Post by itsjustabbey on Aug 1, 2013 15:20:23 GMT -5
DH and I are going to Chicago in August... just a super-quick, one night, two day trip. We're going to see Book of Mormon on Friday night (eeeee!) and are staying at a hotel off of Michigan Ave (thanks, priceline!). But, we have absolutely nothing planned, other than the show.
What are some of your favorite things to do, eat, and see in Chicago? We're in our 20s, like to eat and sightsee and are basically open to anything, just looking for some ideas. We've both been to Chicago before, but it's been years since either has been.
H and I are leaving Tuesday for Chicago. We plan to go to Millenium Park, Navy Pier, the beach that PP mentioned, I have heard great things about the Architectural Boat tour. We might also go to the Aquarium (we will be there 3 full days so a little more time to do things).
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. Mark Twain
Millennium Park (the bean!) Sears (Willis) Tower - the glass platforms are pretty cool Second City improv show - lots of famous actors/comedians are alums Field Musuem - a lot of the other museums/aquarium are supposed to be great too but I've only been to the Field Navy Pier - I'm weird in that I like wandering over here but a lot of locals say it's a tourist trap. I just like the lake view Architectural boat tour - I"m also weird on this one as I didn't really enjoy this tour but others rave about it Xoco - one of Rick Bayless's (Top Chef Master) restaurants. Everything is so delicious.
This is a great list. I'm a native Chicagoan and I still love wandering Navy Pier. My additions:
Shopping on South State St or North Michigan Ave Oak St or North Ave Beach Drinks at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock. (The bathrooms have the best view. Food is mediocre for the price) Giordano's or Gino's East for deep dish Frontera Grill (another Rick Bayless restaurant) Mr Beef Taco Burrito King for a local hole in the wall, cheap mexican meal Billy Goat Tavern - SNL had a famous skit based on this place. I like the original lower Michigan Ave.
Second City show, Gino's East for Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Wrigley Field/Cubs game, the architecture boat tour, shopping/browsing Michigan Avenue, and strolling Navy Pier would be my top picks.
Which wknd are you coming? I may be able to recommend some festivals.
-Hubbard St is a popular spot for night scene/bars (start at Hubbard/State St)
-Navy Pier is a tourist hot spot. If you go to the end of the pier there's a beer garden with music. Also free fireworks on Saturday nights
-Field Museum is by far my favorite museum we have (buy tickets in advance online to avoid lines <this advance pretty much echos for any museum/Shedd)
-Grab a drink at the Signature Lounge in John Hancock building <I much prefer this and it's views vs going up Sears/Willis Tower. Even if you see a line when you walk in; it typically doesn't take more than 20 minutes to get to the top
-Architectural boat tour or the lakefront tour are both well worth it
-Shop State St (starting at Monroe, go north)
-Roof at The Wit Hotel is a rooftop with fun views
-Oak Street Beach (which was mentioned), or if you walk on the Lake Front about 10 more minutes you'll hit North Ave Beach (with a big boat, Castaway, with food/drinks/DJ). North Ave is the most popular beach and great for people watching
-Green City Market is Sat mornings in Lincoln Park until 1p. It's huge with lots of food and live music
-Art of Pizza is a trip from downtown (take red line to Belmont and 77 bus west to Ashland), but well worth it. And it's BYOB:)
-Check out if there are any free shows at Jay Pritzker pavilion at Millenium Park. You can bring a picnic, including alcohol. Nearby grocery store Bockwinkels has great easy to-go food.
If you're into brunch, I can give you a hole slough of options. My fav for sweet entrees is Bongo Room and for egg entrees is Over Easy
Ditto signature lounge for a drink. Amazing views (and mojitos!). I wanted to see the things that were Chicago specific, Millennium park, the bean, and the Buckingham fountain (Married with Children). We also went to Lincoln Park zoo, and Shedd aquarium. It was too hot for the zoo, the animals didn't come out. Shedd was nice, we bought tix online in advance, so there was no waiting. We liked Lou Malnatti's pizza (over Gino's) and we went to Portillo's for hot dogs and hot beef sandwiches. Frontera Grill was really good too!! (Xoco doesn't serve liquor, and we wanted margaritas!). The architectural boat tour was great and the Navy pier was nice.
We just went to Chicago last month. We did a Wendella boat tour on the river to view the architecture, a Cubs game, a comedy show at Second City, and Milennium Park and Buckingham Fountain. (We did Navy Pier on our trip in 2010 and it was nice but IMO nothing special.)