Anyone From Chicago, IL?
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toddpedlar
Iron Dramatist
Madison, boring?
Oh my... I guess you've never really lived in the sticks, then..
Oh my... I guess you've never really lived in the sticks, then..
toddpedlar
Iron Dramatist
There's lots of fun to do there... depends on what you like to do. If eating is on the bill, you won't be lacking for recommendations. Try something exotic that you can't get in Madison like Ethiopian at Mama Desta's on the north side near Wrigleyville, Peruvian at Taste of Peru on Clark Street on the far north side, or maybe excellent Japanese up in Evanston at Daruma. If you're in the mood for steak, Gibson's is great (but really $$$). You could also check out just about anything in Greektown, or awesome authentic Indian on Touhy street in Rogers Park (again, north side). Oh, also San Soo Gap San on Western Ave is a great Korean BBQ.
Also, don't miss the Art Institute. What apart from eating dinner (which I imagine you'll do) and the Art Institute (which unless you really hate art, you really should see) is on your mind?
Also, don't miss the Art Institute. What apart from eating dinner (which I imagine you'll do) and the Art Institute (which unless you really hate art, you really should see) is on your mind?
Theognome
Burrito Bill
the particular baptist
Puritan Board Freshman
Greetings Sarah, I'm a displaced Chicagoan. On the one hand its a world class city with a breathtaking lakeside view of downtown, on the other hand it is THE deathstar of corrupt politics.
There are however some memorable things to do downtown. Just off of State street there is Welcome to Ditka's Restaurants Iron Mike's grill. Be seated upstairs for a more laid back environment and try one of Mike's custom cigars. Right around the corner from the grill are horse and carriages http://www.chicagocarriage.com/ for a tour of downtown's State street. They have heavy blankets to help you stay warm. A tour of the lakeside skyline is available off of Navy Pier Navy Pier Chicago: Historic Navy Pier is Chicago's lakefront playground. It is the Midwest's #1 tourist attraction and leisure destination. in a tour yacht with a bar if youre so inclined. Have fun !
-----Added 2/4/2009 at 05:52:16 EST-----
Ew, everyone knows the best pizza on the planet is at Armand's
armandsmovie
There are however some memorable things to do downtown. Just off of State street there is Welcome to Ditka's Restaurants Iron Mike's grill. Be seated upstairs for a more laid back environment and try one of Mike's custom cigars. Right around the corner from the grill are horse and carriages http://www.chicagocarriage.com/ for a tour of downtown's State street. They have heavy blankets to help you stay warm. A tour of the lakeside skyline is available off of Navy Pier Navy Pier Chicago: Historic Navy Pier is Chicago's lakefront playground. It is the Midwest's #1 tourist attraction and leisure destination. in a tour yacht with a bar if youre so inclined. Have fun !
-----Added 2/4/2009 at 05:52:16 EST-----
Ew, everyone knows the best pizza on the planet is at Armand's
armandsmovie
Hi sjonee,
Born there, and have returned as an adult for govt. conferences in The Loop. I'm no fan of the corrupt politics and crime, but avoiding Chicago is almost a crime. Pactum's suggestion's are good. In addition...
1. I think The Art Institute of Chicago is the best of its kind - and that's coming from a guy who loves Boston's MFA. They have photos there of the World's Fair in 19thC. Chicago, which was awe-inspiring, beautiful, and mentioned in Day's hilarious Life With Father.
2. The Field Natural History Museum isn't quite as cool as the Smithsonian, but if any in your family liked the movie The Ghost and the Darkness, the lions from that movie are stuffed on display there.
3. For fancy eating, there's a joint called True that can't be beat. Warning: I didn't pay, but I imagine it's pretty expensive.
4. For regular eating, any pizza place will do you. Love the pizza.
5. If you like architecture, there's a number of Frank Lloyd Wright homes there, and you can drive up to Evanston on your way back home and see a number of them on the way.
Hope you all have fun!
Born there, and have returned as an adult for govt. conferences in The Loop. I'm no fan of the corrupt politics and crime, but avoiding Chicago is almost a crime. Pactum's suggestion's are good. In addition...
1. I think The Art Institute of Chicago is the best of its kind - and that's coming from a guy who loves Boston's MFA. They have photos there of the World's Fair in 19thC. Chicago, which was awe-inspiring, beautiful, and mentioned in Day's hilarious Life With Father.
2. The Field Natural History Museum isn't quite as cool as the Smithsonian, but if any in your family liked the movie The Ghost and the Darkness, the lions from that movie are stuffed on display there.
3. For fancy eating, there's a joint called True that can't be beat. Warning: I didn't pay, but I imagine it's pretty expensive.
4. For regular eating, any pizza place will do you. Love the pizza.
5. If you like architecture, there's a number of Frank Lloyd Wright homes there, and you can drive up to Evanston on your way back home and see a number of them on the way.
Hope you all have fun!
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TsonMariytho
Puritan Board Freshman
My wife and I are planning to visit Chicago for a long weekend vacation this month. We plan to ice skate in Millennium Park (it's open air and free, except skate rental), and if we feel brave enough, get a guided tour by Segway. We plan to wear warm clothing...
I've eaten in Chicago's Greektown, and very much agree with Dr. Pedlar on that count. The other ideas make me hungry just thinking about them.
It should be fun!
I've eaten in Chicago's Greektown, and very much agree with Dr. Pedlar on that count. The other ideas make me hungry just thinking about them.
It should be fun!
JBaldwin
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
I was born and raised outside Chicago, and go back on a regular basis. Our favorite pizza joint is on the North side on Clark Street. "Chicago Style Pizza and Oven Grinder's Cafe" I think it's the best pizza in town (though Ginos is right up there).
If it's cold, you can always take someone up to the top of the Sear's Tower or the John Hancock.
The planetarium and Aquarium and Field museum are great. If you check ahead, you might be able to catch the Chicago Symphony which performs right near the Art Institute.
On a warm day, it's worth it to take a walk along the lakeshore near the planetarium and Field Museum. It's absolutely beautiful.
Also for theater, check out the McCormick Place. I think they still do ballets, plays and musicals there, and parking is all indoors.
Hope that helps, and hope you have a great time. Chicago is one of my favorite cities.
If it's cold, you can always take someone up to the top of the Sear's Tower or the John Hancock.
The planetarium and Aquarium and Field museum are great. If you check ahead, you might be able to catch the Chicago Symphony which performs right near the Art Institute.
On a warm day, it's worth it to take a walk along the lakeshore near the planetarium and Field Museum. It's absolutely beautiful.
Also for theater, check out the McCormick Place. I think they still do ballets, plays and musicals there, and parking is all indoors.
Hope that helps, and hope you have a great time. Chicago is one of my favorite cities.
TsonMariytho
Puritan Board Freshman
A Segway is a single person electric vehicle. You stand vertically on a platform, holding some handlebars that stick up. It balances on two wheels on the sides, using some very complex electronics. You can make it move in different directions by just leaning.
See this site: Segway
Anyway, if you're willing to part with some green stuff, you can get a guided tour of the city of Chicago on these things. We will probably get one going down the lakefront.
Probably not your Mom's speed right now, but I'm sure you'll find other great stuff to do.
Knoxienne
Puritan Board Graduate
but I couldn't help myself. 
Too bad you didn't get to go to Chicago...evertime I watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I nearly drop what I'm doing and drive there 
There's a lot to see there...and it is a pain driving around there, and expensive parking in different places all the time. If you end up going at some point, park somewhere and take a cab wherever you go or learn how to use the L.
My wife and I really enjoy the Field Museum (interesting mummy display, among other things, where there is a mummy that inexplicably falls forward occassionally...it's nose is smooshed from leaning against the glass). I think we've gone there 3 times, and enjoyed it a lot.
The art museum is amazing! That is a must-see.
I generally don't go to Chicago to spend money on food...although Chicagoans will likely mock me, I have enjoyed Ed Debevicks (sp?)...that's an experience...the food may be good, I can't remember.
There's a lot to see there...and it is a pain driving around there, and expensive parking in different places all the time. If you end up going at some point, park somewhere and take a cab wherever you go or learn how to use the L.
My wife and I really enjoy the Field Museum (interesting mummy display, among other things, where there is a mummy that inexplicably falls forward occassionally...it's nose is smooshed from leaning against the glass). I think we've gone there 3 times, and enjoyed it a lot.
The art museum is amazing! That is a must-see.
I generally don't go to Chicago to spend money on food...although Chicagoans will likely mock me, I have enjoyed Ed Debevicks (sp?)...that's an experience...the food may be good, I can't remember.
Can anything good come out of Chicago? I hate the town. Drive a few more hours south and come to Indy. We have a lot of cool things down here. We are the Sports Capitol of the World as well as the Racing Capitol of the World. We have the coolest Children's Museum and the the Eiteljorg Museum. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is awesome. We also have lots of great places to eat and good churches to worship at.
JBaldwin
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
Too bad you didn't get to go to Chicago...evertime I watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I nearly drop what I'm doing and drive there
There's a lot to see there...and it is a pain driving around there, and expensive parking in different places all the time. If you end up going at some point, park somewhere and take a cab wherever you go or learn how to use the L.
My wife and I really enjoy the Field Museum (interesting mummy display, among other things, where there is a mummy that inexplicably falls forward occassionally...it's nose is smooshed from leaning against the glass). I think we've gone there 3 times, and enjoyed it a lot.
The art museum is amazing! That is a must-see.
I generally don't go to Chicago to spend money on food...although Chicagoans will likely mock me, I have enjoyed Ed Debevicks (sp?)...that's an experience...the food may be good, I can't remember.
I have to agree that parking is a pain, but we've saved the most money staying in the suburbs near a train station and taking the train to Union station and walking to the loop. From there, you can get a fairly reasonably priced bus ticket which will take you to all the sights worth seeing.
On one of our most recent trips, we bought city passes which save you a lot of money and stayed in a nice hotel about 30 minutes from the city. On one of the days, we drove so we could catch the museum of Science and Industry and the John Hancock. Our only real expense that day was parking, because we already had our passes.
On the next day, we took the hotel shuttle to the train station. We walked from Union station to the loop (about 8 city blocks), took the bus to the Field museum spent most of the morning there and early afternoon there, and then walked along the lake to the Art Institute. We stayed there for a couple of hours then walked across the street to eat dinner, then walked back to the train station in time to catch the last train back to the suburbs and a shuttle back to the hotel. Needless to say, we were exhausted, but we had a great time, and saw a lot for a very good price.
Marrow Man
Drunk with Powder
They were running performances of The Screwtape Letters with Max McClean at a theater in Chicago. We live 4 hours away, but if I were closer, that old dastardly Screwtape would be awfully tempting...
OPC'n
Puritan Board Doctor
You just want PB'ers to come visit you!
Well, you can't blame a guy for trying. I love visits from my PB friends. It is always a good time.
Ivan
Pastor
How is this possible if the St. Louis Cardinals are IN St. Louis. Just not possible!
Joseph Scibbe
Puritan Board Junior
If you go to Chicago, I would reccomend getting a deep dish pizza from anywhere that is not a chain. And visit Navy Pier, it is a very nice place as well as the Magnificant Mile. But in all honesty, it is hard to not have a good time.
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