# What to do in Chicago? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262 "2011-09-22T22:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cheryl44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@Cheryl44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheryl44)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/22 "2011-09-25T22:06:12Z")
Also, there’s this: [http://www.chitowncheapskate.com/](http://www.chitowncheapskate.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/23 "2011-09-25T23:13:13Z")
Wow, some great suggestions here. What we’re into other than some of the food I mentioned: Well, If I took someone on a tour of Pittsburgh I’d stop at the Carnegie Science Center (Laser Shows, Omni Max/IMAX movies, Miniature Railroads, all kinds of Science exhibits), maybe check out some bands (we like most types of music), festivals (Arts Fest, Jazz Fest, October Fest), see some of the historical sights, maybe take a scenic drive for some picture taking, do some shopping (not at a mall, they tend to have the same chain stores every other mall has), and of course sample some of the food. Some of the things already mentioned seem to be along these lines, so we will go over these suggestions once we get there and sit down and figure out what we can do. We’re going to leave Pittsburgh tomorrow morning, hopefully get there around late afternoon, and we’ll be there until Friday morning. We will have web access, so we can look up some of the things already mentioned (I’ve no idea how close some of these things will be to us but Gf’s daughter and husband should and they can plan it out with us). Since we can’t get to Medieval Times this trip, we might want to check out a nicer restaurant/steakhouse. Don’t think anyone really drinks, so we’re looking at maybe around $40-50 a person with no alcohol. Thanks to all who responded so far! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/24 "2011-09-26T06:06:11Z")
Scenic drives! Chicago is great for that. One great scenic drive is up and down Lake Shore Drive. Bonus points if you hear the great [Alliota Haynes and Jeremiah](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNSmAl7hF0) song on the radio as you go! Another great scenic drive is up or down Clark Street, from the loop to Evanston. You’ll feel as if you’d circumnavigated the globe! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/25 "2011-09-26T13:28:21Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > Since we can’t get to Medieval Times this trip, we might want to check out a nicer restaurant/steakhouse. Don’t think anyone really drinks, so we’re looking at maybe around $40-50 a person with no alcohol. I was going to suggest [Morton’s](http://www.mortons.com/); their original location is at 1050 N. State Street but they seem to start at $50 per. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/26 "2011-09-26T13:39:17Z")
[Harry Caray’s](http://www.harrycarays.com/menus_chicago.html) (named after the Cubs’ long time announcer) is in your price range and [#5 in Gayot’s top ten Chicago steakhouses](http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-chicago-il-top10-steakhouses_5_5ch.html). ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/27 "2011-09-26T13:52:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due (same owners, same recipe) is the original Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. > > Uno is at the SW corner of Ohio and Wabash, in the River North neighborhood (a couple of blocks west of North Michigan Avenue). Due is at the SE corner of Ontario and Wabash (i.e., one block north of Uno). Also, keep in mind that “UNO Chicago Grill” is _not_ the same as Pizzeria UNO/DUE. The former is a chain and vastly inferior. [See here for more pizza talk](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=610861). Steakhouses: There are many. Morton’s, Gibson’s, Ditka’s, Sullivan’s, Gene & Georgetti’s, Smith & Wollensky, Chicago Chop House, even Harry Caray’s serves a good cut. Plenty more that I haven’t named. I know that doesn’t narrow it down much, but in my experience it’s hard to find a bad steakhouse in Chicago. You should be able to find something to match your budget, especially if you’re not drinking alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Cheryl44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@Cheryl44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheryl44)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/28 "2011-09-26T16:46:08Z")
The National Museum of Mexican Art is always free (though sometimes there’s a small fee for special exhibits) and always interesting [http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org](http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/29 "2011-09-27T01:10:16Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Steakhouses: There are many. Morton’s, Gibson’s, Ditka’s, Sullivan’s, Gene & Georgetti’s, Smith & Wollensky, Chicago Chop House, even Harry Caray’s serves a good cut. I generally don’t do big steaks. I guess I prefer my beef cut into little strips and stir fried or ground into hamburger or the ribs smoked low & slow. I can, however, recommend David Burke’s at the James Hotel: [Link](http://www.jameshotels.com/Chicago-Hotel.aspx?name=The-James-Chicago&page=Primehouse-Menus) On the higher end of the budget but where else are you going to get a ribeye dry aged in [Himalayan cave salt](http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=368183#p368183) for 75 days? And to keep it within budget, consider Carmichael’s. [Link](http://www.carmichaelsteakhouse.com/menu/dinner-menu/?phpMyAdmin=382c4af77a44t267be6f0). Although I haven’t been to Carmichael’s, a number of trusted eaters recommend them. Also recommended: [Hopleaf](http://hopleaf.com/) is pretty great. Go early to avoid the crowd. [The Publican](http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/) AND [Girl and the Goat](http://www.girlandthegoat.com/) both live up to their considerable hype. IMO. [Sun Wah BBQ](http://sunwahbbq.com/) is fantastic. If Peking Duck sounds tempting, call ahead the night before, order the duck service and thank me later. I’m jealous, I wish it was my first time at any of these places. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/30 "2011-09-27T18:40:25Z")
Ok we tried Portillos Italian Beef last night, it was very good. Went to Zacostacos for lunch today, for$20 we got some nachos, a couple of steak burritos, a huge steak chimichanga, and some Mexican cokes. Everything was excellent, but we especially liked the chimi. Steak was tender and juicy, the tortilla was fried to crispy, flaky perfection, and the guacamole was so delicious that I ate every bite of mine even though I don’t normally like guac. Another cool thing is that everyone we’ve met here is super friendly! This is a very nice city! Even driving, people are very friendly and courteous about letting you switch lanes and such. We were a little nervous about the traffic when we first got here but it has been very pleasant so far. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/31 "2011-10-02T16:18:49Z")
Sounds like you enjoyed the trip. Next time, if the weather permits, try a rooftop bar in near the Loop. Always a good scene just to people watch. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262/32 "2011-10-03T16:05:47Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Do you mean Nancy’s (west side of the street) or Ranaldi’s (east side of the street)? They are both still there. But much of that first block north of Diversey has been razed and rebuilt and a lot of the little dives are gone. Sorry for the late reply but the place I was thinking of is Ranaldi’s. I am curious, as there used to be a Borders that straddled both Clark and Broadway at Diversey with some older buildings north of there on Braodway and a newer building on the east side right at Diversey. Which buildings got demolished? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/597262.md?page=1)