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What to do in Chicago/Mag Mile

C

chari

Senior member
Wife and I are spending Fri-Sun in Chicago and I wanted a locals opinion (or someone who visits often) of things that should really be done while in town. We will be staying downtown Michgan/Wacker and won't have access to our vehicle while we are there so suggestions within walking distance or a cheap cab ride would be appreciated.

I know of things like the Shedd, Museums, Navy Pier, etc. We want to do some shopping and a lot of eating while we are visiting as well. I know some of the museums are really nice, but we aren't at the age to really appreciate the art. Maybe Science/Industry since it's more hands on/interesting?

Any good places that have live music from local rock/folk bands on weekend? Or a resource to find this information?

I saw a thread on good eats a while back, but any food suggestions that don't break the bank would be good.

Thanks in advance!
 
chari said:
Wife and I are spending Fri-Sun in Chicago and I wanted a locals opinion (or someone who visits often) of things that should really be done while in town. We will be staying downtown Michgan/Wacker and won't have access to our vehicle while we are there so suggestions within walking distance or a cheap cab ride would be appreciated.

I know of things like the Shedd, Museums, Navy Pier, etc. We want to do some shopping and a lot of eating while we are visiting as well. I know some of the museums are really nice, but we aren't at the age to really appreciate the art. Maybe Science/Industry since it's more hands on/interesting?

Any good places that have live music from local rock/folk bands on weekend? Or a resource to find this information?

I saw a thread on good eats a while back, but any food suggestions that don't break the bank would be good.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Chicago Architecture Tour

If the weather is nice, The Art Institute would be a great place to walk. Its a world class museum. Largest collection of impressionist paintings outside of the Louvre. At least, take your photo in front of the Lions. From Michigan Ave, you can go into the Museum Gift Shop without having to pay to go into the Museum. If you are hungry, their cafeteria is not bad.

Millennium Park

With good weather, you should have a great time!

Uno
 
Go eat at the restaurant run by the fat guy on MasterChef. Then you can let us know if he's full of it.
 
chari said:
Wife and I are spending Fri-Sun in Chicago and I wanted a locals opinion (or someone who visits often) of things that should really be done while in town. We will be staying downtown Michgan/Wacker and won't have access to our vehicle while we are there so suggestions within walking distance or a cheap cab ride would be appreciated.

I know of things like the Shedd, Museums, Navy Pier, etc. We want to do some shopping and a lot of eating while we are visiting as well. I know some of the museums are really nice, but we aren't at the age to really appreciate the art. Maybe Science/Industry since it's more hands on/interesting?

Any good places that have live music from local rock/folk bands on weekend? Or a resource to find this information?

I saw a thread on good eats a while back, but any food suggestions that don't break the bank would be good.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

be attacked by flash mobs
better have extra clips for your concealed carry!
 
House of Blues isn't too far. Shopping and eating will be self explanatory if you are staying on mag mile. You can't walk a block without seeing a good place to eat or shop.

Millennium park is nice, but very boring when the weather is not nice. Science and industry is a pretty good cab ride away from there, it is on the south side.

I always have fun at Navy pier.
 
The Gage is right infront of the face fountain and it's a decent gastropub. Loud and a slightly older crowd but the food is pretty good.
 
get on the train and leave the loop, the mag mile is a tourist wasteland.

also there are probably 100 threads about Chicago, use the search function and you'll find some good info I'm sure.
 
Platypus said:
get on the train and leave the loop, the mag mile is a tourist wasteland.

also there are probably 100 threads about Chicago, use the search function and you'll find some good info I'm sure.
Click to expand...

Leave the Loop for where? First time ever in the city so getting on a train with no destination is a bit counterproductive. And, we are tourists after all so Mag Mile might be just what we want.
 
Born2bwire said:
What kind of budget do you have for food?
Click to expand...

Not a huge budget. We will probably eat on the go most of the time so we can see more of the city/attractions. As far as dinner is concerned, I'm not too keen on spending hundreds of dollars on a meal that will be shit out in 12 hours, so something affordable but delicious if possible. Maybe 100 bucks for the two of us at most for dinner.
 
unokitty said:
Chicago Architecture Tour

If the weather is nice, The Art Institute would be a great place to walk. Its a world class museum. Largest collection of impressionist paintings outside of the Louvre. At least, take your photo in front of the Lions. From Michigan Ave, you can go into the Museum Gift Shop without having to pay to go into the Museum. If you are hungry, their cafeteria is not bad.

Millennium Park

With good weather, you should have a great time!

Uno
Click to expand...

Thanks for the good, honest advice. We will probably check that Museum if it's as good as you say.


Does Chicago have any kind of indie/alt rock music scene of any kind? Any links to a specific place that has live music every weekend?

We are planning on doing Wendella boat tour and that's about all we know for sure. I've already read all the review sites and guides but we won't be able to hit it all. Looking for things you shouldn't pass up while here.
 
chari said:
Leave the Loop for where? First time ever in the city so getting on a train with no destination is a bit counterproductive. And, we are tourists after all so Mag Mile might be just what we want.
Click to expand...

Why do you need a destination? I feel like people approach new cities all wrong. If you're looking for sights to see stay where you are and do touristy crap, but if you want to actually see Chicago, get on the train and explore all the neighborhoods.

The Mag Mile is big chain luxury stores that will overcharge you for the same stuff you can get online. If your idea of seeing a city boils down to shopping that's another story but that's the opposite of what I'd personally be after.
 
Platypus said:
Why do you need a destination? I feel like people approach new cities all wrong. If you're looking for sights to see stay where you are and do touristy crap, but if you want to actually see Chicago, get on the train and explore all the neighborhoods.

The Mag Mile is big chain luxury stores that will overcharge you for the same stuff you can get online. If your idea of seeing a city boils down to shopping that's another story but that's the opposite of what I'd personally be after.
Click to expand...

Good point. Do you know if they offer a day pass or cheap option for the train for someone who will only use it a few times?
 
chari said:
Good point. Do you know if they offer a day pass or cheap option for the train for someone who will only use it a few times?
Click to expand...

Yea, the CTA has lots of options:
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/fares/default.aspx?source_quicklinks=1

Avoid going too far south on the Red line, avoid the Green line. You have no use for the Orange line except to get to Midway. Otherwise you can't really get into too much trouble.

For music, check this site for whats playing anywhere in the city on a given day. It's not totally complete but will yield good info:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/EarlyWarnings

A few of the bigger venus to check for music when you're here:

Northside (take the red line):
The Metro
The Aragon
The Riviera
Lincoln Hall
Schubas

Westside(take the blue line):
Subterranean
Double Door

Google their sites, check for upcoming shows. There is a LOT of live music at any point in the city so you can't really go wrong there.
 
Platypus said:
Why do you need a destination? I feel like people approach new cities all wrong. If you're looking for sights to see stay where you are and do touristy crap, but if you want to actually see Chicago, get on the train and explore all the neighborhoods.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that's the best idea given how rough some parts of Chicago are. I know some people who went exploring like that without knowing the city and ended up at Cabrini Green back when it was still around.

I can't speak for everyone but when I vacation I like to avoid ending up in places that make Kabul feel safe and welcoming.
 
chari said:
Wife and I are spending Fri-Sun in Chicago and I wanted a locals opinion (or someone who visits often) of things that should really be done while in town. We will be staying downtown Michgan/Wacker and won't have access to our vehicle while we are there so suggestions within walking distance or a cheap cab ride would be appreciated.

I know of things like the Shedd, Museums, Navy Pier, etc. We want to do some shopping and a lot of eating while we are visiting as well. I know some of the museums are really nice, but we aren't at the age to really appreciate the art. Maybe Science/Industry since it's more hands on/interesting?

Any good places that have live music from local rock/folk bands on weekend? Or a resource to find this information?

I saw a thread on good eats a while back, but any food suggestions that don't break the bank would be good.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Science and Industry is on the other side of town (Hyde Park), so not convenient, at all, to downtown. It's mostly a museum for kids, but it's still pretty cool for all ages.

The Art Institute is one of the best museums in the country, period. SO you owe yourself half of a day there, regardless. There are plenty of kickass samurai armor and trinkets and photography and other stuff to gander at if impressionism isn't your thing.

best bet on limited time and ability to explore is to just wander aimlessly around downtown, check out Millenium Park and Art Institute--maybe Shedd and/or Natural History or Adler. Navy Pier is kinda...gross. just avoid it altogether.

HOWEVER--one thing I always liked to take people to when they were visiting, is the Architecture Tour. It's a riverboat tour that leaves from Navy Pier, lasts about 1.5 hours, and you get good history and some key points with which to aim your wandering afterwards, if you so desire. Totally worth it.
 
chari said:
Not a huge budget. We will probably eat on the go most of the time so we can see more of the city/attractions. As far as dinner is concerned, I'm not too keen on spending hundreds of dollars on a meal that will be shit out in 12 hours, so something affordable but delicious if possible. Maybe 100 bucks for the two of us at most for dinner.
Click to expand...

Well if you want a decent charburger or Chicago dog then there is a hole-in-the-wall that I like called Max's on the north side of Adams between State and Wabash. It's just a block and a half west of The Art Institute.

If you find yourself further north, then the Chicago Pizza and Grinder Company on Clark isn't bad either. It's in the basement of a nice brownstone. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice. Across the street from where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place. It can get crowded real quick though.
 
Platypus said:
Yea, the CTA has lots of options:
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/fares/default.aspx?source_quicklinks=1

Avoid going too far south on the Red line, avoid the Green line. You have no use for the Orange line except to get to Midway. Otherwise you can't really get into too much trouble.

For music, check this site for whats playing anywhere in the city on a given day. It's not totally complete but will yield good info:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/EarlyWarnings

A few of the bigger venus to check for music when you're here:

Northside (take the red line):
The Metro
The Aragon
The Riviera
Lincoln Hall
Schubas

Westside(take the blue line):
Subterranean
Double Door

Google their sites, check for upcoming shows. There is a LOT of live music at any point in the city so you can't really go wrong there.
Click to expand...

THANK you for all the music venue information. I really appreciate it.
 
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