I may be making 1-2 weekend trips up to Chicago in the near future and wanted to poll the audience on off the beaten path things to do there. I have been many times and find myself there even now probably once every 2 or 3 months.

 

So, what are some insiders tips and tricks for a weekend of something other than Michigan Ave, Lincoln Park and Boystown?

 

FYI -- I'm a price-conscious foodie, will only walk and use public transit, like minimalist architecture, contemporary art and boutique shopping. Any cool weekend markets for clothing or art? What are the best areas for a morning jog along the lake?

#1 rated place to eat on urbanspoon "Kumas Corner"  A grungy, gnarley place, unbelievably creative burgers, great beer.  Place has been on the food network.  Probably take a taxi there, it is north of Bucktown.  Speaking of Bucktown, another fun neighborhood to hang in.

The problem with Kumas is the line can be several hours long and there's really nothing to do in the neighborhood. However, if you go to Lockdown on Augusta/Western in Ukranian Village, you'll have the same unique food experience for a little less money and no wait.

 

A cool place is also Logan Hardware on Fullerton/Western on the Logan Square/Bucktown border. It's a record store with a full fledged video arcade of maybe 25 games/pinball machines. All completely free.

 

Try to spend some time in Hyde Park. The lakefront is gorgeous,  U of C is beautiful,  and there are some great indie book stores. One caveat: do NOT take the green line to or from there at night, after which you would have to take the 55 bus on Garfield. Drive, cab or bus (6 takes you downtown) is sufficient.

 

Pilsen and Little Village are also neat areas in the city though a bit rough at night. Little Italy is pretty lame - avoid wasting your time there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

^I 2nd Hyde Park.  Compared to most of Chicago, it's laid back, hip and liberal (I like).  Great old architecture (lovely old homes), compact with tons to do... Many museums -- of course Science and Industry (a little overrated these days when you consider the expense and what you get, but still interesting), and the University of Chicago's Oriental Museum (great archaeological collections, and it's free!-- there's an empty fishbowl at the door where they ask for donations).  UC's interesting in itself, its old architecture is modeled on Oxford and Cambridge.  There's lots of low, key, inexpensive quality restaurants in the neighborhood; some are geared more to students, many are not.

 

And, well, if you're interested in touring Pres. Obama's, there are paid tours (about $30 a pop -- I like Obama... but not that much) -- it's a short distance away in Kensington -- there's a train stop there, too (47th Street; see below). You're also a short walk from Lake Michigan amongst some high-rises. 

 

Transit?  The METRA Electric commuter train -- a rapid transit-like service (it's of course electric, high frequency of trains), is the way to go... a 15 min ride with a couple stops right near the heart of Hyde Park 55th or 59th). Even though it's a few bucks more than the slower CTA bus, it’s worth it for the speed and comfort.  METRA Electric’s downtown terminal is below Millennium Park off S. Michigan Ave.  I agree w/ TBideon about the Green Line L, it really serves the areas adjacent to Hyde Park rather than HP itself; and those areas are sketchy at best.  METRA Electrict's much quicker and more direct.

 

Red Apple on Milwaukee/Belmont is an incredible Polish buffet in Logan Square,  a very cool polish/Puerto rican neighborhood as well. Only a ten minute walk west from the Belmont blue line stop. Really inexpensive too.

Red Line Argyle Stop(Argyle Street between Broadway and Sheridan).  It's the lesser known Asian area than touristy Chinatown .  Mostly Vietnamese, with most other types of Asian food also.  Way cheaper than Chinatown, and better food IMO.  Get the Pho at 777 or Xe Lua.

 

In the area, Castlewood Street and Ainsle (between Sheridan and Marine Dr)have large old mansions that were once owned by movie stars when Chicago was Hollywood before Hollywood.  Essanay Studios is West on Argyle (from Broadway) and made movies but now is a college.

Many of the apartment buildings in the area were once Summer hotels for lakefront vacationers that lived in Chicago and wanted escape the dirty Central City.

 

Have a drink around the corner on Sheridan at Big Chicks.  Walk over to Broadway and Lawrence to see the entertainment area that has Aragon Ballroom, Riveria Theatre, and the Uptown theatre (closed but due for renovation soon).  Also the famous Green Mill tavern is there.

 

If you like to see big old historic homes, check out Buena Park off the Red Line Sheridan Stop.  Hutchinson St, Hazel, and Junior Terrace (east from the station toward the lake) also have large old mansions of old movie stars, some in the prairie style done by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentices.  Have drinks at Holiday Club on the corner of Irving Park and Sheridan Rd.  If you walk back Southwest of there you can be in the area of Wrigley Field and catch the Red Line again at Addison.

Also, there are ALWAYS street festivals on any given weekend all over the city.  In the early Summer, the Midsommerfest in Andersonville (6/8 - 6/10) is big, and the Sheffield/Belmont (5/26 - 5/27) one also.  What weekend will you be here, and maybe I can post the ones going on.

 

Andersonville is worth a trip anyway, lots of galleries and furniture and clothing boutiques.  Red Line Argyle Stop or Berwyn and walk west to Clark St.

Good call on Little Saigon. Tank noodle is the place to go there. Plus it's a 10 minute walk to Andersonville, which is as fun a neighborhood (or is it a subneighborhood) as anywhere else in Chicago. Hopleaf for drinks!

... If you're a jazz fan, as I am, you may want to check out Andy's just north of the Loop across the Chicago River -- It's kinda hidden away, near Hubbard and Wabash IIRC... They have food, nothing fancy, but filling -- hey, you go for the live jazz (7 days/week I believe) and the atmosphere... Andy's is w/in walking distance from most downtown points.

My advice to is always to follow the Brown line.  Check out River North, Old Towne, and my favorite spot, Southport Ave.

Don't forget Ravenswood

Not really unknown but if you havent before, go to the John Hancock observation deck at night. Most people talk about or go to the sears tower one, but the John Hancock observation deck is far better. Amazing experience in my opinion.

The Green Mill in Uptown for some good jazz and food.

Not really unknown but if you havent before, go to the John Hancock observation deck at night. Most people talk about or go to the sears tower one, but the John Hancock observation deck is far better. Amazing experience in my opinion.

 

Sears Tower is now the Willis Tower.  It has glass-floored observation balconies; breathtaking... John Hancock building, which is on the Magnificent Mile, has the Signature Room (restaurant & cocktail lounge) on the 96th floor... Romantic; fab views of the city esp at night... You must call early and make reservations; tought to get a table otherwise.

What is your budget?

What are the first dates you're going?

What types of foods or restaurants would you like to try?

Have you picked a hotel or where will you be based?

 

 

Found myself in Chicago last weekend with pretty crappy weather, but I did make it to Tank Noodle and Little Saigon which was FANTASTIC. Great ethnic neighborhood, rough around the edges, but not gentrified and lots of character. Great suggestion TBideon!

 

Anyways, I will explore the other suggestions on here on my next trips. They all look solid! Thanks guys!

 

BTW, I stayed at theWit on State St. which was just okay in my opinion...one of those boutique hotels that try a little too hard to be different and trendy. And too many drunk people in the lobby/elevators at night. Nice rooms though and convenient location.

Found myself in Chicago last weekend with pretty crappy weather, but I did make it to Tank Noodle and Little Saigon which was FANTASTIC. Great ethnic neighborhood, rough around the edges, but not gentrified and lots of character. Great suggestion TBideon!

 

Anyways, I will explore the other suggestions on here on my next trips. They all look solid! Thanks guys!

 

BTW, I stayed at theWit on State St. which was just okay in my opinion...one of those boutique hotels that try a little too hard to be different and trendy. And too many drunk people in the lobby/elevators at night. Nice rooms though and convenient location.

 

The Wit is a doubletree (Hilton) hotel, it's not all that "boutique".  I love the roof though.  We've had a couple events up there.  The drunks at the hotel Monaco and hard rock are worse!

I'm not from Chicago, but I did tour those places the first time you mentioned. I agree, I would suggest Hyde Park, some beauty homes by Frank Lloyd Wright in there as well as many historic homes.

Does Hyde Park have a kind of Cleveland Heights-y feel? Are the homes pretty spread out like that...or how does one maximize what they can see in the neighborhood just by walking around?

make sure to take a break from mich ave at the billy goat. great joint!

Been at Edgewater beach all day. That and Montrose beach are far more relaxing than North. Some great restaurants along Broadway too.