Chicago in July

[j]

Kati and I will be going to Chicago on the 23rd and staying for a few days. We want to stay in the city and need ideas on where a good place to stay is and what should we do while we're their.

[RyderOCZ]

Ed Debevics.. That is all.

[primesuspect]

Yep, visit Navy Pier, and definitely DEFINITELY eat at Ed Debevics.

[QCH]

Dick's Last Resort (http://chicago.dickslastresort.com/) has better food, a great jazz band, and awesome staff. Sears Tower (http://www.theskydeck.com/) observatory with the new "The Ledge". The Field Museum (http://www.fieldmuseum.org/), Museum of Science and Industry (http://www.msichicago.org/) (with the Harry Potter Exhibition), Navy Pier (http://www.navypier.com/), and one of Chicago's Beaches (http://gochicago.about.com/od/chicagoactivities/tp/top_beaches.htm) (Oak Street Beach).

So... there you go for activities.

for places to stay it depends on how much you want to drop... I'd use one of the discount hotel sites like Orbits, Expedia, Priceline... Pick a location near Grant Park or Millennium Park.

[Gnome Queen]

I've never been to Ed Debevics.

[Koreish]

I wanted to go to Chicago for Lollapalooza and then I saw the ticket prices. :(

[primesuspect]

Ed's is way cooler than Dick's... Knowing Jeff and Kati as well as I do, I can guarantee they'd be far more entertained at Ed's.

[Gnome Queen]

I wanted to go to Chicago for Lollapalooza and then I saw the ticket prices. :(

QFT

[UPSLynx]

Gino's East.

You'll find no better pizza in the world.

[Gnome Queen]

Gino's East.

You'll find no better pizza in the world.

Ignore him, he lies.

[CB]

My recommendation: Do not bring your car unless you have made very clear plans on what you want to do with it at each given moment.

I've only been to Chicago once, for a conference, and lots of first time visitors had the same complaint: "My hotel doesn't have a parking lot, and parking downtown is a billion dollars a day". Lots of people ended up paying twice as much to have their car with them as they would have paid for airline tickets, and that kind-of thing can ruin a whole trip.

[QCH]

Taxi and walking is best... parking is at least $20 for 1/2 a day. Hotels usually have the ability to discount parking but still not worth it.

Prime knows you guys better so if he says Ed's is a better place for you guys, I trust him. I happen to like the jazz and the food at Dicks.... Geno's East is AWESOME pizza and I would agree that it is darn close to the best pizza in the planet and maybe the universe. :D

[MAGIC]

just train in from michigan city, free parking at the station and it only costs like 20 bucks/ person.

[pseudonym]

http://www.hotelsaxchicago.com/

Stayed there for a bachelor party once, its right by the house of blues. You can also change one letter and..... There is a pretty decent wine/restaurant place there too.

Anyways, go to a Cubs game and drink some Old Style! Wrigleyville is a ton of fun.

[Gnome Queen]

Anyways, go to a Cubs game and drink some Old Style! Wrigleyville is a ton of fun.

YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY WHORE MOUTH

I recommend a Sox game, if you have the time. The field, while not having the history of Wrigley field, is much nicer, and they might actually win.

:)

[UPSLynx]

Sure, go to a Sox game if you want to experience 'US Sellout Field' in all it's corporate glory with a ho-hum team.

Or, go to Wrigley field and enjoy over 100 years of American tradition in the most legendary ballpark in baseball. Watch a ho-hum team with a sellout crowd of awesome fans, and experience wrigleyville at it's finest, American dream living.

[Thrax]

^ 100% this.

[QCH]

I am a Sox fan. I love the bad boy underdog Sox. I love that they have and probably will always be second fiddle to the Cubs (except for that pesky WORLD TITLE). Sox games are more accessible (cost less) and provide more things to keep you entertained. I go to Sox games to see games and be entertained.

However, for a true classic baseball experience... Wrigley Field and the Cubs are the one to go see. I go to Cubs games to socialize with other fans, experience the environment, and take it all in.

[Winfrey]

I'm not sure if there is a cost difference, but the Hancock building provides nearly as good a view as the Sears tower at a pretty cheap price. Definitely go to millennium park and see the giant mirrored kidney bean.

Walking is good.

[primesuspect]

having done sears tower, I would not do again.

Not worth the money OR the wait.

[UPSLynx]

having done sears tower, I would not do again.

Not worth the money OR the wait.


They did just open (as of last week) observation decks at the top of the Sears Tower that suspend you over the side of the building. The whole thing is glass, so you can see directly below you and all around.

I'd love to check it out, as I'm sure it increases the worth of a trip to the top if you're the thrill seeking type, but it probably comes with a price in longer waits.

[Grimnoc]

Whatever you do, you have to walk Chicago.

Also, don't look up. :)

[WagsFTW]

The Art Institute is also great to check out. Just wandering around finding cool places is fun, too. Neither Andrew or I can remember an awesome Italian Restaurant we found... but it is just about 2 streets South of Urban Outfitters off Rush Street. It's tiny, and has delicious Pizza. Apparently they are also known for their meatballs.

Take lots of pictures!

Eat lots of places, and never eat at a chain restaurant! Chicago has soooo many great places to eat!

Water Tower Place also has some great shops. There is an awesome purse store in there, where they are all the same prices.

I also highly recommend looking into the South Shore Line train from Michigan City. Like Andrew said, it's free to park at the station, and the train takes you into the heart of Chicago, right by Millennium Park.

Also, there have been a lot of concerts lately at Millennium Park this Summer. Look into whatever is happening when you guys go!

The Best Western River North is a nice hotel that is very close to Magnificent Mile, and they also offer free parking for guests. That is a plus, if you end up driving there. I stayed there with my parents a few times, and the prices are reasonable at that hotel, and its a very nice location.

Also, check out Medieval Times! It's in Schaumberg, and soooo cool!

If I think of anything else, I'll post again.

[UPSLynx]

Also, don't look up. :)

Truth. Or be cast as a city n00b.

Check out china town (can't remember if it's been mentioned, too lazy to re-read) the red line subway will take you there rather cheap, and you'll find great resteraunts, bakerys, and tea houses there.