Betsyp

Hi all...

I've always wanted to visit Chicago, so it looks like I will do so sometime in 2004. I know there are tons of posts on what do do/where to stay/where to eat, and until I go through many of them, I won't ask too many questions. Hopefully you can help me with these few:

1. Which is a nicer time to visit: May/June/July? I noticed that there is a Taste of Chicago festival the last week in June; it sounds wonderful (I love food).Is it worth making special plans to be in Chicago that week?

2. I'd love to go to a Cubs game at Wrigley. I know I'll have to get tickets pretty far in advance, but obviously I can't think that far ahead now. Can I reasonably expect to get tickets one or two months ahead?

3. Favorite splurge restaurant? I'll be dining alone (no problem for me; I usually travel solo), and I enjoy most kinds of food. I'd like to try Tru, in part because of Gale Gand's desserts, but would I be uncomfortable there?

4. Has anyone taken the Untouchables tour? I love history, and even though perhaps it's a little touristy, it sounds like something right up my alley.

I'll likely have more questions later...thanks!

betsy

patg

1. Mid-May to Mid-June has the most reliably pleasant weather, but it always can vary 20 degrees up or down from the statistical average. Taste of Chicago is a fun place to rub shoulders (and bellies!) with your average, smoked-turkey-leg-lovin' Chicagoan. Wear dark clothes and BYO wetnaps.

2. Hard to say for sure about the Cubs, but there are usually tickets available for weekday games, especially in May or June before school lets out. Go to their website to keep up to date on what's available.

3. There are plenty of 4 star restaurants in the city - Everest is one of my faves. I can't say from experience about how comfortable solo dining would be, but Tru is known for it's outstanding service, and would probably be a good bet.

4. Try one of the many tours offered through the Chicago Architecture Foundation
www.architecture.org
for an afternoon with the best-educated docents in the city.

Betsyp

Thanks Pat!

It will be almost as much fun planning my visit as the visit itself.....well, not quite. I can't wait to finally see Chicago for myself, and the architecture tour sounds wonderful.

indytravel

I would avoid the "Taste of Chicago" like the plague. I haven't been to one since the early 90's when I lived there, hated it then and can't imagine it's better now. Crowds are too huge, food is too expensive and the food is of poor quality. It's pre-prepped for the masses to be served. I'd much rather go to the individual restaurants and get a proper meal prepared when I order.

One other thing that made me hate it was the newspaper expose a few days before I went. Minors were being served alcohol. So when I went the alcohol lines were huge as they were all making a big show of properly checking ID's, something they should have been doing all along. The booze delay made me extra cranky.

I hope someone can tell me it's much better now.

Kristi

Chicago weather is nothing if unpredictable. I've seen snow as late as early May and it's been so hot in July that people have died from the heat. But those are the extremes, I would come in the summer months during festival season, there is a lot more going on in June and July than in May.

I have not been to the Taste of Chicago in many years, the last year we went we vowed we would never go again. It's crowded, it's expensive and the quality isn't nearly as good as if you went to the restaurant. If you do decide to go, go during the weekdays after the lunch hour. And if you don't like huge crowds, do not go there for the 3rd of July fireworks when over 1 million people jam the lakefront.

Tru was ranked one of the top 10 (at #4)restaurants in Chicago, I have heard that it is less stuffy than #2 Charlie Trotter's. I think you would be perfectly fine here as a solo diner. Make reservations as soon as you know when you are coming, it books up months in advance esp. for the weekends.

You might read the description of the Untouchables tour on Metromix to see if it's what you are looking for. I would heartily recommend the architectural river tour which can be found at www.architecture.org. They also have many tours of neighborhoods which are interesting. You might also take a look at the Chicago Greeters, a free service that has docents taking you into different sections of the city. The Hyde Park area where they held the 1893 Columbian Exposition would be a good area to explore or Pullman is another good choice. The Pullman neighborhood organization also has tours throughout the year.

arjay

I think the first part of June would be good timing. Certainly true about the unpredictable weather, but there often are spectacular early June days that are pleasantly warm rather than hot and no humidity. I, too, hate crowds and would never bother with Taste for that reason; it's a true mob scene.

Betsyp

Thanks, guys. I will definitely make a point of avoiding Taste of Chicago.

And thanks for the tip on Metromix; what a great site.

jlpx2

we've been to Tru's, Charlie Trotters and the Everest Room--i think Tru's has a fantastic look--where else do they have an assigned seat for your purse??(--they pull up a small square bench for your purse--oops forgot to look at your signature to see if carrying a purse is applicable)--Charlie Trotters is an experience--but I thnk the Everest Room is the total lasting experience--throughout the years it has always remained at the top--tho certainly Trus and Trotters will last too--but the Everest Room seems just alittle more grand. I cant imagine even being able to obtain a hotel reservation during Taste of Chicago--it would be pandemonium--unless you like that type of bustle and mania

Kristi

When you get to Chicago, make your first stop the Chicago Cultural Center at the corner of Randolph and Michigan. It is a beautiful building (be sure to go to the 3rd floor to see the Tiffany glass ceiling) which houses one of the tourist offices. There's a free loop train tour that goes from there, tours of the Cultural Center and you can pick up an instagreeter tour here as well.

A couple of other good Chicago websites are

www.877chicago.com

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...meEnumValue=41 (there's a link here for the Chicago Greeter Insta greeter program that you might check out)

www.chireader.com

And another idea for a tour if you like architecture is going out to Oak Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.

One last suggestion if you like history, pick up a copy of "Devil and the White City" by Erik Larson. It is a very good read about Chicago during the time of the Columbian Exposition intertwined with the story of America's first serial killer, H. H. Holmes (aka Herman Mudgett).

swalter518

I'm going to take the opposite viewpoint on Taste of Chicago-no it's not a culinary delight-it's all food that can be prepared in large quantities quickly, but if you go during the week, especially for lunch, it's not that crowded and I've found it to be a fun experience. We went last year, I dragged my husband kicking and screaming after work one day, and he admitted it was fun. Especially since it's held steps from the lake and Buckingham Fountain. There is also a concert series in the park that runs in conjunction with it and top chef cooking demonstrations. Don't let the other posters scare you away if you can make it on a weekday. That being said, don't go over the 3rd ot 4th, that is a nightmare.

I highly second the architecture boat tour.

hampsterbrain

I don't know if it's too far in advance to get a hotel room, but you can usually get the Palmer House Hilton for $60 (plus tax) per night on Priceline. We live in the burbs and have stayed down there a few times and always get that hotel. You might want to come in the beginning of June for Blues Fest.

eileenleft

The Bluesfest in the beginning of June is a great time to go. It's held in Grant park on Michigan Av downtown.Not alot of people were there on Thursday & Friday and you hear some great blues. The headliner comes on in the evening as you sit outside and the lights of the city come on around you.Wonderful experience. It's free and I never felt unsafe.

Betsyp

Thanks for all of your tips - Bluesfest sounds like a fun time! Kristi, Erik Larsen's book sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll pick it up for sure......

I'm thinking of either the Hotel Burnham or the Monaco. Any thoughts? Both have gotten good reviews (here and elsewhere).....I travel anywhere for good food, so even if the Burnham is not quite in as central a location as the Monaco, I won't have a problem.

Thanks again!

vkb2

I just came back from Chicago this weekend. June is a perfect time to go, not too hot or cold. Check out Chicago tourism and they will send you email updates on what's going on along with mailing info. I've stayed at several hotels on Michigan Ave. One of the newest just off Michigan is the Sofitel which is ultra modern. The 4 Seasons is great, small rooms but in Water Tower Place and a bit pricey. My favorite still is the Omni Suites. The prices vary but for the most part reasonable and centrally located. I've never done the Untouchables thing but now that you mention it I'll have to try that next time. Lots of fabulous museums. Check out a Chicago website and request a brochure and pick up Chicago magazine at the bookstore.

Uma

Highly recommend you go to the Art Institute when you are in Chicago. Also check out the Field Museum (where Sue,
the t. rex is), and maybe the Shedd
Aquarium and Oceanarium, the Museum of
Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium.
Agree with those who recommended checking out a tour with the architecture society - either walking
tour or Chicago River tour. Wouldn't recommend staying at Hotel Burnham only because of the location, especially for
a single woman. We had a room booked there for a recent visit to Chicago, but went with Sofitel instead because of
its location off Michigan Avenue. Burnham sounds delightful but is several
blocks away from Michigan Ave. and nothing really going on in the area at
night. If you really want to treat yourself, try the Peninsula, or Park Hyatt, 4 Seasons or Ritz. The Omni Suites weren't bad. Don't know about
Monaco, but have read good reviews. We liked Sofitel. Lincoln Park Zoo is fun, and free, and assume their renovations will be finished by the time you go.
Navy Pier also fun. You will have to sample Chicago style pizza. July can be pretty hot. June is usually a nice month. You will have a great time.

Betsyp

Thanks Uma! I plan to do all of those things. The problem I have with Sofitel is that it's a change, and it sounds so sterile. I prefer hotels with some charm and history - I will check out Sofitel, but ultra-modern style doesn't appeal to me. I don't mind the area around Burnham being dead at night - since I am light sleeper, it actually helps- unless it's just not safe, which I assume is not the case. I would imagine that most of the restaurants I will go to will not be within walking distance, regardless.

I do need to give myself other options, re: hotels, besides the Burnham and Monaco, so I will look into them.

thanks again!

Kristi

The location of the Burnham Hotel (formerly the Reliance Building)is absolutely fine during the day, it is across the street from the Marshall Field's on State Street, within walking distance (10-15 minutes) of the Art Institute, Grant Park, close to the theatre district. If you are going out at night and it is after business hours, I'd take a cab.

The location of the Hotel Monaco is also fine during the day, it is a little closer to Michigan Avenue than the Burnham but on the other side of the Chicago River than the shopping district. Once again, later in the evening, I would recommend cabs if you are traveling solo.

You might take a look at Priceline, there is a boutique category for the loop that includes the Burnham, Hotel Monaco and Hotel Allegro. You can see which hotels you are likely to get if you check out www.biddingfortravel.com.

Another suggestion if you like history, check out the Chicago Historical which is up in Lincoln Park (Clark St. at North Avenue). Here's their website http://www.chicagohs.org/

If you are planning on doing all or most of the museums, you might want to look into the CityPass which could save you a little money but you have to see a majority of the attractions to get your money's worth. There was a free museum week in early June 2003, I suspect there will also be one in 2004 so remember to look for it if you are here in June.

If are are a real foodie, you might pick up a copy of Chicago Magazine when you get into town, many more or less up to date restaurant reviews. Another interesting place to look is www.chowhound.com. Chicago has a lot more than just the tourist area restaurants, there are good restaurants of just about any ethnicity if you are willing to travel outside the tourist area boundaries.

hipvirgochick

Betsy -- Like you, I took a trip by myself to Chicago (last September). I met people everywhere and it was great fun! Besides some of the other recommendations here, I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner experience at Cafe Iberico, and afterward walked over to John Hancock Tower for a drink on the 95th (96th?) floor lounge. Also, if Lion King is still running at Palace Theatre...FANTASTIC!