1st Time in Chicago
 

I am going to be in Chicago July 8-13 and need all kinds of advice.
1. Should I rent a car? How is public transport?

2. What part of Chicago should I stay in? I will be traveling alone so preferably a safe neighborhood.

3. I love to eat out. Any 5 places I just should not miss?

4. Does Chicago have a culinary school?

5. Any shopping tips?

6. Which airport should I fly into? Does it matter?

Thanks!

Hi -- depending on where you are staying, you probably don't need a car. We use taxis everywhere there; they are readily available in the downtown area. Other people use the "el" train, and that's fine too. If you can, stay downtown on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave). That's where the best shopping is and many good restaurants. Very nice hotels in the area, but also more expensive than the outlying areas. I've only flown in O'Hare, but flying into Midway is closer to downtown and it is a smaller airport, so you might want to fly there if the fares are comparable. There is much Chicago info posted on this board and in many travel books. Good luck and have fun!

Definitely don't rent a car, there is good public transportation and cabs are plentiful and affordable. Most tourists stay in North Michigan Avenue, where there is great shopping, restaurants, easy access to sights, etc. Either airport is OK, take the one that gives you the best fare and most convenient flights. You could reach your hotel via the el from either airport, or a cab shouldn't be more than $30-$35.

Couldn't really limit the restaurants you shouldn't miss to 5, but would have to know more about your tastes and budget to be more helpful.

I know two culinary schools, there may be more. The Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park and there is also one in Evanston at Kendall College.

You can find all kinds of shopping here, from the major chains on Michigan Avenue, to interesting boutiques etc. on Oak Street and in Chicago's trendy residential neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Bucktown, De Paul, etc.

I wouldn't rent a car, it is expensive to park it. We usually take taxis or walk everywhere when visiting.

I have stayed on Michigan Avenue, The Loop and River North and enjoyed them all, except I think the Chicago Hilton is a little far down for my taste.

As for restaurants, my favorite in Chicago is Geja's, but there are so many to chose from.

As for shopping tips start on one end of Michigan go from there.

Wanted to add forget about Geja's. You said you were traveling alone (the previous poster must have overlooked that). Geja's is considered one of the, if not the, most romantic restaurant in the city. Not a solo dining place. By the way, I've lived here for six and a half years and never owned a car. You can handle it for a week! Public transport is easy. Regardless of what airport you fly into, I would take the "L" into the city. ($1.50). Easy and cheap. Then you can always cab it to your hotel from there for a few bucks. For a first timer to Chicago, most people would stay in the North Michigan Avenue area. Buses are always running up and down the avenue. You could also take the 151 north for a short bus ride up to Lincoln Park. Free zoo, tons of restaurants and night life.

I can definitely put in my two cents regarding food ;)

Unless it has opened within the past year, I think the other poster is mistaken about a CIA campus in Chicago. Kendall College does have a culinary program, but the one to check out is the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (CHIC). They have an on-campus that serves lunch everyday for a ridiculously low price. The food is top-notch.

Other restaurants to "not miss":
Erwin, Zinfandel, Gino's East (the best Chicago-style pizza), Blackbird and Bin 36.

If you like New Orleans food, the restaurant Heaven on Seven is great! There are a few locations downtown. The tables are loaded with more bottles of hot sauce than you ever thought existed. Everything is homemade and tastes delicious. Cash only, though.

Our favorite downtown hotel is the Hotel Inter-Continental. The original part of the building was constructed in the 1920s. It's at the start of the Miracle Mile with a location that's hard to beat. There's even a pool, also original, that Johnny Weismuller used to swim in. It has beautiful mosaic tiles.

As for shopping, I never miss dropping in on Filenes Basement, also on the Miracle Mile. Not as good as the Boston original, but much closer to us!
You will surely find a fine designer bargain in Filenes.

Just an FYI--we paid $30 a night for parking at the Sheraton in downtown Chicago. I would avoid a car as we ended walking to most places anyways.

The CIA is in Hyde Park, New York. I don't think they have a branch in Hyde Park, Illinois. For things to do, the Art Institue and the Museum of Science and Industry are excellent. The boat tour of the harbor is fun when your feet are tired.

1. A car is not necessary as long as you are staying in the downtown area.

2. The best areas to stay would either be the Loop or along North Michigan Avenue ("The Magnificent Mile")

3. One place that you should not miss is Giordano's for great hicao syle pizza.

4. Not sure about a Culinary institute.

5. North Michigan Avenue (Water Tower Place) and around the Loop are there are many stores including Marshall Field's.

6. Depnds on where you are coming from. If you are flying in from the midwest or east coast then you will most likely fly into Midway, which is the closest to downtown. otherwise you will fly into O'hare, unless you are taking ATA (American Trans Air)

1. Like the others said ... no car.

2. Michigan Avenue: Marriott, Inter-Continental, Four Seasons, Ritz, Penninsula, Park Hyatt, Drake, Westin

or Gold Coast area (very near to Michigan Ave): Sutton Place, lots of small boutique hotels ... The Tremont, The Whitehall

3. Without knowing your tastes here are 10 different restaurants that will give you a good taste of Chicago dining:

1.Gibson's (steakhouse)
2. Topolobompo/Frontera Grill (upscale Mexican)
3. Spiaggia (Italian)
4. Shaw's (seafood)
5. Pizzeria Uno or Due
6. Sushi Wabi
7. Marche or Kiki's Bistro (French)
8. Red Light (Pan Asian)
9. mk (contemporary American)
10. Bin 36 (great food paired with flights of wine, cafe and wine shop all in one)

4. Not sure what you mean here ... are you just looking to take a single cooking class? If so, there are 2 great places I would recommend:

The Chopping Block
www.thechoppingblock.net

Very cute, cozy ... school and store are in a little brownstone in Lincoln Park.

Sur La Table (just off Michigan Ave)
A little more glitzy, you may have heard of this store before. This location has an excellent classroom upstairs offering all kinds of great classes.

http://www.surlatable.com/cooking/index.cfm

You can check out what classes they both offer on their websites. I would highly recommend!

5. Definitely Michigan Ave. But also take a cab up to Halsted and Armitage ... my favorite shopping area. Go North on Halsted or West on Armitage. Lots of unique stores.

6. Doesn't matter which airport you fly into.

Just went a few months back to explore Chicago:

Stayed at W Hotel at Navy Pier. Safe, clean and walking distance.

"Nine" is an excellent restaurant!!! Now one of my favorites!