If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

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If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:11am

A friend who has never been is going soon, and it's been so long since I have been that I have no good ideas. Theater, museums, parks, gardens, boating are all in play. Any suggestions?

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:14am

This, of course

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:25am

Oh, it's there! I didn't know. Thanks, blaxx. Do you know which museum?

I'll be picking him up a guidebook tomorrow, of course, but thought we might have some locals who might has some inside information.

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:34am

For sure:

http://www.artic.edu/

A must see. Along with having Deep Dish pizza, walking Michigan Avenue, Willis Tower, the piers, etc

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:38am

it's at the Art Institute! (i live here now)

The Art Institute is a must-see when you visit. Also, a stroll or bike tour up the lakefront trail.

Theatre - there's too much to really pinpoint. Check out theatreinchicago.com to see what's being highly reviewed. Honestly, sometimes a mainstage at the Goodman or Steppenwolf will blow your mind, other times not- and the same goes for shows in little storefronts under the Red Line. Most reliable companies (in my opinion) are Steppenwolf, Jackalope, Steep, Lookingglass, and Goodman.

Shopping - vintage in Wicker Park, antiques in Edgewater, and of course, the Magnificent Mile (but it's a little corporate and tourist-y)

Avoid Navy Pier like the plague, unless you have small children and/or are seeing a show at Chicago Shakespeare.

Must eats: Lou Malnati's pizza, tapas at The Girl and the Goat, southern at Big Jones, vegan at Green Zebra.

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:51am

When is your friend going? Mary Zimmerman's musical adaption of THE JUNGLE BOOK opens on June 21st and runs through August 4th. Someone who has posted on the main board has me absolutely thrilled to see what comes of this production. It's definitely Broadway-bound and it may be fun to see it at its early stages.

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:55am

I've heard good things about this place. I haven't been there, though.

Indoor sculpture garden.

Updated On: 6/9/13 at 01:55 AM

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 9:39am

Millenium Park (with "The Bean", Gardens, Crown Fountain and concerts) is a nice "home base". It's walking distance from all trains and is adjacent to The Art Institute, where you can find the Seurat painting, American Gothic (The Music Man) and many other famous works. During the summer, there are outdoor concerts and art exhibits in the park. Quite a few are free. You can check their website for details: http://bit.ly/TqcgZL

From Millenium Park (or really Michigan Ave), you can take the CTA #130 bus to the Museum Campus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Campus) and walk to The Field Museum of Natural History, The Shedd Aquarium, or the Adler Planetarium.

-or--

You could take the CTA #10 bus to the Museum of Science and Industry.

You can buy Visitor passes (unlimited rides for 1 - 5 days) here: http://faremedia.chicago-card.com/store/main.aspx?DepartmentId=36

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 10:16am

The Art Institute, the Chicago River architecture tour, Oak Park and Frank LLoyd Wright houses, the Bahai Temple in Wilmette. There are many other great museums including Science and Industry, MOCA, the Field, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.

But mostly just walking, driving and seeing what IMHO is the most beautiful city in the U.S.. and one of the most striking urban waterfronts in the world.... and if your friend likes hot dogs, he's come to the right place.

#10

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 10:31am

Wow! Go to bed and wake up to all this! Thanks so much, everyone!

#11

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 11:54am

The Art Institute is adjacent to Millennium Park. Go look at art, go out to Michigan Avenue and walk North. As you cross the Chicago River you'll see two spectacular buildings on the left- the garish Trump Tower and the exquisite Wrigley building. On your right is Tribune Tower, built to be "The Most Beautiful Building in the World." Walk around the building to see the bricks, stones and other items from the other "runner up" buildings- the Taj Mahal, Buckingham Palace, Empire State, etc.

If you keep walking north you'll get to the shopping district- Macy's, Bloomingdales, etc. I really like the "food court" in Water Tower Place- a collection of various restaurants that you can hit up and put all on one check- a system that makes it easy to have pot stickers, bar b que, Pizza and Gelato.

For a more eclectic, "locals perspective" get on the el train and get off at Belmont. Tiny shops, restaurants, boutiques in every direction. Walk east three blocks and turn right on Halsted and stroll through Boystown- the gay neighborhood (Sidetrack Show Tune Night on Mondays!) Walk up to Addison and turn left- there's Wrigley Field!

#12

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 12:12pm

Oh and take a trip over to the Belmont/Milwaukee avenue area and revel in the second largest concentration of Polish-speaking people in the world. Chinatown is fun but a lot of places have one. Chicago's Polish neighborhood is a treat- and of course go hungry. I love the casual polish buffet of Czerwone Jabluszko (the Red Apple) which will leave you stuffed for less than $15 (may be more on Holidays). If you want elegance, try Staropolska- they make a potato pancake "stuffed" with stewed beef that could bring tears to my eyes!

#13

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 12:40pm

AND if you're friend will be there this coming weekend, he should go see this:

Chicago Premiere of Ben Rimalower PATTI ISSUES

Updated On: 6/9/13 at 12:40 PM

#14

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:16pm

On Tuesdays, all the museums are free. I would also recommend the Contemporary Art Museum in Streeterville, by the hospital.

Check out the store- front "Off- Loop" theaters. There is tons of amazing work being done in the smaller spaces. Such as Mary Arrchie, Jackalope Theater, Nothing without a Theater Company, The Hypocrits, etc.

I would recommend seeing Too Much Light Makes the Baby go Blind with the Neo Futurists. There is also Second City, and Improv Olympic.

Hop on the Blue Line and get off and Division or Damen and check out all the cool restaurants and hip shopping in Wicker Park ( Thats where I live!!). WP is no longer the Hipster Capital of the midwest- they've all moved further NW to Logan Square.

Restaurants Downtown that I recommend:
Lou Malnati's is where I'd get deep dish pizza ( Locals only eat Deep Dish when tourist friends and family are visiting) but we'd almost all recommend Lou Malnati's over Pizza Uno, Giordano's and Gino's East.

Rockit Lounge has AMAZING food. Luxe Bar is really good as well. Tamarind in the South Loop has amazng eclectic Asian cuisine.

For the best Mexican food go to one of Rick Bayless' restaurants, Topolobambo or Frontera Grill.

for fast food. PORTILLO"S. Chocolate Cake shake.... mmmmmmmm

I recommend eating in the Wicker Park area or going far north to the Edgewater/Andersonville area's for the best restaurants.

Go get a cocktail at the Lounge at the Signature Room at the top of the John Hancock Center. 360 views, and much cheaper than going to Sears Tower observation deck. ( Yes, it is still Sears Tower... Willis what?!)

Free concerts, Movies in the Park, tons of festivals. There is so much going on every weekend in Chicago- there is always something to do!

I'll add more later if I think of anything, I have to go teach Dance right now!

and ENJOY. There is no better city in this country in the Summer than Chicago.

#15

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 1:37pm

All exactly the sorts of things I was looking for. Thanks so much, everyone.

#16

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 2:03pm

Don't forget Ravinia started already! You can take the Ravinia express round-trip on the Metra from Ogilvie rail station in the Loop. Pick up some fresh local food and a bottle of wine at the huge French Market located in the rail station.
http://ravinia.org/
http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/

For burgers, look no further than Epic Burger. Best burger in town made with fresh organic ingredients.
http://epicburger.com/#/home

For fine dining, my favorite is RL. Ralph Lauren's restaurant on the Magnificent Mile at Water Tower (Michigan and Chicago). My favorite restaurant with fantastic food, fantastic service, and very reasonably priced for fine dining.
http://www.rlrestaurant.com/

For Sunday brunch, my favorite is Puck's at the Contemporary Art Museum.
http://www2.mcachicago.org/pucks

If the weather is nice, Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory are real gems and both are FREE.
http://www.lpzoo.org/

Grant Park Music Festival (which is now in Millennium Park) offers loads of free concerts all summer every week. Rebecca Luker will be performing in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Celebration on July 17.
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/

Starting Jun 27, Chicago SummerDance offers free dancing and dance lessons to live music several nights a week (Michigan and Balbo).
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_summerdance.html

I disagree about Navy Pier, though. Yes, there is a lot of tourist trap stuff there (especially the restaurants), but at dusk, it offers spectacular views of the city and the lake, the free stained glass museum is definitely worth a visit, and view the fireworks from the pier or the beach which occur every Wed at 9:30 and Sat at 10:15.
http://www.navypier.com/index.html

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

Updated On: 6/9/13 at 02:03 PM

#17

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 2:08pm

Thanks, Mr Matt. He loves the water and stained glass (and is more of a night person anyway).

#18

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 5:47pm

Wrigley Field before they tear it down!

#19

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 6:09pm

#20

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 7:16pm

If he likes night and the water, there is also a fireworks cruise http://shorelinesightseeing.com/cruisestours/fireworkscruises2/ and fireworks kayaking http://www.kayakchicago.com/tours/fireworks-paddle/

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#21

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/9/13 at 7:20pm

I agree with navy pier- on a clear summer night a stroll to the end o the pier and back with that view is heaven.

I also heartily endorse Too Much Light- great creative theater for about $15.

#22

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/10/13 at 1:14am

I second the shedd aquarium. One of the best aquariums in the country.

#23

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/10/13 at 8:08pm

The Oriental Theater in the Loop.

Poster Emeritus

#24

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 6/10/13 at 8:18pm

Is your friend gay? Musical night at Sidetracks in Chicago is wonderful.

HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

#25

If you were going to Chicago (the city), what would you recommend?

Posted: 7/3/13 at 8:55pm

I would like to thank each and every one of you.

At the last minute, I joined my friend and we managed almost everything on the list you guys gave us. We saw Jungle Book, did a little alternative theatre, Second City, the museums, the Navy Pier (great stained glass museum, and special thanks for all your suggestions, Mr Matt! We did literally everything on your list except the kayaking - next time for that for sure, though. I'd add the Wendella boat architectural tours to the fireworks boat tour. We did both).

Thanks too to JoeKv for the Polish neighborhood suggestions (also, our suite overlooked the Tribune building - gorgeous!), and the Too Much Light from you - and xxdrewboy85xx, did a lot on your list too, especially in Wicker Park.

henrikegerman, your suggestion to just walk and check it out was a good one, and inspired us to do a walking tour of the interior of many buildings, as well as enjoy the miles of waterfront

Sidetracks was a hoot, DAME. Pal Joey, we'd both seen Patti Issues, and with so much else to do, we gave it a miss, but I do recommend it to anyone else. Blaxx, I'd always wanted to see that painting - and know I have.

Seriously, much thanks to you all for all your suggestions, and I plan on going back soon. There wasn't enough time to do it all.

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