Chicago recs?

[cville]

Eat at Lou Malnattis.

Go to the Art Institute, even if you're not normally an art person. Likewise the Field Museum (although if you're only doing one museum, hit the Art Institute).

I'm not afraid of heights so I did the whole Hancock Building thing.

Obviously, Magnificent Mile shopping.

Go see a show for sure.

[sparkythelawyer]

Girl and the Goat.

[mbcdefg]

The Purple Pig

[MauMau]

Chicago Architecture Boat Tour. Buy tickets online or the day before at the shop. Any of their walking, bus, and L tours are great too.

Museum of Contemporary Photography (free) has a photo exhibit on North Korea. Takes less than an hour to visit. Not too far from your hotel.

Lincoln Park Conservatory (greenhouse right by the zoo) and the Caldwell Lily Pool.

Chicago Cultural Center (corner of Michigan and Randolph) Free. Beautiful Tiffany dome. Free art exhibits.

Lurie Gardens ( North of Art Institute) in Millenium Park. Beautiful and peaceful. Stick your feet into the little canal to cool down.

Buckingham Fountain. Go in the evening and see it light up.

See if there are any concerts at Millennium Park. You can carry in wine, beer, and food to picnic. Or they do movies. It's very beautiful.

I'd pick Art Institute over the Field if I had to only pick one. # 1 museum in the world ranked by trip advisor.

I don't eat a lot down there. Recently went to State and Lake Tavern inside the Wit with another GBCN. It was really good and my mojito was tasty.

For lunches I usually eat at Panera or Corner Bakery. There is a pizza and pasta place called Vapiano which I like for lunch too. Macy's food court on the 7th is really good. They have a Frontera Fresca that people like. Check out the Tiffany Ceiling while there.

If you want to leave the loop and Mag Mile places. I recently toured Pilsen and I loved it. Great Mexican restaurants. Fantastic murals throughout the area. Mexican Museum of Art was great and free too. Easy to reach with the pink line train.

If you are a frequent restroom user. I can share the good spots for that too. LOL!

[cbwm1]

LOU MALNATIS

Also, when are you coming??

[flutermed]

We just left Lou Malnati. It was worth it to say we've been. Tommorow, DH is doing the whole Willis/Sear's Tower. Thwn we're hitting the Field Museum.

[sashimi]

Go check out Topolobampo. Go check out Avec. If you want fancy.
Catch a cab and head to Greek Town. Amazing food at Athena. Eat on the Patio.
Go check out some awesome bars in Lincoln Square (Some great places there.)

Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[awkwardpenguin]

I don't go here, but I saw it on the app and I have opinions.

Slurping Turtle is good, low-key, and right by your hotel.

I'm obsessed with Rick Bayless food, so I'd recommend Topolobampo for dinner and Frontera Fresca (in Macy's) for lunch.

I think The Purple Pig is a bit overhyped, and the pig ear dish is definitely overhyped. I actually liked the veggie dishes the best.

Hopleaf is great, and a fairly straightforward red line trip from where you are staying.

I also think Chicago has amazing hole in the wall food. Yassa, La Pasadita, and Tank Noodle are my favorites.

The Art Institute is amazing, and free on Thursdays from 5-8. Enter through the Modern Wing entrance on Monroe Street to avoid the line.

The Architecture Foundation boat tour is great, but I like their walking tours even better. My favorite is the Historic Skyscrapers one, but honestly you can't really go wrong.

I love the Chicago History Museum, but I am a well known nerd.

If you're going to do a tall building for the view, I prefer the Signature Room at the Hancock to the other options.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with different character, so if you have time try to get out and see some of them. Pilsen was mentioned, but I also like Ukrainian Village and Bronzeville. This book is useful: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0899974163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1438492440&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=chicago+walking+tours&dpPl=1&dpID=518B1pQPTwL&ref=plSrch

Have fun!

[whiskeyandwine]

Ooh, yes, Slurping Turtle is so good! I'm not a huge Lou's fan. Gino's East opened a spin off in the South Loop that has great pizza and lots of beer options.

I second Lurie's Gardens - it is amazing how you can be in them and forget you're in Chicago.

Have a drink at The Signature Room Lounge. It's at the too of the Hancock, and drinks are cheaper than the observatory.

[captainobvious]

Purple pig
Girl and goat

[PandaPear]

We also stayed at Palomar and liked it - lots within walking distance. We did the boat architecture tour and ate at Girl & Goat (loved).

[LeggsBenedict]

polka dot giraffe.

[RoxMonster]

Just seeing this now but wanted to say we stayed at the Palomar on our last trip and loved it. I second the architectural boat tour and walking around Millennium Park would be fun on a nice day. Drinks at the Signature Lounge at John Hancock.

[cuddlyevil]

Everywhere?

The art institute is my favorite, favorite non-food place in Chicago.

[Deleted]

You can walk to all the following tasty places (all within half a mile from your hotel):
Frontera Grill
Giordano's
GT Fish & Oyster
Lou Malnati's
Portillo's
The Purple Pig
Tanta
Xoco
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe

For the love of God, please do not eat at Panera or Corner Bakery.

[underwaterrhymes]

I'm still new to the area and am saving this for my own purposes, but one of the most fun bars I've ever been to is The Green Mill. It's a bit of a ways from your hotel, but if you're looking to get drinks with your colleagues and are up for a taxi ride, it's fantastic.

[dapotato]

to walk off all the good food, walk around millennium park, see cloud gate (the bean), walk across the bridge to the art institute. hang out on the lawn at the pritzker pavilion. i was there last august, and the symphony was rehearsing. the rehearsal was open to the public (i mean, it's open air in the middle of a park)...was nice to sit on the lawn & chill for a bit.

[awkwardpenguin]

Oh, I forgot that technically Art Institute free nights are only for Illinois residents. Sometimes they check IDs, sometimes not.

[whiskeyandwine]

Ooooh! Brunch at Sienna Tavern! Get the monkey bread. 

Also, Xoco has really good food. I vote skip Topo unless you're a total foodie. Frontera has great food and GREAT margaritas. If you can't get a table or don't want to wait, try the bar. You can eat the full menu there. 

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 2, 2015 13:18:43 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I'm still new to the area and am saving this for my own purposes, but one of the most fun bars I've ever been to is The Green Mill. It's a bit of a ways from your hotel, but if you're looking to get drinks with your colleagues and are up for a taxi ride, it's fantastic.

I lived fairly close to the Green Mill, and we used to go for jazz. It was a blast.

[noodle]

Coming in since I'll be in Chicago in about a week and a half for work. Loving all the recommendations!

[Deleted]

Lou Malnati's is delicious and surprisingly cheap.

I'd skip the aquarium.

The planetarium or Field museum are walkable or short cab ride and look cool but I haven't been.

[sashimi]

Aug 2, 2015 13:15:41 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

You can walk to all the following tasty places (all within half a mile from your hotel):
Frontera Grill
Giordano's
GT Fish & Oyster
Lou Malnati's
Portillo's
The Purple Pig
Tanta
Xoco
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe

For the love of God, please do not eat at Panera or Corner Bakery.

YES! Wild berry. But the crowds. Ours in Schaumburg is ridiculous. Walker Brothers in Buffalo Grove is awesome. Their pancakes are amazing, blintzes. Also being the nice Jewish girl (HA) I adore their lox and bagel plate. :::Drools:::: @koko next time you're in town have a car and head to the burbs, there are some hidden gems. 

[underwaterrhymes]

We have a Wildberry up by where we live and I'm dying to go. The crowds are always insane, though.

[Deleted]

Eat at The Purple Pig. 

I was unexcited by The Art Institute of Chicago.

See the bean--Visit Millennium Park.

Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

[whiskeyandwine]

Aug 2, 2015 15:04:51 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Lou Malnati's is delicious and surprisingly cheap.

I'd skip the aquarium.

The planetarium or Field museum are walkable or short cab ride and look cool but I haven't been.

Don't try to walk to the Field of Planetarium from your hotel. Take a train to Roosevelt (red line), or take a bus or cab. Trust me on this.