I want to visit Chicago, someone give me advice

[spinbaby]

Chicago is about 8 hours away by car and I'd like to visit, but I know next to nothing about it. The sum total of my knowledge about Chicago is:

Home of Obama
Deep-dish pizza
Windy
Good shopping
Horrible airport (only part of Chicago I've been to)

So what can I see there? Where's a good place to stay? How's transportation?

[Bluzmann57]

1. Driving in Chicago is a nightmare

Chicago is a huge Union city and I guess they want to make sure Union people stay busy with road work. It seems that there is always construction going on. Take the "el", or elevated train if you want to get from one place to another, or, if you stay in the 'burbs, take Metra. A good place to stay is the Essex Inn which is located across the street from the Hilton and Towers downtown. It is a block from one of the premiere Blues clubs in the world, Buddy Guy's Legends.
Chicago is a fascinating city with a lot to do. One of the best cities in the world for the musical art form known as "Da Blues", two great zoos, Navy Pier (which is free), ethnic festivals all the time, neat neighborhoods, neat architecture in some downtown buildings, Lake Michigan, good food, and of course, the Cubs. Or I suppose one could go and see the Sox as well. Lots and lots to do in the "city of broad shoulders".

[spinbaby]

2. Can I stay outside of town

And take Metra into the city?

[surrealAmerican]

3. You can, but it will be inconvenient.

Most commuter trains (Metra) run very infrequently, except during rush hour. You're better off staying somewhere you can ride CTA trains (the "L" or subway).

[Bluzmann57]

12. Metra runs daily

almost hourly. www.metrarail.com for schedules. Just know what city you want to stay in and go from there.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Drive to the furthest CTA stop, go into the city by train.

Last time I was there, I stayed by the airport. I took the hotel shuttle to the airport and then rode CTA into the city.

I suggest walking around Wrigleyville. Or taking in the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park. Oh, do the architectural tour via the Chicago River.

[never cry wolf]

5. Some good suggestions above, here's some more

Yes, if you like architecture, take in Wright's Oak Park. The blues clubs are awesome. There are boat tours you can take down the Chicago River and on out into Lake Michigan. We have a world class aquarium. The Art Institute houses one of the finest impressionist collections in the world. Take in Navy Pier and Grant park, Oak Street Beach. Just stroll the lakefront, it is a park it's entire length. I'd suggest waiting until the weather is more assured of being warm.

You may also want to ask in the Illinois forum. Once you decide on a date, maybe we could arrange a DU meetup!

[spinbaby]

10. I do like architecture

That's a good idea.

[datasuspect]

6. chicago isn't necessarily windy, it's richie jr.'s pet "naperville in the city" project

it acquired the appellation "the windy city" due to the windy nature of its politics.

if you want to see tattered remnants of the former great city of chicago, head to areas where there are fewer white folks.

but the tourist traps, like anywhere else, are just expensive tourist traps and reflect nothing of what actual locals do or eat. and by "local" i mean chicago native, not a big 10 graduate who lives in wrigleyville, lincoln park, roscoe village, or any other yuppie polluted zone on the north side.

deep dish pizza isn't chicago pizza. you have to go to berwyn to get real chicago pizza.

[Norquist Nemesis]

30. LOL! "naperville in the city"

:rofl: Ain't that the truth! And, politically speaking, (being out here in DuPage on the Naperville/Aurora border) it's even more ironic since Naperville/DuPage is a a Con stronghold. Richie's been listening to wayyyy to many of the Cons.

[Strong Atheist]

7. Near Hinsdale, go to the Westchester Inn:

http://www.mytravelguide.com/restaurants/profile-63014005-United_States_Illinois_Westchester_Westchester_Inn_Restaurant.html

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/czech/westchester-inn-westchester/147874/content

Fantastic, cheap food!

Everything is great, but I would recommend the chicken schnitzel...

[Catshrink]

8. I suggest you investigate the Chicago dichotomy

Cubs or Sox

Giordano's or Pizzaria Uno/Due

[av8rdave]

9. It depends on what you want to do...

Shopping: The miracle mile (along Michigan Avenue)

Irish Pub: O'Neal's on Huron

Good draft beer pub: Pippin's (no relation to Scotty) on Rush

Night life: Rush and Division

Weird bar with fun people: The Hang Up in the Rush and Division neighborhood (see http://www.rushanddivision.com )

Best possible burgers: Boston Blackies (Riverside Plaza between Adams and Monroe)

Go bowling at Ten Pin (preferably late at night after a few cocktails). Cool lighting and a premium cocktail lounge all together


Chicago is one of my all time favorite layover cities.

[cherish44]

11. I've always enjoyed Navy Pier

If you want to treat yourself to something that's fun but a little expensive, take a lunch cruise on one of the boats docked out there (Mystic Blue is the one I've been on) Lincoln Park, Lakeview area has some fun little boutique type shops. A trip to the top of the Sears (now Willis) Tower is a cool experience. Shopping - Michigan Avenue for sure. Museums - the Art Institute is always great. Field Museum is awesome. Museum of Science and Industry (if you're a Harry Potter geek they have a Harry Potter exhibit coming, I'M SO THERE!) I absolutely love catching a Cubs game and getting a beer at the Cubby Bear or Harry Carey's but Cubs tickets are usually hard to get (at least in the last few years, I haven't even attempted lately). Try the South Shore Cultural Center. It's where Barack Obama had his wedding reception. (My sister had hers there too, gorgeous venue and its open to the public). I had a cool experience going to some of the authentic blues clubs in Chicago (not the corporate, expensive House of Blue but the genuine article) The ones I went to (don't remember the names, some were in kind of bad neighborhoods) but the music was amazing. There are many great small theaters and improve clubs in Chicago that are pretty inexpensive too if you that kind of thing. Driving and parking in Chicago is a pain in the ass. They have two seasons in Chicago, winter and road construction. I have no problems getting around using the el or buses. It will take some planning. I usually drive into Aurora and catch the Metra train into Union Station. Cabs are the easiest option (kinda expensive but I'm willing to pay extra if it saves me having to drive around lost or looking for parking that isn't friggin expensive) Check online at Trip Advisor too, you'll get some good ideas and advice there. Have fun!

[mopinko]

13. i would recommend trying priceline for a hotel

the regular rates are high everywhere, but i think there should be some last minute bargains.

if you want beer, go to chicago's first and still best brewpub-http://gooseisland.com

lots of good eatin' in the little store fronts along most arterial streets. lots of them are byob.

tons of museums. everything from art to surgery and everything in between.
i think navy pier is mostly a tourist trap, but a good place to catch a boat ride. their are architecture boat tours. i think they take off from by the wriggly building.

when are you coming? come on over to the illinois forum if you are interested in meeting the locals. most of us are harmless.

[hibbing]

14. My list

Hi,
I love Chicago, some things I like doing when there.

Art Institute of Chicago - World class permanent collection and always something good in addition.
Shedd Aquarium - Old style aquarium but fun
Museum of Science and Industry - All kinds of nifty exhibits
The Field Museum - Natural history museum. Has Sue the most complete T-Rex dinosaur skeleton.
Wrigley Field
Second City - Improv theater where most of the original SNL players started, has always been pretty funny shows when I have been there.

One place I haven't been to is the diner where the wait staff is all snarky, not sure of the name of the place, but it sure looks fun.

Just my thoughts, depends on what you are interested in.

Peace

[Catshrink]

15. Ed Debevic's is the diner.

A curiosity -- the rest of your list is better.

[hibbing]

16. yes

Hi,
Okay, thanks! Have you been there? The pieces I have seen on t.v. seemed like more promotional pieces, but I do like the concept.

Peace

[mopinko]

27. it's fun.

depends on your sense of humor, i guess. we took a couple kids there for birthdays. they thought it was fun. food is good, not that expensive.
don't go if you are prone to oldies ear worms. jackson five stick in your head? run.

also in that same neighborhood, if you are looking for something cheaper is the rock and roll mcdonalds. worth a visit. also many art galleries in this neighborhood.

[MajorChode]

17. I've traveled all over the US and never been to Chicago

I've been all up and down the east coast from Maine to Florida. I've been to Alaska and Hawaii. I've been to every southern and southwest state and to every west coast state. I've been all up and down the rocky mountain states from El Paso to the Canadian border in a small aircraft.

Chicago is somewhere I've always wanted to go. My grandparents went there in the 1930's when the only transportation they had was an Indian motorcycle with a sidecar. Many of the roads were unimproved and on the way back my grandfather hit a pot hole, was thrown from the bike, and broke his wrist. My grandmother had to drive the rest of the way home. They always spoke of that trip fondly. I still have the pictures. It shames me a bit that I've never been there.

[ArtVandelay]

18. Fronterra Grill, Rick Bayless' restaurant

My sister has been there and said best Mexican food ever, best meal ever. If I had an extra hour in Chicago that's where I would go!

[OmahaBlueDog]

19. 1. Get a bus pass

2. There is a company that sells a thing called a "Go Chicago" card -- it gets you into a bunch of museums and tourist traps for a very reasonable per day price. They also have their own bus.

http://www.smartdestinations.com/chicago-attractions-and-tours/_d_Chi-p1.html

On edit: Seriously, I bought it when I was in Chicago with the wife and kids and it was miney well spent, because we did a bunch of stuff -- like the river cruise -- that we would not have done if we'd have had to reach into our wallets for each thing. They have a similar deal that just gets you into the big Museums -- go to one of the museum websites.

3. I have stayed at the Marriott on the Magnificant Mile, the Renaissance on Wacker, and the Fairfield on Ontario. I like them all, but I really love two things about the Renaissance on Wacker. a) get a room on the side that looks down on the marquis of the Chicago Theater and b) the rear of the place is right at an "El" stop; you can take the "El" from Midway right to the rear door of the hotel. Unbeatably cheap.

4. Bring a jacket and walking shoes

5. At either 439 North Wells Street or 805 S. State Street, you will need to stop, say a brief prayer of thanks, and eat some deep dish Pizza. These are Lou Malnat's downtown locations, and should serve as the standard against whatever other deep dish (Genos, Giordanos, Unos, Home Run Inn) you care to try should be measured.

6. Navy Pier Rawks!

7. Definitly do the Art Institute, The Field, and The Museum of Science & Industry. The Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Contemporary Art worth doing.

8. See a ballgame

9. Go to the fabulous parks

10. See some Frank LLoyd Wright architecture

[OmahaBlueDog]

20. Oh -- and

Go to the Signature Room. It is the restaurant atop the John Hancock building. If you don't want to do dinner, see if you can go to the bar around sunset for drinks. It's neat to look over the lakeshore by sunlight, and then see the city transform into city lights at night.

[Norquist Nemesis]

32. Whaaa! Now you're making me want to go into the city for a night

Ahhhh...love walking around city on a nice night, especially after being out on the water or to a game during the day.

[grace0418]

21. ooh, ooh, I totally want to answer this but I have work to do. Let me bookmark

this and get back to you. Chicago is my hometown, and I've lived in the city proper for 17 years.

[OmahaBlueDog]

22. k

[Beer Snob-50]

23. went for a long weekend last year

got my hotel via priceline (stayed at a beautiful hotel for under 200/night)
traveled everywhere (even from the airport) via the subway system
visited a few museums, saw ballgames at both major league stadiums
took a boat tour
oh and the food was great (more than just deep dish pizza)

great vacation

[mix]

24. clubbing...underground house...look for it in the local weeklies n/t

[bikebloke]

25. Gangsters

Not a real problem, as long as you stay out of their way. Al Capone has that city in his pocket.:evilgrin:

[mopinko]

26. hey, the gangster bus tour might be fun.

i never did it, but you see the black buses around now and then.

[abq e streeter]

28. haven't lived there in many years, but the museums are world class

Natural History, aquarium, and planetarium are literally across the street from each other at the south end of downtown , right on the lake shore, and just a few miles south on Lake Shore Drive is the amazing Museum of Science and Industry; last time I was there they had a huge DaVinci exhibit; doubt its still there, but I assume there's always equally incredible traveling exhibits there. The Art Institute and Buckingham Fountain, in the middle of downtown are wonderful too. And if your musical tastes include blues, it doesn't get any better than Chicago...hopefully some other Duers can recommend specific places.

[trof]

29. Slicker Sam's. Melrose Park. Dungenus Crab legs to die for.

http://www.restaurantlistings.com/members/premium/site/ViewMenus.external?sp=l916054

[Norquist Nemesis]

31. What do you WANT to see?

If you want museums...Field, Shedd Aquarium, Art Museum, Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium or maybe something a little offbeat like Peggy Notebart's Nature Museum or the Dusable.

Personally, I'd recommend taking in a show at one of the fantastic theatres and see something like Jersey Boys, Rent, or Wicked. Take the architectural boat tour. And just to say you did it, pay the $8 (or maybe it's $10 now) to ride the elevator to the top of the Sears Tower.

Food's great and depends on what you're looking for to get good eats. It might be a small corner diner or a top-line Italian, Greek, German, Sushi, or even melt in your mouth $teak. All depends on what you're looking for.

And if you're up for it...hit a place like House of Blues with live music. Gotta hit the blues when you're in Chicago.

[Richard Steele]

33. They have a great 'modern art' museum there.

The outside is like 50 million dollars worth of stupid SHIT...
some big white moving abomination executed by an "engineer" who wanted
to be an Artist, but didn't have enough genuine TALENT
to be worthy of sucking Calder's dick...

But once you get inside, they have some very nice things, well displayed.
Things you won't see anywhere else. I recommend it highly.