First time in Chicago, help!
Apr 15th, 1999 | 07:11 PM
#3
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True--needed is some criteria: your age/tastes/interests...Helpful to anyone, but probably esp so to the 20-30 age range is The Chicago Reader (they have a website) with up-to-date info on music, clubs, etc.
A pretty special Midwest experience: Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo, then walk south a few blocks and cross the bridge over the Outer Drive to the North Avenue bridge; continue your walk -- with the sand and water on one side of you and the imposing wealth of lakeside apartments (once mansions) on the other. About a 30-40 minute walk will land you at Walton/Oak Street (right across from the Drake Hotel, a landmark property) and the start of the Magnificent Mile. Other info/?s, feel free to e-m.
A pretty special Midwest experience: Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo, then walk south a few blocks and cross the bridge over the Outer Drive to the North Avenue bridge; continue your walk -- with the sand and water on one side of you and the imposing wealth of lakeside apartments (once mansions) on the other. About a 30-40 minute walk will land you at Walton/Oak Street (right across from the Drake Hotel, a landmark property) and the start of the Magnificent Mile. Other info/?s, feel free to e-m.
Apr 16th, 1999 | 05:46 AM
#4
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Want info on hotels, restaurants, points of interest? Go to a library or book store, get a book (or two or three) on visiting Chicago from a series you trust. Read them and take the advice if they seem to be tailored to the type of traveler you are.
Apr 16th, 1999 | 09:40 AM
#5
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Lot's to do in Chicago. Check out Navy Pier. Eat at Bandera's 600 No. Michigan Ave. Jean &Georgetti's for steak. Stay at the hotel Inter-Continental or if on a budget stat at a Best Western or Motel6(nice one near Michigan Ave). Plenty of concerts, musicals, jazz and blues places. Check out Metromix on-line. If you like swing try Liquid.
Apr 16th, 1999 | 10:25 AM
#6
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Here's a second to the Best Western and Motel Six. Both right next to each other in a good part of town (just off Michigan at Ontario). I prefer the Best Western, but a better price gets me into the Motel Six. The Motel Six is not what you're used to. It's a brick highrise. Plain rooms, but a good value.
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Apr 17th, 1999 | 08:49 PM
#8
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I have family in Chicago the two times I have been there, did'nt care for the city. I did however like seeing OPRAH live. That was cool. If you like her, I suggest calling the show and making reservations. The other thing I liked was the Linclon park. As far as food goes..whoever said the best resturants were in Chicago were nuts! The only good place was a chain called...THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY. I found the locals rude& not helpful. Problaby why my sister in law fits in so well..even if she isn't a native. Have fun!
Apr 18th, 1999 | 12:00 PM
#10
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Hello, Ken.
I love Chicago. Most recently was there in December for a weekend visit. The weather at that time was the warmest it has been in December for 20 years. Walked along Lake Michigan at night with short sleeves, no jacket was required! Christmas lights were beautiful.
I stayed at the Motel 6 on Ontario street. It was truly a great location. The 151 bus runs by there very frequently. Had to get connecting busses sometimes, but the drivers were very nice about helping you get on the right bus. Just be friendly and kind to them and they'll show you the way. (This was my experience, anyway.) Also, get one of the public transit passes. I arrived to Chicago by train and got my pass at Union Station. I'm thinking a 3-day pass was $15, can't remember for sure, but it was worth every dime and then some. Used it to go practically everywhere, unless I walked for the fun of it. .
The Rain Forest Cafe is a very neat place to have lunch, if you've never been to one before. Go at 11:00 to beat the crowds. It's very near the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood, all in walking distance from Motel 6. Also, Gino's Pizza is closeby to the Motel 6, but different direction. This is the place with all the graffiti on the tables, walls, etc. Listen to the waitress when she tells you that you've ordered too much food. She's not kidding.
Be sure to visit the Science and Industry Museum, Field Museum, and Shed Aquarium, all easily accessible by the city busses. Take a walk along Lake Michigan to Navy Pier, ride the ferris wheel.
Go to the John Hancock building (right up Michigan Avenue, few blocks from Motel 6). Instead of paying $8 just to ride to the top and look out the observatory, go to the bar at the top, which is actually one floor above the observatory deck, order a drink for $8-$10, and enjoy both the drink and the view.
I love Chicago for its great museums, awesome architecture (Wrigley building, Chicago Tribune building, and a beautiful church at Water Tower Place), beautiful Lake Michigan. It's a good walking city, also.
I recommend the Motel 6. It has your basic rooms, nothing extra really, but it's economic and located so conveniently. I don't know about parking, though, if you have a car. I've never been to Chicago when I needed a car though.
Have a great time.
I love Chicago. Most recently was there in December for a weekend visit. The weather at that time was the warmest it has been in December for 20 years. Walked along Lake Michigan at night with short sleeves, no jacket was required! Christmas lights were beautiful.
I stayed at the Motel 6 on Ontario street. It was truly a great location. The 151 bus runs by there very frequently. Had to get connecting busses sometimes, but the drivers were very nice about helping you get on the right bus. Just be friendly and kind to them and they'll show you the way. (This was my experience, anyway.) Also, get one of the public transit passes. I arrived to Chicago by train and got my pass at Union Station. I'm thinking a 3-day pass was $15, can't remember for sure, but it was worth every dime and then some. Used it to go practically everywhere, unless I walked for the fun of it. .
The Rain Forest Cafe is a very neat place to have lunch, if you've never been to one before. Go at 11:00 to beat the crowds. It's very near the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood, all in walking distance from Motel 6. Also, Gino's Pizza is closeby to the Motel 6, but different direction. This is the place with all the graffiti on the tables, walls, etc. Listen to the waitress when she tells you that you've ordered too much food. She's not kidding.
Be sure to visit the Science and Industry Museum, Field Museum, and Shed Aquarium, all easily accessible by the city busses. Take a walk along Lake Michigan to Navy Pier, ride the ferris wheel.
Go to the John Hancock building (right up Michigan Avenue, few blocks from Motel 6). Instead of paying $8 just to ride to the top and look out the observatory, go to the bar at the top, which is actually one floor above the observatory deck, order a drink for $8-$10, and enjoy both the drink and the view.
I love Chicago for its great museums, awesome architecture (Wrigley building, Chicago Tribune building, and a beautiful church at Water Tower Place), beautiful Lake Michigan. It's a good walking city, also.
I recommend the Motel 6. It has your basic rooms, nothing extra really, but it's economic and located so conveniently. I don't know about parking, though, if you have a car. I've never been to Chicago when I needed a car though.
Have a great time.
Apr 20th, 1999 | 06:12 AM
#11
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Ken,
The posters so far have been helpful, but I think they've painted only about 25% of the picture of Chicago. Once you're ensconced in the Motel 6, then what? First, depending when in October you're coming (because it's rare that they make the playoffs) you should go to Wrigley field on the North Side and watch a Cubs game. Stop into the Cubby Bear or Sports Corner for a true taste of Chicago after the game (you'll never meet more fun-loving fans, whatever the outcome of the game).
Second, Chicago's arts scene may not be quite as sophisticated as New York's, but it's much more approachable and (I think) of surprisingly good quality. For the lively arts, Chicago is a staging ground for many future stars. There are dozens of theater troupes whose quality will surprise you. And of course, there are two world-class venues: Steppenwolf Theater and Cort Theater. There is also the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera (also world-class). Chicago is also the home of improvisational comedy with at least half a dozen good clubs to choose from. The most famous, of course, is Second City, feeder for Saturday Night Live. I'd recommend going to the late show (11 pm, I think) Saturday nights and staying for the free sketches that start at midnight. I almost forgot the Blues and Jazz clubs. My favs: The Green Mill and Checkerboard Lounge.
For visual arts, don't miss the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art. And there are tons of galleries too.
And of course, you have to eat. And this is where the previous posters have let you down the most. Chicago doesn't have the concentration of high-end restaurants that NY or SF have, but there's plenty of good stuff to choose from. Top of the list, of course, is the best restaurant in the US, Charlie Trotters. Bring your wallet and make reservations early. But there are dozens of other very good places. I'm partial to Aubriot, Relish, Cornelia's, Gibson's for steak, Frontera Grill, Le Loup (BYO), Ambria, Schulien's (they have roving magicians) the list goes on. Those are medium to high end. Chicago is also famous for low to medium end classics like a hot dog "drug through the garden" (with everything), pizza (Gino's East or Pizzeria Uno), and Mexican food (try Taco & Burrito Palace, maybe after you get out of Second City).
What else? Well, there's no bar town like Chicago. But you might not know it if you didn't live here becuase it's a town of neighborhood bars. These are best found on your own as you explore the city. They run the gamut. But all give a slice of the city.
Finally, Chicago is very much a melting pot. Andersonville (North Side) has Swedish influences. Lincoln Square (North Side) has German influences. Pilsen (among others) has Mexican influences. There are many other ethnic areas worth checking out. I think there are tours offered of all the different sections (and one tour that's just a culinary sampler).
What else? Of course, there's the lakefront (some of the best city planning in America). The architecture (home of the skyscraper, Frank Lloyd Wright). And much more I'm leaving out.
Anyway, you'll have a great time. Whatever you're looking for, you can find it here, and then some.
Good luck!
The posters so far have been helpful, but I think they've painted only about 25% of the picture of Chicago. Once you're ensconced in the Motel 6, then what? First, depending when in October you're coming (because it's rare that they make the playoffs) you should go to Wrigley field on the North Side and watch a Cubs game. Stop into the Cubby Bear or Sports Corner for a true taste of Chicago after the game (you'll never meet more fun-loving fans, whatever the outcome of the game).
Second, Chicago's arts scene may not be quite as sophisticated as New York's, but it's much more approachable and (I think) of surprisingly good quality. For the lively arts, Chicago is a staging ground for many future stars. There are dozens of theater troupes whose quality will surprise you. And of course, there are two world-class venues: Steppenwolf Theater and Cort Theater. There is also the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera (also world-class). Chicago is also the home of improvisational comedy with at least half a dozen good clubs to choose from. The most famous, of course, is Second City, feeder for Saturday Night Live. I'd recommend going to the late show (11 pm, I think) Saturday nights and staying for the free sketches that start at midnight. I almost forgot the Blues and Jazz clubs. My favs: The Green Mill and Checkerboard Lounge.
For visual arts, don't miss the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art. And there are tons of galleries too.
And of course, you have to eat. And this is where the previous posters have let you down the most. Chicago doesn't have the concentration of high-end restaurants that NY or SF have, but there's plenty of good stuff to choose from. Top of the list, of course, is the best restaurant in the US, Charlie Trotters. Bring your wallet and make reservations early. But there are dozens of other very good places. I'm partial to Aubriot, Relish, Cornelia's, Gibson's for steak, Frontera Grill, Le Loup (BYO), Ambria, Schulien's (they have roving magicians) the list goes on. Those are medium to high end. Chicago is also famous for low to medium end classics like a hot dog "drug through the garden" (with everything), pizza (Gino's East or Pizzeria Uno), and Mexican food (try Taco & Burrito Palace, maybe after you get out of Second City).
What else? Well, there's no bar town like Chicago. But you might not know it if you didn't live here becuase it's a town of neighborhood bars. These are best found on your own as you explore the city. They run the gamut. But all give a slice of the city.
Finally, Chicago is very much a melting pot. Andersonville (North Side) has Swedish influences. Lincoln Square (North Side) has German influences. Pilsen (among others) has Mexican influences. There are many other ethnic areas worth checking out. I think there are tours offered of all the different sections (and one tour that's just a culinary sampler).
What else? Of course, there's the lakefront (some of the best city planning in America). The architecture (home of the skyscraper, Frank Lloyd Wright). And much more I'm leaving out.
Anyway, you'll have a great time. Whatever you're looking for, you can find it here, and then some.
Good luck!
Apr 21st, 1999 | 08:51 PM
#12
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Wow, KB really hit it all, but I'll add my 2 cents worth. I would definitely see some of the museums-my favorites are the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum. Depending on your length of stay, you might be able to hit them on the free days (sorry I can't remember when they are). Buckingham Fountain is beautiful too but it's turned off by then unfortunately.
You didn't ask about the weather but be prepared for anything in October-warm, rain, snow-you never know.
And one last thought: unless you are looking for flash, AVOID the touristy, chain restaurants. Despite a previous poster's comments, Chicago is a gastronomic delight. I dine out frequently and haven't even come close to eating at all the restaurants in Chicago. Look for smaller independent restaurants for good food of any ethnicity. If you want specifics, feel free to e-mail me.
Apr 24th, 1999 | 07:16 PM
#13
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Congrats to KB for an excellent rundown! A few more notes...for Mexican restaurants (outside the Pilsen area) try Abril (onLogan Square - nowhere near anything "touristy" but across the street from an "el" stop) and Lindo Mexico on Lincoln Avenue, a few blocks north of the Lincoln Park neighborhood nexxus of Lincoln/Fullerton/Halsted. For what we think of as the best cajun cooking outside N'awlins, visit Heaven On Seven (buried in a high-rise shopping mall at Rush/ONtario, same building as Eddie Bauer, which has a Michigan Ave, exposure, I believe). To "get away from it all," stroll the quiet streets of the Gold Coast....Astor & State, north of Division, or Old Town, north from North Avenue, along North Park or Orleans, jogging where they take you over towards Armitage (a good stroll to combine with a L.P. Zoo visit, and a lunch or supper at Twin Anchors (at Sedgwick and Eugenie streets, a neighborhood "find". Be prepared to wait - yes, this is the place where The Chairman (yes, old Blue Eyes) used to have his ribs flown in from).
