Tell me what to do in Chicago! St. Patty's Parade?

[tkyes]

We are going to Chicago for a friends birthday and I'm in charge of planning! yeah!

Anyway, it's 4 adults, 28-30 years old.

Any recommendations of where we should eat or fun things to do.

The birthday trip is for a guy, so even though I'm sure the guys will indulge us girls and let us shop a bit, I want to find a fun activity that the boys might like.

I noticed that The Blue Man Group is in town while we are going to be there. Is that worth going to?

DH said he would like to try the Weber Grill Restaurant, any comments on that one? Any other favorite restaurants worth stopping by?

We are going to get a hotel on Michigan Ave. and will not have a car.

Thanks guys


Tamie

 

[newmousecateer]

Hi! If you are staying on Michigan Avenue, you will want to shop at Water Tower Place. You don't need a car, just grab a taxie to wherever you want to go. There is Navy Pier, The Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium.

I have heard good things about the Weber Grill, but haven't eaten there myself. There is afternoon tea at the Drake Hotel, and they have a couple of great restaurants there. The is also dining on the 85th floor of the John Hancock building...very good food and a beautiful view of the city at night.

Hope you have a lot of fun whatever you do!!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Our favorite things to do in Chicago are the Shedd Aquarium and Water Tower Place.

I also just like to shop along Michigan Avenue.I don't know much about the restaurants because I styaed with my friends who lived there. They took me to some little restaurants that I had never heard of before (and I can't remember now!)

Have a great trip! Chicago is my favorite city.

 

[cheeringmom]

Call me a weirdo but I like the restaurant Ed Debevicks (sp?). It is a fun place where the wait staff dress as characters from old tv shows etc. They also dance on the tables and insult (in a fun way) the customers. My dh ordered the chili cheese dog and the waiter, who looked like Peter Brady, kept teasing the rest of us not to share the same hotel room with him because of the smell etc. Pretty funny. It is a corny rest. but lots of innocent fun.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I've never eaten at the Weber Grill but I like their storefront. We recently ate at Harry Carey's --- to see the Bartman Ball before they destroy it in February. Excellent Meal.

It depends on when you are going. Michigan Avenue is fun to walk up and down -- but the winter weather can be brutal. The Art Institute is right on Michigan Avenue and I believe they are still having free admission on Tuesdays. The Museum of Science and Industry is a cheap cab fare away....I think the Einstein exhibit is slated to remain for a couple of more months and that is home to Sue the famous T Rex skeleton.

Zanies Comedy club is usually a really good show.

 

[Lynn CC]

I would try to get tickets to Oprah, sounds like something fun!

 

[Kirby]

We were just there over Christmas. The Navy Pier can get quite crowded on a weekend. I'd say a trip to eat at Super Dawg but since you won't have a car you wouldn't be able to.

Have fun!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Chicago???? Cool!!!!

Blue Man Group is great, though I have never seen it yet. It has been here for years. You would need to cab it there and if going, I would check tickets soon. http://www.blueman.com/ticketinfo/chicago.shtml

I have been to the Weber Grill up north near where I live, not the one downtown, but this one was very nice, great steaks.

If you are on Michigan Ave, you are near all the touristy stuff to keep you busy. Using the trolley is very helpful too.

Here are a few links that may be of help.

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/....do?entityName=Tourism&entityNameEnumValue=41

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

http://www.chicago.il.org/

http://chicago.travelape.com/

http://www.877chicago.com/

 

[FINFAN]

Eat at Dick's Last Resort.....this place KILLS me! Very sarcastic, rude, brash, LOUD, good beer, food,waiters are a hoot. If you don't mind a being in the middle of wet napkin fights and being insulted (all in good fun) you'll have a blast. I have seen 2 of the guys who worked there over the summer on stage at Second City. I guess it's true that actors wait tables to keep from starving! Chinn's is a FAB spot for seafood....excellent service, food, ambiance...a def. $$$$$ place...but we saw Russell Crowe ( and his HUGE entorage there last Aug. We were there for the Air/water show weekend and his band was playing at The House Of Blues. I havn't been lucky enough to see BMG, but everyone I know who has seen it said it is really cool.
Dress warm even tho you are coming from the cold, the wind is BRUTAL along the lake!
Have great time!

Pam

 

[Bojangles]

Another vote for Second CIty.

 

[tkyes]

Has anyone ever been to a taping of the Oprah show? I looked online and I'm going to try and call and see if there are any tickets available. We'll be there in March.

Thanks for the ideas. Keep 'em coming if anyone has any more to share!


Tamie

 

[Doug123]

Chicago is known for the Blues. Check out Kingston Mines. A little down and dirty, like a good Blues club should be.

 

[Dan Murphy]

MArie has been to Oprah. Tough tickets, I think.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

You could be lucky and get into her Favorite Things For Spring show!

 

[floridafam]

My MIL, SIL and BIL saw the Blue Man Group and said it was wonderful!

BIL and SIL perform on a boat that docks at Navy Pier. I think they are undergoing refurb otherwise I would recommend maybe taking a cruise. FYI the web address is www.odysseycruises.com

I have heard varied reviews on the Weber Grill. One couple we know said they would NEVER eat there again.

There is a Joe's Stone Crab in Chicago now but I don't remember where it is located. Maybe someone here knows.

I would definately try to go to the Aquarium or Planetarium.

Have fun.

 

[sharbear]

I just wanted to say that Sue the T Rex is at the Field Museum which is next door to the Shedd. The Museum of Science and Industry is farther south, and is a nice place to visit also. It's free on Thursday (I think) but I would rather pay, it's less crowded and Thursday seems to be the day for school groups.

We loved going to the top of the John Hancock building, it has a great observation tower and a great view.

I have always gone with my kids, probably did different things than adults would do. We stayed at the Doubletree Suites, right next to the John Hancock building, a great location and very close to things.

 

[KarenC]

Here's another thumbs up for the Weber Grill restaurant...in Wheeling. We enjoy going to that one. I haven't heard anything bad about the one downtown. I can't imagine they'd be that different. If you like prime rib, you can't go wrong at Lawry's The Prime Rib (although if you don't like prime rib, skip it because there's not much else on the menu).

The Chicago Garden and Flower Show will be at Navy Pier March 13-21. It's pretty incredible--they bring truckloads of dirt into the building--and plant wonderful gardens.

I'm not sure of the status of the visitors centers at the various Chicago exchanges--you might want to call the Chicago Board of Trade or Chicago Mercantile Exchange to see if they're open to visitors (before 9/11 all were open to the public). It is very neat to see all the traders yelling out their bids and offers.

Have a great trip!

 

[Pembo]

My first thought on seeing the title of your thread.....Meet Dan Murphy!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

high up in the John Hancock tower and say hi to my daughter, Jen, who's a manager there.

Tell her her momma misses her.

 

[Serena]

LOL, I'm sorry, I tried to resist, but I find I cannot. What I did in chicago, besides the dis meet, is get lost. I did a lot of getting lost.