critique my 30-hour CHICAGO itinerary
Oct 2nd, 2006, 09:57 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
critique my 30-hour CHICAGO itinerary
INTRO:
We have a wedding this weekend (oct 7-8) in Champaign, and decided to sneak in a quick Chicago visit Sun/Mon (10/8-9) since we’re flying in/out of Midway. We only have about 30 hours in the city, which is a miniscule amount of time to see a great big city like Chitown. But we’ve never been, so a quick taste will have to suffice until we can take a real trip to Chicago someday.
SUNDAY:
Drive in from Champaign, arrive just after Bears kickoff (around 12:30) and take scenic route up Lake Shore drive to the Gold Coast area and see if we can check in at the Ambassador East Hotel a bit early.
Was considering lunch at the Hancock, but after reading countless online reviews mentioning long waits and over-priced food that’s not great, I’m thinking if we’re starving we should catch a slice at a local pizza place and save the Hancock for a drink or 2 later in the afternoon or early evening.
Head down to the Art Institute for a (relatively) quick walk thru, then do the same at the Photography Museum. (from the Ambassador or the Hancock, should we take a cab to the Institute, or is there a better option?) From there, walk thru Millenium Park and Grant Park and make our way toward Buckingham Fountain and then walk (or cab?) down to Adler. Don’t think we have time to actually go into Shedd or Adler, but using Fodor’s Chicago page “scenic walk of the town” feature as a guideline, figured we’d make our way down that way and take a water taxi up to Navy Pier as we head back toward our hotel neighborhood for the evening. (I’ve heard Navy Pier is touristy and not worth our time, so if we end up there, we’d likely cab it back to the hotel or straight to dinner. But, since we ARE tourists, I’d be open to eating at Navy Pier if the timing and food/view/football-watching factors are right.)
If we didn’t hit it earlier, perhaps we’d do drinks at Hancock in this spot. For dinner, we’d like to be somewhere we can watch the Steelers Sunday Night Football game. Perhaps a pizza place that shows games would work in this dinner slot (assuming we didn’t have pizza for lunch). (ESPNzone is “ranked the #1 sports bar in Chicago” according to some sites, but I’ve been to other locations and would prefer something more “local” for both atmosphere and better food.)
Depending how that goes, and how tired we are at that point, perhaps we could hit a blues club for a nightcap before heading back to the Ambassador. I’m vaguely familiar with places like Buddy Guy’s, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., and other semi-famous spots, but I’m guessing the one closest to our hotel might have to suffice.
MONDAY:
Walk the Mag.Mile area in the morning (including brunch or lunch), and then check out around noon (or later if they allow). Not sure if they’ll let us leave our car parked for a few more hours or if we’ll have to get it out of the hotel garage upon check out. Next is the Architectural Boat Tour on the river (probably the 2pm), and if we had to take our car out, I guess we should park in the millennium garage for the boat tour?). Following that, we’d have time to head somewhere for an early dinner before heading to Midway at around 7:00 for our 9:30pm flight.
COMMENTS:
As we get closer, I’ll keep checking the weather. If one day looks better than the other, that might dictate which day we want to do the boat tour (and the Hancock).
Each day is sorta set up so they could be switched, based on weather or other reasons you might suggest. We could get in on Sunday and hit the boat tour and then walk back up Mag.Mile on our way back to the hotel. Then we’d do the museum/millennium park on Monday. The only problem with that is that I was planning to get the boat tour tix in advance, and I’d hate to get them for a certain time on Sunday and for whatever reason end up running late and being rushed to get to the tour on time.
We’re both mid-30’s so we’re cool with walking a lot. We’ll have our rental car, but since parking is scarce and expensive, would prefer to leave it in our $39 hotel garage spot until it’s time to leave town. Feel free to recommend ideal public transportation for the routes/locations I’ve mentioned. Perhaps cabbing (or subway) to/from certain spots could save us time, as we don’t have much to spare!
Also, I welcome your dining suggestions. We MUST have pizza at least once. I know there’s not one answer to the “best Chicago pizza” question, but perhaps some of the best/famous ones might fit in to our itinerary based on location/convenience within our itinerary. (and again, maybe we’ll hit whichever one is known to show football Sunday nights). Other lunch and dinner suggestions also welcome. We’re considering dinner in Greektown Monday before the airport, but we’re flexible, and don’t need the “nicest” or “best” restaurant, since the wedding and hotels and everything else will exhaust our modest budget. Don’t need to overspend on a fancy dinner; GREAT food at a local “hole-in-the-wall” type place is just fine. As you can tell I’m a pizza freak, but if there’s other must-eat Chicago traditions, let me know. We’d almost definitely have our car at that point, so the Monday dinner could pretty much be anywhere within reason in the city and/or between the city and Midway.
OUTRO:
Thanks in advance. I already know from all my recent threads that there are several knowledgeable and very helpful Chicago people around here, so I thank all of you for your past help in shaping this tentative itinerary.
We have a wedding this weekend (oct 7-8) in Champaign, and decided to sneak in a quick Chicago visit Sun/Mon (10/8-9) since we’re flying in/out of Midway. We only have about 30 hours in the city, which is a miniscule amount of time to see a great big city like Chitown. But we’ve never been, so a quick taste will have to suffice until we can take a real trip to Chicago someday.
SUNDAY:
Drive in from Champaign, arrive just after Bears kickoff (around 12:30) and take scenic route up Lake Shore drive to the Gold Coast area and see if we can check in at the Ambassador East Hotel a bit early.
Was considering lunch at the Hancock, but after reading countless online reviews mentioning long waits and over-priced food that’s not great, I’m thinking if we’re starving we should catch a slice at a local pizza place and save the Hancock for a drink or 2 later in the afternoon or early evening.
Head down to the Art Institute for a (relatively) quick walk thru, then do the same at the Photography Museum. (from the Ambassador or the Hancock, should we take a cab to the Institute, or is there a better option?) From there, walk thru Millenium Park and Grant Park and make our way toward Buckingham Fountain and then walk (or cab?) down to Adler. Don’t think we have time to actually go into Shedd or Adler, but using Fodor’s Chicago page “scenic walk of the town” feature as a guideline, figured we’d make our way down that way and take a water taxi up to Navy Pier as we head back toward our hotel neighborhood for the evening. (I’ve heard Navy Pier is touristy and not worth our time, so if we end up there, we’d likely cab it back to the hotel or straight to dinner. But, since we ARE tourists, I’d be open to eating at Navy Pier if the timing and food/view/football-watching factors are right.)
If we didn’t hit it earlier, perhaps we’d do drinks at Hancock in this spot. For dinner, we’d like to be somewhere we can watch the Steelers Sunday Night Football game. Perhaps a pizza place that shows games would work in this dinner slot (assuming we didn’t have pizza for lunch). (ESPNzone is “ranked the #1 sports bar in Chicago” according to some sites, but I’ve been to other locations and would prefer something more “local” for both atmosphere and better food.)
Depending how that goes, and how tired we are at that point, perhaps we could hit a blues club for a nightcap before heading back to the Ambassador. I’m vaguely familiar with places like Buddy Guy’s, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., and other semi-famous spots, but I’m guessing the one closest to our hotel might have to suffice.
MONDAY:
Walk the Mag.Mile area in the morning (including brunch or lunch), and then check out around noon (or later if they allow). Not sure if they’ll let us leave our car parked for a few more hours or if we’ll have to get it out of the hotel garage upon check out. Next is the Architectural Boat Tour on the river (probably the 2pm), and if we had to take our car out, I guess we should park in the millennium garage for the boat tour?). Following that, we’d have time to head somewhere for an early dinner before heading to Midway at around 7:00 for our 9:30pm flight.
COMMENTS:
As we get closer, I’ll keep checking the weather. If one day looks better than the other, that might dictate which day we want to do the boat tour (and the Hancock).
Each day is sorta set up so they could be switched, based on weather or other reasons you might suggest. We could get in on Sunday and hit the boat tour and then walk back up Mag.Mile on our way back to the hotel. Then we’d do the museum/millennium park on Monday. The only problem with that is that I was planning to get the boat tour tix in advance, and I’d hate to get them for a certain time on Sunday and for whatever reason end up running late and being rushed to get to the tour on time.
We’re both mid-30’s so we’re cool with walking a lot. We’ll have our rental car, but since parking is scarce and expensive, would prefer to leave it in our $39 hotel garage spot until it’s time to leave town. Feel free to recommend ideal public transportation for the routes/locations I’ve mentioned. Perhaps cabbing (or subway) to/from certain spots could save us time, as we don’t have much to spare!
Also, I welcome your dining suggestions. We MUST have pizza at least once. I know there’s not one answer to the “best Chicago pizza” question, but perhaps some of the best/famous ones might fit in to our itinerary based on location/convenience within our itinerary. (and again, maybe we’ll hit whichever one is known to show football Sunday nights). Other lunch and dinner suggestions also welcome. We’re considering dinner in Greektown Monday before the airport, but we’re flexible, and don’t need the “nicest” or “best” restaurant, since the wedding and hotels and everything else will exhaust our modest budget. Don’t need to overspend on a fancy dinner; GREAT food at a local “hole-in-the-wall” type place is just fine. As you can tell I’m a pizza freak, but if there’s other must-eat Chicago traditions, let me know. We’d almost definitely have our car at that point, so the Monday dinner could pretty much be anywhere within reason in the city and/or between the city and Midway.
OUTRO:
Thanks in advance. I already know from all my recent threads that there are several knowledgeable and very helpful Chicago people around here, so I thank all of you for your past help in shaping this tentative itinerary.
Oct 2nd, 2006, 10:33 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My kids like the Navy Pier, but they like Bubba Gumps. With all the fabulous and incredible eateries in this GREAT city, don't waste a meal at the Pier! DO take the water taxi though, it's so relaxing and a great way to enjoy the skyline.
Oct 2nd, 2006, 10:35 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is there more than one water taxi in Chicago? I know the one I always see near Union Station doesn't resume service until spring 2007.
http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/today.asp
http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/today.asp
Oct 2nd, 2006, 10:57 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
looking around, i found a couple of "steelers bars" in chicago, not far from our hotel neighborhood. might consider one of those after dinner, or as a casual place to eat dinner, depending on the timing of our day.
i'm guessing these places will only have run-of-the-mill pub fare, but perhaps these bars could end up being decent dinner options:
JOE’s, (940 W. Weed St.)
Durkin's Bar (810 W Diversey Pkwy)
The Dark Horse Tap and Grille (3443 N. Sheffield)
i'm guessing these places will only have run-of-the-mill pub fare, but perhaps these bars could end up being decent dinner options:
JOE’s, (940 W. Weed St.)
Durkin's Bar (810 W Diversey Pkwy)
The Dark Horse Tap and Grille (3443 N. Sheffield)
Oct 2nd, 2006, 11:30 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know you'll need it to get to/from Champaign but why pay your rental fee plus $40/day to have it sit in the hotel lot?
If you returned your car to MDW on Sunday, you could take the Orange Line "L" train into downtown. It would take about 45 minutes and costs $2.
You can also purchase a visitor pass which allows unlimited rides for a 24-hour period. A 1-day pass is $5, 2-day is $9. You'll still get great views on the "L" as you approach the city and avoid the traffic around Soldier Field.
Take the Orange Line to Roosevelt and transfer to the Red Line toward Howard. Exit the Red Line at Clark/Division. Walk 2 blocks east on Division to State, then turn left 2 more blocks to the hotel. The only drawback is that the Clark/Division station doesn't have elevators.
If you'll have lots of luggage and can't manage the stairs, take the Orange Line to Clark/Lake. From there, you can catch a cab to the AE for only a few dollars. You can get complete transit info and maps at www.transitchicago.com.
To get back to downtown from your hotel, you can take the Red Line or walk two blocks to Lakeshore Drive and catch the Number 151 bus southbound. It will take you to the Mag Mile and Millennium/Grant Park.
If you returned your car to MDW on Sunday, you could take the Orange Line "L" train into downtown. It would take about 45 minutes and costs $2.
You can also purchase a visitor pass which allows unlimited rides for a 24-hour period. A 1-day pass is $5, 2-day is $9. You'll still get great views on the "L" as you approach the city and avoid the traffic around Soldier Field.
Take the Orange Line to Roosevelt and transfer to the Red Line toward Howard. Exit the Red Line at Clark/Division. Walk 2 blocks east on Division to State, then turn left 2 more blocks to the hotel. The only drawback is that the Clark/Division station doesn't have elevators.
If you'll have lots of luggage and can't manage the stairs, take the Orange Line to Clark/Lake. From there, you can catch a cab to the AE for only a few dollars. You can get complete transit info and maps at www.transitchicago.com.
To get back to downtown from your hotel, you can take the Red Line or walk two blocks to Lakeshore Drive and catch the Number 151 bus southbound. It will take you to the Mag Mile and Millennium/Grant Park.
Oct 2nd, 2006, 11:39 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for the info, citylghts.
i considered returning the car sunday as you mention. decided to keep it because our flight is not until 9:30pm, and didn't want to carry our luggage around on public transportation (and to dinner and whatever else we end up doing) between checkout and heading to Midway.
i considered returning the car sunday as you mention. decided to keep it because our flight is not until 9:30pm, and didn't want to carry our luggage around on public transportation (and to dinner and whatever else we end up doing) between checkout and heading to Midway.
Oct 2nd, 2006, 12:31 PM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't have the car you don't have to schlep your luggage with you all day. After you check out of your room, you can check your bags with the bell captain. All you need to do is tip the bellman about $1-2 per bag when you retrieve them.
Actually, if you'll be downtown most of the day and don't want to head north again to retrieve them you could take the bags with you and check them at any hotel. At most of the larger hotels the bellman's stand isn't near the front desk so the bellman doesn't know if you just checked out or did a video checkout from your room. Since you're tipping him, he probably doesn't care either.
Actually, if you'll be downtown most of the day and don't want to head north again to retrieve them you could take the bags with you and check them at any hotel. At most of the larger hotels the bellman's stand isn't near the front desk so the bellman doesn't know if you just checked out or did a video checkout from your room. Since you're tipping him, he probably doesn't care either.
Oct 2nd, 2006, 12:43 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
another solid tip citylghts.
BUT, i got my car rental thru Priceline and cant change it. so i'm okay with the extra day rental fee + $39 for the hotel garage and i've accepted that as part of the cost of our trip.
that aside, still welcoming suggestions, tips, recommendations, and tweaks to my itinerary.
thanks!
BUT, i got my car rental thru Priceline and cant change it. so i'm okay with the extra day rental fee + $39 for the hotel garage and i've accepted that as part of the cost of our trip.
that aside, still welcoming suggestions, tips, recommendations, and tweaks to my itinerary.
thanks!
Oct 3rd, 2006, 07:45 AM
#13
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The neighborhood you are staying is worth a walk through...the houses (mansions) are gorgeous. You can walk north and you will hit Lincoln Park...The Chicago History Museum (formerly the Chicago Historical Society) is at the south end of Lincoln Park (right at North Ave and Clark St) and just reponed last weekend. They used to have a nice restaurant there that has been replaced by a Wolfgang Puck restaurant...may be worth checking out. I hear the Museum has a fantastic Christian Dior designer exhibit...complete with gowns, etc.
If it's nice, and you want to walk more, from the south end of Lincoln Park, you can cross over the bridge and walk back south towards the Mag Mile. Personally, I would prefer that than spending too much time on the Mag Mile (I'm not a big shopper). It's worth seeing (particularly the windows of some of the upscale shops).
Don't miss having a drink in your hotel at the Pump Room. On weekends (Fri/Sat) they have music, not sure about abouther nights), but the celebrity pictures are fun to look at.
You can walk from the Ambassador to the Art Institute - it will be a bit of a walk, but you said you were walkers (it's a couple of miles)...conincidently, to get from the Ambassador to the Art Institute, you walk right down the...Mag Mile!
It is also a nice walk from the Art Institute to Alder Planatarium (of course, by now - including the art institute), you will have walked very far!
I can't help you with places to watch a football game...sorry. Hope you enjoy yourself.
If it's nice, and you want to walk more, from the south end of Lincoln Park, you can cross over the bridge and walk back south towards the Mag Mile. Personally, I would prefer that than spending too much time on the Mag Mile (I'm not a big shopper). It's worth seeing (particularly the windows of some of the upscale shops).
Don't miss having a drink in your hotel at the Pump Room. On weekends (Fri/Sat) they have music, not sure about abouther nights), but the celebrity pictures are fun to look at.
You can walk from the Ambassador to the Art Institute - it will be a bit of a walk, but you said you were walkers (it's a couple of miles)...conincidently, to get from the Ambassador to the Art Institute, you walk right down the...Mag Mile!
It is also a nice walk from the Art Institute to Alder Planatarium (of course, by now - including the art institute), you will have walked very far!
I can't help you with places to watch a football game...sorry. Hope you enjoy yourself.
Oct 3rd, 2006, 08:48 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks Laura. it's sometimes tough to tell on maps what is walkable and what isn't. sometimes things that look close on the map might not be (or vise-versa).
i figure depending how things go, we could walk down Mag.Mile on our way down to the Institute, or walk back up Mag.Mile after the boat tour.
i figure depending how things go, we could walk down Mag.Mile on our way down to the Institute, or walk back up Mag.Mile after the boat tour.
Oct 3rd, 2006, 09:55 AM
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second Laura's suggestion of the Dior exhibit if you have time. I saw it on Saturday and it was great.
To judge distances, an easy rule is that every 800 addresses equals one mile. The AE is at 1300 N State. water Tower Place is at 835 N Michigan so they're about 400 numbers apart or roughly one-half mile. The Art Institute is 111 S Michigan or 1400 numbers away or roughly 1.75 miles.
However, a word of warning. If you do visit the History Museum and see the exhibit on local artist Ed Pashke, don't try to find his studio. The signs in the exhibit show his address as the 300 block of W Howard Street. This isn't correct because the way the shoreline curves, it would be about a mile into the lake.#-o
To judge distances, an easy rule is that every 800 addresses equals one mile. The AE is at 1300 N State. water Tower Place is at 835 N Michigan so they're about 400 numbers apart or roughly one-half mile. The Art Institute is 111 S Michigan or 1400 numbers away or roughly 1.75 miles.
However, a word of warning. If you do visit the History Museum and see the exhibit on local artist Ed Pashke, don't try to find his studio. The signs in the exhibit show his address as the 300 block of W Howard Street. This isn't correct because the way the shoreline curves, it would be about a mile into the lake.#-o
Oct 3rd, 2006, 01:03 PM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes. Actually, they own several restaurants and most have an Italian menu. There is Rosebud on Rush, Carmine's at 1043 Rush just south of Division and Rosebud Steak House on E Walton next to The Drake Hotel.
Oct 3rd, 2006, 07:45 PM
#20
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes..Italian. We walked past it and I almost "picked that one" but sort of froze...what if there was something better down the road. 4 blocks later I realized I did want to eat there. We ended up at La Strada by Millenium Park it was good but I should not have froze!
