So I'm going to Chicago again on the 23rd and this time I'm actually spending about 5-6 days doing some heavy urban exploring in various areas both on and off the beaten path, before I move back to Cincinnati. I've already been to some typical touristy places and taken emo pics at the giant bean, gotten screamed at in the Billy Goat Tavern by the chips guy which I barely remember.  I was wondering if there's something in particular in one of Chicagos great neighborhoods that I should check out. I'm really fascinated by the city so any recommended interesting places or information would be appreciated!!!

P.S. how much does it cost to go on top of the John Hancock tower, and do they have short hours? (Carew tower observation deck shuts down at like 3 pm and I'm wondering if their hours are similar?).

 

I'm also going to the Dunes in Michigan! Wohoo!

The goose island brew pubs are in chicago, one near depaul and the other in wrigleyville.

Remind me to get back with you on this (PM me if I forget)

 

First thing, the area I am in now, the south loop is really cool. It has a lot of what you usually do not associate Chicago with, urban scarring.  It has a miniature "Millionaires row" on Prairie street, run down buildings, and urban gentrification on steroids....lots to see, and even if you come back in one year, it will be completely different.

 

For funner parts, that will be my next post

So I'm going to Chicago again on the 23rd and this time I'm actually spending about 5-6 days doing some heavy urban exploring in various areas both on and off the beaten path, before I move back to Cincinnati. I've already been to some typical touristy places and taken emo pics at the giant bean, gotten screamed at in the Billy Goat Tavern by the chips guy which I barely remember.  I was wondering if there's something in particular in one of Chicagos great neighborhoods that I should check out. I'm really fascinated by the city so any recommended interesting places or information would be appreciated!!!

P.S. how much does it cost to go on top of the John Hancock tower, and do they have short hours? (Carew tower observation deck shuts down at like 3 pm and I'm wondering if their hours are similar?).

 

I'm also going to the Dunes in Michigan! Wohoo!

 

David, you should check the thread that w28th started recently.  There was a lot of good information given.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=13531.0

 

http://www.hancock-observatory.com/visitorinfo.asp

Oh yeah, forgot about that.

Are you looking for great places to take photos as well?  I know many good vantage points.

 

It costs $11.40 to go up into the hancock btw.  It's worth it.  You should be able to get up there pretty late.  I'm positive they close at 10:00 pm (as in the last person they let up is at 10).  You may want to find out for sure though.

 

And of course, don't spend all your time downtown, explore the neighborhoods!

I am not sure if Pilsen is considered touristy now, but its an interesting neighborhood. 

 

The Mexican Fine Arts center there which is interesting and not really touristy, and Cafe Jumping Bean is in the neighborhood, which was sort of chicano artists hangout.  There is or was a newer place not far from the 18th Street L station that is sort of an alternative to Jumping Bean.

 

Little Village, on 26th Street is or was interestin as a Mexican neighborhood as an extension of Pilsen, but not that easy to get to via the L.

 

Prarie Avenue, that Punch talks about, is worth a look.  A lot of that has been torn down, but there are a few houses, inlcuding a nice one by H.H. Richardson.  That neighborhood is undergoing drastic change, as Punch notes.

 

I am more familiar with the north and NW side, but what i'm into might not be what others are into.

 

 

^I'm staying in McKinley Park so Pilsen is inevitable :)

 

Hayward--I might. What good vantage points are you holding out on?

 

Punch, I DEFINITELY want to check out the south loop. I haven't been that south of downtown.

 

Thanks!

Here's a handy neighborhood map of Chicago: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/City_Neighborhoods_8_5x11.pdf

 

We went to Bucktown and Wicker Park last year.  The gentrification is striking, but I still detected some counterculture remnants so it was an interesting mix.

chicago has a chinatown.

Definitely hit the Art Institute and the MOCA, if you're a fan of art. They're both fantastic.

 

Check out a show at Steppenwolf. Excellent theatre, if you're a fan.

 

Michigan Ave is fun but very touristy. I personally loved Bucktown and Wicker Park the most. Very East Village-y.

For vantage points, be sure to get pictures from this parking structure at a place called "The North Ave Shops" @ North Ave.  It's one of the best public places to get shots of the skyline from the back and have a bunch of nice smaller buildings in the foreground.

 

Apparently, the 37th floor of the Carbide And Carbon building has reopened to elevator access.  It's a dead mechanical floor, and has windows on all sides.  The views will shock you.  Where else can you look down the Chicago river, look down Michigan Ave, look right over Millennium Park, and look at the loop office clusters all in one place?  The angle is perfect.  40 floors up, so you see ARCHITECTURE, and can zoom in at people and cars.  OR, you can pick one of those touristy observation decks and look at Air Conditioning units on rooftops!  Try it, obviously its free since you aren't asking for permission.  Walk into the lobby off Mich Ave, and take the express elevators to the left.  If the light doesn't stay on for 37, then they've shut off elevator access to that floor again.  The hotel staff are aware of what people go up there for and don't seem to care.  If you need to open the windows to get a shot, you'll have to remove the suicide stops that are wedged into the frame. 

 

For a year now, I've been trying to get into contact with someone who works in the Coyote building in Wicker Park to get shots from there, but I've never had the guts to just walk up to someone on the ground floor and ask.  I guess at this time now it's worth trying since the building has been threatened with demolition. and the views would be gone forever.  Here's an example:

http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=137628672&size=o

 

I also have a Chicago set, which is a work in progress.  I usually get out to Chicago about once a month and I have a bizillion photos to go through still.  I haven't uploaded any neighborhood photos yet because I want to put them subfolders

 

http://flickr.com/photos/70205638@N00/sets/72157600947252289/

 

 

 

 

That Wicker Park shot is incredible!!!

The whole set is awesome, Hayward. Great job.

 

I have to go back to Chicago. Definitely my favorite American city.

Just a tip: Go up to the John Hancock BAR/LOUNGE instead (as you'd get something to drink for 6-7 bucks AND get a view of the city that's more relaxing).  And you can just get a lemonade if you are underage and you'll be fine.

 

If you want another secret spot, the Malcolm X parking garage in the West Loop area has a very good shot.  Or you could just go to UrbanOhio's main page, --> Other States --> Illinois --> Chicago --> Skyline and pick ones out and I'll tell you how to get there ;).

^

Malcom X College..wow ColDayMan you do get around!

 

 

$$$$$$

 

Apparently, the 37th floor of the Carbide And Carbon building has reopened to elevator access.  It's a dead mechanical floor, and has windows on all sides.  The views will shock you.  Where else can you look down the Chicago river, look down Michigan Ave, look right over Millennium Park, and look at the loop office clusters all in one place?  The angle is perfect.  40 floors up, so you see ARCHITECTURE, and can zoom in at people and cars.  OR, you can pick one of those touristy observation decks and look at Air Conditioning units on rooftops!  Try it, obviously its free since you aren't asking for permission.  Walk into the lobby off Mich Ave, and take the express elevators to the left.  If the light doesn't stay on for 37, then they've shut off elevator access to that floor again.  The hotel staff are aware of what people go up there for and don't seem to care. 

 

C&C has some great art deco detailing in its own right, but I didn't know it was converted into a hotel.  I see what you are talking about with the view being one within  a forest of towers, rather than looking down at the forest. 

 

There is another tower nearby that has also been converted to a hotel, one of those tall thin buildings just west of Michigan on Wacker Drive.

 

Pretty shocking to hear about the "Coyote" being considered for demo.  That is a real landmark building.

 

 

 

 

 

^

Malcom X College..wow ColDayMan you do get around!

 

;)

 

 

Though this angle has always been my favorite:

 

Thanks Chris. Yeah, I'm not 21 until October so it looks like I'll be ordering the house cola. I like that second skyline pic. So much depth.