Chicago trip. What should we do?

AIZZO4
AIZZO4 Posts: 404 Member
in Chit-Chat
My Friends and I will be going to Chicago in 2 weeks. I just wanted some recommendation on things we can do.

Obviously I know about the Shedd aquarium, baseball games and other touristy places. I would love to see some places that are not known as much.

So if you recommend any bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs or anything else we should hit up, I would love to hear about it.

Also we are staying about a half hour outside downtown. What are your recommendations for getting around? I am sure the cabs are expensive.

Replies

  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Weiner Circle for fun.


    Great Sea Chinese Restaurant for Korean style fried chicken wings.
    and for the record Koren fried chicken is better than any other kind of chicken.

    http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-sea-chinese-restaurant-chicago
  • mustang289
    mustang289 Posts: 299 Member
    Part of downtown Chicago has two levels of streets...the surface streets and the 'lower' version. The lower streets were designed to keep commercial deliveries and traffic off the main streets above.

    The Tribune Tower is located on MIchigan Avenue at the river. On 'lower Michigan" across the street from the Tribune Tower is Billy Goats Tavern, a long established haunt of reporters from the Chicago Tribune as well as the Sun Times. The restaurant was made famous nationally by a Saturday Night Live skit featuring John Belushi as the gruff restaurant owner with a thick accent. The place has "no fries! chips!" and serves "no Coke! Pepsi!. I really like the cheezborgers but the place is kind of a dive.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1tFx5xKrSI
  • labeachgirl
    labeachgirl Posts: 158 Member
    Weiner Circle for fun.


    Great Sea Chinese Restaurant for Korean style fried chicken wings.
    and for the record Koren fried chicken is better than any other kind of chicken.

    http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-sea-chinese-restaurant-chicago

    Haha, I used to live just a few doors down from there. It's crappy drunk food, but the history and being insulted is part of the charm.

    Lincoln Park was my neighborhood - Kingston Mines, Second City, North Ave Beach, Walk over to the Zoo and along the bike path, tons of great restaurants and sports bars (i.e. Tin Lizzie)

    http://chicago.about.com/od/neighborhoodshistory/tp/Lincoln-Park-Top-Things-to-Do.htm

    Take the El. It's pretty easy to get on and off the stops, and it's relatively safe. Cabs are pretty inexpensive if you're just going over to the next neighborhood.
  • AIZZO4
    AIZZO4 Posts: 404 Member
    Weiner Circle for fun.


    Great Sea Chinese Restaurant for Korean style fried chicken wings.
    and for the record Koren fried chicken is better than any other kind of chicken.

    http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-sea-chinese-restaurant-chicago

    Thanks dude I will check it out.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    I'd go out and fish for smallmouth on Lake Michigan...but that's me.
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    I did some research when I was going to visit Chicago a couple of years ago (I ended up not able to go since I broke my foot!). Anyway, I thought this was a very interesting idea. But again, I wasn't able to try it out:

    http://chicagogreeter.com/
    Let a friendly, knowledgeable local give you an insider’s orientation to Chicago! Register 10 business days in advance for a FREE 2-4 hour guided visit of Chicago. Greeter visits are customized based on your choice of neighborhoods, language and interests. We have over 200 enthusiastic volunteers waiting to share their expertise and passion about the city with you!
  • angelams1019
    angelams1019 Posts: 1,102 Member
    The Violet Hour in Wicker Park!! Also- Francesca's Forno in Wicker Park is amazing too!

    Basically- WICKER PARK!!! :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Cheers and Ditka's.
  • angelams1019
    angelams1019 Posts: 1,102 Member
    Oh and BTW- Take the El! You can buy a 7 day pass if you're going to be traveling all over the city!
  • beckyboop712
    beckyboop712 Posts: 383 Member
    My favorite restaurants:
    White Palace (definitely different than white castle)- South Loop
    Hackney's -south Loop
    Pizzeria Brandi-near McCormick Place
    Al's Beef- little Italy

    I live in Hyde Park (south Side) so my recommendations are also for any restaurant in Hyde Park

    In terms of activities, you named them.....museums, aquarium. Check out Metromix.com for any music events, street fests (love these!!), and any other activities going on.
  • caspergirl7
    caspergirl7 Posts: 590 Member
    go to the top of the John Hancock Center & definitely try some Chicago deep dish pizza : )
  • kkclif
    kkclif Posts: 155 Member
    Cabs are super expensive. Take the train-look for the closest metra station or take the orange line from Midway Airport. Go to Grassanos for Chicago style deepdish pizza- its the best. Howl at the Moon is a pretty cool Piano bar. Millenium Park is great since the weather is getting nicer-go see the bean and the faces and all that other cool stuff our city is known for. They also have things going on there most weekends. Billy Goats Tavern is another classic bar/grill. Take a boat tour on the river. So many things you can do! Have fun :)
  • kkclif
    kkclif Posts: 155 Member
    Oh and also, Second City Comedy Club. You can buy tickets usually for like $20-$30 and it is hilarious! Always a good time.
  • kkclif
    kkclif Posts: 155 Member
    and if you intend on going to a baseball game I recommend U.S. Cellular Field. Not only because I'm a Sox fan, but because the park is newer and cleaner.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    You definitely need to hang out in Wicker Park! ALots of bars to choose from. also you can get to the empty bottle for some live music......head on over to North Ave beach and hang out and enjoy the scenic lakefront!!
    Grab a drink at the boathouse while you are there too!!!! awesome rooftop view of the lake etc...
    Pizza.................too many places to choose!
    Use YELP.COM!

    Or come and hang out with me in Logan Square I promise that were gonna get drunnkkkkkkkkk:drinker:

    Enjoy!
  • TwinkieDong
    TwinkieDong Posts: 1,564 Member
    DO NOT under and circumstance say anything negative against BHO. Secondly do not bring any weapons. They are all illegal in Chicago.....

    after that do what ever your heart desires.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    I second everything above, especially using the metra and el to get around. It will be much cheaper than cabs.

    I've heard that the architecture tour is nice, but personally, I wouldn't want to do it so it's up to you. http://www.architecture.org/tours


    For bars, my favorite area is Boystown with a bunch of girlfriends. :laugh: But I also love Wrigleyville bars (the ones basically right next to the stadium). Try to go to Wrigley for a game; even though the Cubs aren't doing well (what else is new. :grumble: ), the atmosphere is great.
  • stepitupgirl
    stepitupgirl Posts: 9
    Willow-brook Wildlife Rescue is a cool place and it's not too far from the city

    Lincoln Park Zoo is great and free

    You can rent bikes and stroll down Lake Shore too

    I would highly suggest the train, we live about 30 minutes west of the city but the other day it took us 90 minutes to get home when we drove

    Great America is about 40 miles North but you can easily take a train and a bus to get there

    For $20pp you can do the Sky Deck but personally I feel that is outrageous

    The water taxi is also kind of cool and will get you from the train station to Mag Mile etc.

    China Town is also kind of cool - yum

    I'm not really into the whole Bar Scene so can't help you there.
  • stepitupgirl
    stepitupgirl Posts: 9
    Part of downtown Chicago has two levels of streets...the surface streets and the 'lower' version. The lower streets were designed to keep commercial deliveries and traffic off the main streets above.

    The Tribune Tower is located on MIchigan Avenue at the river. On 'lower Michigan" across the street from the Tribune Tower is Billy Goats Tavern, a long established haunt of reporters from the Chicago Tribune as well as the Sun Times. The restaurant was made famous nationally by a Saturday Night Live skit featuring John Belushi as the gruff restaurant owner with a thick accent. The place has "no fries! chips!" and serves "no Coke! Pepsi!. I really like the cheezborgers but the place is kind of a dive.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1tFx5xKrSI

    I second Billy Goat Tavern!
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    If you are into unique craft beer, hit up Local Options near Lincoln Park (http://localoptionbier.com/). Amazing selection and great atmosphere - the BF and I were there in April and had all kinds of touristy things planned. Until we had lunch here...then ended up staying all afternoon.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Oh and also, Second City Comedy Club. You can buy tickets usually for like $20-$30 and it is hilarious! Always a good time.

    i cant believe i forgot this. if you like comedy at all its a must see. its mostly sketch type shows. its like what would happen if Saturday Night LIve kept working on their best sketches over and over and put on a show of the best of them.
  • kkclif
    kkclif Posts: 155 Member
    Cabs are super expensive. Take the train-look for the closest metra station or take the orange line from Midway Airport. Go to Grassanos for Chicago style deepdish pizza- its the best. Howl at the Moon is a pretty cool Piano bar. Millenium Park is great since the weather is getting nicer-go see the bean and the faces and all that other cool stuff our city is known for. They also have things going on there most weekends. Billy Goats Tavern is another classic bar/grill. Take a boat tour on the river. So many things you can do! Have fun :)

    I meant Giordanos.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    I second everything above, especially using the metra and el to get around. It will be much cheaper than cabs.

    I've heard that the architecture tour is nice, but personally, I wouldn't want to do it so it's up to you. http://www.architecture.org/tours


    For bars, my favorite area is Boystown with a bunch of girlfriends. :laugh: But I also love Wrigleyville bars (the ones basically right next to the stadium). Try to go to Wrigley for a game; even though the Cubs aren't doing well (what else is new. :grumble: ), the atmosphere is great.

    Yes the Cubs do suck BUT its a good time getting drunk at the game or the rigleyville neighborhood!
  • laurenkoszola
    laurenkoszola Posts: 101 Member
    Take a Haunted Tour....it was pretty cool! They also have Mobster tours and I'm sure a ton more to choose from! You could always try Navy Pier as well, and/or the speed boats they have by the pier!
  • MaryRegs
    MaryRegs Posts: 272 Member
    go and walk along the lakefront-free and a gorgeous view...if you are in the Lincoln Square area, there are TONS of restaurants-I would recommend Cafe Selmarie, La Bocca Della Verita and Essence of India. All on Lincoln Avenue, and all off the same Brown Line stop-Western Avenue. if you are north of the city-the Chicago Botanic Gardens off the Edens Expressway at Lake Cook Road (east) is beautiful. Lots of walking, and had food available. Take it from a born and bred (and living in) Chicago girl....welcome!
  • moosegt35
    moosegt35 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I would try to avoid being shot
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I vote Lincoln Park Zoo, and going to RJ Grunts.. It's the original Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant.

    SIgnature room at the 95th is awesome, and so is Sweet Water Cafe, Peterinos and South Water Kitchen.

    You can also go to Navy Pier.. They have boat tours, and an awesome stained glass museum.

    I also suggest not taking the EL or any CTA train for that matter.. they aren't very safe... Esp if you don't know where you are going exactly. I would take the Metra into the city and then just walk or take a bus.
  • Debbjones
    Debbjones Posts: 278 Member
    I was just there and thoroughly enjoyed taking photos of "The Bean" in Millennium Park and shopping the Magnificent Mile. Some great restaurants on the Magnificent Mile as well! Can't wait to go back and do it all over again!
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    Best deep dish pizza in the world is Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. It beats Giordano's hands down.

    Maxwell Street hot dogs are the bomb as well.

    There are some pretty neat things to do in Chicago but lots depend on the weather. Check out MetroMix.com to find out what is happening on any given day in the city.

    for a goofy but fin way to see some of Chicago's colorful history check out http://www.weirdchicago.com/

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