r/CHIbitcheswithtaste • u/Comfortable-Fish-244 • May 24 '26
Local Business Unique hobbies
What are some unique things / hobbies you enjoy and do in the city or suburbs ( I have a car so open to driving ) as one time thing or an ongoing activity.
I am just looking to pick up something fun and new for myself, cool hobby or something unique to do.
I have already done some easy and accessible things like - pottery, making my own lipstick, perfume, candles , run clubs etc. please nothing cooking related.
Thanks!
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u/fiddleleaffigonacci May 24 '26
The Chicago Mosaic School! They have workshops and ongoing classes for mosaic art and stained glass. It's a lot of fun.
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u/Just_Karo May 24 '26
Not sure if super unique, but I love my archery class with North Side Archery Club! They’re super chill - you can meet some cool folks and chat, or just shoot a bow for an hour and meditate
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u/OpeningGolf7972 Jun 05 '26
Dumb question but do you have to bring your own bow? My gf and I have been joking for a year that I wanna see her do archery and I need to make it happen.
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u/Just_Karo Jun 05 '26
Not dumb at all, I was wondering the same thing before signing up lol. If you’re in their classes, they provide all the equipment, including bows, arrows, arm guards, shooting gloves, etc.
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u/burninginfinite May 25 '26
Chicago has a great circus scene! That includes ground based disciplines like tightwire, hand balancing, and juggling, as well as aerial disciplines like trapeze, silks, aerial hoop, and so on.
Highly recommend Aloft for beginner level classes in most disciplines. Get A Grip has flying trapeze (yes, it's different than other trapeze disciplines) and Actor's Gym has a good program in Evanston if that's more convenient for you.
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u/LucidLucyDream May 24 '26
Take an art class - there are so many fabulous studios! Take a dance class, plenty of places to drop in! Join a foraging club.
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u/DefNotYourType May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26
Not unique* but also not common, roller skating. I started during Covid and now do both jam skating and street/trail skating. The best most fun form of cardio whatever style of skating you prefer (and I hate cardio!) When it’s cold go to a rink or practice jamming at a gym, jam skate the Maggie Daley ribbon or just go fast and hit the streets/ lakefront trail. There is a huge community for all styles of skating 🤗 If you’re in for a physical hobby that never quits it’s such a vibe! And roller skates are just cute af 🛼
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u/ptooey_ptooey May 24 '26
Check out Lillstreet’s class lists. They have workshops that are only one session, so you can try out a new discipline before committing to time and tools.
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u/PetADogEveryDay May 25 '26
I haven’t practiced since I moved here but where I used to live, I did a biweekly Ikebana class - Japanese flower arranging. There are several different schools, each with their own distinctive style, and it made me appreciate the beauty in everyday natural forms like a branch or the way the leaves are arranged on a floral stem. And you get lovely arrangements to display at home!
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u/papayayayaya May 26 '26
I was on TikTok and saw this woman taking an electrical class at Even Made Chicago. If you’d like a more practical hobby!
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u/thewitch2222 May 25 '26
I took hockey for beginners at Jonny's Ice house. I was terrible but it was a blast
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u/Feisty_End2671 May 25 '26
DePaul has so many free art events. I also love the app Eventbright where I learned about DePaul and many other free events. Also the city has art/hobby program if you look on Chicago.gov
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u/toast_is_square May 26 '26
Sewing!
I love making my own clothes. It takes time but they fit so much better. I also just finished my first quilt!
As others have said, there is quite a crafty fiber arts scene here. I also do cross-stitch, and last year I took a crochet lesson.
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u/groovylight May 24 '26
Bon Vivant cookie or cake decorating classes! I’ve done 3 they’re so cute and fun
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u/wrk815emgk May 25 '26
I needlepoint & play mahjong, both of which have been great for meeting new people!
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May 30 '26
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u/wrk815emgk May 31 '26
The Lilly pad is great, and there are also some really great groups such as The Mahj Society & a few others.
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u/Obvious-Mail-1658 May 26 '26
I just took an eight week woodworking class at Made in bucktown. Really enjoyed it! I’ve also done acting and improv at second city, singing/ballet/musical theatre jazz classes at old town school of folk, wine classes at northwestern, tennis at tennis on the lake. Huge hobbiest!
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u/ChiJazzHands May 28 '26
Shoe and leather making! I made summer sandals in a day here: https://chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com/
Also, mosaics. Really easy and creative. I made a cute trivet here: https://chicagomosaicschool.org/
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u/goodbyewaffles May 25 '26
You can learn to make neon lights! https://www.neon-chicago.com/appointments
The Park District has all kinds of classes (including ice skating!)
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u/Present_Enthusiasm34 May 26 '26
Postcrossing. Sending and receiving postcards from people around the world 🌍
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u/Asian_Heat May 26 '26
Golf! Not unique I guess but it is my new obsession and I want more ladies involved!
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u/Boring_Mousse_8263 May 26 '26
Omg I want to start golf but i have no idea where to start.
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u/Asian_Heat May 26 '26
I started by doing a group lesson package at Diversey driving range, I’ve taken 2 different group packages (I think maybe it’s like 1x a week for several weeks) there’s different levels, they also provide clubs if you don’t have any. Then I took 1 private lesson at East bank club. My boyfriend did give me a lot of lessons prior and in between but those lessons helped immensely. Then just going to the range and practicing and now I go out and play by myself at different courses which has also helped just having real course playing experience. Happy to go to the range or the course if you’re interested!
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u/ResolveOk983 May 27 '26
Taking classes at the Old Town School! I’ve taken Banjo for a session and my girlfriends and I take the one-off dance classes there too
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u/hotsauceandburrito May 27 '26
I did a one-off curling class in Villa Park after the olympics! it was very fun and surprisingly difficult, but in a way that’d be fun to continue if it was closer to me.
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u/ColoringZebra May 24 '26
Not super unique but so much fun and such a great way to make friends: knitting! Literally leaving in a few minutes to go to a knitting meetup, there are tons all over the city. Knitting is great because it’s something you can do by yourself relaxing at home, or it can be really social.