lindust20 2 Posted August 28, 2009 Getting there september 10th and leaving on my birthday Sept 14th. Me and my dad are going to a Cubs/Reds game Friday and a U2 concert at Soldier Field on Sunday. I need recommendations on the best food (at a decent price) Chi-town has to offer, where to visit, what bars to go to etc. Also deals for places to sightsee for free or on certain days what not to miss. So far this is what we plan to do... but not sure if we will see all of this. Wrigley Field Baseball game Lincoln Park Sears Tower Skydeck Navy Pier Millenium Park Art Institute of Chicago Grant Park Magnificient Mile Staying Thursday afternoon til Monday Morning at the Silversmith hotel. Any and all suggestions are welcome, you all gave me great ideas for the New York trip a few years ago and wanna make the best of this one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FeelingMN 273 Posted August 28, 2009 I don't live in Chicago, but have been there a few times. Gino's East has the best deep dish pizza. It's been awhile but from I remember, pretty cheap. Centrally located, so should be easy to get to. There was a bar my wife and I went to before a Kenny Chesney concert...believe it was on State...a few blocks west of Soldier Field. Good food. Good beer. Totally packed...good atmosphere. There was a restaurant in back. Don't remember the name...maybe the Chicago homers know where I'm talking about. Anyway, good place to load up before the concert....only a 10-15 minute walk to Soldier Field. Have fun! Chicago is a great city. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mighty_thor 115 Posted August 28, 2009 Are you Irish? There is a Celtic festival that weekend at Grant Park. You can't beat the price. Its Free. Maybe U2 will show up there as well. You might want to take a tour boat that goes into the Lake. I think they are usually a bit overpriced though. At navy pier or millenuim park you can rent bikes. Not sure how athletic you and dad are. There is a great bike path that runs along the lake. Go north and you will pass by a couple of beaches (Oak Street and North Avenue) where you can catch some great female scenery if its warm enough out. Its a nice ride even without the women though. I tend to go to expensive restaurants with my wife now. If you don't mind paying and want a great steak try Gibsons. Its in a great area for people watching too. You're not staying too far from my office. Its also next to the El. I hope you have a high floor or good insulation. A good place for lunch is Heaven on Seven. It may not be open on the weekends. Mostly a work crowd. They only take cash at this location which is the original. Its great cajun food and it is on the seventh floor of 111 N. Wabash (Go North on Wabash from your Hotel). It is not easy to find because it is inside an office building. If you go at 12 there is usually a wait. Go earlier or later. This location only serves lunch i believe. Just for orientation purposes. Madison is the dividing line between North and South Streets and State is dividing line between East and west Streets. I think you are right around Madison and it can be confusing with the addresses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CurleyQ 0 Posted August 28, 2009 Navy Pier is pretty cool. You can kill some time, enjoy the lake, get a beer, etc. A little touristy, but pretty nice, especially if you are coming back from another destination like the Art Institute. Not sure where your hotel is located. If you are too close to downtown....just head north. Food is sorta tough cause it just depends, but there are plenty o' places. A nice little fairly inexpensive Mexican restaurant on Wells Street called Las Pinatas. Greek town at Halsted and Jackson is cool if you like Greek food. Pizza is also good at Bacinos up on Lincoln Street (I think it is still there, but there is a location on Wacker, closer to downtown). Unos is good on Ohio Street. A lot of little bars and small places on side streets that are not bad. Decent food that won't kill you. Personally the Lincoln-Fullerton area is awesome for bars, ladies, etc. If you make it there, check out River Shannon. just a dive, but.... Now....nobody is giving anything away, but... Plenty of drinking establishments around Wrigley, also. You'll see. For girl watching, Rush and State is awesome. Lot's a talent. However, there is plenty of "watching" at the Cubs game also. Given their play recently, that is your salvation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lindust20 2 Posted August 28, 2009 Hotel were staying at is on 10 S Wabash Ave for those familiar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavy-set 39 Posted August 28, 2009 what ever you do, do not ask for ketchup on a hotdog. other than that, chicago is like every other city i have been too. 1.pizza 2.hot dogs 3.red light district Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavy-set 39 Posted August 28, 2009 also, it aint the sears tower anymore its the willis tower Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CurleyQ 0 Posted August 28, 2009 10 S. Wabash is at Wabash and Madison, just east of the financial district. Gotta get outta there after 6 pm. If it is the weekend or after 6 pm on weekdays, the tumbleweeds will be rolling down the streets. In that area they "roll the sidewalks up after dark". Not too far from the Art Institute. The subway is close, right off of State Street. Get North. Take a cab to Rush and State or Fullerton and Halsted or Fullerton and Clark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mighty_thor 115 Posted August 29, 2009 10 S. Wabash is at Wabash and Madison, just east of the financial district. Gotta get outta there after 6 pm. If it is the weekend or after 6 pm on weekdays, the tumbleweeds will be rolling down the streets. In that area they "roll the sidewalks up after dark". Not too far from the Art Institute. The subway is close, right off of State Street. Get North. Take a cab to Rush and State or Fullerton and Halsted or Fullerton and Clark. Its not as bad as it used to be down there. 10 years ago it was pretty empty after dark and on the weekends. But there have been some residential developments and new hotels in the loop and you get a lot more street traffic there now. Your hotel is located in jewelers row. I bought my wife's engagement ring in one of those stores. As curley said, most of the action is to the North. There are some cool places to the South of you like Chinatown and Hyde Park but if you make a wrong turn you could be in trouble so best bet is to not to venture South of the South loop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CurleyQ 0 Posted August 29, 2009 I agree with Thor. Got my wife's ring at 5 S Wabash years ago, Thor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bishop82 61 Posted August 29, 2009 A lot of great bars on Division. I like Finn McCools Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Middawg 0 Posted August 30, 2009 I would suggest grabbing a drink and appetizer atop the Hancock building and you will see that it's a much better view than the Tower formerly known as Sears. Better view of the North Shore from there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lindust20 2 Posted August 31, 2009 bump...also need more food decisions.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lindust20 2 Posted September 2, 2009 any more help would be appreciated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vuduchile 1,940 Posted September 3, 2009 Food: Gibsons is great for steak as someone already mentioned. Tavern on Rush is in the same area, and is also good. There are other high end places you might wanna try too. Frontera Grill is worth checking out if you're into very high end mexican fare. Bella Note is a great italian place in the west town area. Reasonably priced, authentic. Bar food at the Twisted Spoke in the same area is pretty good Mr. Beef makes a great italian beef sandwich. If you've never had one, give it a try. Gino's and some of the other joints are ok, but Lou Malnatti's has the best deep dish pizza and it's not even close. Grab some Garrett's popcorn off Michigan Ave for the trip home. Get the caramel/cheese mix If you have a car, head down to Beverly (south side) to the original rainbow cone for an ice cream treat like none you've ever had. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Moz 69 Posted September 3, 2009 Take a 2 am stroll in Inglewood area. Wear black and Gold and yell King Love repeatedly. Good Times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
