The Chicago Thread

[ninedead]

So if i have missed a topic already on this city, i apologize but i couldnt find one. Anyway, i know there are a few members here that live in this city and im looking for suggestions on things to do there on a two day weekend. Its my wife and i's anniversary and we have a weekend off together so we are coming up tomorrow. we already have plans tomorrow night to go see depeche mode!! and since the cubs are not in town this weekend we will go see the white sox sunday. We do want to go to the beach so which beach is the best to go to with possibly free parking near by and no so much on crowds. i know there are tons of things to do but just looking for help from a local on things that we would need to do while there, also my wife is 7 months preggo so keep that in mind when making suggestions. thanks.

[Dra508]

I don't live there, but visit regularly. Take the architectural boat tour around the Chicago river, your wife can sit and see a lot of Chicago history. 90 minutes, maybe two hours.

[themethatyouknow]

Well, first off you really lucked out not having to see the Cubs. A White Sox game will be much better and If you're going on Sunday afternoon, I would suggest hitting Chinatown for lunch before the game. It's only about a mile away from the park, and the dim sum there is incredible. Other than that, I'd only really suggest having a deep dish pizza at some point. Giordanos was my favorite.

Also, since someone else is sure to mention it shortly, a question like this probably belongs in the Random General Questions thread. That way it won't get locked and more people can reply.

[ninedead]

Also, since someone else is sure to mention it shortly, a question like this probably belongs in the Random General Questions thread. That way it won't get locked and more people can reply.
thanks for the heads up, not really privy on the thread making rules.

[themethatyouknow]

A thread like this isn't technically against the rules since you do have a legitimate question. But since it's not likely to drum up a whole lot of conversation, I think the admins prefer it goes into a catchall thread, rather than starting a new one.

That said, I could be totally wrong and this sparks a whole discussion about Chicago.

[ninedead]

its a great city, ive been once. And the reason to wanting to see the cubs is not so much the team but wrigley field since its supposed to be the one ball park to see before you die or something.

[onthewall2983]

I haven't been there since 2007, where I was really just on the outskirts of town to see an indie wrestling show. My mother, for awhile dated a very nice and eccentric photographer from there who died in 2001, so I have very fond memories of the city.

[allegro]

Our beaches downtown are man-made (natural beaches are on the east side of the Great Lakes), and the ones we do have are not going to have any free parking. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to find parking. You could drive north of the city to beautiful downtown Evanston and go to the beach there. Free parking. Not nearly as crowded as Chicago.

The Depeche Mode show is in Tinley Park, which is where Jesus lost His shoes relative to Chicago. Keep that in mind.

[ninedead]

The Depeche Mode show is in Tinley Park, which is where Jesus lost His shoes relative to Chicago. Keep that in mind.
first time i ever heard this saying, thanks google hahaha!! but we are staying in elmhurst actually, but plan on taking the train into the city, but have no problem driving to a nice beach somewhere outside there.

[ninedead]

http://youtu.be/zhJ2mZN5x1k thought this was great

[bgalbraith]

I second the architectural boat tours. Those are great. You pick those up at Navy Pier, which is also within relatively short walking distance to oak st beach.

Alternatively, you could check out the museum campus by Soldier Field. There's the natural history museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium. That is also the best place to see the city skyline.

[Highly Psychological]

I went to Chicago for the first time properly this year back in February. Really liked the city. Loved the vibe.
Passed through O Hare airport back in 1997 i remember wanting to leave the airport to explore the city.
But went this year had great time, However i dont think i have ever been so cold in my life! But that in a weird way sort of added to the atmosphere of the city which i liked. Definitely would like to go back.

[Christo]

Probably my favourite US city

[allegro]

first time i ever heard this saying, thanks google hahaha!! but we are staying in elmhurst actually, but plan on taking the train into the city, but have no problem driving to a nice beach somewhere outside there.
The Elmhurst College campus is great, my Alma Mater. The train goes to Ogilvie and then you can take the boat taxi to Michigan Ave. and walk to Oak Street Beach. The architectural boat tour that starts at Michigan Ave at the river (Chicago Architectural Foundation) is the best IMO.

http://www.architecture.org/tours/boat-tours

[virushopper]

I'm going to a wedding this October and will have a day to myself can I get some recommendations? No tourist crap please, I have seen them and I don't need to see any of it again. Also I won't have a car as I will be taking public transit.

[allegro]

I'm going to a wedding this October and will have a day to myself can I get some recommendations? No tourist crap please, I have seen them and I don't need to see any of it again. Also I won't have a car as I will be taking public transit.
Are you staying downtown? What kind of things do you like to do? It's hard for us locals to give recommendations if you don't give us some clues. This is a really big city.


Also note that us locals do the boat cruises, museums, etc., a lot, too, we consider those things reasons why we love this city. (The tourists mostly want to do Al Capone tours.). The museums are always changing; the Art Institute is doing a really cool Impressionism and Fashion thing right now.

By the way, for the record: That "Chicago Style" pizza? Primarily TOURISTS eat that. Chicagoans are obsessed with THIN CRUST pizza. REALLY thin crust. I'm a hand-tossed pizza fan so I prefer that over Chicago thin crust and "Chicago style" pizza but you'll have a hard time finding anything BUT thin thiiiiiiiiiin crust if you're not at a typical "Chicago Style" pizza joint.

[Dra508]

A thread like this isn't technically against the rules since you do have a legitimate question. But since it's not likely to drum up a whole lot of conversation, I think the admins prefer it goes into a catchall thread, rather than starting a new one.

That said, I could be totally wrong and this sparks a whole discussion about Chicago.Meh - there's a Canada thread.


I second the architectural boat tours. Those are great. You pick those up at Navy Pier, which is also within relatively short walking distance to oak st beach.

Alternatively, you could check out the museum campus by Soldier Field. There's the natural history museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium. That is also the best place to see the city skyline.I've taken two different architectural boat tours - Wandella, which is a company that's been around awhile (?) and does a bit of history along with showing you the different building and when they were built. The other, I think was an architectural foundation that did the same spin around the river but articulated more about the different architectural schools and styles, a bit drier a delivery, but still a great tour. The view from the water is amazing. Dock for the Wandella one was by the Trump hotel (N. Wabash?). Discounted parking. Oh there's a little Lincoln museum that I enjoyed too. You would not believe how small the bed he died in is!

[Big Fat Matt]

Saw Meshuggah with Animals as Leaders and Intronaut in february. did a buncha cool stuff there, and cant WAIT to return.

[allegro]

Meh - there's a Canada thread.

I've taken two different architectural boat tours - Wandella, which is a company that's been around awhile (?) and does a bit of history along with showing you the different building and when they were built. The other, I think was an architectural foundation that did the same spin around the river but articulated more about the different architectural schools and styles, a bit drier a delivery, but still a great tour. The view from the water is amazing. Dock for the Wandella one was by the Trump hotel (N. Wabash?
Wendella. There are a LOT of Chicago boat cruises. As I said, I think the CAF cruises are the best from architectural standpoint; THIS TOWN IS THE HOME OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE, it's what I love most about Chicago. Sullivan, van der Rohe, Wright, Adler (and mostly Skidmore Owings Merrill) etc.

You can do a cemetery tour and visit their graves, too. We have some awesome cemeteries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graceland_Cemetery). I'm serious (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showmen's_Rest).

[ChasingTheGhost]

Found out yesterday that I'm going there on thursday and leaving early friday morning. Very short trip but at least I get to see the city and not the airport.

[virushopper]

Are you staying downtown? What kind of things do you like to do? It's hard for us locals to give recommendations if you don't give us some clues. This is a really big city. Also note that us locals do the boat cruises, museums, etc., a lot, too, we consider those things reasons why we love this city. (The tourists mostly want to do Al Capone tours.). The museums are always changing; the Art Institute is doing a really cool Impressionism and Fashion thing right now. By the way, for the record: That "Chicago Style" pizza? Primarily TOURISTS eat that. Chicagoans are obsessed with THIN CRUST pizza. REALLY thin crust. I'm a hand-tossed pizza fan so I prefer that over Chicago thin crust and "Chicago style" pizza but you'll have a hard time finding anything BUT thin thiiiiiiiiiin crust if you're not at a typical "Chicago Style" pizza joint. Not staying in Downtown this time. Going to be closer to O'Hare cause that's where the location of the wedding and reception is. But the blue line is close to the hotel so I can make it to Downtown or wherever. Yeah I know about the Deep Dish thing being a tourist trap. Got any good places to recommend? It does not have to be food. Just no boats, zoos or museums. Are there any good small music venues to check out bands or music stores to check out?

[allegro]

Not staying in Downtown this time. Going to be closer to O'Hare cause that's where the location of the wedding and reception is. But the blue line is close to the hotel so I can make it to Downtown or wherever.

The Blue Line stays west toward Logan Square and Wicker Park/Bucktown so if you take the Blue Line to the Damen stop there's lots to do, there (https://foursquare.com/chicagotribune/list/wicker-parkbucktown-10-things-to-do), just walk around and hang out, see this (http://www.timeoutchicago.com/guides/neighborhood-guides/15270656/wicker-park-and-bucktown-guide-2012).

(Be very careful with your smart phone on the El, btw, big rampant crime related to that here, don't whip out your smart phone on the El). Check out The Reader (http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/EarlyWarnings) to see what's happening when you'll be here. Note that The Double Door is in Wicker Park (http://www.doubledoor.com/).

Chicago is the home of the Blues; if you're into the the Blues, take the Blue Line downtown and walk / cab it to Buddy Guy's Legends (http://www.buddyguy.com/). Good music and great food.

[allegro]

We should get eversonpoe to weigh in on this.

[eversonpoe]

We should get @eversonpoe (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=588) to weigh in on this.

what am i weighing in on, exactly? there's a lot going on in this thread. :p

p.s. love your new user subtitle. i want to see more pictures of your dog.

[allegro]

what am i weighing in on, exactly
What should he do via the Blue Line from O'Hare? See my above Wicker Park suggestions.


p.s. love your new user subtitle. i want to see more pictures of your dog.
Aw, thanks! :-) I'll have to post more pics soon.

[eversonpoe]

oh, definitely check out wicker park. i don't venture there all that often because it's hard for me to get there from lincoln square (as i hate taking buses), and SOME of the people who tend to populate that area are people around my own age with whom i'd really rather not associate (i.e. "hipsters" who think they're better than me because they look like hobo hippies or whatever...not trying to be an elitist, just telling the truth).

that said, there is so much cool STUFF in wicker park that it's usually pretty easy to ignore all the douchebaggery.

food:
don't know if you're vegan or vegetarian, but native foods is freakin' delicioius (even if you're a carnivore).
lucky's sandwich co has giant and tasty sammitches (and they're one of my a/v customers).
francesca's is my favorite italian chain (family owned) and their wicker park location is great. they also have donuts as part of a sub-business they recently started called "glazed and infused."

shopping:
there's a chrome store, lots of shoe stores & clothing stores, and lots of assorted cool kitschy stuf

relaxing:
the park itself is pretty nice, and if the weather's good, you could plan a picnic or get carry-out from somewhere. they also occasionally do movies in the park (i saw "earth girls are easy" back in june), but i don't think they extend into october.

also, on your way TO wicker park, check out logan square (my fiancee used to live there) - lots of cute bars & restaurants. my favs are boiler room (pizza & awesome drinks), the whistler (their drinks are amazing, handcrafted wonders), and the rocking horse (never had a bad meal there). the square itself has concerts and other events all the time, but probably not much in october.

hope that helps! enjoy your time here. october is my favorite time in chicago.

[allegro]

oh, definitely check out wicker park. i don't venture there all that often because it's hard for me to get there from lincoln square
I *love* Lincoln Square!! I gotta go to the Oktoberfest this year!


also, on your way TO wicker park, check out logan square (my fiancee used to live there) - lots of cute bars & restaurants. my favs are boiler room (pizza & awesome drinks), the whistler (their drinks are amazing, handcrafted wonders), and the rocking horse (never had a bad meal there). the square itself has concerts and other events all the time, but probably not much in october.
Also, Lula Cafe (http://lulacafe.com/)!!!!!!

[eversonpoe]

I *love* Lincoln Square!! I gotta go to the Oktoberfest this year!


Also, [/URL][URL="http://lulacafe.com/"]Lula Cafe (http://lulacafe.com/)!!!!!!

yeah, i'm really glad we ended up here. she was living in logan square and i was living in evanston when we started dating, so this was like the perfect middle-point. everyone around here has a dog and/or a kid, i live right by the park, and there's lots to do!

i've always wanted to go to lula because it looks so cute but i'm a super picky eater and nothing on their menu has really appealed to me over the years.

[allegro]

yeah, i'm really glad we ended up here. she was living in logan square and i was living in evanston when we started dating, so this was like the perfect middle-point. everyone around here has a dog and/or a kid, i live right by the park, and there's lots to do!
Yes, you are so close to so many OTHER neighborhoods. Ravenswood, Ravenswood Manor, and you're not far from St. Ben's and you can cab it to Southport etc.

Where in Evanston did you live? I was on Isabella, right by Dyke Stadium / Ryan Field for about 5 years. I loved Evanston a LOT. We still go back to eat tapas at Cafe Barcelona. But, I moved because it was too hard to get anywhere without having to deal with Sheridan Road or Dempster or whatever.

Remember: You can't be good in bed if you're a picky eater. All the girls know this. Just saying.

[eversonpoe]

Where in Evanston did you live? I was on Isabella, right by Dyke Stadium / Ryan Field for about 5 years. I loved Evanston a LOT. We still go back to eat tapas at Cafe Barcelona.

Yeah, I think maybe you have to not be a picky eater to do Lula, but remember: You can't be good in bed if you're a picky eater. All the girls know this. Just saying.

main & sherman. the parking lot across from vogue was literally my back door. six and a half years (and it was my first apartment...this one is my second).

and i beg to differ...i'm quite good in bed because my picky eating only extends to the table ;0

[allegro]

main & sherman. the parking lot across from vogue was literally my back door. six and a half years (and it was my first apartment...this one is my second).
Oh wow one of my best friends lived there for years! Halfway house and laundromat right next door!

I'm posting in the Chicago thread and this started playing in iTunes. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqO57qt7UPI

[eversonpoe]

sarah and i really want to check out three dots and a dash (http://threedotschicago.com/). a few of our friends have already gone and they LOVE IT. the guy who opened it is the guy who originally started (and bar tended) at the whistler.

[allegro]

sarah and i really want to check out three dots and a dash (http://threedotschicago.com/). a few of our friends have already gone and they LOVE IT. the guy who opened it is the guy who originally started (and bar tended) at the whistler.

Heh, that looks like the Hala Kahiki (http://www.hala-kahiki.com/index.html) with food :-)

I have a LIST of Must Check Outs, including but not limited to:

* Girl and the Goat (http://www.girlandthegoat.com/)

* The Publican (http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/)

* Blackbird (http://blackbirdrestaurant.com/)

* Alinea (https://content.alinearestaurant.com/html/index.html)

* In The Raw (http://intherawhp.com/) (my neighborhood)

* And, in your neighborhood, Elizabeth (https://www.elizabeth-restaurant.com/)

[eversonpoe]

Heh, that looks like the Hala Kahiki (http://www.hala-kahiki.com/index.html) with food :-)

I have a LIST of Must Check Outs, including but not limited to:

* Girl and the Goat (http://www.girlandthegoat.com/)

* The Publican (http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/)

* Blackbird (http://blackbirdrestaurant.com/)

* Alinea (https://content.alinearestaurant.com/html/index.html)

* In The Raw (http://intherawhp.com/) (my neighborhood)

* And, in your neighborhood, Elizabeth (https://www.elizabeth-restaurant.com/)

those are all awesome-sounding but...a bit out of my price range. i usually go for the $30-$50 a meal for two people. haha.

my friend went to hala kahiki recently and had a lot of fun, so it's definitely on my list.

[allegro]

those are all awesome-sounding but...a bit out of my price range. i usually go for the $30-$50 a meal for two people. haha.
Yeah, I hear ya, wait until you're old like me with a lot more expendable cash. :-)

(Not all of those are expensive, though; Publican and Girl and the Goat are pretty reasonable!)

I've lived here for decades and only went to Hala Kahiki for the first time LAST YEAR with friends. It's legendary, I guess ya gotta go at least once, it was ... meh ... just okay. Kitchy!!!

I'll try to think of some MUSTS in your price range to recommend.

I still wanna check out Hot Doug's but I don't want to stand in line.

[ninedead]

we stayed in elmhurst which was a great little suburb, parked down by the metra on a sunday for free and rode the train to downtown and back for only 7$ unlimited. great weekend in chicago. my wife and i have been discussing it and are going to look into moving up there. we really liked elmhurst and wonder what anyones thoughts on it are? is there a better suburb than there or is that a nice one to live in? the suggestions we got from locals were that it was a great place to live but expensive which we kinda figured anyway. if we do move, probably going to take a year to get everything settled but im definitely excited about the thought and hope it works out.

[virushopper]

oh, definitely check out wicker park. i don't venture there all that often because it's hard for me to get there from lincoln square (as i hate taking buses), and SOME of the people who tend to populate that area are people around my own age with whom i'd really rather not associate (i.e. "hipsters" who think they're better than me because they look like hobo hippies or whatever...not trying to be an elitist, just telling the truth). that said, there is so much cool STUFF in wicker park that it's usually pretty easy to ignore all the douchebaggery. food: don't know if you're vegan or vegetarian, but native foods is freakin' delicioius (even if you're a carnivore). lucky's sandwich co has giant and tasty sammitches (and they're one of my a/v customers). francesca's is my favorite italian chain (family owned) and their wicker park location is great. they also have donuts as part of a sub-business they recently started called "glazed and infused." shopping: there's a chrome store, lots of shoe stores & clothing stores, and lots of assorted cool kitschy stuf relaxing: the park itself is pretty nice, and if the weather's good, you could plan a picnic or get carry-out from somewhere. they also occasionally do movies in the park (i saw "earth girls are easy" back in june), but i don't think they extend into october. also, on your way TO wicker park, check out logan square (my fiancee used to live there) - lots of cute bars & restaurants. my favs are boiler room (pizza & awesome drinks), the whistler (their drinks are amazing, handcrafted wonders), and the rocking horse (never had a bad meal there). the square itself has concerts and other events all the time, but probably not much in october. hope that helps! enjoy your time here. october is my favorite time in chicago.
The Blue Line stays west toward Logan Square and Wicker Park/Bucktown so if you take the Blue Line to the Damen stop there's lots to do, there (https://foursquare.com/chicagotribune/list/wicker-parkbucktown-10-things-to-do), just walk around and hang out, see this (http://www.timeoutchicago.com/guides/neighborhood-guides/15270656/wicker-park-and-bucktown-guide-2012). (Be very careful with your smart phone on the El, btw, big rampant crime related to that here, don't whip out your smart phone on the El). Check out The Reader (http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/EarlyWarnings) to see what's happening when you'll be here. Note that The Double Door is in Wicker Park (http://www.doubledoor.com/). Chicago is the home of the Blues; if you're into the the Blues, take the Blue Line downtown and walk / cab it to Buddy Guy's Legends (http://www.buddyguy.com/). Good music and great food. Thanks guys! Much apperciated! Now comes the hard part of planning it all out.

[eversonpoe]

we stayed in elmhurst which was a great little suburb, parked down by the metra on a sunday for free and rode the train to downtown and back for only 7$ unlimited. great weekend in chicago. my wife and i have been discussing it and are going to look into moving up there. we really liked elmhurst and wonder what anyones thoughts on it are? is there a better suburb than there or is that a nice one to live in? the suggestions we got from locals were that it was a great place to live but expensive which we kinda figured anyway. if we do move, probably going to take a year to get everything settled but im definitely excited about the thought and hope it works out.

if you're set on living in the suburbs, elmhurst probably isn't the one i'd choose. there's some nice stuff there, but it's really not very easy to get to the city (especially when there's a lot of traffic).

my parents moved to wilmette when i was almost 9, and they're still living in the same house (it'll be 18 years this october). i like wilmette a lot, but some people don't.

my fiancee's sister & brother-in-law moved to park ridge last year, which is a nice place, too.

it really depends on what exactly you're looking for, if you're planning on having kids (or if you already do) and are considering what schools they're going to attend, etc.

i think evanston is the perfect balance of city & suburb, and it's the furthest south you can get before you're actually in the city (at the north end, obviously). it's right up on the lake, too. as i said a couple posts ago, i lived there for six and a half years, and i'd gladly move back.

[allegro]

we stayed in elmhurst which was a great little suburb, parked down by the metra on a sunday for free and rode the train to downtown and back for only 7$ unlimited. great weekend in chicago. my wife and i have been discussing it and are going to look into moving up there. we really liked elmhurst and wonder what anyones thoughts on it are? is there a better suburb than there or is that a nice one to live in? the suggestions we got from locals were that it was a great place to live but expensive which we kinda figured anyway. if we do move, probably going to take a year to get everything settled but im definitely excited about the thought and hope it works out.

I got my B.A. from Elmhurst College, and I really like Elmhurst, it's has a cute little downtown area and it's a mini version of a college town.

I disagree with eversonpoe about access to the city from Elmhurst; the Metra train ride is actually FASTER than mine because my train (the Union Pacific North) HAS SO MANY FUCKING STOPS, I swear I can sometimes walk faster than this god damned train. Four stops in Winnetka, 4 stops in Highland Park, 3 stops in Evanston, the train barely starts moving and you're stopping again, and I swear the Eisenhower (expressway) is often faster than the fucking EDENS (expressway) due to what is known as the "reverse rush" (traffic going INTO THE CITY is worse than leaving the city). In Elmhurst, you're very near O'Hare, 294 (the Tri-State tollway), North Avenue, etc.

The only thing I did NOT like about Elmhurst is its lack of diversity, and the place knows ZERO about health food. The Starbucks downtown didn't even offer fat-free milk when I was last there, and there is ONE health food store downtown and not a Whole Foods to be found. And there was some Muslim-bashing at Elmhurst College and a few professors I know there said don't blame the kids, it's the NEIGHBORS.

[eversonpoe]

i always forget about the metra because i've literally only taken it about 6 times in my life. ha. i've always just driven (got driven when i was a kid) or taken the L.

[ninedead]

Loved the downtown in Elmhurst!! That was one of the reasons for our considering the move.

[ericy210]

Shout out to Naperville and Downers Grove, minivan driving brothers and sisters!