Sweet Home Chicago

[Uno]

Nice TJ! You make it to Harry Careys? I sat in the bar and watched a rerun of a Cubs, Padres game. Drank beer, sang the 7th inning stretch, and ate one of best sausages ever! What a fun city.

[syl]

great pics!!! We have family there ..we really need to visit!! Thanks!!

[TAPPY]

Just saw these - cool pics

[Eileencc]

The pics aren't showing right now.

[TJordan]

Originally Posted by Eileencc

The pics aren't showing right now.

Ya, I deleted the folder on Photobucket, not thinking about this....

[Head Honcho]

I arrive in Chicago on 16th June so any tips on where to go and what to see would be much appreciated.

Planning on taking in a baseball game but the prices are putting me off.

The Yankees are in town so I'd expect higher prices but this is just stupid money so any tips on getting hold of a decent priced ticket

[gingele]

Originally Posted by Head Honcho

I arrive in Chicago on 16th June so any tips on where to go and what to see would be much appreciated.

Planning on taking in a baseball game but the prices are putting me off.

The Yankees are in town so I'd expect higher prices but this is just stupid money so any tips on getting hold of a decent priced ticket

For Cubs tix, you can just head up to Wrigley (take the Red Line train to the Addison stop if you are staying anywhere near the L) on the day of the game and usually pick up tix at or very near face value from folks trying to sell them right outside the park (bring cash!). Of course you could also check the box office for same-day tickets.

Be sure to take an architectural boat tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The CAF also offers fantastic walking tours of the city (best way to see it, IMO).

On a clear day head up to the Willis Tower skydeck or John Hancock skydeck (which is also fabulous on a clear night).

Have a cocktail at the outdoor bar at Trump Tower (The Terrace)

What else do you like to do? Art, architecture, outdoor/active, music, theater, food? Also where are you staying (general area) and how long will you be in town for?

[Head Honcho]

Originally Posted by gingele

For Cubs tix, you can just head up to Wrigley (take the Red Line train to the Addison stop if you are staying anywhere near the L) on the day of the game and usually pick up tix at or very near face value from folks trying to sell them right outside the park (bring cash!). Of course you could also check the box office for same-day tickets.

Be sure to take an architectural boat tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The CAF also offers fantastic walking tours of the city (best way to see it, IMO).

On a clear day head up to the Willis Tower skydeck or John Hancock skydeck (which is also fabulous on a clear night).

Have a cocktail at the outdoor bar at Trump Tower (The Terrace)

What else do you like to do? Art, architecture, outdoor/active, music, theater, food? Also where are you staying (general area) and how long will you be in town for?

Thanks for the info much appreciated.

Staying at The Palomar on State and Grand in River North for 1 week before heading to Playa.

I've been on the usual websites and know most of what to do but what I'm really looking for is something out of the ordinary that won't necessarily be on the websites.

By the way if I don't manage to get to the game where's the best bar/bars to watch the game?

Thanks in advance
Allen

[gingele]

Originally Posted by Head Honcho

Thanks for the info much appreciated.

Staying at The Palomar on State and Grand in River North for 1 week before heading to Playa.

I've been on the usual websites and know most of what to do but what I'm really looking for is something out of the ordinary that won't necessarily be on the websites.

By the way if I don't manage to get to the game where's the best bar/bars to watch the game?

Thanks in advance
Allen

If you can't get tickets to the Cubs game, the best places to watch the game are the sports bars surrounding Wrigley - so you'd still take the red line up to the Addison street stop and just take your pick once you get down the escalator to the street. BTW there is an L stop right by your hotel, so it's an easy hop and will definitely be the easiest/cheapest way to get to and from Wrigley on the day of the game.

If you don't want to bother heading up to Wrigleyville, then you could head over to Harry Carey's restaurant - walking distance from your hotel, a few blocks south of you (over the river). Harry Carey was the Cubs announcer for all of known history and the restaurant/bar is actually quite nice and serves pretty good food (although not cheap).

For some musical fun near your hotel there is Andy's Jazz Club. You can just check their website for acts that'll be in town when you are there.

Also quite fun (but not necessarily "out of the ordinary") is to take in a show at Second City (main stage or etc., both are fantastic), which is the famous Chicago improv comedy theater that has churned out some of the most famous names in comedy over the past 40+ years. Second City is located in Old Town neighborhood, and if this sounds interesting to you I'd recommend first hitting the Twin Anchors restaurant which is in that same neighborhood - also quite the Chicago institution - and then heading to Second City for the show (walking distance).

If you really want to explore, and like music and want more authentic Chicago history, you could venture up north to Andersonville and go to the Green Mill Jazz Club.

On either Friday or Sat evening, there is a concert in Grant Park (walking distance) at the Prizker Pavillion (looks like Mendelssohn is on the program). Walk over to Fox & Obel to buy some food & drink for a picnic dinner and then head over to Grant Park to lounge on the lawn to enjoy the music and the views of the city.

Also a bit out of the ordinary is to visit the Adler Planetarium at night for one of their Adler After Dark events - cocktails, appetizers, skyline view of the city and stargazing through their observatory telescope.

Let me know if you'd like more recommendations based on your particular interests such as art, food, music etc. I love my city and am happy to help!

[Anna Banana]

I should have asked you for info when i was in chicago with my dad 2 years ago

Originally Posted by gingele

If you can't get tickets to the Cubs game, the best places to watch the game are the sports bars surrounding Wrigley - so you'd still take the red line up to the Addison street stop and just take your pick once you get down the escalator to the street. BTW there is an L stop right by your hotel, so it's an easy hop and will definitely be the easiest/cheapest way to get to and from Wrigley on the day of the game.

If you don't want to bother heading up to Wrigleyville, then you could head over to Harry Carey's restaurant - walking distance from your hotel, a few blocks south of you (over the river). Harry Carey was the Cubs announcer for all of known history and the restaurant/bar is actually quite nice and serves pretty good food (although not cheap).

For some musical fun near your hotel there is Andy's Jazz Club. You can just check their website for acts that'll be in town when you are there.

Also quite fun (but not necessarily "out of the ordinary") is to take in a show at Second City (main stage or etc., both are fantastic), which is the famous Chicago improv comedy theater that has churned out some of the most famous names in comedy over the past 40+ years. Second City is located in Old Town neighborhood, and if this sounds interesting to you I'd recommend first hitting the Twin Anchors restaurant which is in that same neighborhood - also quite the Chicago institution - and then heading to Second City for the show (walking distance).

If you really want to explore, and like music and want more authentic Chicago history, you could venture up north to Andersonville and go to the Green Mill Jazz Club.

On either Friday or Sat evening, there is a concert in Grant Park (walking distance) at the Prizker Pavillion (looks like Mendelssohn is on the program). Walk over to Fox & Obel to buy some food & drink for a picnic dinner and then head over to Grant Park to lounge on the lawn to enjoy the music and the views of the city.

Also a bit out of the ordinary is to visit the Adler Planetarium at night for one of their Adler After Dark events - cocktails, appetizers, skyline view of the city and stargazing through their observatory telescope.

Let me know if you'd like more recommendations based on your particular interests such as art, food, music etc. I love my city and am happy to help!

[Head Honcho]

Originally Posted by gingele

If you can't get tickets to the Cubs game, the best places to watch the game are the sports bars surrounding Wrigley - so you'd still take the red line up to the Addison street stop and just take your pick once you get down the escalator to the street. BTW there is an L stop right by your hotel, so it's an easy hop and will definitely be the easiest/cheapest way to get to and from Wrigley on the day of the game.

If you don't want to bother heading up to Wrigleyville, then you could head over to Harry Carey's restaurant - walking distance from your hotel, a few blocks south of you (over the river). Harry Carey was the Cubs announcer for all of known history and the restaurant/bar is actually quite nice and serves pretty good food (although not cheap).

For some musical fun near your hotel there is Andy's Jazz Club. You can just check their website for acts that'll be in town when you are there.

Also quite fun (but not necessarily "out of the ordinary") is to take in a show at Second City (main stage or etc., both are fantastic), which is the famous Chicago improv comedy theater that has churned out some of the most famous names in comedy over the past 40+ years. Second City is located in Old Town neighborhood, and if this sounds interesting to you I'd recommend first hitting the Twin Anchors restaurant which is in that same neighborhood - also quite the Chicago institution - and then heading to Second City for the show (walking distance).

If you really want to explore, and like music and want more authentic Chicago history, you could venture up north to Andersonville and go to the Green Mill Jazz Club.

On either Friday or Sat evening, there is a concert in Grant Park (walking distance) at the Prizker Pavillion (looks like Mendelssohn is on the program). Walk over to Fox & Obel to buy some food & drink for a picnic dinner and then head over to Grant Park to lounge on the lawn to enjoy the music and the views of the city.

Also a bit out of the ordinary is to visit the Adler Planetarium at night for one of their Adler After Dark events - cocktails, appetizers, skyline view of the city and stargazing through their observatory telescope.

Let me know if you'd like more recommendations based on your particular interests such as art, food, music etc. I love my city and am happy to help!

Some great tips there. Thanks very much.

[rodman]

Museum of Science and Industry, The Billy Goat Tavern...(cheeseburgercheeseburger)

[Head Honcho]

Originally Posted by rodman

Museum of Science and Industry, The Billy Goat Tavern...(cheeseburgercheeseburger)

Yeh I read about The Billy Goat Tavern yesterday.........something about a curse!
I'm hoping to catch one of the open air concerts, hopefully Kings Go Forth.

...............and my wife wants me to ask you what the weathers like lol

[gingele]

Originally Posted by Head Honcho

Yeh I read about The Billy Goat Tavern yesterday.........something about a curse!
I'm hoping to catch one of the open air concerts, hopefully Kings Go Forth.

...............and my wife wants me to ask you what the weathers like lol

Info on the curse of the billy goat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_the_Billy_Goat

And right now it is H-O-T. In the 90s, sunny and humid today (of course, it is summer in Chicago!). For more current info as your trip gets closer, go to wunderground.com and plug in 60601 as the zip code. That will get you local weather & forecast. PROTIP: pay attention to the "heat index" as well as the actual ambient temp. That will take into account the actual temp plus the humidity and tell you how hot it FEELS. For example, right now the ambient temp is 90 F, but the heat index makes it feel like 96 F.

[kayt707]

Yeah the ambient temp means so little there. Windchill in winter, heat index in summer, can't you all just have a temp that is actually the temp?

If you listen to Gingele I an guarantee you will have an amazing trip!