Posted January 14, 201114 yr Hi everyone, I know this is short notice, but I'm leaving for Chicago tonight for the long weekend thanks some cheap Megabus tickets. I haven't been able to do much research, and haven't ever really explored Chi-town before. I was hoping for a few last minute suggestions of places to see, things to do. 1) Top urban neighborhoods ( hopefully along public transportation) 2) Top two museums ( Hows the Chicago History Museum?)... Probably only time for one or two 3) Any events this weekend? Or other "must see" 4) Good neighborhood boutique type shopping? ( for the gf... She doesn't like Michigan Ave shopping... Too commercial) 5) Any recommended neighborhood joints ( bar or restaurant... Looking for true Chicago feel) I'll be staying Downtown along Michigan Ave.
January 14, 201114 yr I live in Chicago, so here is my input: 1. Wicker Park/Bucktown (trendy/hipster), Lincoln Park (yuppie), Lakeview (frat/yuppie/gayborhood) 2. Art Institute and Field Museum 3. Check out the Metromix Chicago website. 4. Milwaukee Avenue and Division Street in Wicker Park, Damon Avenue in Bucktown, and the area around Armitage and Halsted in Lincoln Park. 5. Lots to chose from, depending on your tastes. The most classic Chicago bar is the Green Mill. It was Al Capone's joint. Given your screen name you might enjoy La Scarola, and then you could pop into Richards Bar next door. Wicker Park/Bucktown has a lot of cool bars (think Tremont on steroids). Some are neighborhood taverns on residential streets. Go to Portillo's for Italian Beef and Hot Dogs and Giordano's for stuffed Chicago Pizza. They are both downtown close to Michigan Ave.
January 15, 201114 yr 1) Check out Armitage Street off the brown line, and Wicker Park off the blue line. Very photogenic. There's plenty of other areas with even more spectacular architecture, but I'm also keeping your girl in mind, and she'll likely be equally impressed by these neighborhoods. 2) Eh, just hit up the art museum, it's convenient. And the Shedd has an incredible show. 3) Not sure 4) She can go to all of the 250 Akiras on North Ave! Well, more like 8 of them in a row, but she'll like them. Armitage and Halsted has lots of Boutiques, and so does Damen Ave up in Bucktown. 5) Go to Piece Pizza in Wicker Park. Do it, trust me. You'll love it. I've got a bunch of friends in town, but I might have time if you want some spectacular views of the city. Just pm me I live on Michigan Ave / oak and my roof deck and office have some good vantage points if you are into photography.
January 15, 201114 yr EL ride/Walking tours Red Line: get off at Belmont, walk east to Clark, walk north to Addison walk east to get back on the red line at Wrigley/Addison. Shopping, bars and restaurants the whole walk, plus see Wrigley. Brown Line: Get off at Armitage for good boutique shopping Blue Line: Get off at Division, walk north on Milwaukee Ave to Damen and get back on the train at Damen. Lots of shopping, bars....etc also along entire walk For a quick weekend you will probably only have time for one museum if you really want to get out an explore the city as well. I'd say the Art Institute and some ice skating in Millenium Park would make a nice day Downtown. Museum of Science and Industry is a fav of mine, but you'd have to take the #6 bus to Hyde Park. Skip Shedd, it's expensive and hoarded by kids....and you'll be waiting in line outside on one of the windiest spots along the Lake. Get a great view from the top of the Hancock without waiting in line or paying. Go in the entrance on the south side of the building and tell security you are going to the Signature Room. You can have drinks in the bar on the 96th floor. Keep your eye on the window seats and swoop in when a party leaves
January 15, 201114 yr So far so good. Here's the hotel I snagged via Hotwire: http://www.chicagotraveler.com/hotels-new/chicago-hotel-id-151856.html great position to do much of what was recommended.
January 15, 201114 yr So far so good. Here's the hotel I snagged via Hotwire: http://www.chicagotraveler.com/hotels-new/chicago-hotel-id-151856.html great position to do much of what was recommended. I would highly recommend doing the hop on hop off double decker bus tours. Its a great way to move throughout the city and to get nice historical facts, and facts like, hey Oprah lives here. When I was on it we saw Vince Vaughn walking. Anyways I had a great time and the view from the top of the bus is something special. And I also highly recommend doing the John Hancock Observation deck instead of the willis(sears) tower. And if you can, do it at night. You will be blown away!
January 15, 201114 yr "And I also highly recommend doing the John Hancock Observation deck instead of the willis(sears) tower. And if you can, do it at night. You will be blown away!" Yes, the observation deck at the Hancock is great - it's on the 94th floor. However, MUCH BETTER (imho) is the Signature Room Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Center. No admission charge other than an overpriced beer or cocktail - same views, but with a bar! :-) http://www.signatureroom.com/Signature-Lounge/ clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
January 15, 201114 yr If you looking for a place to pop in for a meal close to your hotel I recommend the Gage on Michigan Ave. http://www.thegagechicago.com/
January 15, 201114 yr ^I actually have reservation at Boka tonight. I'll look at Gage for lunch or Dinner tomorrow. Awesome pics MayDay. I think you just gave us an amazing idea of where to grab at least drinks.
January 15, 201114 yr Southport avenue near the brown line stop is my favorite neighborhood in Chicago. Go see a show at Schuba's tonight.
January 15, 201114 yr ^I actually have reservation at Boka tonight. I'll look at Gage for lunch or Dinner tomorrow. Awesome pics MayDay. I think you just gave us an amazing idea of where to grab at least drinks. Just wait till you go up there at night and look south, walking up to the window was one of the coolest experiences. Unfortunately I had a crappy camera that couldn't take good pictures at night, especially through glass.
January 16, 201114 yr Everything is going great. We're in Wrigleyville at very impressive bar. Check out this link: http://www.risquechicago.com/risque_beer.htm Tonight we're going to the Hancock building for a drink. Thanks everyone for the suggestion.
January 22, 201114 yr Hi everyone, I know this is short notice, but I'm leaving for Chicago tonight for the long weekend thanks some cheap Megabus tickets. I haven't been able to do much research, and haven't ever really explored Chi-town before. I was hoping for a few last minute suggestions of places to see, things to do. 1) Top urban neighborhoods ( hopefully along public transportation) 2) Top two museums ( Hows the Chicago History Museum?)... Probably only time for one or two 3) Any events this weekend? Or other "must see" 4) Good neighborhood boutique type shopping? ( for the gf... She doesn't like Michigan Ave shopping... Too commercial) 5) Any recommended neighborhood joints ( bar or restaurant... Looking for true Chicago feel) I'll be staying Downtown along Michigan Ave. Dump her! She sounds CRAZEE!!!! Too commercial my ass!
January 23, 201114 yr Well here's my report: Chicago was great. We did both touristy and neighborhood things and met sone interesting people. We also navigated the city with the "L" Places we hit: Wicker Park (which is where she got her shopping out of the way ;) ) Bucktown Wrigleyville ( Risque Cafe bar was the highlight) Lincoln Park ( Dinner was at Boka) Downtown (hotel two blocks from Millenium Park) Little Italy ( Cleveland has a much, much better one... Shhh !. Although I hear there are one or two in the suburbs) Willis Tower observation Deck with the glass floor balcony Hancock 96th floor signature lounge the Bean Field Museum Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
January 23, 201114 yr Well hear's my report: Chicago was great. We did both touristy and neighborhood things and met sone interesting people. We also navigated the city with the "L" Places we hit: Wicker Park (which is where she got her shopping out of the way lol) Bucktown Wrigleyville ( Risque Cafe bar was the highlight) Lincoln Park ( Dinner was at Boka) Downtown (hotel two blocks from Millenium Park) Little Italy ( Cleveland has a much, much better one... Shhh !. Although I hear there are one or two in the suburbs) Willis Tower observation Deck with the glass floor balcony Hancock 96th floor signature lounge the Bean Field Museum What hotel?
January 23, 201114 yr Palmer House Hilton http://mobile.usablenet.com/mt/www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/
January 23, 201114 yr Did you notice that north of the river had way more activity at night and on the weekend?
January 23, 201114 yr Palmer House Hilton http://mobile.usablenet.com/mt/www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/ Yes, where end scenes in The Fugitive (1993) were filmed. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 23, 201114 yr Palmer House Hilton http://mobile.usablenet.com/mt/www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/ Yes, where end scenes in The Fugitive (1993) were filmed. The Palmer House was NOT a site the movie. The fugitive was filmed at the HILTON Chicago (on S. Michigan Ave.) not the Palmer House Hilton (on Monroe & State). Both are old school hotels and many people confuse the two. I've stayed in the suite that filming took place and we've had events in the ball room used for filming. The Hilton Chicago is on S. Michigan Ave., and in the last scenes of the movie they are driving away from the hotel, north on Michigan Ave.
January 24, 201114 yr Palmer House Hilton http://mobile.usablenet.com/mt/www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/ Yes, where end scenes in The Fugitive (1993) were filmed. The Palmer House was NOT a site the movie. The fugitive was filmed at the HILTON Chicago (on S. Michigan Ave.) not the Palmer House Hilton (on Monroe & State). Both are old school hotels and many people confuse the two. I've stayed in the suite that filming took place and we've had events in the ball room used for filming. The Hilton Chicago is on S. Michigan Ave., and in the last scenes of the movie they are driving away from the hotel, north on Michigan Ave. Same here, the ballroom was beautiful. The Hilton Chicago is more south
January 24, 201114 yr Little Italy ( Cleveland has a much, much better one... Shhh !. Although I hear there are one or two in the suburbs) Hah...yes! What you saw was a fragment. Most of Chicago's "Little Italy" (AKA "The Valley" & "Taylor Street") was destroyed during the 1960s to build UIC "Circle Campus". Cleveland has the best "Little Italy" I've seen outside of North Beach (and that was pretty touristy).
January 25, 201114 yr Little Italy ( Cleveland has a much, much better one... Shhh !. Although I hear there are one or two in the suburbs) This is for sure. I should have told you not to waste your time going there. Cleveland also has a much higher percentage of Italians in seems. Chicago does have some serious Polish neighborhoods, but they are not exactly tourist friendly.
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