What to do in Chicago 9/23-09/25 (Bad weather)
Sep 20th, 2006, 08:25 AM
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What to do in Chicago 9/23-09/25 (Bad weather)
My wife and I will be coming to Chicago Sat-Monday this weekend and were plannning on doing a lot of biking on the lakefront, and taking an architectural cruise but the weather doesn't look the best. We need some things to do during the day if rainy. We've seen Shedd a couple of times already, and might go to the King Tut Exhibit. Any ideas on what to do on a rainy day?
Also, need suggestions for a restaurant. We'll probably pick out one of the pizza places one night, and then for the other we're looking for a restaurant w/ a fair selection of foods, and not just one "style." For example, Harry Carey's has steaks, seafood, Italian, etc. Something of that nature.
Sorry about the rambling, but also looking for a decent pub or bar w/ some music. This is our first venture out after having our 2nd child so we need to make the most of it.
Thanks!
Also, need suggestions for a restaurant. We'll probably pick out one of the pizza places one night, and then for the other we're looking for a restaurant w/ a fair selection of foods, and not just one "style." For example, Harry Carey's has steaks, seafood, Italian, etc. Something of that nature.
Sorry about the rambling, but also looking for a decent pub or bar w/ some music. This is our first venture out after having our 2nd child so we need to make the most of it.
Thanks!
Sep 20th, 2006, 10:33 AM
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The architecture foundation offers many more tours besides the Architecture River Cruise. How about
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=94
Save the bike ride for Monday. (It will be much less crowded than the weekend.) Here's the forecast:
http://weather.wgntv.com/US/IL/Chicago.html?main=1
Harry Caray's is, IMO, expensive and loud, not romantic at all. The steaks and chops are delicious, however. Try North Pond Cafe, Mon Ami Gabi, South Water Market, Roy's, Chicago Chop House or even Mike Ditka's for more of a "couples" evening. See metromix.com for reviews.
You'll have to define what makes a pub "decent" to you. Piano bar, live blues, cheap drinks, high style, comfort or ?
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=94
Save the bike ride for Monday. (It will be much less crowded than the weekend.) Here's the forecast:
http://weather.wgntv.com/US/IL/Chicago.html?main=1
Harry Caray's is, IMO, expensive and loud, not romantic at all. The steaks and chops are delicious, however. Try North Pond Cafe, Mon Ami Gabi, South Water Market, Roy's, Chicago Chop House or even Mike Ditka's for more of a "couples" evening. See metromix.com for reviews.
You'll have to define what makes a pub "decent" to you. Piano bar, live blues, cheap drinks, high style, comfort or ?
Sep 20th, 2006, 10:56 AM
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We're going to be in Chicago this weekend too. The weather looks dreary. Our plans of wandering around the funky neighborhood we're staying have been cancelled too.
We're going the Shedd and the Adler planitarium.
I think we did the Field Museum and the Art Museum last time.
Have fun.
We're going the Shedd and the Adler planitarium.
I think we did the Field Museum and the Art Museum last time.
Have fun.
Sep 20th, 2006, 11:02 AM
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How about the theater? There are many matinees on Sunday. Check out hottix.org to look for 1/2 price tickets. Also, if you head to any theaters in Lincoln Park there are some great local restaurant and the Lincoln Park Octoberfest is this weekend.
Sep 21st, 2006, 12:35 AM
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When ever I have out of town guests I always take them to the Impressionist galley at The Art Institute. Some of their paintaings include "Sunday on La Grande Jette" by George Seurat, "Paris Street; Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte, numerous Monets, Kandinski, Picasso, Casset, Edward Hooper's "Night Hawks" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic" just to name a few of the more famous pieces.
Red Head Piano Bar has always been a Chicago favorite.
16 W Ontario
Chicago
312-640-1000
Or there is the House of Blues at 330 N. State.
Or you can try Park West for music at 322 W Armitage.
Red Head Piano Bar has always been a Chicago favorite.
16 W Ontario
Chicago
312-640-1000
Or there is the House of Blues at 330 N. State.
Or you can try Park West for music at 322 W Armitage.
Sep 21st, 2006, 12:58 AM
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Gosh, people! Into each life, a little rain must fall...but that doesn't mean you can't have fun when it does!
Theatre: In addition to the Hottix option mentioned above, there are drawings for both Wicked and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee tickets, day of performance.
Comedy: Gotta laugh at the rain, you know...Chicago has a few comedy clubs which might cheer you up!
Drink: How about a pub crawl on Saturday late morning/afternoon? I daresay that some of the bars on Diversey, N. Halsted, N. Clark or Wrigleyville might even be showing a football game or two then. On Sundays, Duffy's has a good all-you-can eat buffet, DIY bloody mary bar - and you can watch the pro games. After visiting a couple of pubs, will you notice the rain then?
Sports: How about a tour of Wrigley Field sometime this Saturday?
Music: The Chicago Cultural Center has performances on weekends. Take a look at their calendar. Also, the Old Town School of Folk Music is having concerts this weekend. Chief O'Neill's Pub or Cullen's for music (the last especially convenient to the Music Box Theatre).
Dance: The Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández (Mexican national ballet company) is in town, performing at the Auditorium.
Movies: Going to the movies is a good idea...but why not be a little different and go to the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Music Box Theatre, or see the Chicago DOC (documentary) winners (by students of Columbia College)?
Architecture: Even when it rains, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise runs because it has an enclosed lower deck...and the Chicago Architecture Foundation's location is in the Sante Fe Building, 1 block south and across the street from the Art Institute - they have books, DVDs and other goodies for sale. P.S. The Prairie Avenue Bookshop is another great place to go for literature on architecture.
Transportation: And what about the Chicago Architecture Foundation's FREE Loop Train (El) tour which you can take on Saturdays (until 9/30/06)? You have to pick up tickets in advance at the Chicago Cultural Center. See the CAF website for further information.
Eat: Here's your chance to stave off the rainy day blues by consuming unwanted calories...how about a progressive feast? A number of the neighborhoods have so many little spots where you can duck into one place for soup, another for the entree, then dessert and maybe even coffee...For example, in Lakeview on N. Broadway, stop in at Joy's Noodles for the entree (Pad Thai, anyone?), Cupcakes for the dessert (cupcakes, anyone?), and Intelligentsia for the coffee (coffee...well, you get the idea). Along the way, you can pop into the little boutique shops, bookstores, record places, etc.
Flora/Fauna: The Lincoln Park Zoo can still be visited in the rain (indoor enclosures) - and a trip to the Lincoln Park Conservatory (just to the north) is a great way to get out of the rain. North Pond (restaurant), a lovely place for brunch, is only 4 blocks north - but if you want pizza, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is only 2 blocks west on N. Clark Street (cash only), right across the street from where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurred as well.
Other Erudite Stuff: Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill on Sunday nights. Roy Hargrove Quintet at the Jazz Showcase.
Restaurants: Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab; Park Grill (if you are at the Art Institute); and I would recommend Aria (200 N. Columbus in the Fairmont) for the atmosphere and international fusion spin on comfort food.
Theatre: In addition to the Hottix option mentioned above, there are drawings for both Wicked and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee tickets, day of performance.
Comedy: Gotta laugh at the rain, you know...Chicago has a few comedy clubs which might cheer you up!
Drink: How about a pub crawl on Saturday late morning/afternoon? I daresay that some of the bars on Diversey, N. Halsted, N. Clark or Wrigleyville might even be showing a football game or two then. On Sundays, Duffy's has a good all-you-can eat buffet, DIY bloody mary bar - and you can watch the pro games. After visiting a couple of pubs, will you notice the rain then?
Sports: How about a tour of Wrigley Field sometime this Saturday?
Music: The Chicago Cultural Center has performances on weekends. Take a look at their calendar. Also, the Old Town School of Folk Music is having concerts this weekend. Chief O'Neill's Pub or Cullen's for music (the last especially convenient to the Music Box Theatre).
Dance: The Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández (Mexican national ballet company) is in town, performing at the Auditorium.
Movies: Going to the movies is a good idea...but why not be a little different and go to the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Music Box Theatre, or see the Chicago DOC (documentary) winners (by students of Columbia College)?
Architecture: Even when it rains, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise runs because it has an enclosed lower deck...and the Chicago Architecture Foundation's location is in the Sante Fe Building, 1 block south and across the street from the Art Institute - they have books, DVDs and other goodies for sale. P.S. The Prairie Avenue Bookshop is another great place to go for literature on architecture.
Transportation: And what about the Chicago Architecture Foundation's FREE Loop Train (El) tour which you can take on Saturdays (until 9/30/06)? You have to pick up tickets in advance at the Chicago Cultural Center. See the CAF website for further information.
Eat: Here's your chance to stave off the rainy day blues by consuming unwanted calories...how about a progressive feast? A number of the neighborhoods have so many little spots where you can duck into one place for soup, another for the entree, then dessert and maybe even coffee...For example, in Lakeview on N. Broadway, stop in at Joy's Noodles for the entree (Pad Thai, anyone?), Cupcakes for the dessert (cupcakes, anyone?), and Intelligentsia for the coffee (coffee...well, you get the idea). Along the way, you can pop into the little boutique shops, bookstores, record places, etc.
Flora/Fauna: The Lincoln Park Zoo can still be visited in the rain (indoor enclosures) - and a trip to the Lincoln Park Conservatory (just to the north) is a great way to get out of the rain. North Pond (restaurant), a lovely place for brunch, is only 4 blocks north - but if you want pizza, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is only 2 blocks west on N. Clark Street (cash only), right across the street from where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurred as well.
Other Erudite Stuff: Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill on Sunday nights. Roy Hargrove Quintet at the Jazz Showcase.
Restaurants: Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab; Park Grill (if you are at the Art Institute); and I would recommend Aria (200 N. Columbus in the Fairmont) for the atmosphere and international fusion spin on comfort food.
Sep 21st, 2006, 02:51 AM
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P.S. I realized when I re-read my above post, that I failed to mention one place during my suggestion for the progressive feast...have soup at Soupbox/Icebox on N. Broadway. They have great soups! They have a dozen different kinds each day. Take a look at their website for the soup du jour menu.
Then head on to Joy's for the entree.
There's also a second Soupbox location now at 50 E. Chicago but I haven't been there, so cannot comment on that one.
Then head on to Joy's for the entree.
There's also a second Soupbox location now at 50 E. Chicago but I haven't been there, so cannot comment on that one.
Sep 21st, 2006, 04:56 AM
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may I be so bold as to ask what price you paid for your hotel? I will be attending the "Motivation" show Sept 25 - 28 and still do not have a hotel! I have been trying Pricelne for 2 weeks with bids up to $105 and have never paid more than $75 for Chicago on Priceline....just curious what kind of deal you got on your hotel for those dates.
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