A trip to Chicago!!!
 

Hi Everyone!

My boyfriend, myself, and some friends of ours are going to Chicago for the upcoming weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to go and what to do?

Thanks in advance!!! :)

Well, I could give you a million suggestions, but it would help if you tell me what kinds of things you like. What kinds of restaurants would you want to check out while you're here? Do you want to visit museums? Go clubbing? If you want to go clubbing, what type of crowd/music would you enjoy? Will you be staying downtown?

You might want to check out www.metromix.com to get some information, and www.chireader.com has great restaurant reviews.

But really, let me know a little bit about what you want to do when you're here and I'll try to make some good suggestions for you!

The Art Institute is awesome. You really need to go. They have a great collection of modern and early 20th century art. Walk around the Art Institute area, and go to Michigan Ave.

I used to live in the burbs of Chicago, and missed being able to go downtown when I moved. Like valkyrie said, there is tons to do, so it's really up to you!
lv,
M

Thank you both for your help.
We will be staying on Michigan avenue, really close to the Magnificant Mile. I think we'll be able to see the river from our hotel window (we're staying at the Sheraton, if that helps).
I deffinately hope to check out the museums while I am there. I would also like to go up to ths Sears tower, but I don't know if that would even be open (with how tight security is now-a-days). I am not sure if we will be going clubbing, but we have deffinately not ruled that out.
As far as restuarants go.... My boy will be having a birthday this Thursday, (we'll be leaving for Chicago on Sunday) and I am hoping to take him out for a nice dinner. Nothing too expensive, but still something nice. Also, I'd like to take him to someplace fun afterwards. Any suggestions?

Again, thank you so much. :)

Must-see stuff: Art Institute, Field Museum (each could be a day in its own right).

Quick walking tour of State Street-- check out the inside of Marshall Field's, just for the amazing ceilings (mosaic and stained glass) and the funky food area downstairs. Or, head north of the river a few blocks and check out Hard Rock Cafe, House of Blues, and other like eateries.

Dinner: You *must* go to the Berghoff. As cheap or expensive as you want to be. Dress in khakis to feel most like you fit in-- you could wear jeans, but sometimes you'll also have people in suits or tuxes for pre-theater dinners. 17 West Adams, Chicago, IL 60603, Phone 312-427-3170. M-Th: 11a.m.-9p.m.; F: 11a.m.-9:30p.m.; Sat: 11:30a.m.-10p.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays (I didn't know that!) so you'll need to plan ahead a bit. Go early to miss the crowd or be ready to wait for a bit. It's well worth it. I always go for sauerbraten and spatzle. (German food, yum!) Totally cool, totally unique, and not horribly pricey. After prohibition, they got city liquor license #1, and have made their own beer for ages. For more history, info, menus, etc, go to http://www.berghoff.com/

Wish I could find my city guidebook! The above will have to do.

If you want a great view of the city - go to the restaurant/bar at the top of the John Hancock building. The bar is one floor below the observatory - so you can get the view from the bar while enjoying a drink! Shopping is GREAT along Michigan Avenue.

I love restaurants, so I hope I can help you out by offering a few suggestions.

In the downtown area, there are many good ones...so you have tons and tons of options. If you're in the mood for Italian, I like Trattoria No. 10, at 10 N. Dearborn. The Atwood Cafe, at 1 W. Washington, is good for comfort food, but is also good for dessert and drinks later in the evening; it is a VERY cute place. I've heard very good things about Russian Tea Time at 77 E. Adams, but I've never been there. One of the new hot spots (although I haven't been there, either) is Sugar at 108 W. Kinzie. They serve only dessert and drinks.

If you're looking for a good place to get a quick lunch, Zoom Kitchen is awesome and they have some of the best salad, ever. There's on at 923 N. Rush, and there's also one downtown at State & Jackson.

One of my FAVORITE restaurants of all time is Tizi Melloul, at 531 N. Wells. It's Mediterranean and the food is amazing and the decor incredible and sexy (yes, I think decor can be sexy). It is a beautiful restaurant with inventive food that isn't too, too expensive, the people are friendly and the drinks great. It's really a great experience.

If you want to venture out of the downtown area (and I recommend that you do because that's where you can find true Chicago character) there are more great places. In the Old Town neighborhood, you can get great Mexican food at Adobo Grill, at 1610 N. Wells. The guacamole is to die for and they make it with fresh avocados right at your table. In the Wicker Park/Bucktown area (which is northwest of downtown) there are some good places as well. Mod, at 1520 N. Damen, is a fun place to see and be seen and the food is good as well (although it's not a good place for vegetarians). Nearby D'Vine, at 1950 W. North is fun as well, and they usually have good music and they have a great wine selection. If you want funky and unique, check out Privata Cafe at 1938 W. Chicago. They describe their food as Italian with a touch of Mexican, and the pasta (especially the pasta with black bean chipotle pesto) is wonderful and it's cheap and BYOB so you can grab wine at the liquor store on the corner. This is another of my favorites. If you want to get brunch, Wishbone at 1001 W. Washington is the best place to go. The food is southern (great black bean cakes and corn muffins) but you'll have to wait a while to get a table.

Of course you should not miss Chicago pizza, and IMHO the BEST place to have it is at Pizzeria Uno (29 E. Ohio) or Pizzeria Due (619 N. Wabash). They're both run by the same people, but I personally always go to Due. The pizza is the best pizza I have ever had in my life and worth the crowds and the wait. Keep in mind that if you're going to go to Uno, ONLY go to the original one! There are chains all over the place now, but the pizza at the other Uno locations is not NEARLY as good -- not even close.

Ditto what Kate said about Field's -- no visit to Chicago would be complete without checking out Marshall Field's on State Street. You could LIVE there; they have everything. If you want to eat there, I think that the food court on the 7th floor is better than the one in the basement.

If you want to go out for a nice evening of jazz, you should check out the Green Mill. It's way up on the north side at Lawrence & Broadway, but it's worth the trip. It's an old school place (where Al Capone used to hang) with incredible live jazz and mellow, decent crowds.

I'm pretty sure the Sears Tower is open. I was working a few blocks from it right after 9/11, and they reopened it way back then, so I'm sure they're probably open now. If you don't want to go there, you can always go up to the bar atop the Hancock center and have a drink -- great views, but you don't pay admission to the skydeck (just the price of a drink).

if you are into Saturday Night Live
 

Check out the Billt Goat Tavern - the subject of many a skit "Cheezborger, Cheezborger ..." No Fries, Cheeps" and "No Bud, Old Style." Their cheeseburgers are to die for (and I never buy hamburgers or fast food like this) but this is the exception. They are on Michigan Ave, but underneath it. Take the stairs right across from the Tribune Building - right north of the river off Michigan Avenue.

Also on the subject of touristy - theres a Cheesecake Factory where you can just get cheesecake or dinner but its usually packed - its at the bottom of the Hancock

Along the sames lines of the Hancock Building bar, Whiskey Sky is a nice hotel bar atop the W Lakeshore where you can have a drink and see the city from a 33-story view ... its a trendy place owned by Cindy Crawfords' husband in the chain of Sky/Whiskey bars. The restaurant Wave in the W is also a good time, neat atmostphere and decent food - granted it did not blow me away.

The area of bars and restaurants near Rush and Division are also popular with people visiting, theres everything from a chain BAR Chicago to asian-influenced clubs Dragonfly. Further down on Rush are some swankier clubs.

Hope this helps a little. Have a good time.

Don't forget Navy Pier. It's a lot of walking but it's fun and you're right on the water. By the way if you wanna taste some good junk food stop by Garrett's popcorn shop. There is one on Michigan. The cheese caramel mix gets all over your fingers but it is good eating!

As for the arts, There is a singalong wizard of oz a la The Rocky Horrort Picture show playing if you're into that. My friends went and loved it. The art institute has a few exhibits running so be sure to stop there. And depending on what day you go the museums are free. Check with the hotel concierge for more info

If you want popcorn from Garretts you should go to the one on State Street, it is the same owner and the popcorn is just as great and you will not have to wait in line.

The Hancock is great but I would not eat there, it is expensive, you can eat in the WaterTower at Mighty Nice Grill, great resterant and not expensive and then you can go next door to the Hancock for drinks and get the same view, if you are not 21 you can still be up there and drink "soda".

Ben Pao, is off Michagan and they have really good food, it is by the Harley Davidson shop, or the Weber Grill. I also suggest The Grand Lux, it is by the Omni hotel-where Oprahs guests stay- and they have soooo many things to eat there.

If you want to go off Michigan Ave you can go to Wishbone on Washington by Harpo studios(no I do not work for Oprah) and they have AMAZING things to eat.

This weekend is the Car Show, which can be fun. You must visit Millinium Park- you can walk around and it is all lit up and you can go ice skating for really cheap.

Wow!
 

Thank you SO MUCH for everyone's help. I really, really appreciate it.
I plan to print this thread, and sit down with everyone who's going to see what we all want to do. So feel free to add anything else.
Thanks again! :)

One more thing
 

If you go to Wishbone to eat, you must try their sweetened tea. Yum!

Hi everyone!

Well, we just came home from Chicago last night, and we had a GREAT TIME!!!
I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to this thread and gave some suggestions. Your ideas helped us a TON!!!

Again, thank you so much!

~ADPiViolets~

I was recently in Chicago and had Giordano's pizza... it was not too impressive, especially after the buildup I had heard.

Cafe Iberico for tapas was good...

And, of course, loved Michigan Avenue... almost as good as Rodeo Drive... but not quite (and way too cold)!

I really liked the pizza at Giordano's, although my ADPi sister found a strand of hair on her piece! :(