Chicago...

DH and I are taking our first trip there soon. Any reccs for things to do and places to eat?

We already plan on seeing a cubs game at Wrigley Field, doing an architectural boat tour and going to the zoo.

I'm so excited!

Re: Chicago...

i lived in chicago for awhile, but i was a full-time volunteer with a non-profit... so um, money was tight, so unfortunately, i didnt' get to sample too much of the restaurant and bar scene on a regular basis.

However, places you must go:

Grant Park... wait, i think it's renamed Millenium Park...it's like their central park. check out Buckingham Fountain.

right across Lake Shore Drive is the Museum Campus: the aquarium, MUseum if Natural History is all there. they have days where you can go for free... i would go on the website and see what days those are.

Navy Pier...also on Lake Michigan. Shops, eateries, Ferris Wheel.

Take a walk down Michigan Ave. like Park Ave. here with all the primo shopping. it's fun to look around. Near there is the Water Tower. Overall, walk around downtown. you'll see the Chicago River, the Tribune building, Sears Tower and Hancock Building are there... like the Empire State, they both have observatory decks if you want to go up.

Neighborhoods to check out: Belmont, LIncoln Park (zoo is there). Clark Street is "trendy".

Glad you're going to Wrigley... it's awesome, if you guys love baseball, try to catch a game at Comiskey if there is a home game while you're in town.

Also, Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side is really nice too... the university of Chicago is down there, so there's a lot of cute little shops, bookstores, etc. Chicago's Chinatown is also just south of downtown near Soldier's Field. Rogers Park on the North Side is fun too... it's where Loyola University is so there are some good bars, etc.

Food-wise: go to the original pizzeria uno downtown... i think (don't quote) it's on Ontario. you must try Chicago style pizza and a Chicago style hot dog while you're there. also, things like beer and kielbasa are awesome in Chi-town.

Also, you have to go to a Leona's in Chicago. GREAT restaurant. famous for their sauce and Chicago style pizza. i used to go to the one in Rogers Park a lot, but they have a few locations in the city. i would see if they have a website and check out where they are.
the El is really easy to navigate in Chicago. i would recommend getting a daily or weekly pass and just hope on the El (all the subways are elevated in Chicago except in the downtown area where it's called the Loop. This pass would also work on buses too if you need one.

hope this helps... have a great time!!!!

ETA: i forgot to add the Art Museum of Chicago. it's one of the primo museums in the world... equivalent to our Met so if you're into art or history, you would want to check that out.

Message edited 5/9/2009 12:58:28 PM.

Re: Chicago...

Such great info! Thank you so much!

Re: Chicago...

I live in Chicago, so if you have any questions let me know.

Donegal419 gave you some great info about where to go.

For Chicago Style Pizza, I prefer Giordano's, followed by Lou Malnati's and Gino's East Pizza.

Shed Aquarium is nice, you can also visit Adler Planetarium.

If you venture down to Hyde Park, the Museum of Science and Industry has some cool exhibits.

Grant Park is still there, but Millennium Park is just north of it on Michigan Ave.

Re: Chicago...

You're going to have soooo much fun. My first mini-vacation was with DH when we were dating visiting my friend and her BF at the time. We had an amazing time. You can rent bikes and ride by Lake Michigan, go to Sears Tower, have some drinks at the top of the Hacock building, see a comedy show, go to Grant Park, walk everywhere, do a boat tour, etc... Oh, and such great places to eat. Gotta get Chicago pizza one day too.

Edited b/c I wanted to add the famous fountain in the park is the begining of Married With Children and a lot of other scenes in movies and shows.

Message edited 5/11/2009 4:38:39 PM.

Re: Chicago...

I have visted 4 times for work...but LOVED IT!!!...it is great and I loved the restaurants (although NOT a fan of Chicago pizza)

have fun

Re: Chicago...

Awesome info! There is SO much to do and eat in Chicago. So excited!

Re: Chicago...

Message edited 5/13/2009 10:44:38 PM.

Re: Chicago...

I've lived in the Chicago area for 3 years. You got some really great suggestions already. If you go to Hancock tower, which we liked better than Sears Tower, stop up at the Signature Room for drinks. The architectural cruise is great. I've heard that Chicago's First Lady is the best one. I LOVE Navy Pier. The Art Institute is about to open their new Modern Art wing. And I think the Aquarium just finished a renovation. Lincoln Park Zoo is fun and free! I think my favorite deep dish is either Lou Malnati's or Uno's (the original Uno's.)

Have a great time!!

Message edited 5/14/2009 2:10:15 PM.

Re: Chicago...

Thanks Tine and Suzy. There is so much to do and so little time. Hoping for nice weather!

Re: Chicago...

We did a food tour of the north part of the city and it was so much fun! It was through Chicago Food Planet Tours, I think. I highly recommend it.

ETS: Here's the link:
http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/

We did the Near North Food Tour. Here's where it goes to:

Bacino's Pizzeria: Award-winning Chicago-stuffed pizzeria (est. 1978) --We had a spinach stuffed pizza here. Even DH liked it and he doesn't like pizza. This is one of the last stops and you will be hungry by then.

The Spice House: America’s top spice & herb specialty shop (est. 1957) -- We went back and borught a ton of stuff here. It was awesome.

Catering | Chocolate: A gourmet foods store and cheese shop (est. 1977) We sampled two types of cheese here.

Ashkenaz Deli: An authentic Ashkenazic Jewish deli (est. 1975) - We had potato pancakes here, they were yummy.

Old Town Oil: A balsamic vinegar & olive oil specialty store (est. 2007) -- Had a tasting of vinegars here, which was cool. We went back to shop. I bought Black Currant Balsamic. It was like juice, it's so sweet.

Tea Gschwendner: A specialty loose tea & tisanes merchant (est. 1978) -We are not big tea drinkers, but this was interesting. It was the middle of the summer, so they gave us big things of ice tea.

The Fudge Pot: A chocolate confectioner and fudge shop (est. 1963) We had freshmade brittle here. It was soooo good.

Message edited 5/17/2009 1:09:09 PM.

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You've already gotten some great information, I just wanted to add that I thought the architectural tour on the water was awesome. I highly recommend taking one.

Re: Chicago...

I just found out that I'm taking a trip to Chicago in early October (sorry to bust in on the OP...)

I was wondering what the nightlife would be like in the city - on a Friday or Saturday night? I remember we took a trip to Philly, and all the bars closed at midnight on a Saturday, we were so confused!

Then I remember staying in DC, and everything was closed on Sundays... we just being from NY where bars are open till 4AM and everything else is 24 hours!

Re: Chicago...

Just wanted to update and say we absolutely loved Chicago! Awesome city with so much to see and do. Stayed at the Omni right on Michigan Ave and it couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks everyone for all your help.