Chicago
 

Hi, we are visiting Chicago in June. We are staying at the Hyatt on Wacker. Can we walk to Navy Pier from here or should we get a cab? We are booked on the Odyssey cruise for a Saturday night. We are Brits in the US for the first time. Also what are good places to eat, price irrelevant. Thanks!

It's not a long walk at all and I think you'll really enjoy it. Your location is superb. I can't really help you on the dining recommendations but there are so many great places to eat in Chicago that it's unreal. One suggestion if you would like something that is VERY good and has a nice, but not formal ambiance near your hotel:

http://www.emiliostapas.com/solynieve.htm

It's excellent. Enjoy your trip!

Ooops! I didn't put the Odyssey cruise and the Navy Pier question together in my response about walking it -- just talking about Navy Pier and the location of the Hyatt in general terms.

Walking from the Hyatt to Navy Pier will take about 20 minutes.

There are plenty of good places to eat in Chicago; you can check eater's reviews at metromix.com or chireader.com. Since price is no object, you might like Red Light or Arun's (fusion Thai-Chinese), Roy's (Hawaiian), Ambria (French)or one of our great steak places. I'm sure many other Chicagoans will weigh in with their favorites

Chicago has TONS of great resturants. What type of Food are you interesed in?
If price is no object then here are some of my favorites.

Ambria(mentioned before)- French
Everest - Also French
topolobampo- Authentic Mexican
Spaggia - italian
MK - new american

Havent Been but these are supposed to be fantastic:

TRU - New French
Charlie Trotters
Gibsons Steak house (some say this is the best in the country - but I have yet to sample)

There is many many others
Go to www.chicagoreader.com and click resturants on the left hand side, there are all kinds of reviews as well a search engine that will show you restruants (and there ratings) in the immedtiate area that you will be (the hyatt can be considered Loop,near north,mag mile,or river north - for purposes of that search engine, or just choose DOWNTOWN)


I agree with the other posters - in the day, go ahead and walk to navy pier, but at night for the odessy I would take a cab

Have fun

Harry Caray's restaurant is good (steak), Frontera Grill (authentic Mexican not TexMex), The Berghoff (German), Ed Debevic's (diner style), Pizza Uno or Due, and Billy Goat Tavern (Saturday Night Live fame). Have fun. Great City!

Excellent. Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. We like most food really, the only thing we probably wouldn't eat is Sushi, so all recommendations are welcome. I'm going to print these replies off and take them with us to Chicago. Once again thank you, you've all been very helpful.

Charley: You stated price is irrelevant & since we don't know what is considered high in your Neck of the woods, pls be advised that
1. Charlie Trotters has 2 set menus:
$100 vegetarian & $125 w/meat. Allow at least 2-1/2 hrs for dinner & be forewarned, the acoustics are lousy.

Culinarily Chicago has much to offer
& among my faves are Ambria & Coco Pazzo.

As for prices, I'd say we wouldn't pay over $200 for a meal. But ideally we'd like to pay alot less than that! I only said price irrelevant to get an idea and maybe book up one special restuarant. In Britain we get such a good rate of exchange at the moment and our money goes alot further.

I wonder does anyone know if there are any English bars in Chicago with a large TV screen? It's not because I'll be homesick, but it's the European Football Championships in June and it would be nicer to watch in a bar than in our hotel room!! Thanks in advance

Elephant And Castle is an english pub in the loop not far from the Hyatt. they mostly have an after work crowd. I am not sure about Football though.

The fancy stuff has all been covered, I'll just mention that Everest has a couple of fixed price options that would bring the bill in under $200, check out the website at:
http://www.leye.com/restaurants/rest_home.jsp?id=9

If you are looking for a little more casual dining, I'll suggest the following:

Spanish tapas-Cafe Iberico 739 N. LaSalle, very busy on weekends, no reservations

Steak/chicken/chops-Wildfire 1589 W. Erie, the horseradish crusted filet is delicious, also busy, get reservations

menu at http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/se...enu/dinner.htm

seafood-Joe's Stone Crab at 60 E. Grand, best crab cakes I've ever had

menu at http://www.leye.com/restaurants/menus/joe.htm

deep dish pizza-take your pick, favorites include Lou Malnati's, Gino's and Pizzeria Uno-multiple locations

stuffed pizza-Giordano's or Edwardo's-multiple locations

French bistro-Mon Ami Gabi-2300 N. Lincoln Park West, near the zoo and next door to Ambria which was already mentioned http://www.monamigabi.com/

Greek-lots of options in Greek town, my personal fave is Greek Islands

Burgers-Boston Blackie's-164 E. Grand, I think they have the best burgers in the city, Ed Debevic's is geared more towards younger folks and the food is only average at best http://www.bostonblackies.com/

A couple more websites you might want to check out-www.chowhound.com, a website for serious diners and www.opentable.com for reservations to many of the topspots in Chicago.

Once again thanks for all your replies. We don't want to go crazy with the meal, so probably would exclude the really nop notch restaurants otherwise we'll be broke! Looks like we may have to trawl the TV channels for Eurosport or watch the football on the web maybe! Thanks.

Although I'm not personally familiar with Chicago bars showing European sports, I am quite sure some exist. You might try doing a search on www.Metromix.com (the Chicago Tribune's entertainment site) or the Chicago Reader www.chireader.com.

Here's a link for one I found, the Sedgwick, but I've never been in the place
http://entertainment.metromix.chicag...l-7349,00.html

Walking from the Chicago Hyatt to Navy Pier is tricky. You can cross over to the north side of Wacker Drive in front of the hotel and above the Chicago River. Then you can either walk west, (left) towards Michigan Ave. to the steps that lead down to the river walk or east (right) to Columbus Drive to the steps there.

Two flights down, walk east, towards the lake, the open area, through the tree lined path and meet up with the lake front path to Navy Pier. There is a short cut at the Lake Shore Drive Bridge before the tunnel. Walk up the stairs to the bridge, then across the river to Illinois street.

A good inexpensive place to eat, down the street from the Hyatt, is J.R. Randolph?s, at Michigan and Randolph. Steaks, chicken, pasta, bar food and specials.

This place is a Sports Bar/Restaurant with many regular size TVs. They are a friendly bunch and could possible put the game up if you need a place in a pinch.

The best part, J.R. shares the same kitchen and many of the menu items with the pricy upscale La Strada, Restaurant, next door, http://entertainment.metromix.chicag...l-4123,00.html

But, the food is half the price. J.R. offers the least expensive food of that type in the area.

Many of the items on the menu are freshly made, unlike the process food that is served at Bennigan?s and Houlihan?s, which are the next closet ?sport bar? type options near the Hyatt. Although the bar scene at the above mention places will have more visitors, J.R.?s is a bit of a local spot.

Saying that, I would pick another place, other than La Strada, to eat if we were going to pay up for a meal.

Thank you both, that's really kind of you to find that information out for me. We'll certainly check out J R Randolphs and Sedgwicks for the impending game! Thanks

Do hope you will be visiting the Art
Institute while you are there. Chicago's other museums are first rate -
the Field Museum, Museum of Science and
Industry, Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium,
Adler Planetarium. There is also a
museum of contemporary art. Lots of
theater. Lincoln Park Zoo is fun, and
free. You might also enjoy an architectural river cruise, or architectural walk. Lots of music. Chicago is known for its jazz and blues.
There are outdoor concerts in Grant Park, as well (or maybe it is Millenium
Park now). Enjoy your stay. Chicago is
a wonderful town.

Chicgal, how funny, I hadn't seen that! We only booked it on Saturday so I haven't had a real chance to look at their website! Uma, yes we do hope to see as much as we possibly can. Thanks

If you're here June 4, there is the Gospel Fest. Our favorite. Small crowds and roaring music. The next weekend is the Blues Fest. Huge crowds
The last weekend in June has the Country Music Fest along with the Taste of Chicago.
It's all free, except the food, and will happen at the Petrillo Band Shell, a short walk from the Hyatt. The city is fixing up the chairs and checking the sound as we speak.
Knuckles has weird hours. It's only open when the hotel occupancy reaches a high number or weekends. I guess you'll be ok in June, but the cost of a beer keeps me far away.

We'll be in Chicago from 19th -22nd June. Thanks for that, we won't be drinking (alcohol) in Knuckles, the football will be around 2 pm, so we will literally watch the game (hopefully) and go elsewhere afterwards!!

This is probably a silly question, but we are booked on the Odyssey for Saturday night dinner. Just how well dressed is everyone? Will my boyfriend have wear a jacket? It's alot easier for women, I can just wear a dress, but he's not too hot in the jacket department! Thanks

I can answer the drive in thingy.
Keep on the Stevenson, (I-55) and take LSD north to the Randolph Street exit.

You'll merge with LSD around the convention center, and then pass by Soldier Field and the museums. LSD will straighten out, keep to the right and look for the Randolph Street exit signs that are clearly posted. Keep right and stay on the exit ramp past Randolph Street, the 1st traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp. After Randolph Street, the road will go up another ramp, narrow and then, split just before the bridge - right to Navy Pier and left to Wacker Drive. You want to go to the left, Wacker Drive, again clearly marked, but here is the tricky part. You have to quickly get to the right and up the ramp. You won't miss seeing the ramp, but you have to merge right quickly. Once, at the top of the ramp, the Hyatt is just on the left, after the light. You will see the huge atrium.

LSD is hit or miss hour by hour on Saturdays. Later in the day you have the museum traffic or people cursing the drive. If the bridge is up, count on an additional 30 minutes wait, much more if the city has trouble bringing the bridge back down, but that's another story.

When coming off the Stevenson, if the LSD north exit looks like a total mess, you could exit at Indiana Street, follow that north, (left at the light), curving behind the convention center, Hyatt Hotel, to Cermack, (22nd street) and right on Michigan Ave, (25 blocks) to Wacker and take a right.

Hi again! Thanks for that re the Odyssey. I did see they 'strongly recommend' jackets but wasn't sure how much! One jacket on the shopping list....

Oh right, thanks for that about the Puerto Rican Parade, yes we are coming in on 19th from St Louis, typical! Thanks very much for the directions, I think it's pretty safe to say we will get lost!! Maybe a good idea to come into Chicago on the Friday instead, or maybe get nearer to Chicago than St Louis for the Friday night, so we can get there alot earlier. Thanks so much for your help!

Isn't there a free trolley that goes out to Navy Pier? Maybe someone from Chicago will know.

Also check out the architecture tours! I'll try to post some details on them later.

- Sharon

Thanks for the advice. Yes I agree, I think it is too much to do in one day, which is why I originally asked if it was feasible. (St. L - Chi in one trip) I think we will still stop off in St Louis, but a day earlier than planned and then either come into Chicago on the Friday or stay just outside for one night. Thanks

The site for the Achitecture Tours is:
http://www.architecture.org/ There are plenty of options and well-worth your time.

- Sharon

Your concerns about the parade are well founded, but in my experience, these frequent parades are easily absorbs by Columbus Drive. Sometimes, you don't even notice they're going on as you pass by the lakefront.

The Taste is different, when it's in full swing, the crowds are massive. These parades draw a much smaller amount of people, especially, since the city moved them out to the "boonies" on Columbus. Notice that this Saturday's Memorial Day Parade is downtown on State. Years past, all the parades were in the loop, with all the cross streets closed off, now that was a mess.

I think the challenge will be the temperamental Saturday traffic. If everyone wants to come into the city on a Saturday afternoon, only the most experienced drivers can avoid moving slowly. The route I described is direct, I-55 dead ends into LSD and up to Randolph is a straight shot.

Forget all that technical talk. Wouldn't we all like have Charley's first impression of our city coming from a drive on LSD? In fact, since Charley has a car, let's suggest they take a ride up to Hollywood and back or a drive to the Planetarium for the "money shot" panoramic view of the city. Bring your camera.

My less than .02 cents:

Come into the city as soon as possible, when you walk outside the Hyatt, you'll know what I mean.

Forget the traffic put the car radio on and go for it, at the worse, the traffic is bearable, at best there will be no traffic. Just forget the traffic issue.

Navy Pier is less than 5 minutes from the Hyatt. Because the street to Navy Pier dead ends at the pier, on busy summer nights, the cars could back up to Columbus Drive. If this happens, give the cabbie an extra buck and get out of the taxi and walk. You might feel sorry for the driver, but it could take 30 minutes or more to crawl to the pier.

If you like walking walk, everybody else does it.

Chicago is a casual eating town, some visitors like to dress up, but if the Odyssey doesn't require a jacket and you don't have one handy, forget the jacket if you want, it's not that big a deal, the boat is a pretentious cattle call, with cloth napkins anyway. Ops, sorry did it say that? But, bring something warm, the lake can get cold at night.

Scubatv, thanks for those directions, I've looked at the map and can see what you mean. Did wonder at first what LSD meant at first!!! I reckon we might come up on the Friday and chance our arm at the Hyatt for the extra night. There are so many places we want to see in Chicago, we could do with the extra night anyway.

That made me laugh about the parrothead shirts. No, we haven't got those! Hopefully we won't look like typical tourists with our maps out and cameras dangling, walking at a snail's pace. I work in central London and I know how annoying that can be!! We went on a dinner cruise down the Seine, very similar set up to Odyssey and my other half didn't wear a jacket there so I'm veering towards telling him not to bother!! Afterall, we've paid our money already and we're not going to turn up looking like tramps (hopefully). We're on a fly drive so smart jackets are not very practical because they'll get creased up and we'll both look like we've been dragged though a hedge backwards! Chicgal, I will definitely bring some sort of covering for my arms/shoulders on the boat as my dress is strapless. I'm going to be paranoid by the time we arrive for this cruise!!

Glad you were challenged, I wanted to throw in some local slang to get you going. You'll often hear Lake Shore Drive referred to as simply, "the drive".

The map thing...
Reminds me of a story about Venice, on how everyone unabashedly carried a map in their hands and small groups of people would stand on the corners scrutinizing their maps, little realizing, Chicago is a close second. In the area you'll be staying, map carrying people are everywhere.

I hope you can still see this reply....

I cannot recommend this highly enough, certainly it was the highlight of our trip there several yrs ago:

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has several AMAZING walking tours.
We decided to do the "Modern and Beyond" tour and were SO IMPRESSED that came the next morning for the Early Skyscrapers tour. Link: www.architecture.org

Even with differences in tour guides, the content itself is SO INTERESTING that I cannot imagine not enjoying the tours. It allows for such a deeper appreciation of the city! (After walking those tours, we searched for similar ones in different cities - but these will always remain our gold standard!!!) (Plus, the added bonus of them being very cheap.)

The other recommendation is to get to the Oak Park area to see Frank Lloyd Wright's houses there. I also cannot recommend this enough - each house is such a masterpiece! and such a dense collection of his work! I would not miss it for the world. (Naturally we also hit the museums and ate at great restaurants, but CHICAGO will always remind us of great architecture and these three amazing tours. )

Have a great trip!

Oops, didn't see the earlier post that gave already the link for the architecture tours, sorry for the redundancy.

BTW - since u are driving, just to let you know that we found a high concentration of tailgaters there. Takes several minutes to get used to :)

Thanks, will check out the architecture tours link.

Yes, have looked at loads of other threads and now realise how much there is in Chicago! I must say that we're both really looking forward to arriving in Chicago at the end of our trip. I will keep my map in my bag, only to be removed in extreme circumstances! No, didn't think you were having a pop at me beforehand!!! Ever noticed how tourists always stop dead when either an ambulance, fire engine or police car with the siren on drives by? I have seen this on numerous occasions in London and it baffles me.

Thanks for all the info and replies.

Please be careful when crossing streets. I almost walked into oncoming traffic on my first trip to London. Thank God for my friend Debs, a London native, who pulled me back.

For the architecture tours, you will see that there is also a 1/2 day bus tour that is absolutely splendid. This tour goes out to the Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie house, the Illinois Institute of Technology and makes stops at several other places where you can get out and see interiors. The guides are all volunteers and highly trained. After you've been out to thier site, I'm sure you'll see a tour that peaks you own interests.

- Sharon

Thanks, will definitely check out those tours. The left hand drive thing is a problem. Wherever we go, anywhere else (almost)in the world we have to remember to look the other way!! Driving is the worst. We have to be different eh?

That's useful to know about the grid system. The US seems so much more organised the the UK. But as you probably know already, we are useless at organising anything! Thanks again.

Forgot to say, love the webcam!

Thanks for that. Will do!