Things to do in Chicago? 24 hours!

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manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
I'm in Chicago tonight and find myself with some extra time.

Someone recommended Giordanos Pizza for deep dish. But others recommended other options. Can anyone advise on the best deep dish pizza downtown? If not, I think I'll lean towards Giordanos!

Other things I'm planning on doing: Willis Tower, top of the Hancock Tower, Millennium Park, maybe the old Meigs-Field-now-turned-park. Can anyone recommend any places for brunch? I hear "brunch" is good.

Thank you!
 
MrDudeMan

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
brianmanahan said:
sorry, i'm just not into little caesar's like you are :colbert:
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dude, $5 for a pizza is good value even if it doesn't taste amazing.

Giordanos has been good every time i've had it except the last time. i'll give it another try when i'm in chicago again because it was an outlier.
 
SphinxnihpS

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
Giordano's is over-cheesed doughy-crust trash. Downtown Lou Malnati's or Due's are your best options.
 
pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
8,173
3,607
136
If you are here tomorrow night there are a number of things happening. Check here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=chicagosummercalendar@gmail.com

Jazz at the Shed or the Millennium park music concert are probably the headline things. Also during the early evening you could check out the Lincoln Park zoo locally sourced series.

http://www.lpzoo.org/locally-sourced-patio

You can also go one some decent guided walking tours of downtown at the Chicago Architecture foundation.

If you are looking for a good coffee downtown check out Bow Truss and have a Nitro coffee or head to intelligentsia for a $5 black coffee. If you're looking for a fun lunch place check out the French market at Ogilvie station.

Check out the bar at the Chicago athletic association. It's got an early 1900s decor that's been completely restored and decorated from that era. Cool place to go get an old fashioned and sit in a big leather chair in the lounge. Not many people know about the athletic association since it just reopened a couple years ago.
http://www.chicagoathletichotel.com
 
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smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
manlymatt83 said:
Are all of the locations good?
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No. There is one in Florida and it's absolute shit. Also, I'd go to Pequod's instead.

There are some decent low key bards that are pretty good. Old timey, prohibition styled shit.

Stay away from the Chinese food though. It's mediocre at best.
 
pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
8,173
3,607
136
But let's be honest here the best thing to do with your free time is to get on the El and ride it around catching Pokémon on Pokémon go.
 
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s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
Sorry for a bumper cars.... But I'm going to be at Chicago next week and need some things to do.

The most I have on my list is to sit bleachers at a Cubs game and get a deep dish at giordanos. Though I hear since they are rather well known hole-in-the-wall places may be better... so feel free to toss me recommendations.

I also need a good suggestion on Chicago hot-dogs..... I have a spouse that has yet to try the amazing Chicago cuisine.


EDIT: If it helps, I'll be staying right off of Magnificent Mile
 
John Connor

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
I've always liked Portillo's. I would check out the Field Museum. Never been there myself, but my mom tells me it's awesome seeing mummies, Dinos and what have you. I have been to Science & Industry.

Born in Arlington Heights. My mom grew up in a house just a stone's throw from O'hare in Wooddale.
 
flexy

flexy

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
8,464
155
106
Spent some years in Arlington Heights when I lived in the US, I agree, Chicago pizzas CAN be awesome, but I never really liked deep dish. While there are (countless) awesome pizza places all over the burbs and in the city, I think I take one of the dinky but authentic Mexican places over Pizza any day. When you live outside the US, you can get awesome Pizza many places, but it's virtually impossible to get authentic Mexican food in most places in Europe. I'd just kill for some chips and red/green sauce and Pico de Gallo..or move back to the US just for the Mexican food alone :)
 
child of wonder

child of wonder

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2006
8,307
176
106
Just got back from a weekend of fun in Chicago.

If you're staying overnight catch a comedy show at Second City. Millenium Park is nice and you can see the giant bean that's covered in hand prints. Navy Pier is pretty cool for a stroll. Also recommend the Architectural river tours.

Doves Luncheonette for some amazing tequila, mezcal, and Tex-Mex food.
 
Chapbass

Chapbass

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
3,147
96
91
John Connor said:
I've always liked Portillo's. I would check out the Field Museum. Never been there myself, but my mom tells me it's awesome seeing mummies, Dinos and what have you. I have been to Science & Industry.

Born in Arlington Heights. My mom grew up in a house just a stone's throw from O'hare in Wooddale.
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Agreed, rock out Portillos. Pizza, I'm a big giordianos fan, even if their crust isn't that great. That said, Peaquods is awesome, if you're willing to make the trip (its kind of out of the way, but brown line gets you semi close). Last time I had Uno I was actually pleasantly surprised, better than I remember it. I've heard that the Uno that is downtown has a different pizza recipe than all of the chains, but I haven't bothered to look it up.

I would definitely do an Architecture Boat Tour, and also if you're into biking, rent a Divvy bike and ride up and down Lake Shore, it has an awesome trail. The brand new 606 trail is really nice as well, but harder to get to than LSD.

If you guys need someone to hang with (sitting at restaurants alone sucks, imo), let me know. I live on the north side and work at the board of trade, so I can meet up wherever.
 
Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
West Englewood is a nice area to visit. Little curio shops, quaint restaurants and bars, buskers on the streets. Great place to take the kids, too.
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,884
31,400
146
s0me0nesmind1 said:
I also need a good suggestion on Chicago hot-dogs..... I have a spouse that has yet to try the amazing Chicago cuisine.


EDIT: If it helps, I'll be staying right off of Magnificent Mile
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Since you are known to enjoy yelling at people with zero prompting and for no reason whatsoever, I suggest taking the wifey to the Wiener Circle up in Lakeview. You'll have a blast.
 
Newbian

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
24,779
882
126
Don't forget that they have 2 microcenters so go there and grab some great deals. ;)
 
pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
8,173
3,607
136
Chapbass said:
Agreed, rock out Portillos. Pizza, I'm a big giordianos fan, even if their crust isn't that great. That said, Peaquods is awesome, if you're willing to make the trip (its kind of out of the way, but brown line gets you semi close). Last time I had Uno I was actually pleasantly surprised, better than I remember it. I've heard that the Uno that is downtown has a different pizza recipe than all of the chains, but I haven't bothered to look it up.

I would definitely do an Architecture Boat Tour, and also if you're into biking, rent a Divvy bike and ride up and down Lake Shore, it has an awesome trail. The brand new 606 trail is really nice as well, but harder to get to than LSD.

If you guys need someone to hang with (sitting at restaurants alone sucks, imo), let me know. I live on the north side and work at the board of trade, so I can meet up wherever.
Click to expand...

What are the offices like in the board of trade building? Are they immaculate art Deco like the lobby or more modern?
 
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