Goin' to Chicago - any advice?

[dawgfan]

So I'm going to be working in Chicago for the next 2-3 months on a temporary basis, and the company (Midway) is covering my housing at a place downtown while I'm there. It's located on W. Huron St, just west of N. State St specifically, and a little bit north of the Chicago river and west of Northwestern University in general.

I've never been there before, but I'm very excited about the job and the housing location. Can anyone with some familiarity with Chicago recommend sites to see, places to eat, things to do?

I'll definitely be seeing a game or two at Wrigley - it's on the way to work for me - and I'll make a trip out to Comiskey for a White Sox game as well, and possibly take Amtrak up to Milwaukee to see the Brewers' new park.

What I'm curious about are good museums, restaurants (where can I get representative deep-dish pizza), blues and jazz clubs, parks and other worthy sites to see.

[scooper]

Bleu Cheese Burger at Ed Debevick's.

See the Aquarium if that's your sort of thing. It's a very good one.

Watch out for giant flying saucers landing near the lake front.

[gottimd]

Goin there this weekend, a good friend of mine just moved out there, bought a condo right near Wrigley. I'll get some info if you don't find out before I get back.

[sachmo71]

Look out for guys in Penguin Hats.

[cubboyroy1826]

Okay just a couple quick ideas.

1. Gotta go to Ed Debevics, the service is great...lol
2. Pizzeria Uno or Due used to be a favorite of mine but i havent been there in a while.
3. The Museum of Science and Industry is nice just dont go on Tuesdays i think it is kids free day.
4. Cubs and Sox games are a must
5. If you have transportation Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is decent
6. Come out to the Burbs and catch the Joliet Jackhammers, Kane County Cougars or the Schaumburg Flyers minor league teams
7. Go to Harray Carays just because you have to
8. The Billy Goat Tavern
9. Take a stroll down Rush St - not what it used to be
10. Head over to Navy Pier on a nice day/night

[Poli]

I'd recommend having lunch with DataKing, Ravenhawk, and myself at The Silo. Need I say more?

[lurker]

The Art Institute on Michigan and Adams is great and has free admission on Tuesdays and is actually open later that day and not too crowded. And, Passacaglia saw Elvis Costello there one Tuesday -- so if he's cool enough to go there, so are you :)

Your place is in a great location but it is really touristy and filled with a lot of shoppers so definitely go to some other neighborhoods a lot if you want a real Chicago feel.

And take an architecture tour on a boat up the Chicago river if you get a chance.

For pizza -- Pizzeria Uno's has gone way down, so don't go there, but Giordano's isn't bad.

[scooper]

Okay just a couple quick ideas.


8. The Billy Goat Tavern

How could I forget this one? Have an Old Style and a cheeseboiga cheeseboiga cheeseboiga.

Man, I've got to get back to Chicago.

[dixieflatline]

Highly recommend the boat tour. Highly recommend the Art Insitute. Right next door is millennium park and grant park. A bit south is the Field Museum home of Sue the T-rex. Near the science and industry meseum is the roby house(frank lloyd Wright) which is pretty nice. I'd avoid Navy Pier if I were you.

[JeeberD]

There was a cute girl at my terminal in Midway last week, but sadly I think she was on her way to Phoenix.

I nearly gagged at all the Cubs merchandise I saw in that place...

[rkmsuf]

I'd avoid Navy Pier if I were you.

Watch your cornhole dude!

[Raven Hawk]

I'd recommend having lunch with DataKing, Ravenhawk, and myself at The Silo. Need I say more?
I concur. ;)

Oh, we're just a little North of Chicago. Just a wee bit.

[Poli]

I concur. ;)

Oh, we're just a little North of Chicago. Just a wee bit.
weeeeeeeeeeeee bit.

[Fritz]

look out for the illinois nazis

[WSUCougar]

I nearly gagged at all the Cubs merchandise I saw in that place...
Bless you.

[Lathum]

The Shed Aquarium is cool. And if your going to be there around July 4th the Taste of Chicago on the Waterfront is pretty cool.

[dawgfan]

weeeeeeeeeeeee bit.

Alright, I'll bite - how far north?

[Poli]

Ehm, about 20 miles south of Wisconsin. I'm not sure how much of a drive that would be for you, but I'd recommend it. Raven Hawk will buy your lunch if it's your birthday.

[Poli]

Bless you.
I love wearing Cardinal gear this time of year.

[dawgfan]

I've decided to leave my car in Seattle and rely on public transportation during the week. If I need to, I'll rent a car on the weekends. I figure with gas as expensive as it is, my living downtow, and the public transportation as plentiful as it is in Chicago that I don't need my car.

[Poli]

Train runs to Lake Bluff. At the very least I could pick you up.

[JeeberD]

I love wearing Cardinal gear this time of year.

Screw you! :mad:


Oh, wait, we're bashing the common enemy in this thread. Sorry...

[Poli]

True, true.

[dawgfan]

Train runs to Lake Bluff. At the very least I could pick you up.

Cool - I'll keep you posted. What's the Silo?

[Poli]

A pizza place nearby...but we haven't had the pizza to date. We all order the same stuff. BBQ chicken foldover for me. We have ordered an appetizer before, though. :)

[henry296]

Nightlife can be found on Rush Street. Near there is a great steakhouse, Gibson's if you like steak.

Todd

[gottimd]

Are there any Speakeasy's?

[flere-imsaho]

For all your entertainment needs: The Chicago Reader. (http://www.chireader.com) It's the bible.

I'd definitely recommend a few games at Wrigley. I'm not a huge fan of baseball, but I always enjoy a game or two in the Friendly Confines. The best deal is a bleacher seat (general admission) on a weekday. Cheap & cheerful. Don't attempt to get a bleacher seat on a weekend unless you want to show up to the ballpark at 9:00 AM to get in line for the mad rush.

There are a lot, lot of good clubs. Again, check out the Chicago Reader for what's going on. I highly recommend The Green Mill, though, which is way up North (but just off the Red Line). Take a taxi home if you leave late, though, as the Red Line after midnight isn't cool.

Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Field Museum of Natural History & the Art Institute are all good, if you like these things. Google their websites and try to go on non-free, non-kid days to avoid the crowds.

If you are here for the Taste of Chicago (sometime in July), it's best to go on an afternoon, preferably on a weekday, unless you like absolutely crushing crowds. Also, when it's not so busy, the "tasting portions" are more generous.

Pizza. Always the big debate. Personally I think all the "famous" ones have gone way downhill. Uno's & Due's aren't worth it anymore, and neither is Gino's. Passable is Giordano's. My favorite, for deep dish, is "Chicago Pizza". Look them up in the Reader. My favorite, for thin, is this place called "The Fireside Grill", located up north in the Ravenswood area, who do a great pizza, and have good beer. Bit of a trek if you don't have transport, though.

The area you're staying in is cool, busy, and has stuff going on, but is also the hub of all that's touristy & expensive in Chicago. Sure, everyone says go to the bars on Rush Street (close to you), but doing so is a very easy way to drop $200 on drinks alone in a single night.

Frankly, if you're into the fast-and-exciting, meat-market crowd, head up to Wrigleyville, which is where all the young folks hang out and get cheap beer. If you're more into the hipster crowd, head west to Bucktown (take the Blue Line to Damen), but be ready to wait to get into places.

If you want good beer, well, there's a bunch of places to go. One of the best is The Hopleaf, up north in Andersonville, at Clark & Foster. But there are plenty others. If this interests you, I'll try to put together a list.

Anyway, that's just the basics. If you want to tell us what kind of stuff you're interested in, specifically, I'll try to be more specific.

[flere-imsaho]

A pizza place nearby...but we haven't had the pizza to date. We all order the same stuff. BBQ chicken foldover for me. We have ordered an appetizer before, though. :)

So, are you in Lake Bluff? I'm in Glenview, btw.

[oliegirl]

Luke's or Portillo's (http://www.portillos.com) for beef sandwiches and italian sausage sandwiches.

Gino's for pizza - www.ginoseast.com

Lou Malnotti's is also good pizza, though I like Gino's crust better

Shedd Aquarium is incredible, so is the Museum of Science and History

If you're up there the weekend of May 7th you can come crash my cousins wedding - radii and I will be there! :)

[primelord]

Kodos' place is a must see!!!!!

[dawgfan]

Thanks for all the replies, some good stuff there.

I'll probably fly in a week from tomorrow (I start work on May 2nd). I expect I'm going to be working a lot of hours, possibly some weekend days - I'm coming in near the end of an existing project and they're in a crunch-mode, at least for the stuff I'll be doing. So, I'm not sure how much time I'll have during the week to do stuff outside of a group of us from work playing hooky one day to go see a game at Wrigley or something.

Lots of great suggestions so far. I'll want to hit the museums and galleries while I'm here - I'm into good science museums, aquariums, art galleries, etc. I had the Art Institute already penciled-in. I especially like modern art.

I'm not real big on the club scene anymore - I'm 35 - but I'm game to check out fun places to hang out. Just give me a place to sit, a good selection of beer and some decent people-watching and I'm good. A good sports bar might be something I'll need to locate. My usual spots in Seattle range from somewhat trendy upscale places to local pubs to dives, if that helps any.

I'm a sucker for any good pizza, thick or thin crust, but I do prefer a good deep-dish.

The sight-seeing boat trip sounds like a good idea.

The Chicago Reader sounds like a great way for me to get the local flavor. I'm not sure how it compares, but I read the Stranger (http://www.thestranger.com) every week out here (it's the local hipster rag with all the club listings and reviews and whatnot).

I'm all ears on advice on the trains. I figure there will be times I'm coming home late from work, but probably not as late as midnight. Any sketchy areas I should be aware of?

Looks like there are a couple of stores very close to where I'm staying which is good (since I'll be on foot), and multiple eating options. No Chik-Fil-A though, which SkyDog's thread has made me curious to check out.

[dawgfan]

If you're up there the weekend of May 7th you can come crash my cousins wedding - radii and I will be there! :)

I'll be in Chicago at that point. Any good dating prospects at this wedding?

[Poli]

So, are you in Lake Bluff? I'm in Glenview, btw.
I'm in North Chicago at Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

[Poli]

Kodos' place is a must see!!!!!
He's a chicken.

[Poli]

If you're up there the weekend of May 7th you can come crash my cousins wedding - radii and I will be there! :)
I must be chopped liver. I'll check my work schedule. Not sure what I'll be working.

[Coffee Warlord]

2-3 months, eh.

Come play paintball with me in May. :)

[flere-imsaho]

Lots of great suggestions so far. I'll want to hit the museums and galleries while I'm here - I'm into good science museums, aquariums, art galleries, etc. I had the Art Institute already penciled-in. I especially like modern art.

You don't want the Art Institute, then. What you do want is the Museum of Modern Art (just Google for address), which will probably be two blocks from your place. They apparently have a good cafe, as well.

[Poli]

You probably want to play on one of the two weekends I'm going home.

[flere-imsaho]

Looks like there are a couple of stores very close to where I'm staying which is good (since I'll be on foot), and multiple eating options. No Chik-Fil-A though, which SkyDog's thread has made me curious to check out.

You'll be a few blocks away from a Whole Foods. If you're being paid good money, I'd shop there, as most of the "regular" grocery stores (Dominick's, Jewel) are pretty crap in the city itself.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm all ears on advice on the trains. I figure there will be times I'm coming home late from work, but probably not as late as midnight. Any sketchy areas I should be aware of?

Sadly, there's no CTA L (http://www.transitchicago.com/) near Midway's HQ in Chicago. Generally speaking your best bet would be to take the Red Line from Chicago Ave (near you) to Belmont, switch to the Brown Line, take the Brown Line to Addison, and then take the Addison bus West until you get near Midway. Happily, that's the same bus you can take to Cubs games (though walking may be faster).

While Midway isn't located in the greatest neighborhood, I've played Ultimate in the park right next to it until late and not had a problem. However, if you're working really late, a cab back downtown probably won't be more than $10. A lot of companies pick that up if you're working late.

As for sketchy parts - most of them you won't have any reason to go to anyway, so don't worry about it. Just don't wander around when you go to Comisky (now U.S. Cellular Field) and you'll be fine.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm in North Chicago.

I'm sorry. :p

[Poli]

I'm sorry. :p
You and me both.

[dawgfan]

You'll be a few blocks away from a Whole Foods. If you're being paid good money, I'd shop there, as most of the "regular" grocery stores (Dominick's, Jewel) are pretty crap in the city itself.

Yeah, the place I'm staying (the Oakmont) listed that as one of two stores nearby. I was stoked...

[dawgfan]

Sadly, there's no CTA L (http://www.transitchicago.com/) near Midway's HQ in Chicago. Generally speaking your best bet would be to take the Red Line from Chicago Ave (near you) to Belmont, switch to the Brown Line, take the Brown Line to Addison, and then take the Addison bus West until you get near Midway. Happily, that's the same bus you can take to Cubs games (though walking may be faster).

While Midway isn't located in the greatest neighborhood, I've played Ultimate in the park right next to it until late and not had a problem. However, if you're working really late, a cab back downtown probably won't be more than $10. A lot of companies pick that up if you're working late.

As for sketchy parts - most of them you won't have any reason to go to anyway, so don't worry about it. Just don't wander around when you go to Comisky (now U.S. Cellular Field) and you'll be fine.

The recommendation from the CTA website was to take the Red Line to Addison and then the Addison bus the rest of the way. From what I gather, the Red Line is a bit more of an express from downtown than the Brown Line - less stops in the section I'd be travelling.

If cabfare is that cheap I'll keep that in mind for any really late nights back from work.

I'll definitely want to hit a White Sox game (I like to visit as many big league ballparks as possible) but I gathered it wasn't in the greatest of neighborhoods.

Any spots near Wrigley I should check out pre- or post-game?

[dawgfan]

You don't want the Art Institute, then. What you do want is the Museum of Modern Art (just Google for address), which will probably be two blocks from your place. They apparently have a good cafe, as well.

I'll check them both out - I always like to see as much in the way of displays of art as I can when I travel.

[Coffee Warlord]

You probably want to play on one of the two weekends I'm going home.

Paintball weekend is May 21-22

[Poli]

You so suck.

[davidlando1]

lol, the one time I was at The Silo, we sat at a table next to Steve Kerr... i know, i know " we're happy for ya!"

Dawg, it sounds like you're going to be living downtown, which is not very close to Northwestern's campus (unless they have a small downtown campus that i'm not familiar with). Everyone else told you about the good touristy places, but you gotta find the neighborhood places, that's what Chicago is all about. Just get in there and have fun, you have to discover Chicago one block at a time.

[Suicane75]

Don't stay the night if a woman comes along, it's a hard habit to break, unless you spend Saturday in the park.

[Professor58]

I'll definitely want to hit a White Sox game (I like to visit as many big league ballparks as possible) but I gathered it wasn't in the greatest of neighborhoods.

If you are unsure, go to a day game and stick with the crowds going on the train back north. Sadly, there isn't as much of a reason to stay around after the game anyway.

[Craptacular]

And take an architecture tour on a boat up the Chicago river if you get a chance.
Don't forget to bring your heavy-duty raingear and look out for the DMB bus.

[Craptacular]

Ehm, about 20 miles south of Wisconsin.
That's not far enough.

[mhass]

Museum of Science and Industry is way better than Natural History. Eat breakfast at NoMI in the Park Hyatt on a Sunday morning. Try Red Light if you like Pan-Asian. Watch Ferris Bueller's day off and do all that stuff too.

[Loren]

Don't forget to bring your heavy-duty raingear and look out for the DMB bus.

I was waiting to see who would mention it, how fitting.....Giordanos is pretty damn good, i mainly love their eggplant parmesan, and they have fast delivery...like mentioned ya hafta go to the pier and you can pick up other local attraction information there. Who mentioned the cab fare being cheap? if thats cheap where do YOUU live :confused: Took a while but i think i finally got the trains down, the busses are another story, got stranded one nite when i took the wrong one, one minute it was a crowded area next minute i was in the middle of downtown somewhere with no one but a bum in sight, like Adventures in babysitting:(

[Raven Hawk]

Ehm, about 20 miles south of Wisconsin. I'm not sure how much of a drive that would be for you, but I'd recommend it. Raven Hawk will buy your lunch if it's your birthday.
The man does not lie. :)

[flere-imsaho]

The recommendation from the CTA website was to take the Red Line to Addison and then the Addison bus the rest of the way. From what I gather, the Red Line is a bit more of an express from downtown than the Brown Line - less stops in the section I'd be travelling.

Actually yeah, that's the better option. The CTA website is usually pretty good for planning out that kind of travel. The only thing to watch out for is when the Cubs are playing the Addison Red Line stop is wall-to-wall.

I'll definitely want to hit a White Sox game (I like to visit as many big league ballparks as possible) but I gathered it wasn't in the greatest of neighborhoods.

Correct. But you can take the L there (Red Line, again), and as long as you stick with where the crowds are going, you're fine.

Any spots near Wrigley I should check out pre- or post-game?

I'm not a huge Wrigleyville fan, so I can't offer any decent recommendations. I'd assume a bunch of the guys at Midway will want to head to some games, and probably know Wrigleyville relatively well, so do what they do.

[flere-imsaho]

Dawg, it sounds like you're going to be living downtown, which is not very close to Northwestern's campus (unless they have a small downtown campus that i'm not familiar with).

Our (I work at Northwestern) downtown campus contains the Law School and Medical School. I think the Kellogg School of Business may also have a building or two down there.

[Passacaglia]

Don't stay the night if a woman comes along, it's a hard habit to break, unless you spend Saturday in the park.

Which reminds me, Demon Dogs, right under the Fullerton L stop. Grab a dog on your way home or something.

[Poli]

The man does not lie. :)
Birthday check:

AE: 5-18. Rock on.

[Passacaglia]

If you ever find yourself in the Loop during lunchtime, head over to Perry's -- on the west side of Franklin, between Lake and Randolph. Really good sandwiches, but make sure your cell phone is turned off.

Also, if you were planning to go to one of the skydeck of the Sears Tower or John Hancock, go to the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock instead. Again, if you go during lunch hours, for about 5 bucks more than the skydeck, you get an all-you-can-eat buffet, and the same view (just no binoculars). Pretty good food, too.

[dixieflatline]

Also, if you were planning to go to one of the skydeck of the Sears Tower or John Hancock, go to the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock instead. Again, if you go during lunch hours, for about 5 bucks more than the skydeck, you get an all-you-can-eat buffet, and the same view (just no binoculars). Pretty good food, too.

I second this. I prefer the view from the hancock and there are a lot fewer people.

[gottimd]

I second this. I prefer the view from the hancock and there are a lot fewer people.
Just got back from Chicago this past weekend. That city is great. Yeah we did the view from the John Hancock building, which was nice. Went to a Cubs game, got drunk, had some Chicago style pizza, got drunk.

What was with that damn red hat society all over the city on Sunday?

[Neuqua]

Don't forget to visit Devon Avenue if you get hungry.

[dawgfan]

Bump - thought I'd give an update for those that provided suggestions.

Got into town Friday April 29th, took the Blue Line from O'Hare into downtown and transferred to the Red Line up to the Chicago Ave. stop. Found the apartment pretty easy. Got unpacked, then walked around the vicinity a bit to get familiarized.

Walked around more extensively on Saturday, spent a lot of time wandering up Michigan Ave along the "Miracle Mile" - lots of shopping, restaurants and clubs.

On Sunday, I took a river boat architectural tour which was very cool. Afterwards I walked over to Navy Pier and checked it out. The ballroom at the end of the pier is amazing, and the stained glass exhibit in the main building is impressive.

Started work Monday. I'm helping out on Blitz: The League for a few months, then hopefully back to Seattle with Surreal Software (which Midway bought last year).

Went to my first game at Wrigley this last Sunday and saw them break their losing streak. Dusty sure doesn't care about pitch counts does he? Zambrano is tough, but he's young and throws a little bit across his body - all those 130+ pitch games may come back to haunt the team if he breaks down as expected.

So far I've eaten at Ed Debevic's (very quirky wait staff, which is the charm of the place I guess), Fado's (an Irish pub near my place - great fish 'n chips) and Su Casa (a mexican place - so-so). I've been by Giordano's on Michigan a couple of times, but it's always way too packed and too long a wait. Same thing for Pizzeria Uno and Due. At some point I'll pick maybe a weekend mid-afternoon and see if it's a little less busy. Saw the Billy Goat Tavern location on the Pier, but I want to make a trek to the original. At some point I'll check out Harry Carey's also.

I'm waiting to go to the Field Museum until after May 27th when they get a new dinosaur exhibit from China. I may check out the Museum of Contemporary Art this weekend since the weather doesn't look so hot. I'm planning to hit the Art Institute as well, but I may wait to go until a friend of mine is in town visiting.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I'm enjoying my stay so far.