Question for Chicago locals

[err]

I will be at Chicago Mid-Sept for 4 days. My first time ever in Chicago...

I've hit the Chicago information center to dig up more information about what to do in the Windy city, however I'd like recommendation from the locals.

I'd like to know what tourist attraction I can' miss, What good food I can't miss and famous landmark / places I can't miss.

I think I'll be staying in the Michigan ave area and I'll be renting a car.

Thanks !!!

Err

 

[MisfitsFiend]

Here's a few suggestions:

Millenium Park (There are oftentimes concerts in the park)
Lincoln Park Zoo (I think they have some animals left )
The lakefront has miles and miles of paths
Museum of Science and Industry
Natural History Museum
John G Shedd Aquarium
Shopping on Michigan Ave (Water tower, 900 N Michigan, etc)

THere are plenty of eating establishments aroung Michigan Ave.
Gibson's for steaks
RL on Chicago and Michigan is supposed to be a lot of fun (haven't tried it yet)
Cheesecake factory (on the bottom of the Hancock) personally, I could skip it, food isn't bad but oftetimes a 1.5+ hour wait
Ghiardelli's and/or Hershey store for ice cream and chocolate by Water Tower
Spa/afternoon tea at the Penninsula (the Spa is wonderful!)
American Girl store to shop/luch if you have a little girl

Well, that's a few real quick...

 

[mrSHEiK124]

uh, the Sears Tower?

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Shedd Aquarium rules.

 

[Randum]

YOU MUST go to the SIGNATURE ROOM its on top of the hancock. Just go to WATER TOWER PLACE, ask anyone, they will know where-and enter to the Northside of the building, call first for reservations, just search or go to http://signatureroom.com/ just took my gf there for her 21st, wow.
Nice place and a great view of the city, HIGHLY RECOMMEND
and of course go to navy pier, also theres a new concert venue called NORTHLY ISLAND that opened up thats off the lake, see if any shows are going on then.
Have fun!

 

[mcvickj]

Make sure to have some Chicago deep dish pizza while you are there.

 

[MisterCornell]

Watch out for the parking in downtown Chicago. My wallet is still hurting from my trip there last week.

 

[Steve]

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival - Tuesday nights in Grant Park.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
Here's a few suggestions:

Millenium Park (There are oftentimes concerts in the park)
Lincoln Park Zoo (I think they have some animals left )
The lakefront has miles and miles of paths
Museum of Science and Industry
Natural History Museum
John G Shedd Aquarium
Shopping on Michigan Ave (Water tower, 900 N Michigan, etc)

THere are plenty of eating establishments aroung Michigan Ave.
Gibson's for steaks
RL on Chicago and Michigan is supposed to be a lot of fun (haven't tried it yet)
Cheesecake factory (on the bottom of the Hancock) personally, I could skip it, food isn't bad but oftetimes a 1.5+ hour wait
Ghiardelli's and/or Hershey store for ice cream and chocolate by Water Tower
Spa/afternoon tea at the Penninsula (the Spa is wonderful!)
American Girl store to shop/luch if you have a little girl

Well, that's a few real quick...

I'll add a few:

Navy Pier
River boat tour
John Hancock or Sears Tower observation decks
Alder Planetarium (next to Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium)
Art Institute of Chicago
Walk around the Loop
A crapload of bars and clubs in the Rush/Division street area

 

[Homerboy]

Shedd and Science & Industry are the best.
Sears is cool too but after 5mins you're done

 

[cubby1223]

There's always Wrigley Field, accessable by the red line subway.

 

[whattaguy]

Lou Malnotti's (sp?) deep dish pizza!

 

[astroview]

There is no reason to rent a car, this isn't Cleveland or something.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

THe SIGNATURE ROOM is wonderful! It's on the 95th or something floor - great for Sunday brunch!!

Marshall Field's State Street is also fun - you can eat in the Walnut room...

And YES, Lou Malnotti's is great!! It's on

...oh $hit...hold that thought...

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
THe SIGNATURE ROOM is wonderful! It's on the 95th or something floor - great for Sunday brunch!!

Marshall Field's State Street is also fun - you can eat in the Walnut room...

And YES, Lou Malnotti's is great!! It's on

...oh $hit...hold that thought...

Wells just North of Hubbard.

Though Giordano's deep dish is better.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

OK, I'm back, I almost forgot about a meeting -

There is no reason to rent a car, this isn't Cleveland or something.

I agree, you will probably pay $30. per day parking at your hotel, plus close to $20 or more if you park at any city parking lot (with no in/out priviledges). It would be cheaper to ride the bus. But, I also like to drive, so I won't say which you should do. If you drive a car, quarters for meters might be your best friend...

Right by Lou Malnottis is Kinzie St Chop House - also some really good food (right across the street from the Mart)

In that area there is also Bin 36, House of Blues, and I forgot the name, but a really cool bowling alley.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

THis is a pretty ggod source of things going on in Chicago at any given time...

 

[astroview]

There have been a lot of posts on what to do here too in the past, check out the archives.

Chicago is agreat party town, go to Howl at the Moon, fun bar.

Fogo de Chao for good food.

Lincoln Park for great college type bar scene. Signature Room is good, Navy Pier is for tourists but the imax movies there are cool.
Also good live theater here, WIcked the musical is playing.

 

[simms]

marked cos I might be going there at the end of this week.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: err
I will be at Chicago Mid-Sept for 4 days. My first time ever in Chicago...

I've hit the Chicago information center to dig up more information about what to do in the Windy city, however I'd like recommendation from the locals.

I'd like to know what tourist attraction I can' miss, What good food I can't miss and famous landmark / places I can't miss.

I think I'll be staying in the Michigan ave area and I'll be renting a car.

Thanks !!!

Err

Cabrini Green is a good time. Robert Taylor Homes has some kickin' parties and the nightlife can't be beat. That's about all you'll have time for though.

 

[astroview]

Holy Cow MisfitsFiend is a chick!

Ps. Forgot to say the Museum of Art is great, and so is the Museum of Science and Industry.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

Cabrini Green is a good time. Robert Taylor Homes has some kickin' parties and the nightlife can't be beat. That's about all you'll have time for though.

err...he already said he was staying at a hotel on Michigan Ave, so those lovely accommodations are not necessary for him. All joking aside, have you seen those nice townhomes build around that area? It's only a matter of time until the mid rises are destroyed, and those residents are relocated (like those at Western and the Eisenhower or across from Comiskey). I'm curious about the quality of construction (of the condos), they sart in the $2xx,000's.

And yes, astroview, I am a "chick"

 

[Randum]

yeah if you go down division st...omg, just dont go at night like i did, randum ass guys wondering the streets like they are from dawn of the dead, and they walk into the moving cars to make them stop. stay away from the projects and youll be alright. mich ave is a good place to walk.