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.
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!
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.)
Post by awkwardpenguin on Aug 2, 2015 0:23:05 GMT -5
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.
Post by whiskeyandwine on Aug 2, 2015 3:58:18 GMT -5
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.
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.
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.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Aug 2, 2015 13:18:43 GMT -5
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.
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.
Post by whiskeyandwine on Aug 2, 2015 14:39:33 GMT -5
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.
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.
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.