We are visiting Chicago for the first time ever, what should we do? v

[usregimechange]

What would you recommend for our must see and do list?

[OriginalGeek]

1. Last week we did the same thing

We were visiting relatives in Indiana and took a drive up to Chicago on the day before Thanksgiving.
We only had a couple hours since we weren't staying overnight there.
It took maybe 2.5/3 hours to get from Bloomington to the Chicago area then another hour+ to getr from outside of Chicago to inside.

What we SHOULD have done (had we known it was an option) was drive the 45 minutes to Indianapolis and then take a train into Chicago...but hindsight blah blah blah...

I love big cities (Because I live in a small one and rarely get to go to big ones) and Chicago is one of the biggest I've ever been to. I knew we didn't have time for the museums or much else so my main goals were:
a) Say I have been to Chicago
b) Eat a real Chicago deep dish Pizza, a real Chicago hot dog and an Italian beef sandwich.
c) See Lake Shore drive and Lake Michigan.

A and C were easy, but we ran out of time to get to Hot Doug's hot dog place so I only got pizza and the sandwich at Gino's East.

What we did:
Drive to chicago
park in a parking garage*
walk around downtown and shop a little in Bloomingdales and Nordstrom's
go to Gino's East for FANTASTIC pizza and a really good italian beef sandwich (the Giardinaire relish is essential - spicy but delicious)
Gave a couple bucks to a licensed beggar. (maybe a native can explain them better but the dude had patter and was entertaining and I was in a great mood so I made the sucker play and didn't even care).
went into a Walgreen's and got a Chicago shot glass and an Al Capone coffee mug
drove back to Bloomington.

That took from 10:00am to almost midnight.

*Beware the parking garages: They all have BIG signs that say parking $10.00. The fine print you can't see is that those prices are for 7:00 to 10:00 am. We got stuck for a 31 dollar parking bill for maybe 4 hours total.

Hot Doug's is the place that fries their french fries in duck fat and I am truly sad I missed it - they close at 5pm so hit them early. (Anthony Bourdaine highly recommends them)

Sales clerks at stores (bloomies and Nordstrom anyway) in Chicago have their own business cards. This was the first time I have ever been in a retail store where I was treated like I was the most important thing that guy had to do all day. It was pretty cool.

That pizza was effing epic.

So in spite of the long drive there and back, the outrageous parking fee and not having time to do hardly anything, my wife and were both thrilled with the visit and we are going to go back some day when we have more time. We want to see the zoo and the museums and the Navy Pier and eat more food. Hot Doug's is first on the list.

[GoCubsGo]

2. When are you going?

If soon, all the museums, especially the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Art Institute are definitely worth the visit. So is the Chicago Historical Society. If you are planning a summer visit, or hit a day when the weather is nice any time of year, a stroll along the lakefront is wonderful. There is also a ton of artwork by famous artists scattered about town. And, if you are into architecture, you can't get any better than Chicago. Go to their visitor's bureau web page. I'm sure there are tours you can take. The Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo (in suburbs) are also nice places to visit, if you are into zoos.

Also, if you can get tickets, there's the Chicago Symphony and The Second City, the latter of which saw the beginnings of the careers of John Belushi, Stephen Colbert, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, John Candy, Chris Farley, Amy Sedaris... Who knows? You might get to see the next Bill Murray. Hell, you might even get to see Bill around town, especially if you visit in the summer and go to a Cubs game.

If you are in town around Christmas, go to State St. and Michigan Ave. to check out the decorations and storefront windows.

[GoCubsGo]

3. P.S.

Chicago has an excellent public transportation system. You can get just about anywhere in the city limits, and also to many places in the suburbs via the CTA or the METRA trains. Maps and schedules here: http://www.transitchicago.com/

[Withywindle]

6. I'm going to second everything GCG said and suggest

If you want classic Chicago nightlife, try Buddy Guy's Legends club for blues (the Rolling Stones have been known to hang out here when they're in town) and the Green Mill for jazz. The latter dates to the 20s/30s and has a beautiful interior, well-maintained and not changed much from back then.

[geardaddy]

41. I second Buddy Guy's place.

Plus if you like German food you have to go to the iconic Berghoff.

http://www.berghoff.com/

[usregimechange]

13. Going first of Jan 2012

[ProfessorGAC]

62. I Was Going To Mention The Three Museums

And the aquarium, too.

The sky deck at the Willis Tower is awesome too. I've lived my whole life with 55 miles of downtown Chicago, and even i went there to do that.

GAC

[rurallib]

4. Not from Chicago, but at Christmastime if it were me, I would

take a shopping trip on State Street, see the museums if I had time - especially Science and Industry and be sure to have a real Chicago hot dog and real deep dish pizza.

[HopeHoops]

5. Have sex on the subway (think "Risky Business").

[KamaAina]

9. It's not a subway, it's the L ("El")

even the parts that do run underground are called the L.

Have you ever done it on a train before? :-)

[Withywindle]

16. The El is actually a good way to get awesome views of the city really cheap.

Can't speak for its aphrodisiac qualities, though. :D

[HopeHoops]

34. Never had the opportunity. Elevator, moving car, rest area, mall parking lot,

a lot of unusual places, but train and plane are still on the "to do" list.

[elleng]

7. Public art.

One:
http://www.cirrusimage.com/chicago_picasso_sculpture.htm

More:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Loop_Art_Touro

Pizza, of course:

http://www.unos.com/
http://www.ginoseast.com/flash.html

ENJOY!

[Withywindle]

19. The Picasso!

I've always assumed that Picasso was making a statement when he gifted Daley with a giant baboon. (Yes, I know there's controversy about what it's really supposed to be. I pass by it every day and I've never thought it was anything other than a frickin' baboon. OK, maybe a mandrill.)


Definitely a must-see. And not at all a hands-off sort thing, you're allowed to climb on it. It's durable.

[riderinthestorm]

8. Walk around Millenium Park in any weather, for Christmas you gotta walk State St

There's a "high tea" in the old Marshall Fields store (now Macy's) that is really fun. Be sure to get some Frango mints. How long are you in town?

Do you want to eat at the iconic classics like the famous "first" deep dish pizza places (everyone has their favorite: Giordanos, Pizzeria Uno, Ginos)? Or the Billy Goat Tavern? Hit the bars on Rush St?

Museums galore: Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, the Planetarium or Aquarium.

The architecture tours are fabulous!! Take a trip up to the top of the Sears Tower (oops, willard tower or something but it will always be the Sears to me...), or the John Hancock.

Second City is a riot! Blue Man Group is also a local fave. You can go gawk at President Obama's house in Hyde Park (not exciting)....

Lots of sports: Blackhawks hockey, Bears football, Cubs and Sox baseball, Bulls basketball. Little girls love the American Girl place...

[GoCubsGo]

29. Speaking of Hyde Park....

The Oriental Institute museum at the University of Chicago is a must-see if you are interested in the ancient Middle-East.

There's a restaurant on the 95th floor of the Hancock building. It's pricey and not casual dress (I believe), but I'm told the view is spectacular.

And, I second Blackhawks hockey. I haven't been since they were in the United Center, as it's been far too long since I have been home. But, they've got a pretty good team this year.

[Brother Buzz]

10. A visit to Chicago would not be complete without a pilgrimage to....

1060 West Addison Street

[usregimechange]

14. What's that?

[Withywindle]

17. Wrigley Field. n/t

[Brother Buzz]

20. Elwood Blues' address

[mopinko]

38. an ivy covered burial ground

[Lasher]

23. Oops, wrong place.

Not Chicago, my reply.

[BiggJawn]

11. If you go between now and xmas eve, Christkindlmarkt

It's a German Christmas market in Daley Plaza downtown. My daughter and I went about 4 years ago while she was still in Chicago. It was wonderful, made you forget you were in Murrika.

Be advised that AMTRAK from Indianapolis and back is not the best way to get there if you don't have a lot of time. The train leaves Indy around 5:30-6AM, passes my house at 8AM, arrives Chicago around 10:30 or so, opposing freight trains permitting.
Then it leaves Chicago about 6PM, passes my house at 9:30 and gets to Indy a little before Midnight. Again, opposing freights permitting. AMTRAK takes the siding for all freights, and you could be waiting in the hole for almost an hour. It's not unusual for the train to be running 1-2 hours behind schedule.

If you get out to Rolling Meadows, visit Sushi Station, a Kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi house. grab what you want as it passes in front of you...

But after Bratwurst und Bier und Gluhwein, you might not have room for sushi...

[davsand]

12. How long will you be there?

Lots to see and do, but some stuff is just not to be missed.

See the lakefront. Seriously. It is part of what makes Chicago beautiful. If you can, take a ride up Lakeshore Drive from about McCormick Place to Belmont Harbor.

Wrigley is a baseball icon. Yeah, you may not be a huge fan of Da Cubs, but there are not too many of the old style ball parks left anymore. As an added bonus, Wrigleyville is a neighborhood that is just a hoot. (We planned our wedding in The Cubbie Bear, BTW. My husband is a die hard Cardinals fan, but even HE was in fine spirits with a trip to Wrigley!)

Yes, do see Michigan Avenue is you can. Do the Hancock and Sears Tower if you are into tall buildings... Do the Diamond District if you can.

If you have time, there are some spectacular works to be seen at the Art Institute. Similarly, if you can spend the time, the Museum Campus is a good way to spend it. Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and, of course, Science and Industry.

If you had a little more time, I'd suggest seeing some of the neighborhoods in Chicago. Ain't nuttin like da Southside, Da Sox, and the food at Comiskey during ball season. There is a thriving Polish community there in that area--complete with polish schools and churches. Similarly, there are any number of neighborhoods--some only a few blocks in size--of various diverse ethnic groups. Chinatown is a slice of life, and it is a pure D shame that UC ate up Maxwell Street. (Not a place I'd have suggested for the faint of heart, but still, it was a slice of Chicago that is now gone.)

Just my two cents. Have fun!


Laura

[usregimechange]

15. 1 week we think

[trof]

18. Gotta hit The Billy Goat Tavern and get a T shirt.

Made famous by Belushi and Ackroid on SNL..."cheezeburger, cheezeburger, cheezeburger...NO Coke...Pepsi!"
http://www.billygoattavern.com/

[A HERETIC I AM]

21. Eat at Eds. Ed Debevics.

http://www.eddebevics.com/flash.html

You will have a blast.

[Major Nikon]

22. Go hear some blues at the Kingston Mines

[Lasher]

24. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Nazi U-boat display is unforgettable. Well it was for me.

[MilesColtrane]

25. Take a day cruise around Oprah?

[GoCubsGo]

30. If he were going during the summer...

I'd suggest a lakefront cruise. But, alas, he's going next month, and even if they did run them in winter one would freeze their ass off out there.

[fadedrose]

26. Play Sinatra singing

My Kind of Town,.......Chicago, Chicago (2 songs)

to set the mood...

Nobody else will do

[davsand]

35. "Sweet Home Chicago" is the one I think of.

Nothing like being bombed off your butt at closing time singing in that Sweet Home Chicago choir...



Laura

[UTUSN]

27. I've wanted to do that. Is it chilly now? n/t

[mucifer]

28. a few more neighborhoody things to do

Check out the National Museum of Mexican Art http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/ It's not downtown. It's a few miles from downtown in little village, a Mexican neighborhood. You can get there from the pink line CTA L.

Another favorite of mine is Garfield Park Conservatory. http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/ It's free.
It has beautiful plants and some sculptures outside and you can get to it from the L CTA green line.

You will get a more diverse look at our city if you go to these areas. Plus these museums are very low cost compared to the downtown museums.

Also, if you have enough money for it and if weather permits it the chicago Architecture foundation gives really great boat and walking tours downtown and in some of the neighborhoods. http://www.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=592

[Neoma]

31. Get REAL Chinese food.

Lao Sze Chaun is good.

[petronius]

32. If you're hungry when you arrive, there's an Olive Garden near the airport

None near downtown though, so you'd better pack some snacks...

[hibbing]

33. Museums

Hi,
Art Institute - If you aren't interested in that sort of thing then pass. But one of the best in the United States with many iconic works.

Museum of Science and Industry - Totally cool, WWII German U-505 submarine which is a total freak out to walk through.

Being a fish guy, I would also recommend the Shedd Aquarium, rather dated in terms of exhibits imho, but the architecture of the building and the history of it is quite cool.

One thing to look for is free admission to many museums, not sure it is once a month or once a week, but I do know they have free days.

Second City - Yes, always fun.

In conclusion I would say it all depends on what you are interested in. I love the city, I hope you have a great time.

Peace

[YankeyMCC]

36. Gino's East

Out of this world deep dish pizza, like nothing I've ever had before.

DO NOT confuse what is served at UNO's for what to expect at a place like Gino's. Some may like UNOs but it has no relation to what I had at Ginos as Chicago Deep Dish style.

[Yavin4]

37. The Best Thing to do in Chicago is Eat.

Some of the best food in all of America.

Obama may be the only skinny person in Chicago.

[mopinko]

39. the chicago cultural center, on michigan ave, has a great

visitor center. they have maps of the ethnic neighborhoods. most are public transit accessible, and that is where the great, cheap food is.

also be sure to visit goose island brewery

what do you LIKE to do?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

40. Chicago? In January? You're gonna thank me for the best recommendation in this whole thread:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/ped/svcs/pedway.html

Pedway--downtown pedestrian walkway system

Chicago’s downtown pedestrian way system, the Pedway, lies in the heart of the city. This system of underground tunnels and overhead bridges links more than 40 blocks in the Central Business District, covering roughly five miles.

Used by tens of thousands of pedestrians each day, the Pedway connects to public and private buildings, CTA stations and commuter rail facilities.

Development of the Pedway began in 1951, when the City of Chicago built one-block tunnels connecting the Red Line and Blue Line subways at Washington Street and Jackson Boulevard. Since then, both public and private investment have expanded the Pedway, and the system now connects more than 50 buildings.

The Pedway is a safe, quick and convenient way for pedestrians to travel downtown—especially in the winter and during times of rain or snow. The Pedway also benefits traffic by reducing the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in fewer accidents and better traffic flow.

[usregimechange]

43. Thanks to you it looks like I can travel on foot underground from my hotel to millenium park!

[usregimechange]

42. Thank you everyone for all the tips! Still researching and taking it in but

I did get a city pass and a ticket to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Getting a transit card tomorrow, forget rent a car.

[Withywindle]

44. CSO!

The CSO frickin' rocks. Ranked #1 in the USA, #5 in the world. You won't regret it.

[Withywindle]

47. The CTA transit card

If you're going to be here for a week, get the 7-day pass for $23. Unlimited rides from the minute you start using it, and you don't have to worry about timing and transfers like you do if you just get a blank card and keep putting money on it. If you use it more than twice a day (and you probably will), you'll save money getting that one.


Edit: Also, with the 7-day unlimited-use flat-fee card, you don't have to stress out so much about planning your trips so that you use a train first if the $ on your card might be getting low. See, there are machines for adding more money only in train stations. Not on buses.

[usregimechange]

48. Do you know the difference between the CTA 7 day pass and the CTA/PACE 7 day pass?

[Withywindle]

49. No, I don't know, I've never used PACE

Don't get out to the suburbs much, sorry. Maybe someone else will know.

[fishwax]

60. +1

[ohiosmith]

45. Pizzaria Uno at Ohio and Wabash.

[cbdo2007]

46. That metal bean thing.

that's my favorite thing to do in Chicago. I could just sit there people watching all day.

Also, the Art Institute is excellent and they have a good Lapidary Museum in Elmhurst.

[cherish44]

50. I always like to hit Michigan Avenue

I'm from a small town so nothing but a dozen Walmarts in my neck of the woods. Navy Pier is pretty neat and the Sears Tower ooops I mean Willis. Take an architectural tour, it's fascinating and they have them by both bus and boat If you're feeling fancy, tea at the Drake Hotel!

[Enthusiast]

51. Visit the Chicago Field Museum

So you can see Sue, the giant T-Rex. Sue is the most complete T-Rex ever found. http://fieldmuseum.org/

[usregimechange]

52. Already have 52% off with citypass. Going for sure.

[Gabi Hayes]

53. most beautiful spot in the city? by night. pictures don't really do it justice:

[Gabi Hayes]

58. while you're there, go to the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, both within a brisk walk.

I've done them both at this time of year

take a deep breath

[Gabi Hayes]

54. cajun food: heaven on seven

indian: devon ave. 6400 North. lots of restaurants

check Chicago Magazine's restaurant section. you'll find
excellent spots for just about any kind of meal you'd like, from the mundane to the obscure

if you go to the Bahai Temple, Evanston (just south) has quite a few excellent places to eat, as well

I like this one, cause you get to choose your own stir-fry meal, and it's amazingly reasonable:



http://www.flattopgrill.com/locations.html

[laconicsax]

55. Do what I did when I was in Chicago last year.

See the Chicago Symphony and the Blue Man Group.

[Gabi Hayes]

56. night club: Green Mill

[Gabi Hayes]

57. afraid of heights? try this:

http://www.google.com/search?q=willis+tower+skydeck&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=T_HiTpO8PMiKgwem4_jeBQ&biw=707&bih=343&sei=UfHiTvTYOYjBtgfputSeBQ

Skydeck Chicago....walk on air, sort of....about 1000 feet up

[Gabi Hayes]

59. museum of contemporary art chicago, if you like modern stuff.

as others have said, Art Institute is stunning, one of the best museums in the world

make sure you see the Seurat, among many others. you won't believe all the paintings, sculpture, (don't miss the Cornell boxes), etc., you've seen on TV, in movies, art classes, etc.

your brain will hurt. you can't take it all in, even if you go every day you're there.

great surrealist/dada related stuff.

http://www.artic.edu/reynolds/

http://www.oilpaintingonline.com/largeimg/Dali,%20Salvador/24342-Dali,%20Salvador.jpg

[Gabi Hayes]

61. butterfly museum! year round. don't miss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvmbT3dVbOI

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

http://www.naturemuseum.org/index.php?id=37

[ProfessorGAC]

63. Lots Of Good Ideas Here

But, one i didn't see was Willis tower. It's still the nearly the tallest building in the world in terms of usable floor space, and they've got a SkyDeck that has a glass (well, probably Lexan) floor suspended out from the building, so you can walk out and look down from that height.

If you're acrophobic, you'll probably won't want to do that, but i went there to do it, and i've lived within an hour of downtown Chicago my whole life. Going to Chicago is no big deal to me, and i went up there JUST to go to the SkyDeck. (Well, i also went to a boutique music shop on the north side. Two birds with one stone.)
GAC

[cherish44]

64. Something I've always wanted to do...

A blues club. Not House of Blues or even Kingston Mines...too corporate, but a small place that's a little more nitty gritty.I had friends who did this, said it wasn't in a great neighborhood but the music and experience was unique and awesome.