chicago area ants

[JTRocks]

theres really nowhere that's walking distance thats safe around there. Get an airbnb in university village or even pilsen.

if you go to a fest for 3 days you're looking at probably less than a $20 uber ride every day. really not that bad.

[DMBstandUP1984]

Originally Posted by JTRocks

theres really nowhere that's walking distance thats safe around there. Get an airbnb in university village or even pilsen.

if you go to a fest for 3 days you're looking at probably less than a $20 uber ride every day. really not that bad.

Yea. That is what we are starting to realize. We locked down a room at the crowne plaza west loop...that we can cancel up until the 14th, while we explore other options.

[Lee3691]

Planning a trip to Chicago. Looking for recomendations for restaurants and anything else that might be worthwhile to do. Will be staying in the theater district.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

Planning a trip to Chicago. Looking for recomendations for restaurants and anything else that might be worthwhile to do. Will be staying in the theater district.

There is so much to do in that area. Any specific type of food you are looking for a specific things you are trying to see? What time of year?

Cindy's is a great place for drinks and/or dinner in the theater district. Great views but it gets crowded, so plan in advance.

http://www.cindysrooftop.com/

[Lee3691]

I will be there in June. For a 10 year anniversary trip, so looking for some places beyond a usual tourist trap.

[Arby]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

I will be there in June. For a 10 year anniversary trip, so looking for some places beyond a usual tourist trap.

Boka is a favorite of mine for a nice night out. It’s not cheap, but certainly not priced exorbitantly for the dinner you’re getting.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

I will be there in June. For a 10 year anniversary trip, so looking for some places beyond a usual tourist trap.

Cindys rooftop would be great for drinks and/or dinner in June. I'd probably at least try to go for happy hour.

Girl and The Goat would be a good anniversary type dinner. Boka is fantastic too.

I always suggest Lincoln Park Zoo and Hotel Lincoln Rooftop (The J. Parker) for a summer day.

Wendella boat architecture tour is a fun day activity, but could be considered a tourist trap.

Second City comedy club and bars in Old Town is a fun night.

I'm kind of giving you touristy stuff, but should be some good options.

[lockman21]

There was another thread here a couple months ago where we gave a bunch of suggestions, where did that one go?

[Lee3691]

Originally Posted by TimHonks

Wendella boat architecture tour is a fun day activity, but could be considered a tourist trap.

Is there just one boat architecture tour? This is definitely on the to do list - my late mother said this was one of her favorite things in the world, so it is a must.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

Is there just one boat architecture tour? This is definitely on the to do list - my late mother said this was one of her favorite things in the world, so it is a must.

There are a few, but I've always done Wendella. I'm sure they are similar, but I can say for sure that Wendella is solid and affordable.

[Carbon Copy]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

I will be there in June. For a 10 year anniversary trip, so looking for some places beyond a usual tourist trap.

Took my wife to 35th st red hots for our 10th. if it was anything like mine, you won't be having an 11th

[lockman21]

Here ya go, dude. Lot of good info in this thread:

https://antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?t=345921

[jmc419]

Originally Posted by Lee3691

I will be there in June. For a 10 year anniversary trip, so looking for some places beyond a usual tourist trap.

I'd recommend The Signature Room at the 95th if you've never been.

Make a reservation and ask for a window table.

[fridge112887]

Originally Posted by jmc419

I'd recommend The Signature Room at the 95th if you've never been.

Make a reservation and ask for a window table.

I'll second this. I haven't experienced firsthand but I've heard nothing but good

[lockman21]

It's really cool. A bit pricey, though. The food is pretty good but the main thing obviously is the view.

There's not a lot of places that have a better view of the city (Cindy's is one of my favorites, too) but there are better places to eat. In June I'd honestly rather get a really good dinner somewhere else then go to Cindy's for views of the city. Signature Room is kind of a "tourist trap".

[FromTheMorning]

I don't think there's anything touristy about the architecture tour at all. I've done it probably 5 times and Chicago is home. Outstanding architecture and well worth the time/money (it's not even that long or expensive), especially in June.

[lockman21]

For sure. I like the one that goes out on the lake instead of staying just inside the river.

[AlexK79]

Second the rec for Girl and the Goat. Make your reservations well in advance if you want your preferred time. The food is just utterly outstanding. Atmosphere is great, upscale but not stuffy in the least (i.e. you're totally fine wearing jeans, etc.) It's not cheap but it's also not crazy expensive. (Shared plates, average $15-$25 per dish, they recommend ordering 2 dishes per person in your party.) Great cocktails too.

[lockman21]

Girl and the Goat is really good, but it's always just so impossible to get a table. There are so many awesome places to eat in Chicago that I wouldn't limit myself to the Loop/West Loop area. It all depends on what you're looking for too.

Nicer-ish places: Split Rail, Table Donkey Stick, Longman & Eagle, Topolobampo, Publican, Quiote, Giant, etc.

Brunch: Cafe Marie Jeanne, Lula Cafe, Bongo Room.

More casual: Piece Pizza, Owen and Engine, Big Star, Moonlighter, etc.

Nothing against Restaurant Row or anything, but it just gives you a more diverse look at the restaurant scene in Chicago to branch out. And this isn't even really diving into the steakhouses.

[ShotgunDMB]

Me and my buddy going out there in May. Gonna hit Wrigley Field and the White Sox ballpark. Only going to be there 2-3 days so what are the main things I need to see? Sears Tower?

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB

Me and my buddy going out there in May. Gonna hit Wrigley Field and the White Sox ballpark. Only going to be there 2-3 days so what are the main things I need to see? Sears Tower?

I’d do the architecture boat tour. I prefer the river option but both are good. It’s a great way to spend a few hours even if you don’t care about architecture. Wendell’s is a good one. I would get a drink at the signature room instead of going to the sears (Willis) tower.

Lincoln Park zoo is free and in a good part of town with a lot to do. Hotel Lincoln has an amazing rooftop bar - I’d find a different rooftop bar if you don’t end up in Lincoln Park - good options all over the city.

Plenty of other atuff to suggest, just depends what you are into. Wrigley is high on the list. Definitely take advantage of some great restaurants

[mdel21]

Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB

Me and my buddy going out there in May. Gonna hit Wrigley Field and the White Sox ballpark. Only going to be there 2-3 days so what are the main things I need to see? Sears Tower?

Go to the Englewood neighborhood. Definite hot spot. See if there's a concert at northerly island.

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by mdel21

Go to the Englewood neighborhood. Definite hot spot. See if there's a concert at northerly island.

One of these is a good idea.

[DMBWrigley2010]

Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB

Me and my buddy going out there in May. Gonna hit Wrigley Field and the White Sox ballpark. Only going to be there 2-3 days so what are the main things I need to see? Sears Tower?

Before the Cubs game go to Murphy's. I don't care what anyone says that place is an institution and 99% of the rest of Wrigleyville bars could be avoided on game/non-game days.

If you want a good bite to eat in the area right before or after a game, PR Bistro is really good.

As others have mentioned, Lincoln Park Zoo & the architecture boat tours are great options. I feel like you could go on a several of the boat tours and still need to go back to absorb all of the information they throw at you.

Make sure you carve out some time to walk the lakefront trail, too.

I would recommend doing the Hancock over the Sears tower. 1) there are a couple of options for drinks at the Hancock 2) You can see the Sears tower then which I think is a cooler view anyway

If you are looking for food recommendations, happy to provide my opinion

[AlpineValley804]

Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB

Me and my buddy going out there in May. Gonna hit Wrigley Field and the White Sox ballpark. Only going to be there 2-3 days so what are the main things I need to see? Sears Tower?

If you like deli, Manny’s Deli in the South Loop is great. Definitely echo the lake trail walk where you can get an absolutely fantastic view of the skyline by the aquarium. The Art Institute is a great visit and since it’s right there, you might as well also visit Millenium Park and the Bean while you’re in the area.

[ExistenceNow]

Allison and I have a trip planned in late July for my 40th. I have a friend who just cancelled a trip up there because her friend who lives there said it's out of control. How much of this is hysteria, and how much of it is warranted? Can some of you locals give me some advice on what to do, what not to do, where to go, where not to go?

We arrive late Friday afternoon; no real plans that day other than getting some groceries and maybe hitting a couple bars. Saturday we are going to Chris Stapleton at Wrigley. Sunday no plans, but wanted to do some touristy stuff. Monday we are going to a Cubs game. Tuesday we come home. We are staying about a mile south of Wrigley. It's two L stops away. Is the train safe to ride?

Do not start talking politics. I just want advice/info from people who live there.

[Lee3691]

Not a Chicago ant, but highly recommend Second City and one of the architecture boat tours.

[AlpineValley804]

No longer a Chicago ant, but I second the recommendation on the architecture boat tour and the art museum is phenomenal. The Wrigley tour is great as well.

I can't speak to the safety stuff, but I've also heard about public transit safety issues being a major concern since COVID. I haven't been back since September of 2019.

[ExistenceNow]

I mean, we can just Uber everywhere, but I hate taking an Uber 1 mile away from where I am.

[Bearclaw_]

Local Chicagoan here. Almost 40 years.

I can’t stand the news/narrative on Chicago. What exactly is “out of control”?

Come to Chicago. Enjoy yourself. It’s a fantastic city, safe, clean, friendly.

Feel free to PM me for recs or anything else you need help with.

Edit: Yes the train is safe. As with any other public transit, just be aware. Biggest issue is people stealing cell phones because people bury their head in them.