Next month is our 10-year wedding anniversary. The original plan was to dump our kids off with my parents for a week and revisit our honeymoon spot, Dalvay by the Sea in PEI.
But after my parents’ last visit, we became un-confident in their abilty to handle our kids for that length of time. With no other options, our weeklong second honeymoon was pared down to a long weekend in Chicago in mid-September.
Now I lived in the Chicago area for 13 years and worked downtown for part of that, so I’m somewhat familiar with the city although I haven’t been back in about a decade. Help me decide what to do in the three days (Fri-Sun) we’ll be there. We’re staying at the Palmer House.
Must-see: Shedd Aquarium (I used to work there). We’re somewhat flexible with the rest; we may hit the Art Institue or the Field but we don’t want to just do museums all weekend.
Possibly: White Sox game. Neither the Cubs nor the NU Wildcats (my alma mater) have home games that weekend. An MLB game is a rare treat for me but my wife is ambivalent.
What I need are some non-museum activity ideas, and restaurant ideas. The only restaurant on our “must” list is Pizzeria Due, because that’s where we went on our first date. It’s kind of a shame because it’s not my favorite Chicago pizza place, but we have to bow to precedent. Where else should we make sure we eat while in town? And what should we see?
Grab lunch at Rick Bayless’ Xoco. It’s a fast-service torta and churro place right next door to his Frontera Grill and Topolobombo. You can try and of those, but I really like Xoco as it’s quick (unless the line is long, which it can be), and not too unreasonably priced for the quality of food you’re getting.
If it doesn’t fit into your lunch plans, go there for breakfast. The freshly made Mexican hot chocolate and churros are unbelievably good.
Ooh, that sounds great Bob. When I worked downtown I used to buy churros from a street vendor all the time. My wife said she wanted to try different ethnic foods, so that’s a good start. I’m adding that to our “must” list - if not Xoco than one of the others.
This weekend is also the big Air and Water Show. It’s free and pretty fun, if you don’t mind heat and crowds.
Also, entertainment-wise you could do a Second Cityshow or catch a show at one of the other improv theaters like ComedySportzor IO.
I hear the Mammoths & Mastadons exhibit at the Field Museum is pretty good (they have a mummified/preserved baby mammoth on display).
Also, if you’re in Chicago during the Summer, the neighborhood street festivals are always fun. There are a few this weekend…admission is usually cheap ($10 or less) and they have some decent bands playing:
We’re not going this weekend; it’s Sept 17-19. I like the Field Museum and it’s convenient to the Shedd, but I hesitate going in because it could easily suck up your whole day. However, I do need to see if there are any festivals going on.
I think the Mammoths are still at the Field that weekend, but you’re right - it can be a major time-suck.
Will you have transportation while you’re here or will you be walking/CTA/cabs?
Here are some restaurants in the area that I love, that are worth getting to. Almost any one of them could go on a “Must” list:
The Girl and the Goat- Top Chef season 3 winner Stephanie Izard’s recently opened spot. Reviews have been glowing. I havn’t been yet but I’ve had her food at a private party and it was incredible.
Table Fifty-Two- Celeb chef Art Smith’s place (he used to be Oprah’s private chef and he’s good friends w/ the Obamas). The goat cheese biscuits they give you to start the meal are worth going alone.
Kuma’s Corner- Top of almost every “Best Burger in the City” list (as well as some national lists I’ve seen) over the last few years. Also featured on the Food Network’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives” and a few other national food shows. Can be a long wait but the food is worth it. One of the best burgers I’ve ever had.
If you don’t mind driving a bit to north of the city, Pita Innis one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. It’s really cheap, and the food is AMAZING. It’s mediterranean food and they have a few locations but we go to the one in Skokie on Dempster and love it. They’ve also been on the top of a lot of “Best Of” polls as far as Mediterranean food goes for the area.
I can go on and on. If there’s a certain type of food you’re looking for, I can probably recommend something. Also, if you want to try either Table Fifty-Two or Girl and Goat, I’d suggest making reservations now. They’re both pretty tough places to get into.
Thanks Bob! We won’t have a car, so stuff that is within walking distance of the Palmer House (or near an El station) are a bonus. Cabs aren’t out of the question but we don’t want to blow our budget on transportation.
These suggestions are great, though. I tried asking on Facebook and only got replies like “Giordano’s” and “Ed Debevic’s.” Which are fine establishments but we want to try something different.
Table 52 is just up in the Gold Coast not fair off of Michigan Ave. Can probably easily walk from the Clark & Division Red Line stop. Girl & Goat is in the West Loop near Randolph & Halsted. No trains there, but probably a bus line or two. Also, would be a cheap cab ride from the Palmer House.
Another place that I’ve heard good things about, which is downtown right near the Tribune Tower/Wrigley Bldg on Michigan Ave, is the Purple Pig. Supposed to be really good mediterranean food (higher end than my previous Pita Inn suggestion). It was opened by the same guys that run the Heaven on Seven restaurants if you’re familiar w/ those at all.
Pita Inn is good, and I have many fond memories of quick meals there, but the Albany Park area has better Middle Eastern food; my own favorite is Salam, which is right next to the Kedzie Brown Line stop; Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen about three blocks north on Kedzie, just north of Lawrence, is also good - I like Salam’s grilled meat and spinach pies better, but Dawali definitely has better salads & dips (Hummus, baba, etc.)
And continuing on the “awesome food” front, also just off the Kedzie stop is Noon O Kebab, IMO the best Persian restaurant in town; elsewhere, there’s a great Vietnamese noodle place just off of the Argyle red line stop (Tank Noodle, which doesn’t seem to have its own web page), along with Sun Wah, a great Chinese restaurant of the “entire ducks hanging in the window as you walk in” persuasion.
Go to the end of the Brown Line (actually the last stop before the end, Kedzie) and you will be a stone’s throw from numerous yummy Middle Eastern restaurants. Don’t miss Noon-o-Kabab - they catered our wedding reception, and a ton of people told us it was the best wedding food they’d ever had!
Chicago has great architectural tours. I’ve only been on Wendella’s tour, but it was awesome, especially if it is a nice day. Wendella’s main dock isn’t too far from the Palmer House
I also see double decker buses all over the city.
There are also Dinner Cruises that you can take from Navy Pier. They stay out on the lake so you can take in the grandeur of Chicago’s skyline while you dine. The food isn’t the best (but not too bad), but the sights are amazing at night. Especially if Navy Pier has a fireworks show that night.
My first date with my wife was on a warm September night some 15 or so years ago. We went to Connie’s Pizza on Archer and 26th St. and then took a walk along the lakefront up by either North Ave. or Oak St.
Oooh, and if you’re in that neighborhood, I eat at Ba Le all the time, it’s right across the street from Tank Noodle. Ba Le has great French Vietnamese deli sandwiches, and you have to try the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. A great lunch, and pretty light. here’s the Yelp page. They’ve moved next door since the Yelp info, and they have an outdoor eating area now, too. I think I’m going to go get a sandwich right now…! This thread made me hungry.