I have perused this thread, and I’m looking for further things to do in Chicago. I think I’ll be there Friday midday to Monday afternoon, though if there’s a good reason to arrive Thursday night at midnight, I’m flexible.
Chicago’s been on my short list of places to visit, and I’m excited to finally be making it out there (and finally out of my time zone, fercrissake). However, most of the specifics I know about Chicago are from Major League Baseball, the Blues Brothers, and this obscure little Q&A column in one of their weekly rags.
Based on that, I must:
-see Wrigley Field, preferably a tour, which doesn’t look possible. Comiskey, too, I guess.
-visit the Chicago Reader, which I suppose wouldn’t take very long; I don’t expect a tour of Cecil’s office or nothin’
-visit Daley Plaza (even though I assume the remains of the Bluesmobile are no longer there)
-take in a view from the top of the Sears Tower, or somewhere else that’s tall and possibly more convenient
-eat a big, thick, meaty Chicago-style pizza
-find a good place to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. Preferably a dive full of true drunken Irishmen. Come to think of it, any good watering holes will be of interest.
FWIW, I’m born and raised in San Francisco, so anything that might have a similar feel might be nice, but on the other hand, I’m expanding my horizons and suchlike.
The John Hancock building also has a pretty good view. Well, it’s a tall building anyway. The day I went up there (there’s a bar up top) it was snowing and socked in with clouds, so you couldn’t even see the ground. But you don’t have to pay to go up there, like you do the Sears Tower.
(I think it’s the JH building. Can someone confirm? I fear a brain fart…)
Dude, you are really in for it. St Pat’s in Chicago is completely insane. (It’s this weekend, presuming that’s what you’re aiming for.) Every bar will be packed to the gills with very very drunk Chicagoans. Bring something green.
As for visiting the ballparks…it’s the offseason, don’t bother. Especially Comiskey (The Cell) since it’s in a crappy neighborhood. You might want to head up to Wrigleyville and walk around the outside of the park, but this is only worth doing since it’s in a fun neighborhood loaded with bars.
The Sears Tower is cool, but the Hancock (yup, it’s the John Hancock Center) is free and almost as good with the addition of a posh lounge. The Sears has the benefit of having a more guided experience however, better for legitimate tourists.
Daley Plaza is pretty underwhelming too. It’s a cool Picaso statue in front of a office building. You’d get more out of Millenium Park, Grant Park, Lincoln Park Zoo and other things of the like. However, with the parade going on downtown you’re liable to see the Daley Center incidentally anyways.
As for pizza, avoid Uno’s or Due. It’s not terrible, but most people are underwhelmed by it. Gino’s East, Lou Malnatti’s or Giordano’s do a better job. Giordano’s is my fave, followed by Lou’s.
As for watering holes, this weekend is going to be difficult. People will do most of the partying during the day which is going to make the later bars a hit-or-miss proposition. Places that are typically lame and dead will be packed because of teh holiday. Ultra-swank places will probably see a big drop off in business since this is not a holiday where people get prettied up.
The Travel Lodge? I’m so sorry. As long as you don’t spend too much time there, it’s not bad. Assuming they’ve not re-built the place in the past three years, it’s somewhat better than a flophouse and worse than a Motel 6.
Prepare to be amazed at how the city turns a river that’s already **GREEN ** into REALLY GREEN.
It may have been free at one time, but I was just there a few months ago, and I paid about $10 for the view!
Also, I disagree about the pizza. Instead of Lute’s suggestion of Uno’s, though, try Due’s which is just around the corner. The tables are still close together, but not quite as close. The pizza is EXCELLENT!
Okay, people, don’t worry about Troy and his pizza, because Gundy and I are taking him out sometime next weekend. Maybe we’ll go to Giordano’s, maybe we’ll go to Lou Malnati’s, I dunno yet, but we’ll make sure he doesn’t end up at Domino’s or whatever.