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Best of Chicago?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by BigHeavy, May 26, 2012.

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  1. BigHeavy

    BigHeavy Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2007 Missouri

    I'll be in Chicago from June 1st through June 3rd. What do I HAVE to do while I am there? Museums, eateries, beer, the whole works. We are open to pretty much anything.
     
  2. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    Navy Pier, Walk Michigan Avenue, Museums are fantastic, science of industry (south side). You can walk around the planetarium, great view of the city 'from' the lake and can take wonderful pictures with your guests. Next to the planetarium is Shedd Aquarium, i always hear(haven't been there in years) tickets are pricey but it's fun. There's a small beach on the planetarium side which is normally nice, water is iffy :slight_smile: a short walk away is Soldier Field, where the Bears play.

    If you got got a car, i'd hit up some breweries, Rev Brew just opened their brewery, their restaurant has great food as well but it's not too close, unless you have a car. Rev Brewery is near Half Acre, Goose Island Pub.

    if you're there early on friday, try getting to Hot Doug's. specialty hot dog place, line is HugE well worth the wait, friday and saturday is infamous for a huge line up to an hour. Or near by,the overhyped on a good way, Kuma's Corner. great burger spot with fantastic mac and cheese (share it , don't finish it) i know people will say to go else where for burgers, but it's really not bad, a lot of people i know like it, i'm a vegetarian, they have a garden burger.
     
  3. Kwaz

    Kwaz Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2012 Illinois

    Don't go to Navy Pier, it's a train wreck of tourists and overpriced food. Everything else sounds like a good recommendation to me depending on where you're staying. If you're anywhere near the lake, take a walk on the lakefront path, it's kind of the embodiment of summertime in Chicago.
     
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  4. Etan

    Etan Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Wisconsin

    Breweries:
    Half Acre
    Goose Island (Clybourn)
    Revolution

    Bars:
    The Map Room
    Delilah's
    Hopleaf
     
  5. Mjmoser

    Mjmoser Initiate (0) May 6, 2012 Illinois

    If you go to Half Acre, stop in Bad Apple across the street. Local Option is also a good bar for various craft beers. Pizza and Beer: Piece...

    Ifbyou are down town looking for a beer, Green Door Tavern is kinda fun.
     
  6. JakeT469

    JakeT469 Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2012 Colorado

    Can't do Chicago in 2-3 days. Extend your trip!!
     
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  7. WillCarrera

    WillCarrera Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Ohio

    I would add these:

    Bars:
    Local Option (my favorite beer bar in Chicago)
    Maria's Packaged Goods (also there's a place next door called Pleasant House Bakery that has awesome beef and ale pies)
    Kuma's Corner (decent beer list, usually has Zombie Dust on-tap, my favorite burger place, I recommend the Plague Bringer)

    Breweries:
    Pipeworks (you can't actually go to the brewery, but it's a great local brewery, try to pick up some while you're in town)

    Stores:
    Binny's in Lincoln Park (on Marcy Street)
    West Lakeview Liquors (is close to Half Acre, has one of the best selections in the city)

    non-beer stuff:

    Museums:
    Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum and the Art Institute are all must-sees, seriously these are some of the best museums in the country.

    also depending on the weather going to the beach would be a good choice, although it looks like you guys will be busy, Ohio Street beach is a really good choice, it's close to food at Navy Pier and is usually not as crowded as Oak street beach.
     
  8. Vav

    Vav Savant (1,025) Jul 27, 2008 Illinois

    Shedd Aquarium.
    Peaquod's Pizza.
    Architectural Boat tour.
    Local Option.
     
  9. WillCarrera

    WillCarrera Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Ohio

    also, this ^ exactly. Stay for another two days if at all possible, Chicago is really great at this time of year.
     
  10. revbdub5446

    revbdub5446 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2009 Illinois

    Go to millenium park...its free and futuristic...i recommend eating acid to liven the experience
     
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  11. aefbjo

    aefbjo Zealot (521) Jun 8, 2005 Bahamas

    Revolution is totally do-able without a car: it's like "stumbling distance" (literally) from the Blue Line train, California stop. Seriously. Or (in declining order of proximity) the California, Armitage or Fullerton buses, depending on where you're coming from.

    Also second going to Bad Apple if you hit Half Acre. And I third the Local Option. Chicago's best tap list for my money, maybe tied with Hopleaf, but more centrally located. Map Room is up there; they almost always have Zombie Dust and always other good stuff. A great pub "crawl" (not walking-distance unfortunately, but down one stretch) would be Local Option > Beer Bistro North (formerly Small Bar Fullerton) > Map Room > Quenchers and then over to Revolution as well as Cole's and the Whistler if you are interested in cocktails.

    (Non-beer-related) One of my favorite things to do with out-of-towners is just a bit off the beaten path for most tourists: Chicago Avenue in Ukrainian Village. Start at the west end west of Western Avenue and have great, well-priced Ukrainian comfort food at Shokolad. Borscht, pierogies, really nice salads, pastries. Go across the street to Star Lounge for locally roasted coffee. Go a half-mile east or so and hit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art or whatever it's called. From there go to Alcala's Western Wear, an incredible Mexican cowboy clothing store with crazy boots, belt buckles, embroidered shirts and jeans. Then you're close to Hoosier Mama for great slices of pie and coffee... and then (beer-related) you're pretty close to Twisted Spoke, which is up there with the above-listed places on my best tap lists in Chicago.

    I also love Maria's bar in Bridgeport, and also highly recommend getting savory pies next door.

    What else... Jazz Record Mart, any of the Reckless Records locations.

    Pilsen for Mexican culture (Little Village if you're adventurous).

    Food: Publican. If you like meat in rustic preparations.
     
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  12. Redrover

    Redrover Grand Pooh-Bah (3,602) Jan 18, 2003 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Do the Chicago Architect’s Foundation Boar/River tour. It has fantastic views and a great way to learn about some really cool buildings.

    Also look for a one of the many neighborhood festivals that take place every weekend.

    What dates are you in town?
     
  13. doogie71628

    doogie71628 Devotee (367) May 9, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Very much agreed on avoiding Navy Pier at all costs. It is awful, expensive, and a tourist trap. And Chicago museums and galleries are pretty typical, and not anything special from what you would find in all other big cities. They are good, but your time is probably better spent exploring other things. Lincoln Park Zoo is pretty fun though, and free. Millenium Park is interesting, but not a lot to do. And don't do the Sears tower trip to the top, unless you haven't seen buildings from really high up and would like to do that.

    More unique Chicago options:
    Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind- a fun theater group that does 30 short plays in 60 minutes. It is fun and slightly interactive. The cost is only $9 plus the roll of a dice, so between $10-$15.
    http://www.neofuturists.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=45

    Improv Olympics, a must if you like comedy. Second City is alright too, but Improv Olympics is more intimate and cheaper. A lot of comedians came from both places. Plus it is close to Wriggley Field if you want to see the outside of that.
    http://ioimprov.com/chicago/

    Water taxi- if the architecture tour is too much, this cheap water taxi will take you through the river downtown all the way to Chinatown, which is a fun neighborhood too.
    http://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/SitePages/Home.aspx

    Food:
    Nowhere to start, but interesting cheaper($8-$16) places: Franks n Dawgs(fancy hot dogs, like rabbit with truffle mayo), Del Soul(Korean tacos), Lockdown(like Kuma's burgers, but much easier to get in to), Bad Happy(poutine with fancy ingredients), Crisp(Korean chicken wings), Art of Pizza(if you wan't deep dish pizza, it is better than giordano's), Urban Belly(noodles, Korean/Vietnamese/Latin fusion),Cemitas Puebla(puerto rican sandwiches), Jerry's(sandwiches, but also a great beer list), Black Dog Gellato(for dessert)

    A little pricier($17-$35), but good places: Lula Cafe, Revolution Brewery(mentioned earlier for its beer, but food is great too), Chilam Balam, Piece Pizza(good new haven style pizza, and they brew their own beer which is good), Slurping Turtle, Hot Chocolate

    Expensive($30-$60), but worth it: Avec, Girl and the Goat, Longman and Eagle, Takashi

    Bars: All the ones mentioned above, and Fountainhead. So many great bars, you can't go wrong. So mostly depends where you are staying.
     
  14. cu29

    cu29 Zealot (546) Sep 26, 2005 Wisconsin

    Perhaps you won't have a ton of free time, but why not join the group going on the German pub walk on Saturday? There is a thread on it somewhere below titled "June 2nd German Pub Walk-Chicago". Right near the Glunz pub there is a pretty fun German Maifest taking place. My wife and I usually head there after Glunz. We represent Wisco, looks like you gotta represent KS! These Illinois folk can't hog all of the fun! That wouldn't be fair.
     
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  15. BakeBisBife

    BakeBisBife Initiate (0) Mar 15, 2011 Illinois

    pick up some galactic double daisy cutter and go to montrose beach. rent bikes and hit the lakeshore path hard. or you could just spend a lot of money and go to every place already mentioned.
     
  16. BigHeavy

    BigHeavy Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2007 Missouri

    I saw that Galactic Double Daisy Cutter was available a couple of days ago. Any word on if it is still there? Or will be in a weeks time?
     
  17. CP20

    CP20 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2011 Massachusetts

    If you have a group interested in it, renting bikes and riding the lakeshore path is absolutely the best way to experience Chicago in the summer. I would also recommend seeing some comedy (iO, Second City..) Honestly, Chicago has some great breweries/brewpubs (Revolution, Goose Island, Half Acre, Piece, Metropolitan, Haymarket etc), but IMO enjoy the city first and seek out the closest beer destinations as a supplement.

    I do second Hot Doug's and Pequod's as authentic Chicago dishes, and would add Lou Malnati's (sorry I'm a North Shore guy) and Billy Goat Tavern (underneath Michigan Avenue) as convenient Chicago spots.

    If you're sticking around the Loop, I would do the Art Institute, Millenium Park, and possibly walk out on Northerly Island Park. If you're in Lincoln Park, try Local Option (Food + Drink), Kingston Mines (Blues Bar), and Alive One (Bar).

    Geesh, my homesickness is starting to show so I'll stop now, but have fun!!!
     
  18. sullenbee

    sullenbee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2010 Michigan

    Best FREE thing to do in Chicago right now:

    [​IMG]

    The Morbid Curiosities collection at the Chicago Cultural Center has some of the best work I have ever seen under one roof. That is, if you like things a little darker than most. And best of all, it's FREE.
     
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  19. WillCarrera

    WillCarrera Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Ohio

    It kicked in about 30 hours, gone as of Saturday evening I think.
     
  20. MarkIntihar

    MarkIntihar Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2010 Michigan

    I know a bunch of pizza places have been mentioned already, but I always take people to Gino's East whenever it's their first time in the city. Awesome pizza, and even though it's been a bit commercialized, the atmosphere and writing on the walls is still kind of fun.

    Other than that, Shedd is a must-see IMO.
     
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