Chicago Suggestions

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » October 11, 2007 3:09 pm

I'm headed to Chicago for a week on Sunday for a conference and am looking for some suggestions for stuff to do in the late evening or places to eat dinner. I've been to Chicago a couple of times before, but it's probably been 10 years since I spent any worthwhile time there. I will have very little time to actually go anywhere or do anything and but when I do, I'd like to make the best of it. I'm staying at the Sheraton by the Navy Pier. Because I'm expected to be accessible at any given time, anywhere I go will probably need to be within walking distance of there so I can run back if needed.

Does anyone know of any good activities, dining suggestions, can't miss attractions or, God forbid, shows/concerts happening very close to there next week?

Thanks!

PJ · Post by PJ » October 11, 2007 4:40 pm

When I was in Chicago about 2.5 years ago, I met a friend at a place near the Hard Rock and Rock n Roll McDonalds (forget the name of the place) and the bbq was excellent.

karat · Post by **karat** » October 11, 2007 4:44 pm

Hey IL people...is it Grinders with the pizza in a bowl?

bufitonmybmw · Post by **bufitonmybmw** » October 11, 2007 5:38 pm

http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/menu.htm
Yep, on North Clark.

I guess I'm technically from Chicago, having grown up inside the city limits and all. Now I'm just a suburban soccer Mom... (I live about 5 minutes from First Midwest/Tweeter/World in Tinley Park; you know, where that JB guy does his concert every year!)

Anyway- Navy Pier has lots of cool stuff to see & do. The ferris wheel might be a little chilly, though! It's easy enough to catch a cab in that area as well. About 10 minutes away, if you're up for it, head over to the Museum campus. You can check out the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium.

caly · Post by **caly** » October 11, 2007 5:54 pm

hey phriend
remember me? we shared jello in Pittsburgh.
i went to the Chicago show and we stayed downtown. for a great BBQ dinner you should try Weber's. best beer can chicken i have ever had. have phun!

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 11, 2007 6:35 pm

Friday night fireworks at Navy Pier are always worth seeing.
Get yourself an authentic Chicago deep dish pizza.
If you go up on a observation deck, I'd recommend the John Hancock building over the Sears Tower for a better view.
As mentioned, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium are all next to each other, and not that far away if you have a free afternoon.
Lots of blues clubs downtown, too. Rush & Division streets if you want to hang with the younger crowd.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 11, 2007 6:42 pm

chippewa wrote:Friday night fireworks at Navy Pier are always worth seeing.
Get yourself an authentic Chicago deep dish pizza.
If you go up on a observation deck, I'd recommend the John Hancock building over the Sears Tower for a better view.
As mentioned, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium are all next to each other, and not that far away if you have a free afternoon.
Lots of blues clubs downtown, too. Rush & Division streets if you want to hang with the younger crowd.

Gino's East on Wells just down from the Chicago Chop House for pizza.
Blues: Buddy Guy's is still open?

and if you are on Rush Street, remember, "visible adam's apple and big hands, and you could be talkin with one of your online friends.

"

BigR-KyParrothead · Post by **BigR-KyParrothead** » October 11, 2007 6:56 pm

go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 11, 2007 6:58 pm

BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun

the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare

BigR-KyParrothead · Post by **BigR-KyParrothead** » October 11, 2007 7:08 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun
the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare

that is the one i meant. i had a heck of a time finding it!

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 11, 2007 7:17 pm

BigR-KyParrothead wrote:
RinglingRingling wrote:
BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun
the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare

that is the one i meant. i had a heck of a time finding it!

after sitting thru the first half of a lousy DMB concert at Rosemount's Allstate Arena.. I was on a mission.

Post by **SMLCHNG** » October 11, 2007 7:34 pm

The best Greek food in the country, as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.theparthenon.com/restaurant-main.htm

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 11, 2007 8:02 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun
the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare

That's the original tavern, but they moved from the original location.

Big Jimmy · Post by **Big Jimmy** » October 11, 2007 8:06 pm

karat wrote:Hey IL people...is it Grinders with the pizza in a bowl?

Yeap I believe that is by if it is still there the Virgin Megastore

What kinda stuff are you looking to do downtown? I spend about 12/13 hours a day down there.

Big Jimmy · Post by **Big Jimmy** » October 11, 2007 8:10 pm

SMLCHNG wrote: The best Greek food in the country, as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.theparthenon.com/restaurant-main.htm

Thats just a few blocks south of where I work.

Post by **SMLCHNG** » October 11, 2007 8:14 pm

Big Jimmy wrote:
SMLCHNG wrote: The best Greek food in the country, as far as I'm concerned.
http://www.theparthenon.com/restaurant-main.htm
Thats just a few blocks south of where I work.

I first went there in the early 70's. And had to visit again the last time I was in Chicago in 2003. It was STILL good.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 11, 2007 8:33 pm

chippewa wrote:
RinglingRingling wrote:
BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun
the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare
That's the original tavern, but they moved from the original location.

yep, used to be across the road from the old Chicago Coliseum right? down around 26th and Archer?

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 11, 2007 8:40 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
chippewa wrote:
RinglingRingling wrote:
BigR-KyParrothead wrote:go to the billy goat tavern. it's not much to look at....but historically (cubs curse and snl "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger") it's pretty cool

great live music at the house of blues

bars around wrigley are also pretty fun
the original one, below street level. Not the one at O'Hare
That's the original tavern, but they moved from the original location.
yep, used to be across the road from the old Chicago Coliseum right? down around 26th and Archer?

Not sure exactly where they were, but the current location is where they were during the SNL skits. There's a marker at street level now, directing the tourists to head down the stairs.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » October 11, 2007 9:03 pm

Big Jimmy wrote:What kinda stuff are you looking to do downtown? I spend about 12/13 hours a day down there.

I'm just looking for anything fun or worth doing to fill any bits of time I hope to have. I'm scheduled to work 96 hours starting this Sunday at 2:00pm and ending the following Sunday at about 2:00pm. I'm on-call for any time I'm not scheduled. I'm glad to have so many suggestions!

Hi Caly! Of course I remember you. Beer can chicken, huh?

Is Billy Goat's the place Jimmy was cooking at in the Wrigley DVD (where the woman was yelling at him)? I'm "supposed" to have Friday evening off, so the fireworks sound like a good option for that night. Pizza in a bowl sounds good!

I'm going to have to plot all these places on a map so I can try to optimize my time. Hopefully I can squeeze most of these in. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have the luxury of being able to cab anywhere, but it's possible.

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 11, 2007 9:15 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:Is Billy Goat's the place Jimmy was cooking at in the Wrigley DVD (where the woman was yelling at him)? I'm "supposed" to have Friday evening off, so the fireworks sound like a good option for that night. Pizza in a bowl sounds good!

That's the place. Most everything mentioned so far is within walking distance of your hotel.