Things to do in Chicago

[NorthSideSox72]

My boss actually told me about Rush Street, said it was a really good area for nightlife / bars etc. That's just a bit north of downtown Chicago isn't it?

Yes, and yes. Its also a bit pricey, but its a fun part of town.

 

[DBAHO]

I think I am going to go to Giordano's here for the Deep Dish Pizza, seems to be well rated by mostly everyone, even if it isn't the favourite.

 

Is there 1 in the Loop which is better than the others, the one on South Wabash is probably the closest for me.

[southsider2k5]

I think I am going to go to Giordano's here for the Deep Dish Pizza, seems to be well rated by mostly everyone, even if it isn't the favourite.

 

Is there 1 in the Loop which is better than the others, the one on South Wabash is probably the closest for me.

 

I can vouch for that locale, it is solid.

[Chisoxfn]

I think I am going to go to Giordano's here for the Deep Dish Pizza, seems to be well rated by mostly everyone, even if it isn't the favourite.

 

Is there 1 in the Loop which is better than the others, the one on South Wabash is probably the closest for me.

Depending on when you go, I'm sure I'm gonna do some pizza at one point or another.

[SoxFan1]

I think I am going to go to Giordano's here for the Deep Dish Pizza, seems to be well rated by mostly everyone, even if it isn't the favourite.

 

Is there 1 in the Loop which is better than the others, the one on South Wabash is probably the closest for me.

I vouch for the one on Randolph.

[mreye]

I vouch for the one on Randolph.

 

I vouche for the Jackson locale...and there's an OTB upstairs!!

Edited July 15, 2008 by mreye

[Soxbadger]

Ive been to the one I Wabash I believe, its good stuff. I think the original Uno's may be slightly better, but its all pretty similar (my favorite is Edwardo's but to each their own.)

 

As for the Rush Street/ Lincoln Park debate, both provide different things. If your on Rush street (not Division) its mostly higher end bars and can be a bit pricey. If you are on Division Street (by Bar Chicago, Mothers etc) its much cheaper. Lincoln Park as stated before would be getting off the Red line and walking to Lincoln Ave, but you can just take a bus for the same amount of time and probably not have to walk.

 

Mainly depends on what age of girls youre looking for and how much money you want to spend.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

If you go Rush St., go to Hange Uppe's for late night. Bet you can take home a cougar!!

[knightni]

The one at Van Buren and Halsted was where I went.

[lostfan]

I vouch for the one on Randolph.

I second this. There is also one on Chicago Ave. and Rush St. (?) that I'd recommend to.

[lostfan]

Is that all the way in the Southside (just had a look on Google Maps for kicks) and it came up with a place named Dolton?

lol, not that Lincoln Ave, that's outside the city limits and nowhere near where he meant.

 

I'll chime in here and say even if Giordano's may not be a consensus and people think there's better pizza, it's still better than most any pizza you will get outside of maybe New York.

[mreye]

lol, not that Lincoln Ave, that's outside the city limits and nowhere near where he meant.

 

I'll chime in here and say even if Giordano's may not be a consensus and people think there's better pizza, it's still better than most any pizza you will get outside of maybe New York.

 

Please tell me you're not comparing New York pizza to Chicago pizza. Bite your tongue, mister!

 

[lostfan]

Please tell me you're not comparing New York pizza to Chicago pizza. Bite your tongue, mister!

lol, I have to admit it's pretty good. It's the only other city that can reasonably argue having pizza as good as Chicago's.

[LosMediasBlancas]

Stay away from Rush street. It's for tourists, even though you are one.

Didn't the Giordanos on Wabash close? Was that the one that was in the basement?

Like I said, there is one a away block from the Sears Tower.

[DrunkBomber]

Get drunk and start a fight club at union station. Thats what I normally do.

[southsider2k5]

Please tell me you're not comparing New York pizza to Chicago pizza. Bite your tongue, mister!

 

^^

 

Even the resident Hoosiers know better than that...

 

Now catstup on a hotdog is a different story...

[southsider2k5]

Get drunk and start a fight club at union station. Thats what I normally do.

 

Watch out for the sleeping homeless chicks...

[Rowand44]

New York Pizza is disgusting imo.

[Chisoxfn]

Your disgusting Row...your disgusting. Thin Crust >>> Deep Dish.

 

Where in Chicago has awesome thin crust (someone once told me on here that Chicago has some awesome Thin Crust pizza).

[DBAHO]

New York Pizza is disgusting imo.

Some New York Pizza's are, you can just taste the fats and oils as you eat them.

 

But there are some places which just make a really, really good thin slice pizza. You've just got to know who and where they are.

 

Jason, I will be trying out Lombardi's pretty soon I think. It's close to an Aussie Bar that I frequent at quite often, so I think it'll "come in handy".

[RockRaines]

DB,

 

Where are you staying, and do you really want to do all the "tourist" things or are you looking for a different experience?

[RockRaines]

Ugh. Don't bother. There are so many other neighborhoods in the city where you'd have as good a time, or better, and for a lot cheaper. Go to Rush Street, or the West Loop district, or Wicker Park, or any number of other cool areas of town.

 

But if you must see Lincoln Park and go stare at the trixies, take the red line to Fullerton, and walk east. You're there.

Fixed. There is no warehouse district.

[OilCan]

These have been probably mentioned already, but what the hey....

 

1) Field Museum of Natural History. Nuff said. Also there's the Museum of Science and Industry...both off of Lake Shore Drive; the MOSAI is on South Lake Shore, IIRC 10-15 min from Downtown?!?!?

2) The Shedd...awesome. While you're there also check out Adler Planetarium. Both are located in the same area as the Field Museum.

3) Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo.

4) Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Just priceless.

5) OF COURSE A SOX GAME IS A MUST!!!

6) For your Mrs., check out the shops up and down Michigan Ave.

7) Boatride!!! Should be plenty all up and down Lake Shore north of Soldier Field.

8) Tours....check out Sears Tower, Hancock Bldg.

9) If you're into art, there's also the Chicago Art Institute.

10) As far as pizza, well, I think you got that covered after reading this entire thread...

11) Grant Park is nice...haven't been to Millenium Park yet............

12) If you want to, rent a bicycle and take a ride on the paths through the parks or Lake Shore Drive.

 

Edited July 16, 2008 by OilCan

[DBAHO]

DB,

 

Where are you staying, and do you really want to do all the "tourist" things or are you looking for a different experience?

At a Hostel on East Congress Parkway and Wabash.

 

To be honest, I wouln't mind checking out the Chicago Nightlife while I'm here, but I'd look to do at least 1 Touristy thing (whether it's a boat tour or something).

[RockRaines]

At a Hostel on East Congress Parkway and Wabash.

 

To be honest, I wouln't mind checking out the Chicago Nightlife while I'm here, but I'd look to do at least 1 Touristy thing (whether it's a boat tour or something).

Ok, your hotel is located in decent walking distance of some stuff, but next time you should stay a little farther up north. So you are directly next to Grant park and could walk down the street and see Buckingham, the lake path and all that good stuff, you are also located right next to the Art institute which is pretty cool. If you want to walk, take state directly north and you will walk by the old Marshall Fields and the theater district (sorta) and tons of shopping. Continue north and you will hit the river and should be able to see the Wrigley building which marks the beginning of "tourist row" or Michigan ave. That is basically a collection of overpriced shopping destinations and several big box restaurants all over the area for about 10 blocks north and at least 5-6 west.

 

If you want "touristy, busy nightlife" the best option is to walk up Rush st or State St toward division and you will see the Viagra triangle and LOTS of people out and about. This is the gold coast area and is pretty cool, though packed with people, and somewhat expensive. Heres the good news: Right off Walton and State is probably the best if not one of the best live music dives in the entire city. its called Underground Wonderbar http://www.undergroundwonderbar.com/. You can see live Jazz, Blues and Reggae here depending on what night it is. Its a true Gem and makes you feel like you are seeing the "real" Chicago. I would say a stop in for some outside drinks somewhere on Rush then later/late night drinks and music at UWB should do you pretty good for one night.

 

Ill try to think of more places, I know alot up north and in my area, but those are some real gems. If you want some places in the near west to hit up, nothing gets better than Richards bar on Grand, which is next to Emmitts which was in both Oceans 11 and Backdraft. Richards is run by two old Cubs fans, but is one of the classic dive bars of Chicago. Unfortunately you probably wont be around for enough time to check out some of the better alcoves of the city like Wicker park, Uke Village and Lincoln Square (German Heaven). But if you make it to Wrigley, make sure you take a tour around that area just to see everything.