Visiting Chicago Today thru Sunday. Suggestions?

[MNgopher]

If you will use enough of it, the Citypass is actually a good deal. We were there in March, and hit Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Willis Tower. (The Citypass gives you a fastpass to the the observation deck - that alone was worth it when we were there - without it it was a 3 hour wait to get to the top!)

We had no issue using the "L" and buses to get around - worked great.

Real deep dish pizza and Chicago Beef Sandwiches... We did Lou Malnati's and Al's beef (we can get Giordanos and Portillos here).

And ignore the haters, are there terrible parts of Chicago - yep, just like every City. All in all we found nearly everyone we dealt with to be friendly and willing to provide advice if you asked for it...

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
...
Real deep dish pizza and Chicago Beef Sandwiches... We did Lou Malnati's and Al's beef (we can get Giordanos and Portillos here).
And ignore the haters, are there terrible parts of Chicago - yep, just like every City. All in all we found nearly everyone we dealt with to be friendly and willing to provide advice if you asked for it...

Wow...Giordano's and Portillo's in MN? I had no idea...
I guess I did notice that Culver's was spreading into the Chicago area from the North the last couple times I visited...a good thing IMHO, I like those places. Pretty much the only decent fast food near where my wife grew up...

I like Malnati's a lot, but, again, not truly a Chicago style pie in my book. Giordano's stuffed is a good intro to the real thing, but you need to find a great neighborhood place instead of a chain for something more inspired...I just don't know if the places I used to go are still open or even what the names were anymore.
I've never actually been to Al's Beef, but it looks like the real deal...I recommend the sweet peppers on any Italian and go for the sausage combo for a real Chicago gut bomb.

 

[Nitronoise]

if your in countryside , the brookfield zoo and the grau mill has a running path

 

[john_pifer]

Awesome suggestions, y’all. Thanks so much and keep ‘em coming, please!

 

[john_pifer]

What about coffeehouses? Any favorite/unique places?

 

[john_pifer]

Guys, please, leave the politics out of this thread. I don’t want it to get locked.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
I've been to Chicago a number of times, often more than once in a year. My advice on where to go? Not to Chicago.


Eh, typical WI attitude...my wife is from there and always badmouths Chicago.
I don't see huge crowds from all over the world flocking to Milwaukee...
I like WI and have a lot of family there, and my late mother was born there, but the knee jerk Chicago bashing just gets old. You think Kenosha is so great? Mom hated WI and moved to the big city as soon as she finished high school.


LOL. Kenosha is more a part of Chicago than Wisconsin. It's even included in the Chicago metro market. If you mention you're from Kenosha to anyone north of Milwaukee, they associate you with Chicago (first hand knowledge here).

Some of you guys don't realize how big the city is. As much as I don't go out of my way to get there myself, I laugh at the impressions some of you have. Nearly all of the shootings and crime are pretty isolated to neighborhoods you wouldn't be going into in the first place, so why would you act like you have any concern? The tourist areas are very safe by large city standards. For newb tourists, you probably have to go to Geno's East or similar, get up the Sears (yes, I did it) Tower, see Millennium Park, get some Garrett's, and see the architecture. It's a very cool city with a lot to do. You'll need a week to experience everything.

 

[MNgopher]

Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi

Wow...Giordano's and Portillo's in MN? I had no idea...
I guess I did notice that Culver's was spreading into the Chicago area from the North the last couple times I visited...a good thing IMHO, I like those places. Pretty much the only decent fast food near where my wife grew up...


There are actually over 600 Culvers in 23 states at last check... They've expanded rapidly - around 40 stores a year.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher

We had no issue using the "L" and buses to get around - worked great.




I've only had to use Lyft and Uber 3 times when I was in Chicago last time. The CTA does a pretty good job moving people around and Ventra is far less crankier than Clipper/TransLink in the Bay Area despite the fact both systems are developed and maintained by Cubic Transportation Systems.

 

[Smokescreen]

I don't know much about Chicago being from Canada, but Chicago was the only city I have ever been through that has physically given me the creeps. I say "through" because it unnerved me enough to not stop for anything, gas, bathroom break, food...nothing.

Never again.

 

[DuckRyder]

Palace grill on Madison is good, Al’s Beef is good (there are a number of them), Lockdown bar and grill is good, Taylor street pizza is good. Other than that leaving was the best experience ...

Oh, Portellos (SP?) is good...

Stay off of Kedzie Ave.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: john_pifer
What about coffeehouses? Any favorite/unique places?

link1
link2

Hope it helps.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
I've been to Chicago a number of times, often more than once in a year. My advice on where to go? Not to Chicago.


Eh, typical WI attitude...my wife is from there and always badmouths Chicago.
I don't see huge crowds from all over the world flocking to Milwaukee...
I like WI and have a lot of family there, and my late mother was born there, but the knee jerk Chicago bashing just gets old. You think Kenosha is so great? Mom hated WI and moved to the big city as soon as she finished high school.


I have spent a lot of time living outside of WI, too. Actually a decade until last summer. And visited friends often in Chicago, and just went as a tourist a few times. I won't go again unless I have a good reason to. Crime. Traffic. Expensive. Traffic. Bad roads. Traffic. Panhandlers. Did I mention traffic? Even the nice areas and attractions aren't enjoyable because of the congestion and cost.

Kenosha is actually decent. Racine isn't too bad, either, just a little more rustic. The city of South Milwaukee isn't very nice, is actually a lot like Chicago. Milwaukee itself is getting much better. I wouldn't live there, but it isn't bad. But I'm not a big fan of southeast WI in general. Not many people in the rest of the state like Madison or Milwaukee much.

 

[javacontour]

Those of us who live in downstate IL are not fans of the place

It's expensive, crowded, and dirty.

Don't get me wrong, we've taken the Amtrak and stayed near the Magnificent Mile and had a great time.

It's not a city where I'd take my car, just because I'd park it to the tune of $30+/day

Or if I did, I might park long term at the airport and then take the train into the city.

If I traveled there on business, I'd drive up from STL, stay out in Rosemont or somewhere near the train and ride it into the city every day like a commuter. I couldn't justify the higher costs of staying in the city proper.

It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't personally work there.

But I'm happy there are people who seem to enjoy it.

Different strokes for different folks.

Plus, it's seriously full of Cubs fans. Seriously.

 

[Highboy]

Gotta go to Maxwell Street.

 

[mjk]

I agreee with your post. I grew up in the land of Chicago money and snobbery (Lake Geneva). I've been out of SE Wi for over 20 years. Would never move back; if I could move back to Wi, it would most likely be the Fox Valley (where I was prior to moving to MN).

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
I've been to Chicago a number of times, often more than once in a year. My advice on where to go? Not to Chicago.


Eh, typical WI attitude...my wife is from there and always badmouths Chicago.
I don't see huge crowds from all over the world flocking to Milwaukee...
I like WI and have a lot of family there, and my late mother was born there, but the knee jerk Chicago bashing just gets old. You think Kenosha is so great? Mom hated WI and moved to the big city as soon as she finished high school.


I have spent a lot of time living outside of WI, too. Actually a decade until last summer. And visited friends often in Chicago, and just went as a tourist a few times. I won't go again unless I have a good reason to. Crime. Traffic. Expensive. Traffic. Bad roads. Traffic. Panhandlers. Did I mention traffic? Even the nice areas and attractions aren't enjoyable because of the congestion and cost.

Kenosha is actually decent. Racine isn't too bad, either, just a little more rustic. The city of South Milwaukee isn't very nice, is actually a lot like Chicago. Milwaukee itself is getting much better. I wouldn't live there, but it isn't bad. But I'm not a big fan of southeast WI in general. Not many people in the rest of the state like Madison or Milwaukee much.

 

[Jooksing]

John, Chicago like any other major city has lots of good things going on and lots of bad. Chicago has many neighborhoods, good one and bads one can be next to each other. There are definitely lots of fun stuff going on especially now that the temps are warmer. Lots of people will be out this weekend because it is finally warming up.

Being a visitor can be expensive anywhere, but if you put in the effort, great times can be had for little or no $. Or if you are open to spending your options are unlimited.

What are you looking for? food, drinking, something active?

Food-
Pizza, my neighborhood joint is Ricobene's on 26th. Pizza/ Italian Beef(just "Beef" for short) can be had there, if you like spicy peppers try Giardiniera. Chinatown is a few blocks away with 100+ places to eat. Pilsen has plenty of Mexican options. The list goes on and on. Chicago has deep food history for the working class and also lots of new inspiring fancy places. We are not short on steak houses either.

Activity, tons of museums, Broadway shows, Planetarium.. they do get pricey. We have a huge lakefront ( I would stay north of McCormick place for general safety) You can kayak the river. indoor climbing, indoor skydiving.. try whirlyball. Different neighborhood festivals are awesome (but that is in the summer) there are ghost/gangster tours.. food tours, architectural tours.

I can go on and on.. Pm me

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: Highboy
Gotta go to Maxwell Street.

OH, yea....


And, thank you Jooksing. I find it fascinating to visit places the opposite of my lifestyle. Live & work there, not for me. Visiting is a blast, whether its the tourist traps or the local culture.

 

[Jooksing]

Awesome. As long as you keep an open mind you should have a good time.

But as always, use some street smarts and you should be safe.

 

[Jooksing]

In addition to the architecture boat tour, you can take the water taxi for $3 a person and that is pretty neat.not every day you can boat by skyscrapers.