Visiting Chicago Downtown... what do you recommend?

Question

Hello Everybody,

I'll be visiting downtown Chicago with my wife and a few friends at the end of April for about 3-4 days. I'll be staying by Superior and La Salle. What all do you recommend and what are the "must do's" while we're there? We won't have any sort of transportation, so we either walk, catch a cab or use public transportation. We are going a White Sox game too, so wondering what's the best way to get there. Also, wanted some opinions on which observatory to go to; John Hancock or the Sears Tower, or neither? How about good ol' restaurants in that area; looking for some locals with good cooking only found in Chicago. How's the nightlife look, anything I should check out or just go hoping to see what we like? Any good bars with good drinks and live music, etc? Any other ideas are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

To get to U.S. Cellular, take the Red Line. It stops right at the field and you can catch it at State & Chicago or State & Grand.

Visit the Signature Lounge in the Hancock for the view. Instead of spending money on an observatory ticket you can get a cocktail!

Affordable Dining:
Cafe Iberico - GREAT tapas and sangrias, just up the street from where you're staying.
Quartinos - Italian small plates, really affordable and good wine. Owned by Gibson's
Blackie's - right off Michigan Ave, great burgers
Billy Goat Tavern - Chicago icon - SNL "cheezborger cheezborger" skit was set there.
Gino's East - deep dish pizza. I personally prefer that over the original, Pizzeria Uno
Ohio House Cafe - kitschy diner

Midrange:
Bijan's Bistro - late night dining, outdoor cafe
Bin 36 - wine & cheese - yumm
Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar or Brasserie Jo - really good and affordable French cuisine
Zocalo or Xel-Ha - authentic Mexican

Expensive:
Spiaggia - best Italian cooking, right on Michigan Ave
NoMi - in the Park Hyatt overlooking Water Tower
Gibsons - Chicago icon steakhouse
Japonais - on the Chicago river, upscale Japanese
Le Lan - French/Vietnamese, new chef

There are SO many more options! Chicago has such great restaurants.

If you're into nightclubs, River North (where you're staying) is hot, with Spy Bar, RiNo, Sound-Bar, Enclave, and Stone Lotus. Rush & Division is always hopping but really touristy.

Blue Chicago has two locations on Clark and live blues. Redhead is a piano bar and Howl At The Moon is a dueling piano bar. You might want to check out Buddy Guy's Legends since it's closing in June.

Answer 2

I suggest you take a walking tour of the downtown area so as to see some of the architectural wonders of the city.

Another interesting tour is a boat along the lake front or the Chicago River (or both). Several such tours begin at Navy Pier. By the way, you can take a water taxi from Union Station to Navy Pier. Navy Pier offers the Ferris wheel and good food, plus lots of souvenirs.

I prefer the John Hancock observatory to the one in the Sears Tower. Hancock provides a better view of the lake and the North Side, which is mostly residential. Sears will give you a better view of the South and West Sides, which are more industrial.

You shouldn't miss the Art Institute. The Field Museum of Natural History is a first-class museum. You'll be rather far from the Museum of Science and Industry.

Go north to Lincoln Park to check out the conservatory. A stroll along Grant Park, including Buckingham Fountain, is a great way to spend a spring day.

Take the el to the Sox game.

Answer 3

Must dos: the museums: Art Institue Museum- Picasso is on exhibit right now I think. Shedd Aquarium. Adler Planetarium. Museum of Science and Industry. Those are all great places to check out. With the exception of the Museum of Science and Industry, they are all fairly easy to get to with a bus or even walking (but its a little bit of a walk though). Each museum pretty much takes the whole day to get through too.

Navy Pier is a good place to check out for awesome food and shopping. Bubba Gump's is my favorite in Navy Pier, great seafood. Also, bring a swimsuit and hopefully the weather will be nice enough for you to check out the beach right off of Navy Pier. Other food options: my personal favorite local food joint is Clarke's on Belmont. They're open 24/7 and have great cheap drinks and food, plus breakfast is served all day. Its a 50s diner with an 80s theme. Service can be crappy but I think that's only if you go at 2 AM. To get there, take the Red Line Subway northbound (Howard) to the Belmont Station stop.

If you're going to do the observatory, the Sears tower is the best observatory because it is taller so there are less obstructions (like buildings). However, watch the weather the day you go because if it is cloudy, all you will see will be clouds, like fog. And that's a total waste of money. I wouldn't suggest an observatory though, they're expensive and just not all that exciting.

And to get to the Sox game - take the southbound (95th/Dan Ryan) Red Line Subway at Chicago and State all the way to the Sox/35th Station. The stadium (U.S. Cellular Field) is one block west.

Nightlife can always be found in the loop. The Red Head Piano Bar is my favorite and it's right up by where you will be staying (it's on Ontario between Dearborn and State). They always have a live piano player there and can play about anything you want to request. Its a little pricy (mandatory $2 coat check and dress code) but its worth it.

There's so much stuff to do here if you don't mind dishing out the dollars. Have fun!

Answer 4

Go to the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park which is not too far away further down is the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum. You will be staying in the area where there is a lot going on. As far as night life, Rush Street is the place to hang out. There are bars and very nice restaurants all in that area. Make sure you get a Chicago Travel Guide or go on line . I hope you and your wife enjoy your stay here in Chicago!

Answer 5

A good suggestion is to go to the Signature Lounge on the 95th- it is on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. You can see the skyline of Chicago and get a great cocktail, all for about the same price as ticket to the observatory.

check out this web site.

http://www.signatureroom.com/

Answer 6

Be sure to take in Second City (call for reservations) and the bar scene on Rush st. You also want to experience Chicago pizza - - I still think the "Dues" is the best.

Answer 7

heyy..

im going to chicago with my sweetie too.i think im intrested in going to NAVY PIER..
should try it out..best of all its free entrence.snf they also have fireworks at night on the soeed boat( called seadog)

email me if u want more info. il more than happy to help you. [e-mail]

good luck!

Answer 8

Check out metromix.com. That website should answer all your questions.

Answer 9

chicagomagazine.com
newcity.com
pioneerpressonline.com
metromix.com
chicagoreader.com