Chicago

[JetsIn06]

I'm going to be in Chicago from March 4th through March 7th. I'm going to be with my girlfriend who as an interview at the Art Institute of Chicago. I'm looking for relaxing, cheap things to do the first two days we're there, a good deep dish pizza place, and any other fun suggestions. Thanks!

[rowech]

I'm going to be in Chicago from March 4th through March 7th. I'm going to be with my girlfriend who as an interview at the Art Institute of Chicago. I'm looking for relaxing, cheap things to do the first two days we're there, a good deep dish pizza place, and any other fun suggestions. Thanks!

Not traditional deep dish pizza but this is my fav place in Chicago...

http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

[Router Help]

If you have a Bank Of America card Shedd Aquarium is free that weekend: Shedd Aquarium - Chicago | Plan a Visit | Discounts (http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html)

The Museum of Contemporary Art has happy hour with a cash bar and free hors d’oeuvres on the first friday of each month: Museum of Contemporary Art (http://www.mcachicago.org/programs/ff.php?page=friday)


Horrible website, awesome pizza: http://www.pequodspizza.com/home.html

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm going to be in Chicago from March 4th through March 7th. I'm going to be with my girlfriend who as an interview at the Art Institute of Chicago. I'm looking for relaxing, cheap things to do the first two days we're there, a good deep dish pizza place, and any other fun suggestions. Thanks!

Giordano's stuffed pizza is still my personal favorite, though opinions of course vary.

Ditto the Shedd, though be warned, on the free days it's usually PACKED. Not free, but the Museum of Science & Industry is still my favorite of the museums. Take a ride up the Sears (Willis) Tower, hoof it around the Water Tower...

And go into the burbs & outside of Cook County if you wanna drink heavily. :)

[Passacaglia]

Pequod's is good, but might be a little hard to get to for you. My favorite pizza is My Pie -- it's not a fun place to hang out though, so I'd only recommend it if you're in the delivery area for some reason (which you probably won't be): My Pie Pizza (http://www.mypiepizza.com/delivery-areas)
If you're looking for something specifically near the Art Institute, I'd suggest Lou Malnati's, though really all of them in the area are about the same.

If you want free stuff, you can walk around Millenium Park, which is right around the Art Institute, and see the Bean. Grant Park borders it, and you can see Buckingham Fountain, and once you hit the lake, you can walk north up to Navy Pier and check all that out. Lincoln Park Zoo is also free, Lincoln Park Zoo (http://www.lpzoo.org/)

You'll probably be able to see this from the Art Institute, so you won't need me to tell you about it, but there's ice skating at Millenium Park right by there. Admission is free, skate rental is $10. http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/mccormick_tribune0.html

The Gene Siskel Film Center is also close to there and shows interesting movies: siskelfilmcenter.org | Chicago's Premier Movie Theater (http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/) They say that they don't allow outside food in, but I would suggest going to nearby Garrett's popcorn and hiding it under your jacket (if you get caught though, don't tell them I told you that).

If you want to do a tall building like the Sears or Hancock, and want to save some money, check out the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock, http://www.signatureroom.com/Home/ -- you can probably get a pretty good meal for the same price or only slightly more than an observatory tower, you just miss out on the museum feel and the pay-to-use binoculars. I'm not sure if they take reservations, but you can ask for a window table when you get there. They used to have an all-you-can-eat buffet, but I don't see it mentioned on their web site anymore.

There's also Second City, http://www.secondcity.com/

I'll keep thinking.

[dawgfan]

I'm sure you'll get a variety of opinions on the "best" Chicago deep-dish/stuffed pizza, but I'll second CF's recommendation of Giordano's - I tried a bunch when I was out there in 2005, and that's the one I liked the best.

Pass has a bunch of good suggestions, so I'd follow those. To add to that, if you want to check out any particular neighborhoods and places to go out, I'd suggest Bucktown - lots of good restaurants and bars.

[JAG]

I'll third Giordano's. If you walk down Michigan Ave, the building of the Chicago Tribune (around 300N or so) has imbedded in it parts of famous structures all over the world (Taj Mahal is the only one I remember). My wife is big on the architectural walking tour of Chicago, can't recall where you pick that up. Museum of Science and Industry is fantastic, you can literally spend a full day there and not see everything you want, but it's a little out of the way compared with stuff downtown and somewhat pricey. I agree with what Pass said about the Signature Room, but I seem to remember it being pricey, so maybe just get a drink and watch the sun set.

Have fun and good luck to your GF.

[Neuqua]

4th on Giordano's.

[JetsIn06]

Thanks all! Leaving tomorrow! I'll let you know what we end up doing.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'll be at the Art Institute of Chicago making a new friend. Come say hi. Well, all of you except JetsIn06. I'd rather not have him come say hi. Don't ask why.

[RainMaker]

Giordano's definitely. Still can't go wrong with Lou Malnatis either.

If you're looking for steaks, I'd recommend Keefer's.

[JediKooter]

Just don't leave your car with these guys...

[Coffee Warlord]

Giordano's definitely. Still can't go wrong with Lou Malnatis either.

If you're looking for steaks, I'd recommend Keefer's.

On the seafood (particularly shellfish) side, if you wanna pay for it...

Shaw's Crab House: Fresh Seafood in Chicago (http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/chicago/index.shtml)

Particularly awesome oyster bar.