Will be in Chicago for 24 hours...

[BostonTink85]

what should we do while we're there?!

So here's the thing, myself and a friend will be in Chicago for one night in October after we do a training for work just outside of the city. We'll probably be in Chicago by early afternoon on a Friday and then our flight out is Saturday night. Neither of us have ever been to Chicago and don't know what we want to do in the short amount of time that we have. We're both in our early 20s.

I'm looking for any suggestions for good hotels that are close to all the nightlife? (I was looking at the Hard Rock Hotel, but haven't booked anything yet) Good restaurants for dinner? Best bars to go to at night? Where are the good shopping places? And basically what shouldn't we miss while we're there??

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

 

[redbirdgrad]

Not Hard Rock - if you're looking for downtown shopping, restaurants and nightlife you should be looking in the Water Tower/Gold Coast/North Michigan Avenue area. Westin/Sofitel/etc... depends on how much you want to pay. Tons of restaurants - Ditkas, Gibsons, LuxBar, Tavern of Rush, Le Colonial, etc... depends on $$ and taste. Bars galore in the same area as well as the River North area.

 

[nd5056]

The Seneca Hotel is in great location and some score a great price on TravelZoo.
Sofitel is great but more $$$, close to the Rush Street.

Night Clubs..... there are so many for one night only. Why not fly home Sunday PM???

Make your own choices, read Clubs By Type: or HERE:

.

 

[CoP Luv]

I love the Gold Coast area. Lots of restaurant's & bars. Tons of shopping! Close to the L Train. I love Carmine's or Tavern on Rush. Joe's Stone Crab is AWESOME (in River North behind Nordstrom). Grab a drink & dessert at the top of the Handcock and get a great view without having to need a reservation in the Signature Room (the restaurant next to it).

Have fun! You might need to book another trip back!

 

[BostonTink85]

Thanks for the responses so far!

I wish we could stay another night, but we decided to just splurge on one night. Pricing-wise we're looking to stay under 250 for the hotel, since we figure food/booze/shopping will be pricey as well. I'll have to take a look into the areas that you guys suggested. So the Gold Coast area has good bars that young people go to? I don't know if anyone has been to Boston, but we have the Faneuil Hall area that has a ton of bars (mostly Irish lol) all in a row...I'm trying to figure out if Chicago has something similar. Anyone have any specific favorites?

 

[BostonTink85]

Giving this a bump to see if any of the day posters have any input to add!

 

[nd5056]

In Chicago we have the Rush Street.

While those places are OK, the best and/or most original one are scattered here and there.

And that is based on one's opinion ...