What to do on Michigan Avenue in Chicago on the cheap?

[MissDisney121]

I'm heading to Chicago in a couple of weeks for an overnight trip. I have never been there before and don't really have the time to go to far past Michigan avenue. I will only have the evening (basically dinner) and a few hours in the morning. Where are some good (inexpensive) places to eat or a shorter activity to do right around that area? Thanks for any help!!

 

[TheoDawg]

Parking will cost $24-36 depending on arrival time. I arrived at 4:30pm and left at 8:30am and paid $36. Most lots are $12 just to park for the first hour.

As for dining I always check Groupon, with the cost of everything else a deal always works for me. we used the city bus it's $2.25per person not sure about transfers, no change available. We did catch a late nite movie at the mall near Michigan & Illinois.

 

[disneyfreak7]

Love the Grand Luxe Cafe for lunch or dinner. If your looking for Chicago style pizza, Ginos East is right off Michigan Ave. Shopping is great on Michigan Ave too.

 

[aclov]

Parking is pricey we paid $31 the last time we were there. You can check out Water Tower and eat at the food court there. If you go to Gino's get the deep dish pizza, the thin one is awful! You can go to Hershey's or Ghiradelli's for dessert!

 

[elgerber]

Love Gino's deep dish. There is a Disney Store on Michigan avenue to browse in LOL.
We stumbled on this place when we were there in March, while looking for breakfast food for lunch (we slept in a bit too late LOL) and it was soooooooooooo good. The portions were huge and soooooooo tasty!!
http://www.eleavenfood.com/chicago/welcome.html

 

[aclov]

I get daily emails from gDine, they feature different restaurants with a prix fixe menu at reasonable cost. However I believe you have to hold with a cc, I've never done it. Seems like a good deal though!

 

[tj2002]

Hi - I live in Chicago and work right on Michigan Ave. Unfortunately, there's not a lot to do except shopping - so if you're into window shopping that will work. If it's nice out when you're visiting you can walk down to Millennium Park and get some pictures by the "bean." I've heard there are free art exhibits at the Chicago Cultural Center (Mich. & Randolph). Directly across the street from the cultural center on Randolph you can sometimes get up to half off same day theater tickets at hottix. I am not sure if you'll be in town long enough to catch a show. If you're going to Water Tower for shopping, I'd suggest hitting up M Burger in the food court.

Hope this helps

 

[raftislander]

For a minor splurge try Garretts Popcorn- there is a store on Michigan and several others around town. Best cheese popcorn in the world! Try the mix of half cheese and half caramel corn. Sounds awful but is delicious! Garretts isnt cheap but for under $10 you can get a bag of a true Chicago treat. BTW, it will likely have a line out the door. A woman I work with always tries to fly through OHare on her flights back home from the east just so she can hit the Garretts stand at the airport! We ate twice at the Grand Lux and enjoyed both meals, so second that recommendation.

 

[MissDisney121]

Hi - I live in Chicago and work right on Michigan Ave. Unfortunately, there's not a lot to do except shopping - so if you're into window shopping that will work. If it's nice out when you're visiting you can walk down to Millennium Park and get some pictures by the "bean." I've heard there are free art exhibits at the Chicago Cultural Center (Mich. & Randolph). Directly across the street from the cultural center on Randolph you can sometimes get up to half off same day theater tickets at hottix. I am not sure if you'll be in town long enough to catch a show. If you're going to Water Tower for shopping, I'd suggest hitting up M Burger in the food court.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the suggestions. I do really want to see the "bean" so I am glad it is close. I am actually going there to see a show at the Oriental (Big Fish) so I will be doing that.

 

[MissDisney121]

Parking will cost $24-36 depending on arrival time. I arrived at 4:30pm and left at 8:30am and paid $36. Most lots are $12 just to park for the first hour.

As for dining I always check Groupon, with the cost of everything else a deal always works for me. we used the city bus it's $2.25per person not sure about transfers, no change available. We did catch a late nite movie at the mall near Michigan & Illinois.

Yeah it sucks that it is so expensive to park but at least I'm only there for one night.

Love the Grand Luxe Cafe for lunch or dinner. If your looking for Chicago style pizza, Ginos East is right off Michigan Ave. Shopping is great on Michigan Ave too.

Parking is pricey we paid $31 the last time we were there. You can check out Water Tower and eat at the food court there. If you go to Gino's get the deep dish pizza, the thin one is awful! You can go to Hershey's or Ghiradelli's for dessert!

Love Gino's deep dish. There is a Disney Store on Michigan avenue to browse in LOL.
We stumbled on this place when we were there in March, while looking for breakfast food for lunch (we slept in a bit too late LOL) and it was soooooooooooo good. The portions were huge and soooooooo tasty!!
http://www.eleavenfood.com/chicago/welcome.html

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I will have to try Gino's. I have never had true chicago pizza so that should be good.

 

[NotUrsula]

Best value: Go up to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Tower to to have a drink: and get a great view of the city as part of the deal. That will run you about $15; MUCH better than wasting time and money at the Willis Tower.

If you like ice cream, there is a Ghirardelli near the water tower; get yourself a small cone and stroll with it while you window-shop and people-watch. Standing on the Michigan Avenue Bridge watching the boats on the River and all the folks walking around below the Wrigley Building is a great way to spend an hour on an evening when the weather is pleasant.

Another great thing to do is the Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River. The first one leaves at 9:30 am and the last one at 7:30 pm; it lasts 90 minutes. It costs $32 full-price, but you can often find coupons for a discount.

If you don't have time or funds for that, you can take the water taxi for $7 from Navy Pier down to the Field Museum dock (great view of the city from the water, and the boat ride is nice), then walk up to see Buckingham Fountain and the Bean before hopping a city bus to wherever you are staying.