OT Chicago visit

[flameshockey26]

Making my first visit to Chicago in Mid November, found a good deal on airfare and spending a long weekend with my wife, good friend of mine and his wife. None of us have ever been to Chicago before. Any recommendations on places to stay, not to stay, things to see, things that are overrated and not worth the time and money. We are all mid 20's and plan on being relatively touristy while we are there. Also looking to enjoy some good local brews from Chicago also. We are in the process of looking for a hotel, but have no idea what neighborhoods to look in, which to avoid. We don't plan on having a rental car while we are there. We are thinking/hoping that between metro, buses, and cabs that we can do without relatively easily. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

[psuro]

I was there in Feb, and at the recommendation of several BWI members, stayed at The Drake Hotel downtown. It's a hotel with some level of history, has a bit of mid century charm. The bar at the Drake has the reputation for being the first bar to serve alcohol when Prohibition was repealed.

Ate dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar, a 10 minute walk from the hotel. It's on Rush Street, which is Chicago's version of "Downtown State College". Lots of bars and restaurants there. It is aligned with Gibson's Steak House (one of the better steakhouses in the country).

The Drake also has a good breakfast, a little more upscale than your standard Denny's.

 

[sluggo72]

I was there in December and stayed at the Peninsula. I don't know your budget, but it was very very nice. We went to Gibson's steak house for dinner,and of course it was great. Many bars, restaurants, etc plus tons of shopping if that's your thing. I never did get an Italian Beef sandwich, which is Chicago's version of a pit beef sandwich. One thing I did notice relative to domestic beers, the bars were either a Budweiser bar or a Miller bar. That is, if was a Bud bar, you couldn't get Miller products, and if it was a Miller bar, you couldn't get Bud products, just fwi

 

[wex18]

Don't miss the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River, which also takes you out onto Lake Michigan.

For another mode of public transportation, you can take the water taxi from the Navy Pier to the museum area near Soldier's Field or vice versa.

Depending on who's playing, Buddy Guy's has some good blues. Check out the House of Blues, too.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Get Garrett's Popcorn
3 Floyds Beer
I stayed at the Conrad, nice place, right on the mile. there is a Marriott right there as well.
Intelligentsia coffee shops - great coffee
Sunday have brunch at North Pond
Naha another nice restaurant, reasonably priced
I ate at Grace in the spring, which is a phenomenal experience, but ridiculously expensive

 

[nittanilyon man1]

Making my first visit to Chicago in Mid November, found a good deal on airfare and spending a long weekend with my wife, good friend of mine and his wife. None of us have ever been to Chicago before. Any recommendations on places to stay, not to stay, things to see, things that are overrated and not worth the time and money. We are all mid 20's and plan on being relatively touristy while we are there. Also looking to enjoy some good local brews from Chicago also. We are in the process of looking for a hotel, but have no idea what neighborhoods to look in, which to avoid. We don't plan on having a rental car while we are there. We are thinking/hoping that between metro, buses, and cabs that we can do without relatively easily. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Was just there two weeks ago. Stayed in the River north section (Marriott). Near Magnificent Mile and close to hopping on the River Taxi's and tours. Had dinner the night at Lou Malnati's (in my opinion, the best deep dish in Chicago). We did the "Tilt" at the Hancock Tower and the "Ledge" at the Sears/Willis tower. Both were good in their own way. Would recommend a tour to get yourself acclimated to the city. The Uptown/Downtown four hour tour by Grayline is pretty good. They do the north side for half and the south side for half. Also, there is a lounge at the top of the Hancock tower that has great drinks and an awesome view. The elevator ride up is free, but they get you with the price of the drinks.

 

[A2Nit]

Just back today from Chicago. Stayed at Hilton Gardens across from the Drake mentioned above. Lake viewing, cool area, casual dinner at The Local. Not far from Hancock Tower, Mag Mile.
Was with the kids so the Museums, Aquarium dominated and wished we had time to do the water taxi.
FYI, $$$

 

[Statewise]

And hopefully you will be around 11/7 to see PSU a little up north in Evanston!

 

[Lion84]

I grew up in the burbs there and go there all the time for business - will be there again in a few weeks. I love the Palmer Hilton. Very cool and famous old hotel that is pretty impressive, especially the lobby. Right in the middle of things and a safe area. If you stay there when you check on ask for a large room - since it is an old hotel the room sizes vary. One time I had a room with 2 bathrooms in it. Millers Pub around the corner from the hotel has good ribs. I second the river tour - great way to see the downtown.

 

[PSU Mike]

What kind of activities do you like? What kind of food/drink establishments?

 

[drunkandproud]

Why are you going to Chicago in mid-November? I used to make an annual trip to Wrigley but have not made it out for the last couple of years We always stayed closer to Wrigleyvile as opposed to downtown so I can only comment on where we stayed close to Wrigley. You can google best beer bars in Chicago and you will ge a lot of selections. I have been on Beer Advocate for a long time and the two places that will be discussed most are probably Hop Leaf and Map Room. I prefer Hop Leaf over Map Room for sure. Another favorite place was definitely Sheffields. But that was great because they had a nice outdoor patio/beer garden which won't work n November. If you are looking for a great bottle shop consider going to West Lakeview Liquors. The big places out there are Binny's and there are a couple of them. Not sure timing but the annual Goose Island release takes place in Nov but I think it is still the day after T-giving. Great opportunity to get the hard variants of Bourbon County Stout. Check out some Pipeworks beers when you are out there, they have been popular as they have grown.

Make sure you get around and ask for the best hot dog places where you are staying. Everyone will focus on deep dish pizza but Chicago is really a neighborhood collection of hot dogs. Each will tell you that they are the best and each will have dogs with something different. I am not a big dog eater but it is interesting talking about the history and why they think they have the best.

Echo some of the blues clubs. Legends (Buddy's Guys place) is well known and some places will have multiple stages in the same location where you walk from room to room so that one person takes a break the second stage starts right up. So, you can get continuous live music till approaching morning.

I would probably hit the Billy Goat Bar just to see where the jinx started. Just to tick it off. I forget the place that was featured with the Cheesburger, Cheeseburger, .... on SNL but the old man who owned that who Dan Akroyd was based on used to still be there and that was always cool.

Do the gangster stuff, since that was such a huge history of the city.

Great town, one of my favorite spots.

 

[Fairfax Lion]

I know that I'll get beat up by the beer snobs on the board, but if you want a real taste of Chicago, have a couple of Chicago hot dogs or an Italian beef and sausage sandwich with an Old Style (or two).

That's Chicago!!!

 

[PSU Mike]

OK, I think Navy Pier is very overrated.

Hop Leaf is great for beers and ales, and their food is pretty good. By November they'll likely have a hearty stew on the menu like wild boar, which is great after sharing some mussels and frites. It's the pairing options that make it. It's a little far north.

I don't know what you're used to but an hour or two in Boys Town is pretty fun, and it's just a couple blocks from Wrigley and that scene. I'm straight, but lived there for 7-8 years and loved it, though I didn't go out late except for a snack.

Wicker Park/Bucktown is somewhat hipster, but has been somewhat commercialized past that. Grab some coffee at Filter there. Intelligenstsia on Broadway (Lakeview) has great coffee. Plus I like Dollop on Clarendon in Buena Park.

Lincoln Park Zoo is modest, but nice and accessible. The conservatory is nice to warm up in if it's chilly out.

I worked in Willis. The Ledge is cool, and the lines might be short in Nov. I think it's overpriced, but if you're going touristy...

I like Pequod's deep dish more than the usual Gino's East, Lou Malnati's and Giordano's. Giordano's is my least favorite.

Hit the Winner's Circle in Lakeview for dogs, and order a chocolate shake, especially if you go late. It costs a little extra, but you'll get a good memory out of it.

 

[flameshockey26]

We are going just for the heck of it. It was the next place on my list to visit and we found a time the 4 of us could go. We have no idea where we are staying at yet that is the part of researching. We have no preference on where we stay as long as it is close to metro and a safe place. Trying not to break the bank but want something decent.

 

[flameshockey26]

We plan on seeing the tourist sights, try to local brew, will definitely try some pizza, dogs and beef sandwiches. Talked about possibly taking in a show for the ladies since they won't enjoy the beer as much as the guys will. Hoping to check out a blackhawks game they will be in town while we are there.

What kind of activities do you like? What kind of food/drink establishments?

 

[Monty2007]

Love Chicago, on of my favorite big cities. Sorry if I repeat some of the same suggestions but for hotels, any along Michigan Ave a block or two either way will be a good option. Trip Advisor is your friend. If you like museums then the Field is a must followed by the Art Institute. I'd spend some time inside the loop, go over to Macy's the former Marshall Fields store even to just admire the architecture. Also check the schedules for the Second City and enjoy your time there.

 

[nylar]

Making my first visit to Chicago in Mid November, found a good deal on airfare and spending a long weekend with my wife, good friend of mine and his wife. None of us have ever been to Chicago before. Any recommendations on places to stay, not to stay, things to see, things that are overrated and not worth the time and money. We are all mid 20's and plan on being relatively touristy while we are there. Also looking to enjoy some good local brews from Chicago also. We are in the process of looking for a hotel, but have no idea what neighborhoods to look in, which to avoid. We don't plan on having a rental car while we are there. We are thinking/hoping that between metro, buses, and cabs that we can do without relatively easily. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

We were there in May. We stayed at the Blackstone (a Marriott property) and liked it a lot. It's within walking distance to the Art Institute, Field Museum, Aquarium and Soldier Field. Got a room overlooking the lake and would recommend that if you can swing it. Second City was fun. The Art Institue was awesome. I would also recommend Portillos for the Italian Beef and chocolate cake. IMHO, a Chicago dog has nothing on a kosher hot dog but worth trying.