Things to see and do in Chicago

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ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
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I'm headed to Chicago at the end of the month for about 2 days. That's not a lot of time, so I want to take in as much of Chicago as possible (without doing things that I can do in NYC, like Broadway shows, etc.).

I'm thinking about hitting the places available through the CityPass:

# Shedd Aquarium VIP
# The Field Museum & Underground Adventure
# Adler Planetarium
# Museum of Science and Industry plus OMNIMAX
# The Hancock Observatory OR Sears Tower Skydeck Fast Pass

But what else is good? Any jazz clubs that's recommended? We're thinking about Navy Piers and Millennium Park and perhaps taking the water taxi. Any good food places around Museum Campus? A good Chicago-style pizza?

Thanks!
 
effowe

effowe

Diamond Member
Nov 1, 2004
6,012
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As far as jazz clubs are concerned, The Green Mill on Lawrence and Broadway (Al Capone's former hangout) and Andy's Live Jazz on Hubbard and State are both great places. Navy Pier is fun, but all the attractions may not be open as it's not summer yet. Millennium Park is cool, but there's not much to do unless, again, it's summertime. Like illusion said, a Cubs game would be a fun thing to do. If you like Blues, Blues on Halsted is great, and Kingston Mines right across the street is good for some Reggae. You've pretty much listed all the tourist things that you can do, otherwise just try to check out the nightlife.

www.metromix.com will give you some good suggestions as to where to find good food / music.

www.chicagoreader.com will also give you some suggestions as to what's going on in town when you are in.
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,548
943
126
Cubs game! Drink plenty of Old Style!

Eat at The Weber Grill!

Walk the waterfront from downtown to Lincoln Park.

Head to the Chicago Bulls stadium and check out Jordans statue.


 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,878
31,392
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scratch Handcock observatory. just go up to the Signature Room (it's free), and get a drink. you get view + drink for price of lame observation deck. better view than Sears.

Science and Industry is on the other side of town. it will eat up more than half of a day when you include travel time. Well, unless you like giant train sets, it's best to skip for first-timers.

Art Institute is an absolute must. Millennium park is right next door. skip the pizza and go get a chicago dog at the Weiner's Circle (North side, relatively close to Wrigley Field)

$20 architecture river boat tour is well worth it. I always take visitors there, and it never disappoints. It leaves from Navy Pier. (also, the only reason to go to Navy Pier...)

Field Museum is kinda...meh. Shedd is nice, if you're into fishies.

Green Mill is fantastic suggestion. It's way up North though, so be prepared. Get a real Martini there for 10 clams ;)
 
G

ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
1,819
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Thanks. Very good recommendations so far, though I doubt I'll be going to a Cubs game with so little time.

The $20 Architecture River Boat tour sounds interesting. I'm guessing it's this one:
http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/rivercruise.php
I'm not clear what path the boat takes. Does it end up where it starts (Navy Pier)?

And I just looked up a Chicago dog. What on earth. That thing is a sandwich. Chicago folks sure like their hot dogs and pizzas stuffed to the brim.
 
E

eleison

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2006
1,319
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0
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
OP please insert YACCJ: into the thread title

(yet another chicago circle jerk)
Click to expand...

Oh, don't forget if you are not able to score cubs tickets, just hang out around clark street. Thats what a lot of young folks due when they can't score tickets at the field during game day.

Talking about circle jerks, stroll a couple blocks east to of the the field and window shop on halsted... Great places to take in the scenery, get some exercise and soak in the "real" chicago vibe.

Don't do the typical tourist traps: Navy pier, Museums, etc... (at least put them lower on your priority list :)
 
FallenHero

FallenHero

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2006
5,659
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I enjoyed Howl at the Moon Piano Bar last time I went downtown. 26 West Hubbard St. Kinda expensive, but decent entertainment.
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,878
31,392
146
Originally posted by: eleison
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
OP please insert YACCJ: into the thread title

(yet another chicago circle jerk)
Click to expand...

Oh, don't forget if you are not able to score cubs tickets, just hang out around clark street. Thats what a lot of young folks due when they can't score tickets at the field during game day.

Talking about circle jerks, stroll a couple blocks east to of the the field and window shop on halsted... Great places to take in the scenery, get some exercise and soak in the "real" chicago vibe.

Don't do the typical tourist traps: Navy pier, Museums, etc... (at least put them lower on your priority list :)
Click to expand...

so what do you have against gay people?
 
R

Randum

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
2,473
0
76
Cubs game is a def, but also, do one of the boat tours, they will take you through quite a bit. Walk down mich ave for shopping if you are into that...
but navy pier is good time
jazz clubs etc, id just go check out metromix.com to look those up or yelp

BUT IF YOU WANT THE BEST SANDWICH IN THE WORLD:
go to BARI's its located at:
1120 W Grand Ave, Chicago - (312) 666-0730

get the italian 9" and you will not regret it, best sandwich's in the world, no joke, its an italian deli that has some other imported good as well, but DO NOT MISS THIS. You can take the CTA blue line right near it dependin on where you are just look to get off on the blue line at GRAND ave and its couple blocks west on grand
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,878
31,392
146
Originally posted by: ghostman
Thanks. Very good recommendations so far, though I doubt I'll be going to a Cubs game with so little time.

The $20 Architecture River Boat tour sounds interesting. I'm guessing it's this one:
http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/rivercruise.php
I'm not clear what path the boat takes. Does it end up where it starts (Navy Pier)?

And I just looked up a Chicago dog. What on earth. That thing is a sandwich. Chicago folks sure like their hot dogs and pizzas stuffed to the brim.
Click to expand...

Chicago food is not to be considered healthy, by any stretch of the imagination.

The architecture tour puts up the river, then returns back to Navy Pier. again, don't waste any more time at Navy Pier than waiting for this tour, if you plan on going....
 
spacejamz

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,976
1,691
126
get some caramel popcorn from Garret's...lines are out the door, but they move pretty quick...
 
effowe

effowe

Diamond Member
Nov 1, 2004
6,012
18
81
Originally posted by: zerocool1
there's a dueling pianos bar in wrigleyville by the wrigley field that i've heard is pretty good.
Click to expand...

They do it at Sluggers on Friday night in the upstairs part of the bar. It is pretty good, they're on Clark at Addison.

Originally posted by: FallenHero
I enjoyed Howl at the Moon Piano Bar last time I went downtown. 26 West Hubbard St. Kinda expensive, but decent entertainment.
Click to expand...

Also good, right across the street from Andy's Live Jazz.
 
SphinxnihpS

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Try Lou Malnati's pizza for the best the world has to offer.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/locations/

River North would probably be your best location.
Click to expand...

Like I said in the other threads, Lou's is fucking gross. I used to work there in college and wouldn't eat it even though it was free. You live in Chicago, the home to some of the best pizza in the world, and you pimp a fucking chain as the best the world has to offer. Come out from under your rock.


Shedd Aquarium is lame.
Sears Tower/Hancock/Standard Oil (don't know the new name of the building, but it's like a third sister tower to the twin towers, are meh...
Planetarium is kind of meh...

Mueseum of Science and Industry is awesome.
Field Museam is awesome
Art Institute of Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute are awesome.
The Mueum of Modern Art is awesome.
There is a Ghost Tour you may be able to take one night, which is hokey but fun from a historical perspective.
A riverboat Architecture tour is fun, plus you can get drunk during the day. Just hope that Dave Matthews Band isn't in town, LOL!
Shopping on North Wells is fun.
Shopping on Oak Street is very expensive.
You could go to an Oprah taping!!! LOL

Cubs game ftw. Better if you can rent a Ferarri to take you there!

Have fun.

 
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