flamingomonkey, thanks for giving the Southside some copy. I've done the Beverly home tour. I'm hanging around Asburn A LOT these days.

Seriously, Hyde Park and the Museum of Sc.& Industry are worth a day with the Univ. of Chicago campus as noted.

flamingomonkey, thanks for giving the Southside some copy. I've done the Beverly home tour. I'm hanging around Ashburn A LOT these days.

Seriously, Hyde Park and the Museum of Sc.& Industry are worth a day with the Univ. of Chicago campus as noted. Thai restaurants are GOOD in that area.

I'll add another recommendation for the Bucktown neighborhood. Take the Green Line to the Damen stop. When you come down from the El platform onto Damen Ave., turn left (north) and you'll have dozens of cute boutiques and food options to choose from.

Damen Ave. is home to a bunch of really sweet little shops that sound perfect for you and your friends. Some clothes, some accessories, some gift/paper type stuff. Just walk up and down both sides of the street. You might want to take a detour onto Milwaukee (most stores are east of Damen on Milwaukee) for some funkier options, too.

Some food options in the neighborhood: Hot Chocolate at 1747 N. Damen; Northside Bar and Grill at 1635 N. Damen (good bar food and fun atmosphere); Piece at 1927 W. North Ave (just head east when you get to North Ave. - great thin crust pizza); Cafe DeLuca at 1721 N. Damen (coffee house) - there's a lot more than that to choose from.

Have a great trip.

eroz,thats a shocker love Naperville great Jazz clubs and Roesbuds is the only resturant with good Itailian food around unless you want to spend alot more. Iknow its a bit out but was isnt in Ill.

teddy1910 - I normally wouldn't quibble, but that would be the Blue Line to Damen. The Green line doesn't have a Damen stop and goes to a completely different part of town, pretty far away from Bucktown and Wicker Park.

Check out this web site for tours of ethnic neighborhoods and their foods:

http://www.ethnic-grocery-tours.com

Elizabeth27 -
I hope you find this thread as informative as I have! I have the same questions, interest, etc. that you have listed... and will be visiting Chicago in April.
Thank you, and thanks to all who have shared your terrific ideas -
d

Yes, gypsy, I really did get a lot of great information from this thread..thanks so much to all. Hope you find it useful as well...I'll be printing this out to take along.

One last question - we realized we will be visiting over the Easter holiday weekend...and we know a lot of places will be closed that day. We are going to try to go the Art Institute that day, and the Blackhawks game that evening, but still need a place to have Easter brunch.

Can anyone recommend a fantastic place for Easter brunch? Something convenient by public transportation or taxi...maybe someplace a bit unique or special??

Again, many thanks.