So, The Cody and I decided to go to Chicago for his birthday.
All I really know in Chicago are the museums. And Giordano’s (sp?) pizza. Mmmm.
Now, suggest some things to do whilst there.
Also, anyone want to meet up while we’re there? I know we’re going to go to the Science and Industry Museum.
We’ll be there from March 5th-7th (Friday-Sunday).
I was just going to ask this exact question - good thing I checked here first! I too will have a full day in Chicago next week with my wife and would like to tag along on Silver Serpentine’s thread.
You’ve come to the right place…
I’ll just need to know what you like, and I can tell you where to go (so to speak)
A few suggestions for now though.
Skip Giordanos in favor of Gino’s East or even Lou Malnatis, both are better respectively than Giordanos.
For world class jazz, get thee to the Green Mill in Uptown (4800 block of north Broadway) It’s a REAL club, nothing fancy, no shirts, shot glasses or fussy booze, but a real joint, in fact, it’s the oldest continuously running jazz club in the city.
900 North Michigan and water tower place is a neat area to shop if you’re not shy about opening the wallet, OR if you just wanna window shop.
State St. Marshall fields is really a neat place for shopping as well.
Celtic Crossings is on the 700 block of N. Clark, and is just about as real an Irish pub as there is in the city, even better than the ones on my beloved south side.
While you’re on North Michigan, go west down Pearson to Bistro 110 for appetizers and desert (the pizza la maison and the creme brulee are tops)
Let me know what other kind of stuff you want to do, and I can probably let you know the scoop.
Chicago, home of the blues. N. Halstead for a number of good clubs.
http://centerstage.net/chicago/music/clubs/styles/blues.html
I just got back today from Kingston Mines. They are open until 5am on Saturday (oiy). 2 stages in 2 rooms that alternate 2 or more bands. typical feedbag bar. nothing fancy, decent ribs. Blue jeans and a desire to eat, drink, and be merry. Park at the Childrens Hospital or use their valet parking. Better yet, take the “L”.
I would suggest the observation deck of the Sears tower since I believe it is now the tallest building in the US. You can see what’s left of the airport that was the opening scene in MS flight simulator (thank Mayor Dailey for that one).
Like all big cities, Chicago has trolley buses for tourists that you can take to get a feel of the city. You can get off one bus for a stop and pick another one up. $30. Bring money for toll roads (.15 to 2.00)
If you are heading to the Museum of Sci/Ind, you might want to check out what is in that area. It is pretty far south of the loop. You can easily get there via el. Do you know the MSI is the lone survivor of the 1893 Columbian Exhibition “White City”? So the whole surrounding area is historically interesting.
Right around it is Jackson Park - some nice landscape architecture if that is your thing (and if the weather is nice.)
The U of C and Hyde Park are just to the west, if college campuses are your thing. Birthpace of the A-bomb, Fountain of Time, Rockefeller Chapel, and whatnot. And the Oriental Institute - a MUST SEE if that is your cup of tea.
http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/default.html
As far as a day full of activity, the Museum Campus in Grant Park will certainly wear you out. The Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium are all within short walking distance. Plus, the planetarium promentary in the lake is generally considered one of the best views of the skyline. Turn to the south, and you can express your opinion on the recent Soldier Field redo (I’m a fan!) and Hizzoner’s destruction of Meigs Field (I’m NOT a fan).
And the Art Institute is a short (maybe a mile) walk straight north. Isn’t there a huge Renoir exhibit now or soon?
If at the Art Inst, you might want to take a stroll 3 blocks west to the Federal Plaza. Stand at Adams and Dearborn. One block down Dearborn on the West side is the Monadanock Building. Directly South and West are the Mies van der Rohe Federal Buildings - with the Calder sculpture). On the NW corner is the Marquette Building (check out the lobby!) And 2 blocks further west you can peek a glimpse of the red bulk that is the Rookery. Has to be about the most significant architecture you can see from any corner in the US. Stop in the Berghoff standup bar (not the restaurant) for a stein or 3 to catch your breath and restore your energy.
Lots of folk go to Navy Pier (visible directly to the north of the Planetarium.) I’m not sure what the attraction is, tho they have a nice collection of stained glass windows. The ferris wheel runs all winter and provides a nice view of the city.
Unfortunately, March is a little too early for Buckingham Fountain to be turned on, and the boats don’t return to the harbors until April. The park district dows some wonderful gardening in Grant Park during the warmer months.
I strongly recommend a stroll up Michigan Avenue. The building wall on the west side is pretty architecturally famous. To the east at Randolph you can see the new Millenium Park. On the W side is the old library - the Cultural Center. Ususally has a decent exhibit or 2, check the schedule for free lunchtime concerts and other offerings, and has some really neat architectural elements inside.
Walk further north on Mich, across the river, and you will pass the Wrigley and Trib Towers. (Check out the architectural fragments in the base of the Trib Tower.) Walk another mile or 2 north and you will be in the prime shopping area. Finish up around the historic water tower - maybe go up to the restaurant on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Tower, order a libation, and look back down the 3-4 miles you just strolled.
And you’ll be right in the neighborhood to head downstairs for some Pizza at Uno’s, Due’s, or Gino’s. Then, if you wish, you can stumble over to Rush and Division for some night-time debauchery. Tho I would, instead, cab it further north to check out some of the smaller, storefront theaters.
Enjoy.
You should have no trouble filling up your time in Chicago, be it a weekend or full week.
Music:
I second the recommendation for the Green Mill. If you’re not a city person, the neighborhood may strike you as sketchy, but in actuality it’s fine. Two nationally known artists make their residence there: Patricia Barber (piano on Mondays), and Kurt Elling (jazz vocals on Wednesday). They don’t play every week, but are there regularly.
Blues Chicago on Halsted has two locations about a block or so apart, and one cover allows entry to both. They are close to Kingston Mines, making that block or two a bit of a blues mecca.
Worth checking out in the South Loop is Buddy Guy’s Legends. Buddy is one of the last ‘elder’statesman of the blues, and whenever he’s in town, you’ll likely see him at the end of the bar. Almost worth it just to see the big honkin’ pile of Grammys by the front door!
If you do check out the shopping on Michigan Ave, there’s a nice jazz club, Andy’s, located under the street. Actually, where Michigan Ave meets the river, there are stairs going down to the lower level of streets, and the club is a block to the west (Yes, along the river, Chicago has two levels of streets, and it’s actually pretty neat to go zipping along Lower Wacker Drive).
Food:
Any of the deep dish pizzas (Giordano’s, Uno’s, Lou Malnati’s) are worth having; Giordano’s is a bit hit and miss according to which location you’re at.
Near the blues clubs on Halsted is a tapas restaurant called Cafe Baba Reeba. Tapas is basically Spanish appetizers, and it’s a lot of fun for a group of folks, and it’s something you can only really get in larger cities.
The area near Michigan Avenue just north of the river is called River North (surprise), and it is bursting with excellent restaurants.
Activities:
Sign up for one of the Architectural tours. There is so much more to Chicago architecture than the tall buildings.
The Art Institute is a world class treasure. And you can see all the paintings shown in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Further north of the Art Institute is the Museum of COntemporary Art. Not my taste, but I understand it’s a good collection.
Shopping:
Michigan Avenue north of the river is some serious shopping (although it’s getting to look more and more like your typical upscale mall). The cooler stores, IMHO, are Niketown, the Virgin Megastore, and The Apple Store.
Marshall Field’s on State Street is a nice throwback to the old style huge department stores. The neatest thing is one section of the roof is a tile/glass (?) mosaic designed by Tiffany (of lamp fame).
There’s so much more to see and do… Have fun on your trip.
I second the architecture tours and the Hyde Park area. (There are some GREAT bookstores there, too.) Even just a nice stroll around the lakefront will do, weather permitting. (It is beautiful here right now but who knows what it will be in a couple of weeks.)
Well, before I moved to TX for 5 years, my mom, sis, and I would all go to Chicago twice a year. So, I’ve been to everything on the museums campus at least half a dozen times. We went to the Field Museum last Feb (bad idea- cold!).
I’ve been to Giordano’s and Lou Manati’s. I say G. is considerably better. Cody calls it “ambrosia.” Heh.
Since we’re going to Chicago for the Cody’s Bday, here’s what he wants to find:
"A weird all-night cafe
Club with live music.
Concerts."
Took me half an hour to get that much out of him. He keeps playing with the cat.
Any one of the many improv theaters are fun, likeSecond City.
And there’s a lot of regular theaters.
Ok, the all night cafe is gonna be an easy one. Ask any cabbie or night shift worker in the south loop, and he’ll tell you to go to the White Palace Grill at 11th and Canal (roughly Canal and Roosevelt). They’ve been slingin’ hash and all the sundry greasy spoon staples 24/7 since 1939, they only take cash though, so keep the plastic in your pocket.
The Live music/Concert thing is a bit more difficult, because I’m not sure what you all are into, so I’ll cover as much as I can…
The Aragon (1100 block of W. Lawrence) is USUALLY a colorful place to see a show, but You’ll miss Dylan there on the 5th (it’s sold out)
The Metro (3700 block of North Clark, just past Wrigley Field has metal and Indie rock most nights, nothing different the nights you’re gonna be here.
Schubas Tavern (3100 block of N. Southport) is almost a sure bet. Sometimes they have suprise big name acts there, it doesn’t look like thats the case the weekend you’re here, but one never knows.
If you’re into comedy/cabaret click on over here for the Noble Fool. Some of, if not THE the funniest production comedy in Chicago. They’ve got several open end shows.
and perchance if the plays’ the thing, then the NeoFuturarium (5100 n. Ashland) is the place to go. While you’re there, see “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind” It’s an eclectic, often brief, occasionally audience participation driven, assault of 30 plays in 60 minutes. Sometimes tight quarters though.
So, if there’s anything else…let me know.