamon rolls are the star of this bakery — from the fresh-made dough...

...to that first warm, gooey bite dripping in frosting.

Or how about a cinnamon roll cake? Sign me up!

Another popular creation is the Fault Line Cake, which sees a rugged, golden border wrapped around an exposed middle. The color options here are endless!

Of course, birthday and wedding cakes are also on the table — from this adorable cow, to unicorns, to race cars, to classic, simple elegance.

And yep, this pizza is actually A CAKE!

Holidays are also a great time for a custom cake — check out the detail on this gorgeous Christmas "log".

Those looking for cake's little sister — cupcakes — are also in luck. These German chocolate confections are truly works of art.

Custom and seasonal pies are also a favorite and great for holiday parties or backyard potlucks.

Soft scones, crunchy cookies, and rich bars are also on the specialty list, sold in bulk to share the love far and wide.

Heading into the office or having a brunch get-together? Preorder these drool-worthy fresh, homemade bagels and they'll be ready the next day!

Can't choose between all the delicious options? Get platters with a bit of everything!

Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre park located in downtown Chicago and is one of the top tourist destinations in Illinois and the Midwest, with more than 25 million visitors a year. With its number of features and exhibits, it's a favorite place for families to visit for a day packed with fun.

The park is home to several iconic attractions, like "The Bean" sculpture — which is officially known as Cloud Gate.

It's also home to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a massive outdoor concert venue with a great lawn that often hosts free concerts and is a popular place for picnics.

A favorite kids' activity in the park is splashing in the whimsical Crown Fountain — a huge foundtain-meets-splash-pad that features tall screens with people's faces depicting smiles, spitting water, and funny expressions.

A pedestrian bridge will then take you over to Maggie Daley Park — a 20-acre kids' wonderland with an incredible Play Garden that showcases a playground with towers, bridges, and sculptures surrounded by plants and flowers.

Maggie Daley Park also contains an incredible rock climbing wall — something for the big kids!

Back over the bridge again to Millennium Park, a peaceful boardwalk trail weaves through the Lurie Gardens, another gorgeous and serene spot to soak in some nature while surrounded by skyscrapers.

The garden leads right to the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago — an iconic place to view some of the world's best masterpieces of art.

At the classic entrance of the Art Institute along Michigan Avenue are also the beloved lion statues — always a great place for a family photo!

There are plenty of places to picnic throughout the park, but if you'd prefer to buy something fresh for lunch or dinner, stop by Millennium Hall food court just below The Bean!

The food hall serves a number of different menu items, including pizza, wings, sandwiches, burgers, and even beer, wine, and cocktails.

The Chinatown Summer Fair is one of Chicago's most iconic summer festivals, with more than 40,000 attendees from across the Midwest flocking to the celebratory event each year.

The beauty of Far East and Asian cultures is on full display here, with tons of incredible local vendors selling unique gifts, homemade crafts, plants, and more.

There is also live art going on — whether it's a street painter, a henna artist, or booths where you can create your own.

Of course, a major star of the festival is the mouthwatering foods on hand, showcasing the very best, most authentic Asian cuisines available in Chicago.

No summer festival would be complete without a food eating contest, and the Chinatown Summer Fair is no different.

A highlight of the fair is the lineup of jaw-dropping performers, who showcase a number of different breathtaking styles. See traditional Chinese, Indian, Hawaiian, Korean, and more dance up close like never before.

There's even a K-Pop dance competition!

The stage also features martial arts demonstrations, dragon dances, and nighttime musical performances.

With street volleyball, a kids' area, and amazing local businesses to highlight, there is truly something for everyone here. With a festival like this, it's clear to see why Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood has been an integral part of the city for more than 110 years.

Virgin Hotels Chicago is located at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Lake Street in downtown Chicago.

It's the world's first Virgin Hotel from billionaire owner Richard Branson, who owns the Virgin travel and lifestyle brands which operates luxury retreats, airlines, a casino, cruises, and space travel experiences.

The hotel operates 250 rooms in the former Old Dearborn Bank Building which soars 26 stories into the Chicago skyline, outfitted with an Art Deco style and endless artistic details with 1920s flare.

Warm woods, rich reds, and glittering golds welcome you immediately upon entering the hotel. The front desk is actually an original cigar bar from the '20s!

Rooms, called chambers, are divided by privacy doors into a sleeping area and a living area. Bathrooms have perfectly-lit makeup vanities and guests can order room service, change the temperature, valet a car, and chat with the front desk via a mobile app.

Grab a drink and food from the stunning hotel bar, or head on over to one of the resort's restaurants. From in-room dining to homemade Italian food to a Euro-style coffee bar, you won't have to jump on the "L" for something delicious.

If it were me, I'd be heading up to Cerise, the rooftop bar, ASAP. With breathtaking views of the city, incredibly crafted cocktails, and decadent bites, this is something that truly sets the Virgin Hotel Chicago apart from the others.

Imagine eating this while being surrounded by a glitzy skyline and the sound of Lake Michigan rolling in.

The hotel also has major pet perks with no size or breed restrictions. Dog-friendly rooms are designated with a pet statue outside the door, and all dogs receive a water bowl, treats, a dog bed, and a Virgin Hotels bandana. The best part? They stay for free!

Pablo Picasso was a famous Spanish artist born in 1881 who specialized in the cubist and surrealist art movements, creating some of the most iconic works of all time — including the massive abstract statue, Chicago Picasso (or simply, The Picasso).

In 1963, the artist was commissioned to create a piece for the Daly Center Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., in downtown Chicago, which consists of a tall building containing a courthouse and offices, as well as an outdoor plaza for gathering.

Picasso accepted the commission and took no personal payment for the project, instead offering the statue as a gift to the city. Picasso was said to be interested in Chicago's gangster history.

In 1967, the Daly Center began preparations for the huge piece — but its fabrication actually took place in the neighboring state of Indiana at the American Bridge Company, which operated out of Gary.

The structure was made of COR-TEN steel and stands an impressive 50 feet tall, weighing a massive 147 tons. After it was constructed in Gary, the cubist sculpture was disassembled and transported to Chicago, where it was officially installed at the Daley Center in August of 1967.

Though the sculpture was at first met with some resistance, it has since become a beloved part of the city and has been featured in a number of films such as "The Blues Brothers," "The Fugitive," and "Bueller's Day Off." Picasso said the inspiration behind the design was his pet Afghan hound, though family members and historians speculate it could also be inspired by a French woman he knew, a male baboon, or his second wife Jacqueline.

Hidden along the shores of Lake Michigan in the Far North Side neighborhood of Edgewater is a sparkling, pristine beach nestled within a wall of high-rise condos and lush parkland.

Kathy Osterman Beach — also known as Hollywood Beach or Ardmore Beach — is found just beyond the very northernmost part of North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Immediately upon entering, the mood of the beach transports you to what feels like another world.

Although Chicago's iconic skyline is just around the corner, a view of Lake Michigan from the sandy shore here has more in common with a tropical paradise than an industrial city.

One of my favorite parts of the beach is its sand bars and its crystal-clear waters...

...and I mean really crystal clear. The soft sand is mostly free of debris — plus there are no jellyfish, sharks, crabs, or stingrays to worry about encountering.

Even on a cloudy or rainy day, the beach feels like a seaside resort town.

On a slow day, I would often bring my laptop and work from the beach, enjoying the airplanes as they flew overhead toward O'Hare International Airport.

And on busy days, the beach comes alive with music, coolers, volleyball, families, and

A popular spot at the beach is Hollywood Pier, a long rainbow-inspired pier you can walk down for incredible views of the lake and Chicago skyline. In the evening, a watercolor sky evokes a feeling of peace and calm as seagulls fly overhead.

And once the sun sets, the beach's beauty transforms into a reflection of the sky's magnificent colors while lights from the condo buildings sparkle like stars.

The Little Pickle, 3703 W. Fullerton Ave., is a pretty big dill if you love pickles (like me!). Located in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, the lunch diner specializes in homemade pickles for snacking or topping delicious sandwiches.

Dine inside in the cute, open dining room...

...or take your order onto the patio. Either way, you're getting a pickle-colored chair.

The pickles arrive at the restaurant as fresh, thick, and juicy cucumbers.

Next, they're hand-sliced using a mandolin — creating the perfect uniform size for maximum crunchability.

They're then seasoned in brine, where they get infused with sweet, spicy, and dill flavorings.

Why choose when you can try them all?

The restaurant is open Fridays through Sundays with a rotating menu that features a variety of pickled veggies and pickle-friendly sandwiches, like the German-style pork shoulder, which has your choice of bread and butter or dill pickles.

Or, get your pickle fill on the side with the Kind of a Big Dill mega dill pickle.

You can also let everyone and their mother know exactly how you feel about pickles by picking up one of these super cute T-shirts!

Byron's Hot Dogs, 1017 W Irving Park Road, is located on the North Side of Chicago about a 10-minute walk from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, and just next to the Sheridan "L" station.

The classic greasy spoon is small but mighty, with only a rail counter and a handful of high-top chairs for indoor dining.

Otherwise, your best bet is a spot on the patio, though lots of customers love to grab their food on their way commuting from the train, bus, or walking to a nearby block. This place is the definition of a neighborhood diner.

Though it's tiny, it's made a huge impression on another famous Chicagoan — former President Barack Obama.

When you step inside, you're immediately greeted by an old-school letterboard menu and the drool-worthy smell of meat on the flattop.

Italian sausage, hot dogs, and the Dogzilla — a step up from jumbo — are almost always cooking on the grill.

Choose your toppings from the array of fresh ingredients before you.

And what do you get when you drag juicy Vienna Beef through the garden? The absolute freshest Chicago-style hot dog you've ever had in your life.

Burgers are another popular grab at Byron's. Considering getting a salad? Why not just put it on top of the burger!

Of course, you can never go wrong with Italian beef in Chicago. Pro tip: Add on some giardiniera for some extra spice, crunch, and Windy City flavor.

Riverview Park amusement park opened in Chicago on July 2, 1904 at the corner of Western and Belmont avenues in the Roscoe Village neighborhood on the city's North Side. It sat on 74 acres of land and was bound in part by the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Thanks to the Chicago Film Archives, colorful, archival footage of the 20th-century theme park can be seen and enjoyed by the public. This video, taken in 1952, begins with the park's famous main entrance along Western Avenue.

Of course, no amusement park is complete without a ferris wheel. Fun fact: The ferris wheel was invented for Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893!

The video captures some of what life was like in America at the time with exhibits like the Atomic Energy exhibit. The same year this footage was taken was also when the first hydrogen bomb was being tested. Many refer to this era as the Atomic Age, when it was believed that nuclear war was on its way with the former Soviet Union.

A popular ride was the Shoot the Chutes log flume, which ended in a splash at the end of a long slide.

The Pair-O-Chutes was another endeavor for thrill-seekers, which consisted of sending 1-2 seated riders up a large tower while a parachute was strapped to their seat before letting them free fall to the ground below.

The park had over 120 rides total, including several wooden rollercoasters such as The Bob, the Jetstream, The Comet, The Fireball, and The Silver Flash.

Other attractions included the Tunnel of Love, the Tilt-a-Whirl, Aladdin's Castle, Flying Turns, and Wild Mouse — in addition to exhibits, games and shows, some of which you wouldn't find in theme parks today due to the crude nature, such as the "Freak Show."

After 65 years, the park closed its doors in 1967 and the land is now occupied by retail stores, a Chicago Police area headquarters, and schools. The park's closure was mainly attributed to financial troubles, as well as a history of racism.

Now long gone, the park is a completely unique piece of Chicago history. No other amusement park has taken its place, but its legacy as an old-fashioned-meets-modern-day amusement park lives on through vintage photographs, archival footage, and storytelling.

1. Next time you use your vacuum cleaner, thank the Windy City. The vacuum was invented here in 1869.

2. Those iconic farm silos you see along the road were invented here in 1870.

3. The first skyscraper was erected in Chicago in 1885.

4. Yet another time-saving thing invented in Chicago: the dishwasher, back in 1887.

5. Did you know that yellow pencils were another Chicago first for America? They were invented in 1889.

6. More fun things from Chicago: The Ferris Wheel was invented here in 1893.

7. Glad your pants stay up? Thank a zipper! It was invented in Chicago in 1893.

8. This one may not be quite as life-altering as zippers or vacuum cleaners, but we're certainly thankful for brownies. They were a Chicago first from 1893.

9. One of the country's first African American cardiologists performed an open-heart surgery here in 1893.

10. The gay rights movement arguably started in Chicago back in 1924.

11. Love Big Macs? McDonald's was invented in Chicago in 1955!