Originally Posted By Rhonda I'm going to Chicago in October on a business trip , does anyone have any must see places or helpful advice ? Thanks !
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Lifelong Chicago resident here. How long will you be here and how long are you staying ? Where will you be saying - not sure where you're comin'from , but if not LA or NY then the size of the city determines what you can and can;t do. Will you have a car available ? How many in your party - all adults or kids too? Any particular interests - i.e. art / museums /music / food I will help you all I can when you give me more to start with - Chicago has anawful lot of must see stuff
Originally Posted By Rhonda October 4th to the 7th , staying at the Sheraton on Water St . There is a reception at the Navy Pier the first night . We have been told that the Weber Grill is a place we should eat . It will be 2 adults , we are from a college in Oregon going to a convienence store expo . I was the textbook buyer but now I get to buy candy , how sweet is that ?!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Weber Grill is OK but it's a chain. Short cab ride recommendation - Frontera Grill or Topolabompo ( if you like SW/Mexican food) - these are Rick Bayless's restaurants andare fantastic. You will likely spend similar $ at Frontera Grill than Weber Grill. Topolobampo is upstairs and same cuisine - but white tablecloth etc... <a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html" target="_blank">http://www.rickbayless.com/res...ill.html</a> I would recommend visiting Water Tower Place for people watching / shopping. it is on Michigan Avenue - a walk from where you are. If you've never been atop a 100 story building - John Hancock Center is cool - and a restaurant at the top also. <a href="http://www.shopwatertower.com/html/mallinfo.asp" target="_blank">http://www.shopwatertower.com/...info.asp</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_tower" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_tower</a> <a href="http://www.hancock-observatory.com/en/" target="_blank">http://www.hancock-observatory.com/en/</a> A handsome cabride on Michigan Avenue would be nice as would a boat ride on Lake Michigan- I recommend the Spirit of Chicago. the skyline is amazing late afternoon and evening <a href="http://www.spiritofchicago.com/ch/index.jsp?src=google&loc=chicago&ad=spirit" target="_blank">http://www.spiritofchicago.com...d=spirit</a> for a few Chicago treats: stop at a Garrett's popcorn shop downtown and get a carmel corn / cheese corn mix ( can get a nice Chicago souveneir tin )- the popcorn Oprah made famous. <a href="http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/" target="_blank">http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/</a> Or if you have ever seen the SNL skit on Cheeseburger Cheeseburger - it is a take off on a Chicago Hamburger landmark - and a short walk from you - on lower Wackerdrive <a href="http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html" target="_blank">http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html</a> Best Chicago hot dogs downtown - Gold Coast Dogs - <a href="http://www.goldcoastdog.com/" target="_blank">http://www.goldcoastdog.com/</a> Coolest Nightclub - Excaliber - a short cab ride away - lots of Chi towncelebs and visiting sports stars hang out there <a href="http://www.excaliburchicago.com/" target="_blank">http://www.excaliburchicago.com/</a> another very good one downtown - the Level ( maybe better music ) <a href="http://www.levelchicago.com/" target="_blank">http://www.levelchicago.com/</a> One more idea - walk to Millenium Park - recently built and really nice just south of where you'll be ( and a great restaurant there - Park Grill )- ( they set up iceskating outside in the winter - but you're here too early Art Institute of Chicago located here also. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Park" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...ium_Park</a> <a href="http://www.parkgrillchicago.com/" target="_blank">http://www.parkgrillchicago.com/</a> call ahead for Park Grill reservations - wait are long otherwise - for lunch especially very reasonable Hope this is a start if you were here longer would recommend not missing Second City Comedy - ( where most of SNL got their start, Wrigley Field for a Cubs game )
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Any of the open air tour bus things are worth it. Especially if you are into architecture. They do a great job. Like vbdad55, I like the John Hancock, most people will recommend Sears Tower. The Art Institute of Chicago and the Field and Museum of Science and Industry are two of my fav's. I think it's the Chicago History Museum that does walking tours, vbdad55 correct me. They are a lot of fun and interesting way to learn about the city. Have fun I LOVE Chicago!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Not sureif the Chicago Historical Society still does those tours or not- but there is an architectural cruise down the river that's pretty cool also. I too prefer the Hancock to the Sears Tower - that way you stay on Michigan Avenue, and the view is less crowded too. The sunrise breakfast there is amazing <a href="http://www.signatureroom.com/" target="_blank">http://www.signatureroom.com/</a>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I've done the Spirit of Chicago several times! Very fun and BEAUTIFUL. It was a favorite thing for me to do with visitors. Off subject but in January I had to fly from Atlanta to Chicago for the day for business. It had been about 5 years since I'd been back. Of all the cities I've lived in, besides the Bay Area, Chicago feels like home. I really missed it and didn't know it till I landed. Just a place with a great vibe!!!
Originally Posted By DAR You won't be able to see a Cubs game because they'll most likely have choked yet again. ;P And vbdad55 I do realize what the above statement could entail.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ aslong as the Brewers have Ned Yost - I am perfectly comfortable with how things will work out... that guy is a box of rocks.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF I don't live in Chicago but have been there several times. VBDad says just about everything I would, especially Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. My partner and I were in Chicago for a week for my 40th birthday in April and ate at both places. Garrett's is awesome! We'll be in town again in October ourselves. We're hoping the new Trader Vic's will be open by then.
Originally Posted By PetesDraggin If you make it up to the Lincoln Park area, a fabulous pizza place called Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co is a must. They serve pizza pot pies and are the best things I have ever tasted. <a href="http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/" target="_blank">http://www.chicagopizzaandoven...der.com/</a>
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF We ate at the Oven Grinder on that same trip. I didn't care much for it; my hubby loves it. He ate there a lot when he lived in Evanston. The place was absolutely PACKED. If you go, be forewarned that they do not take names down for reservations. The host at the front takes a look at you and relies on his memory. He seemed very good at what he was doing; we were seated pretty much when he said we would.
Originally Posted By Rhonda Thank you for all the information ! It looks like we should have added a day or two to our trip . It's the second week of classes at our college so it wasn't a good time to be away , hopefully I will be able to return and really enjoy the city . I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and with such thorough info !
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "We're hoping the new Trader Vic's will be open by then." Hope so- it is being opened by the Harry Caray restaurant group and I udnerstan will have plenty of the original furnishings from it's Palmer House days
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I just got back yesterday from staying at that Sheraton. Stay away from Shula's, it's way overpriced for what you get. Don't count on the hotel bar being open past 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. on any night. P.J. Clarke's is just down Columbus, within five minutes. Good food and drinks, open until 4:00 a.m. To get to Billy Goat, go past the NBC tower, past the Uni of Chicago building, cross Michigan Ave to the left of the Wrigley Building, and go down the stairs. It's great. Just don't order Pepsi. Go on one of the water tours, well worth it. Walk south to State and Lake to the old Marshall Field's. The Hancock is north on Michigan Ave and within walking distance. Just before the Hancock, left on Chestnut, is Ditka's. Great food, and he's usually there Saturday and Sunday evenings. Take a cab, maybe a $20-25 ride, to Wrigleyville. See the park, hit the bars. Great time. For pizza, go to Giordano's, Gino's East is a tourist trap. That's just off the top of my head.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^ Go to the Original Uno's ( Or Due's across the street) for the best Chicago Pizza ( deep dish) IMHO - and I grew up in the neighborhood where Giordano's started in a bar. Gino's East never was the same after it moved years ago -
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF >>Hope so- it is being opened by the Harry Caray restaurant group and I udnerstan will have plenty of the original furnishings from it's Palmer House days<< Yep, that's what I've been hearing, too. I just wish the Trader Vic's folks would reveal the opening date, but they are notorious for keeping that information very, very quiet. If it's open when we are in town next month, I'll treat you to a Mai Tai...
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF Unfortunately, Trader Vic's doesn't open until late November at the earliest. *sigh* Maybe next spring...
