What to do in Chicago?

[zero_2003]

I'm planning to head over to Chicago next weekend (long weekend) with a few friends. I am making a list of places that we want to visit within 2 days and need some advices from the expert RFD members.

Where have you been that is memorable and "must-see"?

Which restaurant do you recommend that is "Chicago style"?

Are there any special perks about Chicago that we should be aware of?

[gretzky99]

I'm planning to head over to Chicago next weekend (long weekend) with a few friends. I am making a list of places that we want to visit within 2 days and need some advices from the expert RFD members.

Where have you been that is memorable and "must-see"?

Which restaurant do you recommend that is "Chicago style"?

Are there any special perks about Chicago that we should be aware of?

WARNING WARNING WARNING.....

I hope you know that the upcoming long weekend is the Chicago Marathon (45,000+ runners) weekend so it's going to be PACKED everywhere (restaurants, hotels, shops....)!!

[blairs1]

Not only that, I know there is TNA Wrestling hosting an event and a Fan Fest just outside of the City.

What to do in Chicago? From a trip a few years ago... Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Sears Tower, Jazz clubs, Comedy Clubs...

[sexpuppet6000]

http://llu-ama.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/chicago-bean.jpg

Symbolic of Americans.

Shiny and big = WOOOOOWWWW

[BlueHurley]

is that a big shiny jelly bean?

[sexpuppet6000]

is that a big shiny jelly bean?

It is a big shiny jelly bean in the middle of downtown Chicago.

[jedijome]

shed aquarium, Buckingham fountain,millennium park, take the L train for a spin around the loop (it's just lots of fun to experience), take an architectural tour boat ride (book it in advance, best way to get a feel for the city and extremely interesting even tho it doesn't sound it), the navy pier, michigan ave for shopping, go to uno's pizza or giordano's for a deep dish pizza. if you're into clubbing and bar hopping the rush and division is where you want to head. amazing nightlight especially friday\sat night. they have a few amazing musuems too the main one that crops to mind right now is the musuem of science and industry.

honestly there's so much to do in Chicago it's ridiculous and after going a few times i don't even think I've scratched the surface. still the one thing i do everything because it's my favorite, is go up to the signature lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock building and get a couple of drinks up there. a corona will run you around 8.50 and cocktails around 12-13 but it's worth it. especially considering that instead of paying to go up to the observation deck you can spend a couple of hours with a few friends up there for pretty much the same price. tip: ask to be seated at the north east corner of the lounge right near the window and you'll get the most spectacular view of downtown chicago and the lake, for just miles and miles in every direction. this is the one thing everyone should experience in chicago. don't bother with the dinner or the restaurant it's just more expensive and the views aren't as good in my opinion.

what an amazing city tho, makes me want to go back again and i just went a couple of weeks ago.:D

[originalnutta]

What is on your list of places so far?

[adanac7152]

Go shopping on the magnificant mile, great shopping, Chicago has great night life, and great food. Try The Chicago Chop House best beef you will ever have, and you will need reservations. Try deep dish pizza its great there.

[rems]

went to Howl at the Moon a few years back and enjoyed that place.
Shopping was so cheap at the Premium/Prime Outlet mall.
You can take an architectural boat tour.
And if you love cheese, deep dish pizzas...

[JACKIE26]

Shopping of course, Michigan Ave. and Oak St. on Oak you will find Barney's, Prada, Jimmy Choo etc. might not buy anything but GREAT window shopping.
Also, head over to the loop area (if you go to Garrett's popcorn you are then in the loop area) here you will find Filene's Basement, a Macy's that I think is better than the one at Water Tower Place, Carson Pirie Scott, TJ Maxx etc.

Food:
Deep dish pizza, you will have rabid fans of one place or another and they are loyal to the grave. Gino's East or Giordano's (my favorite).
Stand on Michigan Ave. and look down E. Superior St. down one way is Giordano's down Superior the other way is Gino's East.

Garrett's popcorn, you have to eat some, a Chicago specialty cheese and caramel popcorn mixed together. Your hands will be FILTHY eating it but its so good! there is only one location now on Randolph St. by the Chicago Theatre.

P.F Changs, while not a "Chicago" food, fantastic food, go on an empty stomach and stuff your face, love the lettuce wraps.
Texas De Brazil another great place, brazilian steak house

Steak without breaking your budget, but still really good & great views; Smith & Wollensky (if you go and your waitress is named Michelle that's my cousin give her a good tip!!)

Mexican: Adobo Grill

Chocolate, some great places to get specialty chocolate either Ethel's or Vosges(try Mo's Bacon Bar, a chocolate bar that has bits on smoked bacon in it) both are in the Shops at North Bridge.

Depending on the weather sit out on the patio at the Ralph Lauren Cafe, great for people watching, its on Chicago Ave. just off of Michigan Ave.

Clubs / night out:
Howl at the Moon
Rockit
Martini Park
English
Religon
Mother Hubbard's
Rock Bottom Brewery
-all of them are within walking distance of each other

More dance club type of places:
Republic (Old Town on the edge of Lincoln Park)
Krem (over in Lincoln Park)

Try and get tickets to see a play, Chicago has some great theatre, Wicked is playing.

Lincoln Park Zoo, tons of museums, Navy Pier, enjoy some of the architecture Tribune & Wrigley buildings.

Question really is not What to do in Chicago, its more what not to do!! One of the best cities you can live in/visit.

[zero_2003]

What is on your list of places so far?

-Shedd Aquarium
-Lincoln Park Zoo
-Magnificent Mile
-Grant park/ Millennium Park
-Navy Pier

[gretzky99]

OP what hotel you staying at?

[sprung]

i stayed 2 days a while back. the city pass (http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html?id=Kw2WvIat) worked out really well for us. +1 for the aquarium, it is top notch.

also the Segway tour (http://www.citysegwaytours.com/chicago/segway-tour/chicago-segway-tour.shtml) was a blast. unlike Toronto, Segways are allowed everywhere in Chicago. I did some fun 'off roading' with mine.

[zero_2003]

OP what hotel you staying at?

The Avenue Hotel in Chicago for Sat. night
http://www.avenuehotelchicago.com/

A random Best Western or Holiday Inn outside of Chicago during the drive back on Sun. night

[WalnutCrunch]

If the weather is good, I highly recommend renting a bike and seeing some attractions along the lake. You can see Grant Park, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, and Wrigley Field in an afternoon. The bike path has no motor vehicle traffic and extends up and down the lake shore. It's about a 10 minute ride from Lincoln Park to Wrigley on the roads but they are wide with some designated bike lanes. I hadn't biked for 10 years before going to Chicago and I thought it was great.

Chicago is apparently the most bikable city in the US.

http://www.bikechicago.com/

[boneca]

Chicago is a beautiful city...

The architectural boat tour…the “Chicago’s first lady” is the best of the bunch IMO…don’t do the lake tour…the river one is the best. It’s located corner Michigan Avenue & Wacker Drive (not at Navy Pier). http://www.cruisechicago.com/tours.php

Navy Pier is also nice but you could really see it in less than a day.

Millenium Park is nice…must see the bean...it's my avatar pic (I'm actually in the pic background lol)

Magnificent Mile has tons of shopping…wear a good pair of walking shoes.

The Field Museum is also interesting to see….the underground adventure is boring and not worth the extra $$..so skip it.

Enjoy!

[uberdealer]

you MUST try chicago deep dish pizza in Chicago
(one piece did it for me!)

I also like Cafe Luxe. It was on Michigan Ave, which is a great area to wander

[JACKIE26]

The Avenue Hotel in Chicago for Sat. night
http://www.avenuehotelchicago.com/

A random Best Western or Holiday Inn outside of Chicago during the drive back on Sun. night

Make sure you ask for a room on a high floor, and maybe take some ear plugs just in case, your hotel is right by Northwestern hospital, ambulance sirens are 24hrs, well everywhere in the city, but worse when you are right by the hospital.


If you want to stop part way on the way home to rest. I am assuming you are crossing back at the Bluewater Bridge, and taking I-69. The Quality Suites in Lansing is decent, we have stayed there before. For a stop to rest on the way home its clean, and they server a full free hot breakfast. Its also easy on/off highway access.