Travel CHICAGO! Tips, restaurants and hotel advice!
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This list is endless. Are they staying downtown or somewhere in the North Michigan Ave. area? North Michigan Ave. and Oak Street have the best shopping in a walkable area of any city I've been to. All the high-end names with boutiques along with Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom and Macy's (to mention just a few: Chanel, LV, BV, Hermes, Gucci, Ferragamo, Prada, Tod's, Kate Spade, Loro Piana, Tiffany (and other luxury jewelers), Coach, Barney's of NY, Disney Store for kids, Apple store for anyone, Niketown, Jimmy Choo; I can't list them all. Water Tower Place has Macy's, American Girl and lots of well-known shops.
Restaurants for any palate or ethnicity. Visitor favorites are The Cheesecake Factory, Ralph Lauren café near the Water Tower. A block off Michigan Ave is a favorite of mine--Pierro Gourmet, connected to the Peninsula Hotel but you enter from the street. It's sitdown or takeout--delicious!!
Museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium are nearby down in the Loop area. The Art Institute (one of the very best collections of impressionists) is on Michigan Ave. near the lake in the Loop. It's a distance, but south of the main downtown is the Museum of Science and Industry-- a must for all ages--very interactive with new and old exhibits. I've been many times and see something new and visit old favorites each time. Great gift shop too.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is just north of downtown (about 1800 N.) and is free!
In the Loop is Millenium Park where the iconic city sculptures are. Everyone takes a pic of themselves near *the Bean* or the one with different faces and water coming out of the mouth. It's really cool, but hard to describe.
John Hancock Observatory in is the middle of North Michigan Ave. The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is the tallest building in the city and also has an observatory.
That's just off the top of my head. At least it's a start!
Restaurants for any palate or ethnicity. Visitor favorites are The Cheesecake Factory, Ralph Lauren café near the Water Tower. A block off Michigan Ave is a favorite of mine--Pierro Gourmet, connected to the Peninsula Hotel but you enter from the street. It's sitdown or takeout--delicious!!
Museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium are nearby down in the Loop area. The Art Institute (one of the very best collections of impressionists) is on Michigan Ave. near the lake in the Loop. It's a distance, but south of the main downtown is the Museum of Science and Industry-- a must for all ages--very interactive with new and old exhibits. I've been many times and see something new and visit old favorites each time. Great gift shop too.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is just north of downtown (about 1800 N.) and is free!
In the Loop is Millenium Park where the iconic city sculptures are. Everyone takes a pic of themselves near *the Bean* or the one with different faces and water coming out of the mouth. It's really cool, but hard to describe.
John Hancock Observatory in is the middle of North Michigan Ave. The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is the tallest building in the city and also has an observatory.
That's just off the top of my head. At least it's a start!
I wanted to second the museum suggestions. Also, if you are a preferred client at B of A or Chase you can get your tickets for free. I think it's because they are big donors to the museums.
For really high end dining, you might try to get tickets to Next (a little hit or miss depending on the theme) or Alinea. Some of the restaurants I've tried are Topolobampo (elegant mexican) and The Girl and the Goat.
For really high end dining, you might try to get tickets to Next (a little hit or miss depending on the theme) or Alinea. Some of the restaurants I've tried are Topolobampo (elegant mexican) and The Girl and the Goat.
I live in Chicago 
One thing that is super fun and super cheap is taking a water taxi from the Mag Mile to the Willis Tower. Your DD and SIL will see Chicago's architecture from the Chicago River and it is a lot less expensive than taking a cab.
Besides sculptures, Millennium Park also offers the Pritzker Pavilion (designed by Frank Gehry). They have free classical concerts regularly when the weather is tolerable, so it's worth checking that schedule out.
The Museum of Contemporary Art has the David Bowie show right now.
For restaurants, it's really slim pickings in the tourist areas though I do like RL. For good non-chain food in that area, you're really stuck with Joe's Stone Crab or Gibson's and other steakhouses in the Viagra Triangle. There's also Soup Box on Chicago Ave. and Foodease/Mity Nice in Water Tower Place.
The best restaurants are either in River North (Roka Akor, Frontera Grill, and Bub City are popular) or in the West Loop on Restaurant Row (Girl & The Goat, Nellcote, Maude's Liquor Bar, Jaipur, Green Street Meats, Au Cheval, g.e.b. Bistro...).
I live in the West Loop, so I'm biased towards my 'hood but it is the trendy warehouse district of Chicago. Chicago's Soho House and Cowshed Spa just opened up here on Randolph and Green Street. Madison Street is full of sports bars for Blackhawks and Bulls fans since the United Center is within walking distance, and on Halsted is Greektown with lots of Greek restaurants and cheap late-night eats for UIC college students.
I say avoid the long lines for deep dish pizza in the tourist-heavy areas. If they want to try pizza that Chicagoans really eat, there's Piece in Wicker Park, Home Run Inn on the South Side (it's grilled and on a flaky pastry dough), Lou Malnati's deep dish in the suburbs, Giordano's deep dish on Jackson in the Loop (never any wait because there aren't tourists), Beggar's Pizza, real Italian-style pizza from Taylor Street (I like Francesca's) or Mercato's in the West Loop, or this tri-city style pizza available from Roots in the East Village that is like crack.
One thing that is super fun and super cheap is taking a water taxi from the Mag Mile to the Willis Tower. Your DD and SIL will see Chicago's architecture from the Chicago River and it is a lot less expensive than taking a cab.
Besides sculptures, Millennium Park also offers the Pritzker Pavilion (designed by Frank Gehry). They have free classical concerts regularly when the weather is tolerable, so it's worth checking that schedule out.
The Museum of Contemporary Art has the David Bowie show right now.
For restaurants, it's really slim pickings in the tourist areas though I do like RL. For good non-chain food in that area, you're really stuck with Joe's Stone Crab or Gibson's and other steakhouses in the Viagra Triangle. There's also Soup Box on Chicago Ave. and Foodease/Mity Nice in Water Tower Place.
The best restaurants are either in River North (Roka Akor, Frontera Grill, and Bub City are popular) or in the West Loop on Restaurant Row (Girl & The Goat, Nellcote, Maude's Liquor Bar, Jaipur, Green Street Meats, Au Cheval, g.e.b. Bistro...).
I live in the West Loop, so I'm biased towards my 'hood but it is the trendy warehouse district of Chicago. Chicago's Soho House and Cowshed Spa just opened up here on Randolph and Green Street. Madison Street is full of sports bars for Blackhawks and Bulls fans since the United Center is within walking distance, and on Halsted is Greektown with lots of Greek restaurants and cheap late-night eats for UIC college students.
I say avoid the long lines for deep dish pizza in the tourist-heavy areas. If they want to try pizza that Chicagoans really eat, there's Piece in Wicker Park, Home Run Inn on the South Side (it's grilled and on a flaky pastry dough), Lou Malnati's deep dish in the suburbs, Giordano's deep dish on Jackson in the Loop (never any wait because there aren't tourists), Beggar's Pizza, real Italian-style pizza from Taylor Street (I like Francesca's) or Mercato's in the West Loop, or this tri-city style pizza available from Roots in the East Village that is like crack.
Forgot about the water taxi! Or if you have time, take the Architectural Foundation boat tour on the river. It's the top request of hotel concierges in the city.
There may be some good theater going on while they are there and if they are into music, Chicago has a ton of blues clubs along with other music venues.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is just off North Michigan Avenue so it's convenient if you're shopping in that area.
Reading all this makes me want to move back, but I've have to hogtie dh to do it. He hates cold weather and snow, while I'm a 100% Midwesterner with 4 seasons in my veins.
There may be some good theater going on while they are there and if they are into music, Chicago has a ton of blues clubs along with other music venues.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is just off North Michigan Avenue so it's convenient if you're shopping in that area.
Reading all this makes me want to move back, but I've have to hogtie dh to do it. He hates cold weather and snow, while I'm a 100% Midwesterner with 4 seasons in my veins.
What do DD / SIL like to do? Also how old are they? I feel like my recommendations would be really different for where your SIL should take DD if DD is 5 vs if she's 25!
I also live in the city, in West Town, which is right in between the West Loop & Wicker Park. No matter how old anyone is, I recommend a trip to Millennium Park to see The Bean. It's literally a giant silver bean, designed by Frank Gehry as a public art piece, and it's amazing. Fun for grown-ups and for kids!
The Museum of Contemporary Art is also holding a David Bowie exhibit, starting in a couple weeks and going through the end of the year, which I'm quite excited to check out. If they're museum people, the MFA is presently holding a Magritte exhibit. Also there's the Art Walk on the 2d Friday of each month in Pilsen where the artists open up their gallery spaces and it's one of my favorite things to do because you get to meet and chat with the artists. In particular Brian Sperry's Warriors of the Apocalypse are worth it, I'm always wowed by his stuff
One of the best views of the city is down on the museum campus, by the Aquarium / Field Museum (natural history) / Planetarium. The museums are out on a peninsula so you get gorgeous sweeping skyline views over there. Also the Wit Hotel and the Hancock Tower are two of the best places to go for drinks with a view
Restaurants....unless DD / SIL are extremely non-adventurous eaters I'd strongly recommend against the Cheesecake Factory. Chicago is a world-class food city, they deserve better! I second the recommendation to go eat on Randolph St in the West Loop, so many great chefs have set up shop there. Or if they're the particularly adventurous food truck types the best place to regularly find food trucks close to downtown is around 600 West Chicago - one of our local aldermen keeps advocating against food trucks bc he owns a relatively popular local chain & doesn't want to compete (total crap) & that's one of the few spots where they can park. Basically you can find everything from multiple Michelin star spots to low key neighborhood favorites throughout the city. If they just leaf through the Bib Gourmand list they'll find great food & get to discover lots of neighborhoods
Getting around - the el & buses are pretty easy to figure out. Cabs are plentiful but everyone I know uses Uber for the most part. I wouldn't rent a car if I were visiting / staying anywhere close to downtown. Also agree with the water taxi idea, it is really impressive to see the buildings from the water view. It feels like a futuristic canyon! If they're outdoorsy there's also kayak rentals on the Chicago River
Hope that helps!
I also live in the city, in West Town, which is right in between the West Loop & Wicker Park. No matter how old anyone is, I recommend a trip to Millennium Park to see The Bean. It's literally a giant silver bean, designed by Frank Gehry as a public art piece, and it's amazing. Fun for grown-ups and for kids!
The Museum of Contemporary Art is also holding a David Bowie exhibit, starting in a couple weeks and going through the end of the year, which I'm quite excited to check out. If they're museum people, the MFA is presently holding a Magritte exhibit. Also there's the Art Walk on the 2d Friday of each month in Pilsen where the artists open up their gallery spaces and it's one of my favorite things to do because you get to meet and chat with the artists. In particular Brian Sperry's Warriors of the Apocalypse are worth it, I'm always wowed by his stuff
One of the best views of the city is down on the museum campus, by the Aquarium / Field Museum (natural history) / Planetarium. The museums are out on a peninsula so you get gorgeous sweeping skyline views over there. Also the Wit Hotel and the Hancock Tower are two of the best places to go for drinks with a view
Restaurants....unless DD / SIL are extremely non-adventurous eaters I'd strongly recommend against the Cheesecake Factory. Chicago is a world-class food city, they deserve better! I second the recommendation to go eat on Randolph St in the West Loop, so many great chefs have set up shop there. Or if they're the particularly adventurous food truck types the best place to regularly find food trucks close to downtown is around 600 West Chicago - one of our local aldermen keeps advocating against food trucks bc he owns a relatively popular local chain & doesn't want to compete (total crap) & that's one of the few spots where they can park. Basically you can find everything from multiple Michelin star spots to low key neighborhood favorites throughout the city. If they just leaf through the Bib Gourmand list they'll find great food & get to discover lots of neighborhoods
Getting around - the el & buses are pretty easy to figure out. Cabs are plentiful but everyone I know uses Uber for the most part. I wouldn't rent a car if I were visiting / staying anywhere close to downtown. Also agree with the water taxi idea, it is really impressive to see the buildings from the water view. It feels like a futuristic canyon! If they're outdoorsy there's also kayak rentals on the Chicago River
Hope that helps!
Frank Gehry often gets credit for 'the bean', but it's really a piece by Anish Kapoor and its official name is Cloud Gate (although not as many people will know what you're talking about if you refer to it as that).
I knew its real name was Cloud Gate (but like the "Willis Tower" nobody calls it that) but I didn't know that it was made by Anish Kapoor
Actually I just Googled it & Frank Gehry designed the Pritzker Pavilion right next door in Millennium Park which is prob why the word of mouth has gone wrong on giving proper credit to the correct artist
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html
*the more you know!*
Actually I just Googled it & Frank Gehry designed the Pritzker Pavilion right next door in Millennium Park which is prob why the word of mouth has gone wrong on giving proper credit to the correct artist
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html
*the more you know!*
Hi everyone! I was browsing through the thread and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a romantic/birthday kind of trip for Chicago in the winter? My bf is turning 29 and I'm planning a surprise bday trip in February. We'll be staying part of the week with his family in Aurora but I'm planning 3 or 4 days in the city. I was thinking we'd take a train into the city Monday 2/2, his birthday is Tuesday, and go back to aurora Wed or Thursday (depending on cost of hotel and what we want to do). I'm having difficulty looking online and trying to find nice romantic stuff for us to do in the winter time, everything is centered around walking in the park and river taxis, but i doubt they'll be open in February.
So far, I have considered us ice skating in millennium park, going to dinner at the signature lounge in order to see the city, maybe doing a carriage ride on Michigan ave, and i would love to book us a couples massage but i'm not sure wheres the best place to go. Also, it'll be restaurant week while we're there so I would love to be able to capitalize on that if anyone could suggests some to attend. I haven't booked an hotel yet, but trying to find somewhere in the city with a good deal and pretty good location to everything since we'll be walking or cabbing it.
I would LOVE any suggestions to fill in our time there. He LOVES music so if there's anywhere that has live bands or a jazz place where we could go dancing, or a great whiskey bar. and just any suggestions for something romantic but not too costly. He's worked really hard this year and I just want to take him away the usual hustle and bustle and feel pampered and just fill his days with exciting and wonderful memories, and maybe we can sneak over to nordstrom rack for me for an hour lol. I would greatly appreciate any advice!!!
So far, I have considered us ice skating in millennium park, going to dinner at the signature lounge in order to see the city, maybe doing a carriage ride on Michigan ave, and i would love to book us a couples massage but i'm not sure wheres the best place to go. Also, it'll be restaurant week while we're there so I would love to be able to capitalize on that if anyone could suggests some to attend. I haven't booked an hotel yet, but trying to find somewhere in the city with a good deal and pretty good location to everything since we'll be walking or cabbing it.
I would LOVE any suggestions to fill in our time there. He LOVES music so if there's anywhere that has live bands or a jazz place where we could go dancing, or a great whiskey bar. and just any suggestions for something romantic but not too costly. He's worked really hard this year and I just want to take him away the usual hustle and bustle and feel pampered and just fill his days with exciting and wonderful memories, and maybe we can sneak over to nordstrom rack for me for an hour lol. I would greatly appreciate any advice!!!
Winter apparel
So I have a quick question about dressing stylishly in the freezing cold. I'm planning to go to Chicago in a few days with my bf. We'll be going out for date night, and I already have my outfit planned out (a LBD). But my question is what type of shoes do I wear to stay warm and how to stay warm in general while wearing evening attire?
Usually during the day, I will be bundled up in layers and boots. But boots will look odd with my date night outfit. Any suggestions? Thanks!
So I have a quick question about dressing stylishly in the freezing cold. I'm planning to go to Chicago in a few days with my bf. We'll be going out for date night, and I already have my outfit planned out (a LBD). But my question is what type of shoes do I wear to stay warm and how to stay warm in general while wearing evening attire?
Usually during the day, I will be bundled up in layers and boots. But boots will look odd with my date night outfit. Any suggestions? Thanks!