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Chicago Recommendations
My wife's new treatment protocol has her on a month, off a month so we are going to take advantage and escape for a weekend (without kids) to Chicago in May. Any recommendations for places to eat, things to do and places to stay (or to avoid) are appreciated.
I think right now our plan is to stay in the "Near North Side" area - whatever that is. I can get a good rate at Loews - I know it's nice in Santa Monica so would assume it is in Chicago as well.
Anyway, recommendations appreciated.
I think right now our plan is to stay in the "Near North Side" area - whatever that is. I can get a good rate at Loews - I know it's nice in Santa Monica so would assume it is in Chicago as well.
Anyway, recommendations appreciated.
Comments
The Armitage area is great to walk around, nice shops (or used to be when I was there).
Check out Bucktown as well (more hipster).
Do NOT miss Urban Belly. I miss it even after not living in Chicago for 8 years.
Food is aplenty. Just hit up yelp and read the reviews. Chicago staples are Italian beef, polish sausage and deep dish.
If you want to get out and hang with the hipsters who now believe the 90’s are back, hop the blue line or cab it to wicker park. And if you’re into baseball, a cubs game is always good for the history of wrigley, but the fans are terrible. Sox tends to be less douche-y.
My wife is an amazing artist (if I do say so myself) so galleries/museums are likely on her list. The weekend we are looking at is Cubs/White Sox afternoon games at Wrigley so I might sneak over for at least a few innings while she checks out some of the museums and galleries.
If you want a place that is worth the hype, Kuma's is awesome for burgers and death metal. They have a spot in the west loop not too far from your hotel, but the original is in irving park.
For fine dining, I put our name on the wait list for Alinea both nights. I doubt it will come through (or that I will be able to stomach the price), but figured it couldn't hurt.
1. Architecture tour on the river. The Chicago Architecture Foundation does the best job of any of the river boats. It starts one block from where you're staying.
2. Wrigley (if the Cubs are at home that weekend). @KHilgendorf obviously doesn't know any real Cubs fans.
3. Go to the West Loop (Randolph St.) and eat. A lot. In a 4-block stretch, there are 10 of the best restaurants in the country. Lena Brava, Blackbird, Publican, Oriole (very expensive), Au Cheval (crazy long wait on weekends), Grace (also very expensive). It's hard to go wrong in that neighborhood. I prefer Duck Duck Goat over Urban Belly, but both are great for Asian fusion. Girl and the Goat is good but maybe a little overhyped.
4. Art Institute. One of the best museums in the world. It closes at 5, so don't get there too late. Give yourself at least 2-3 hours.
5. London House rooftop. You've never been to a bar with a view as good. Just across the river from Loews.
6. Swim. You're close to Ohio Street beach and the water usually reaches swimable temps by mid-May.
7. Rent a Divvy bike (Loews might also have bikes for guests) and ride south to the aquarium. The view where the trail bends around the aquarium is the best in the city. Then ride north to Olive Park (close to your hotel) for the second best view.
8. See Hamilton.
Things not to do...
1. Navy Pier. Just don't.
2. Deep dish. Regardless of what some people think, it's not a Chicago thing.
3. Wicker Park. Not my cup of tea. Few good restaurants but the really good ones are all in the West Loop.
If the water is too cold for open water and you want to swim at one of the oldest and most beautiful pools in the world, hit me up for a guest pass to the InterContinental.
And Navy Pier, ick.
Believe the Cubs are playing the White Sox at Wrigley that weekend. Where should I look for a seat - I will likely not get to stay for the entire game so getting the best seat in the house is not necessarily a priority. I just don't want to sit behind a pole or get stabbed - perhaps that is just a concern for me being a Dodger fan and experiencing multiple times the $6 outfield seats at Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium for those unaware).
Streeterville (where you're staying) is not a great food neighborhood, but Rick Bayless' first three restaurants are just down Illinois St. You won't be able to get into Topolobompo, but Frontera is excellent and XOCO is great for lunch.
You know, people who start tweets with “stoked”
@Rash one more thing - if you want to hear some blues while you're here, hit up Kingston Mines on Halsted. It's an experience, especially if you go late night.
Like I said, no clue who they thought we were or what the concierge told them to get our table (perhaps it was just my wife’s bald head) but it’s an evening my wife and I will always remember.
We ended up eating at Duck, Duck Goat earlier in the day as well because we happened to be at galleries over there at lunch. We didn’t eat much with a big dinner on the schedule but it was delicious.
Queen of All Donut Awards
Groovy Auntie to Roosters everywhere
Friday:
1. Buckingham Fountain
2. Breakfast at Yolk - were cramped for time to make our boat tour and the concierge was able to get us past the line at Yolk.
3. Architectural Boat Tour
4. Deep dish at Giordanos
5. Walk part of Michigan Ave.
6. Wife gets in a nap
7. Dinner at Next
8. Drinks at London House rooftop
Saturday:
1. Breakfast at the hotel
2. Walk over to the River North galleries for some touring
2. West Loop Gallery touring
3. Duck, Duck Goat for Lunch
4. Art Institute of Chicago
5. Walk through Millenium Park and see the Bean
6. Walk more of Michigan Ave
7. Donuts at Stans (forgot to take a picture for the Roost approved donuts thread - but it was a blueberry old fashioned and blueberry fritter - both were good)
8. Wife gets a nap
9. Girl & the Goat for dinner
Sunday
1. Breakfast at the Hotel
2. Redline to Wrigley and walk around taking in the scene (opted not to do the game even though the weather was perfect)
3. Italian Beef at Al's
4. Head to Pilsen to wander Renegade fair, area galleries, food trucks, etc. along Halsted
(best Uber driver of all time. Moved to Chicago from Syria 27 years ago and turned our Uber ride across town to Pilsen into a tour of Chicago going out of his way to make sure he showed us the sights while telling us the history of the neighborhoods and Chicago. He was a proud Chicago resident and wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything).
5. Deep dish at Pequod's
6. Grab some caffeine at Dollop Coffee before grabbing our bags and heading to the airport
We obviously didn't see everything, but we made a pretty nice dent in the list of things to see/do when in Chicago. Just reading that back made me feel uncomfortably full and hungry all at once.
Queen of All Donut Awards
Groovy Auntie to Roosters everywhere