OT: Chicago

[stitchlover]

DH and I just booked a trip to Chicago for our 20th Anniversary in late July. We are going to be staying at the Westin on Michigan Avenue. Neither of us has ever been to Chicago but we both really wanted to go and decided what the heck!

So what are the can't miss sights to see and places to eat? I am open to any suggestions. Deep Dish Chicago Pizza is on my husband's MUST DO list.

I told DH I have become a pro at scheduling our Disney trips I almost didn't remember how to schedule something that wasn't Disney related!

TIA! Look forward to seeing your suggestions.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

There's a free trolley that goes to some of the big spots: Navy Pier, Art Institute, etc.

Visit http://broadwayinchicago.com/ to see what shows might be playing - Chicago has some amazing theatres! (Mary Poppins will be there)
In addition - Chicago is home to a world-renowned improv group called 2nd City (where a lot of SNL cast started their careers). If you plan early - seeing a show is a blast!

You could also see if the Cubs or Sox are in town - Wrigley Field is an especially historic park (love or hate the Cubs).

My wife and l love taking a day to walk the shops on the Magnificent Mile (and I grew up 15 minutes from the city).

Museum-wise there's the Museum of Science & Industry (msichicago.org), the field museum (fieldmuseum.org), the Planetarium (http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/), the Shedd Aquarium (http://www.sheddaquarium.org/)

Food - Gino's East is famous for their deep dish as is Giordano's
But you can find any food to your liking

Advice: visit this cite of the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and buy a visitor's pass to use on the trains and buses
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/fares/unlimitedridecards.aspx

It can save you a ton of cash....we know our way around and we still buy one b/c of how convenient the "L" is in getting you around.

Hope that gave you some ideas - feel free to PM with any questions.

 

[stitchlover]

Someone my husband works with is from Chicago and they recommended Gino's East. It is within a 1/2 mile of our hotel so we definitely planned on eating there. He has heard of someplace called Lou Malnati's. Ever heard of it?
So the public transportation...okay and safe to use? I grew up in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex but the city I lived in did not have public transportation so I've never used it. Us Texans love our cars. So the public transportation thing is kind foreign and unknown to me.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Someone my husband works with is from Chicago and they recommended Gino's East. It is within a 1/2 mile of our hotel so we definitely planned on eating there. He has heard of someplace called Lou Malnati's. Ever heard of it?
So the public transportation...okay and safe to use? I grew up in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex but the city I lived in did not have public transportation so I've never used it. Us Texans love our cars. So the public transportation thing is kind foreign and unknown to me.

Lou Malnati's - good, but IMO, not as good as Gino's
Yes - I feel the CTA is safe as long as you don't ride it too extremely late
But again - get the visitor's pass - it pays for itself quickly

Let us know what you and your DH like to do (hobby/interest-wise) and perhaps I or someone else from the area can suggest something more specific

 

[stitchlover]

He would like to see a Cubs game but they are out of town while we are there. At this point I think we would like to do an boat tour of the city...any suggestions on that one?

We plan on getting in a museum or two. If you had to limit it to two which would you recommend? Have a friend that recently moved there and if I remember correctly she was unimpressed with the Shedd Aquarium. Any thoughts on that?

We are going to be on Michigan Avenue. I guess my main concern at this point is dining options. Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? This is our 20th anniversary so we plan on a few nice dinners.

Not too sure where DH heard about Malnati's. I think he might have seen it on the Food Network. I will tell him what your thoughts on that. I think he said something about need a hot dog? I swear the reason he wants to come to Chicago is to eat!

Had a friend recommend the Ralph Lauren restaurant? Not too sure about that one.

 

[jcb]

DW and I stayed at that Westin 5+ years ago. It was a nice hotel in a great location. To be honest, it was not one of the fancier Westin's we have stayed in but by saying that, I don't mean there was anything wrong with it. It was a nice hotel and I would stay there again.

I agree with everything DavidandLeahZ said on things to do. A couple of other points.

Late July in Chicago is hot. Not Dallas hot, but hot.

We used the L extensively including to and from O'Hare (over DW's mild objection). There's a red line stop not far from the hotel - though I'm not suggesting you do the O'Hare to Hotel run unless you are comfortable with it. The L isn't as clean as the Metro in DC but we had no problems using it.

You are in the midst of super shopping.

Gino's East is within walking distance - close to the Hard Rock. My DSIL, who went to school at Northwestern, says it is a "tourist trap." We nevertheless enjoy our pizza but depending on when you go, it can be packed and they don't issue fastpasses. We got ours to go and ate it on the street - not literally of course.

The one thing I don't believe DavidandLeahZ mentioned that I liked to do was the John Hancock observation tower - you are right next to it and it isn't very expensive.

Don't pass up the art institute if you like that kind of thing. Incredible. Same for the Field Museum. Not enough time in one life for those.

I wasn't all that impressed with the Navy Pier. Way too touristy. Think DTD without the Mouse. I'm sure there's something wrong with me.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

He would like to see a Cubs game but they are out of town while we are there. At this point I think we would like to do an boat tour of the city...any suggestions on that one?

The best boat tours (again, IMO, depart from Navy Pier) here's a link:
www.shorelinesightseeing.com
I always try to get my wife to go on the architectural tour - it's amazing (I've been on it numerous times)

We plan on getting in a museum or two. If you had to limit it to two which would you recommend? Have a friend that recently moved there and if I remember correctly she was unimpressed with the Shedd Aquarium. Any thoughts on that?

The two can't miss IMO are: Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum. The first is more hands-on and the latter is more historical. MSI is an all-day (if not more) museum.

We are going to be on Michigan Avenue. I guess my main concern at this point is dining options. Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? This is our 20th anniversary so we plan on a few nice dinners.

The nice thing is - downtown - you're not really far from anything.
try www.chicagotraveler.com it offers dining lists - so you can find something to your taste. I could point you to some small local places - but they'd be tough to find. You shouldn't be too far from a bakery though for breakfast.

My wife and I would spend every anniversary (if we had the sitters and the $) going to a nice dinner and a show downtown. We did this with Wicked a few years back, and could walk to our hotel....very relaxing and romantic.

What dates are you coming up?

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

The one thing I don't believe DavidandLeahZ mentioned that I liked to do was the John Hancock observation tower - you are right next to it and it isn't very expensive.

I wasn't all that impressed with the Navy Pier. Way too touristy. Think DTD without the Mouse. I'm sure there's something wrong with me.

Yes - my fault.

The Hancock Building and Sears Tower (has a new name now) are both great if you like observation towers.

In terms of Navy Pier, I agree- it is definitely a whole lot of show with not much substance - but if you're taking a boat tour (which I highly recommend!) it's nice to take 30 minutes and stroll....perhaps riding the Ferris Wheel.

 

[rocio]

My favorite restaurant, perhaps anywhere, is Rick Bayless' Topolobampo: http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/restaurants.html That place is divine! In fact we're planning a weekend trip to Chicago for our 10th anniv. this fall and that's where we'll be dining. Last time we were there I had the chef's tasting menu paired with wines and it was hands down, the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Pricey, but so oh so good and great for a special occasion like your 20th anniv.

About the free trolley's, I thought I had read they were being phased out due to budget cuts? I never followed up on the story so I don't know for sure.

If you only have time for 2 museums I would do the Field Museum and the Art Institute if it's just the two of you. If you're taking kids then still Field but either Science & Industry in Hyde Park or the Children's Museum at Navy Pier.

Other yummy places around Michigan Ave: Star of Siam or India Garden.

Love Chicago. It's a weekend trip for us so we do it regularly.

 

[jcb]

I wish we had done the architecture boat tour. We just ran out of time.

You'll be near several Starbucks - what other breakfast would anyone need?

 

[stitchlover]

We are going to be there July 29th through August 2nd. We got a good package through American Airlines Vacations...so I hope we are happy with the hotel. Now I'm a little concerned!

Do we need to look into a Fireworks cruise or can we catch them somewhere downtown?

I think those are the two museum's we planned to go to and then the architectural tour. I am a huge Bear's fan and might have to see Soldier Field!

 

[stitchlover]

Someone recommended Maggiano's to us but we have one here in Dallas and thought it was okay, not that great.

 

[jcb]

Please don't take my comment about the hotel wrong.

You have nothing to worry about. I used to stay at the Westin Stonebriar in North Dallas for business meetings. The rooms at the one in Chicago were not that nice (few are) but they were still very comfortable and clean.

Think of it like this - we were there in November and the NFL team playing the Bears (I don't remember who) stayed at the hotel.

I said that because some Westin's (the resorts, mainly) are luxuriously nice - this one is nice.

 

[rocio]

I think we've stayed at that Westin. Right in front of the Hancock building? I really thought it was a nice hotel.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Even though the Cubs won't be in town, you could do a tour of Wrigley Field that takes you into the clubhouse and the dugout among other places. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/wrigley_field_tours.jsp
We did it a couple years ago and it was really cool.
My wife-who's from a little hick town-where we now live- said she likes to ride the L around the Loop to get a good view of the city. She also says if you happen to be near the Tribune building(in the 400 block of Michigan), check out the walls all the way around the building. They have rocks from many different significant sites of the world's history built into them - like a chunk from the Berlin Wall, one from the House of Parliament, and even one from Columbus' Landing Place. It's amazing.

 

[schoen]

I like Gino's but I prefer Lou Malnotti's.

Garrett popcorn is worth the long lines.

Get a chicago style hot dog, they are BEYOND amazing.

The boat tours really are cool, because you get a great view of the skyline.

Shedd's aquarium is pretty cool tool.

You might be there during venetian nights (is that what it is called?) There is a big boat parade on the lake followed by a decent firework show. Two years ago I was there the last weekend in July and that was going on.

 

[Majkman]

I'd go to the Cubs website. Last year Wrigley ran some tours of the field when the Cubs were out of town and being a Sox fan - I'd prefer to go to Wrigley when the Cubs ARE out of town. I hate the Cubs, but Wrigley Field...despite the corporate additions is still a treasure to see. Museum of Science and Industry is HUGE and can't be fully appreciated in a day - and in my eyes not worth wasting 1 day. Gino's I believe is on Superior right off of Michigan so you will be very close, although I'm in the minority, I feel Lou Malnati's is the BEST pizza Chicago has to offer. Sears (soon to be Willis) Tower is o.k. Take a carriage ride at night. They originate from Water Tower place. They're nice, and a great way to experience the city. Another dining selection, albeit a bit pricey for what you get would be Harry Carey's. They'll be plenty to do here. Have a great time, bring your suntan lotion. It'll be warm by then.....I hope. They're predicting 3-5 inches snow out here in the boonies by Sunday!!!

I gotta move.....
Andy

 

[GabbyMom]

Useless bit of trivia. When the Cubs are in town their opponents stay at that westin. Except for the cardnals who stay at the Hilton and Towers.

Bistro 110 is across the street from you and is wonderful for a nice dinner. Next to that is the Gerdelli ice cream parlor like in DTD. And across the street is the Hershey store.

http://www.architecture.org/ Chicago architecture foundation. They run all sorts of tours and boat rides starting at about $5 I think.

The westin is steps from the beach. Pm me if you need anything else.

Look into getting the Chicago card. It's a pass to almost all the chicago highlights.

 

[BriarRosie]

LOL! I can see the Lou's vs. Gino's pizza debate as big as the cake and pie debates. I have a Lou Malnati's closer to home than Gino's, but I like the more cornmeal in the Gino's crust. Lou's butter crust is great, but hey, it's still all good to me.

I think everyone here gave some good advice. I rarely go downtown, but I agree with the sights they suggested. I really want to take that architectural boat tour. I saw a PBS show about it and have wanted to take it ever since.

 

[GabbyMom]

I really want to take that architectural boat tour. I saw a PBS show about it and have wanted to take it ever since.

The Chicago Lake Front Tour with Geoffrey Baer. I wish they played those shows during the rest of the year not just during the beg-a-thon.
Geoffrey Baeris a docent from the Chicago Architecture foundation.

Lou Malnaties is much better than Ginos in my opinion. Better crust