Chi-town or bust

So Missus 4CF and I will be in Chicago for a few daysin the next couple of weeks - near the pier and the Hancock tower in a few weeks. We already plan to hit millennium park, the navy pier, magnificent mile, Ginos pizza (or is it Genos?), the sears tower, the hancock tower, and probably a few other spots. This is going to be a romantic-y type vacation, so no racing/car/horsepower related stops. What are some good destinations that wont show up on the trip-tik? Food/sightseeing/fun stuff thats not gonna send me to the poor house?

Be sure to see the media hoopla surrounding the latest political scandal.

What kind of museum do you like? Any of them are good, but my personal favorite is the Museum of Science and Industry. Also available are the Art Institute (awesome, but I've been there too many times), Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. The last three are right next to each other.

I personally don't care for the deep-dish Chicago pizza, so I won't give my opinion there because its not an educated one. But yes, it is Gino's East.

Do you like architecture? Take a Chicago River architecture tour: http://www.chicagoline.com/schedule.php. I really enjoyed this, a nice few hours floating down the river learning about all the buildings. I believe you can also purchase overpriced alcohol on board.

What kind of food do you like? BBQ? Steak? Polish? Italian? Greek? Jewish? You name it, there is a good one there, and I know of a few good ones personally. But two places that I've never been to, and really want to based on everything I hear, are Carnivale, and Fogo de Chao. If you want a truly excellent meal, go to one of these places. Otherwise I could recommend my personal favorites, but they are mostly on the far north side.

What about music? Old Town School of Folk Music is always a cool place to visit. Numerous blues and jazz places as well.

Somewhere on Michigan Avenue they have horse carriage rides, if you're into that stuff.

Second City comedy club is always a good bet. Your sides will probably be hurting by the end of it.

Two zoo's, haven't been to either one since I was 10, but both are good. I guess... Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo.

Chicago Shakespeare theater is on Navy Pier, always can catch a good show there.

Anything else I think of I'll post later, but this is it for now. I really only spend a day or two a year in Chicago, and thats usually for Cubs and Blackhawks games. Oh, and of course the Autoshow if I can make it. The girlfriend and I will go ice skating at Millennium park, but thats out for October.

I always liked pizzeria due better than Gino's East. Check calendars for local events/festivals and showings at the museums for when you are going to be here. mtn's got a good list going. There's good theaters/plays - sometimes first runs before they go to broadway - can get spendy though.

The architecture boat tour sounds great, and I had forgotten about the planetarium - thats on the hit list as well. I love stand up, and saw second city when I was in High School, but the missus isnt as interested. Also, isnt one of the zoos free? If so, thats the one we will hit up. Anyone heard of Ed Debevic's diner? Saw a bit on the travel channel about it and thought it sounded kinda fun as a tourist. I will also look into Carnivale, and Fogo de Chao as cuisine is on our list of "fun stuff to try out". Thanks for the ideas!!!

Of Chicago deep dish pizza there are 3 big players. Pizzeria Uno is the original with Lou Malnati's and Gino's being the other two. My preference is Lou Malnati's.

Museum of Science and Industry is also highly recommended.

For more cultured type of shopping head up Clark Street for their shops. The Alley at Clark and Belmont is a must hit for me when I go to Chicago. Michigan Ave. is great if you want to shop high end.

Blue Man Group has shows at the Briar Street Theater. Take in a concert at the Metro (one of the best places to see a show) or hang out at the Smart Bar downstairs for some late nite drinks. The Vic Theater is also a good venue for a show. Check out their sites to see who might be town when you're there.

Mr. Beef on Orleans St. for some cheap authentic Chicago Italian beefs.

Oh, and the Sears Tower is now called the Willis Tower but I have yet to hear a local call it that yet.

1. I vote for the deep dish pizza too. Connies Pizza is my favorite.

2. I vote for the Museum of Science and Industry or the Art Institute.

3. You only need to go to the top of one giant building. You could also go to the Hancock restaurant at the top and order coffee/dessert for what the other ticket costs - Siganature room at the 95th floor. https://www.signatureroom.com/Home/

4. The Billy Goat Tavern has good burgers for lunch - Famous from SNL's cheezeburger, cheezeburger.

5. Lawry's has the BEST prime rib dinners!

6. Greektown is another fun area to go to. http://www.greektownchicago.org/

7. My favorite is "The Italian Village" - Chicago's oldest restaurant (Once Berghoff's closed). Upstairs is the craziest old school Italian restaurant. http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/

8. Ed Debevic's is fun too - more lunch. The Lincoln Park zoo is free - you just pay parking.

Ed Debevic's is very fun. Food is just OK, but you aren't really going for the food. Like Pete said, go for lunch.

4cylndrfury wrote: ..............thats not gonna send me to the poor house?

yeah, good luck on this one........I strongly suggest Lawry's as it is pricey but very fine dining for the wifey.

They roll a special food cart to your table and slice you a thick piece of prime rib. They also have a spinning salad that is famous too.

If you are with the Mrs., I recommend one meal at Geja's Cafe. It is a fondue restaurant with a good wine list. The food is what you would expect, but it is the atmosphere that you really go for. It is below street level, kinda dark, and you can get a private booth with a curtain no less. If there is a more romantic spot in Chi-town, I have not found it. One trip will make up for all of the bone-headed things you have done over the past year or two.

If you want a good steak, there is the Chop House. OK, they had a hand-trimmed Kobe-Beef Filet on the menu for $105 (no sides, just the steak) so they are not cheap, but you won't find a better steak in the country. Believe me, I have tried.

Opera is another great restaurant, if you like Asian-Fusion. It's down near McCormick which is an area that has been revitalized in the last few years.

OK, so we are back in one piece (and BTW, GMC Terrain = great on long trips and punchy enough and SMALL enough for the city). Anyhow, a few highlights: Lou Malnatis > Giordanos - but only slightly, Adler Planetarium is great fun and free on Tuesdays, Spent all day at the Chicago Art Museum and Millenium Park, Spent another whole day just going in and out of shops all along the mile, ALWAYS bring a jacket if youre going to be out past sunset in october...ALWAYS , and the best money you can spend on a trip to Chicago is on the architectural tour by boat at dusk...75 minutes for the price of 60, and probably the most stunning skyline views possible! HERE IS A LINK to my photobucket album for our trip. And a few highlights:

"Cloud Gate" in Millenium Park: The Pier at night: A shot of the city from atop the Ferris Wheel: And a few shots from the boat at Dusk

Sorry for the shoddy pics...camera phone. The wife has a butt-ton of good stuff off her new Sony DSLR - approx 500 images...Im not spending all day uploading that to PB or Snapfish or whatever she uses...as soon as I have a link to the album, I will hook you guys up!!! And thanks for all the suggestions - WE HAD A BLAST!!!!

Unless you call it "The Bean," no one knows what you're talking about.

Appleseed wrote: Unless you call it "The Bean," no one knows what you're talking about.

+1