Chicago...

[job41475]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

[RinglingRingling]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

[job41475]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

[MA_Buffett_Fan23]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

I thought I was keeping you occupied while your friends were at work?? Have a good trip..... and don't forget to say hello to Nomah for me

[job41475]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

I thought I was keeping you occupied while your friends were at work?? Have a good trip..... and don't forget to say hello to Nomah for me

Hey Youre welcome to the make the trip and yes I'll say hi to Nomah.

[MA_Buffett_Fan23]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

I thought I was keeping you occupied while your friends were at work?? Have a good trip..... and don't forget to say hello to Nomah for me

Hey Youre welcome to the make the trip and yes I'll say hi to Nomah.

Don't tempt me... If I could afford it I would!

[RinglingRingling]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

Okay, first off, you are about 5 blocks from the nearest El station (Orange, Green, Brown and Rush Hour Purple), at Randolph and Wabash (or Warbash according to the old B. Dalton building signage). From there, you are basically one stop north of both Carson, Pirie, Scott; and Marshall Field for shopping; 2 stops north of the Art Institute of Chicago; one stop north and one block east of the whole fun that is State Street and the shopping corridor (bookstores, etc. I think there is a Borders right around Washington and State; and the Chicago Theatre is in that neighbourhood as well.

If you hike over to the Red Line (State Street), you can ride it North to Addison (Wrigley Field) or South to 33rd (Comiskey) for a ballgame (check on tickets ahead of time.. Weekend games tend to be sold out, even if the teams are in the cellar). Also on the Red Line, at Grand, is the Rock Bottom Brewery ride north 1 stop from the Lake Street Station. This also puts you in the River North area, and a lot of good restaurants depending on your taste, you can find it here. (and from the Grand station, it is only 3 blocks east, and you are on North Michigan Ave, and all the shopping that you can imagine, including Neimann-Marcus (although the Chicago Ave. station on the Red Line puts you closer to that, and the Water Tower Monument).

If you get a chance, the Brown Line will take you to the Merchandise Mart, which is kinda cool to poke around in (and the Shamrock Bar is just about in the shadow of the train, and not a bad place to get a drink if you need one.) Between the Merchandise Mart stop, and the Brown Line Chicago Ave. Stop at Ontario and Wells, is Gino's East Pizza.. incredible stuff. Long lines usually, but be sure to take something along to graffitize your booth, they like that (my initials are carved in three places in the main room. If you see a TD, and a VOA, that was one I was in. )

Lots of theatres for movies in the area north of the River, mainly along Michigan, but there is one near Grand and Wabash too. (as well as one down at 800 S. Wabash. )

If you are looking for cigars and/or pipe tobacco: either Iwan Reis, in the Loop between Madison and Monroe on Wabash. 2nd floor over the Popeye's, and a bunch of great guys; or the UpDown shop just south of North Avenue on Wells (up near Second City and entertainment district up there.) Easiest way to get there is either the Red Line north to either Clark/Division or North/Clyborne (either puts you on one end of the district with a bit of a walk, but on a warm summer night..); or Brown Line to Sedgewick station (which also puts you about 2-3 blocks south of the Twin Anchors' pub which has some notoriety too) at about 1600 Sedgewick.

If you are going to be there a while, get a Visitor Pass for the CTA at the airport (they are available at the Orange Line Terminus at Midway, or the Blue Line Terminus at OHare).

Most of all, do a little exploring.. The Hancock is just a short hike from the Chicago Ave. Red Line station on Michigan Ave, and has great views of the City; to get to the Field Musuem/Shedd Aquarium/Adler Planetarium, just take either the Green/Orange Line or the Red Line south to Roosevelt Road and hike east toward the monstrosity that is Soldier Field.

[job41475]

Thanks Ringling. Very kind of you. I already have my Cubs tix so that'll be fun. Thanks Again.

[RinglingRingling]

No problem. Just remember, in a city of 3 million people plus, there are a lot of things to do, and I didn't even touch on 0.5% of them, I am sure.

[job41475]

No problem. Just remember, in a city of 3 million people plus, there are a lot of things to do, and I didn't even touch on 0.5% of them, I am sure.

I live in NY so I'm no stranger to big cities but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks.

[RinglingRingling]

No problem. Just remember, in a city of 3 million people plus, there are a lot of things to do, and I didn't even touch on 0.5% of them, I am sure.

I live in NY so I'm no stranger to big cities but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks.

Chicago is one of my favourite cities, and the magic of it has been a big part of my life in years past. Back when I was in HS, we could get Chicago radio (AM) and WBBM created this cool world in my mind. Later, when I got to start walking the streets and seeing the sites, it just kinda came together.

If you do make it up to North Ave., (the Brown and Red Lines share a station at Fullerton, so you can transfer for free), say on the way back from the game, just check out the nameplates of the casts at Second City. They go all the way back to the early 1960s, and it is kinda stunning to see the alumni of that little gathering.

[djtommyt]

I'm heading to Chicago on Tuesday to visit some friends and see the city as I've never been before. I'll eb staying Downtown at one of my company's hotels but I was lookign for some suggestions of what to do especially when my friends will be at work during the day. Thanks.

Which Hotel if you don't mind me asking (or even just the street addy)? It helps to give directions to some of the fun stuff that way.

Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Thanks Ringling.

Okay, first off, you are about 5 blocks from the nearest El station (Orange, Green, Brown and Rush Hour Purple), at Randolph and Wabash (or Warbash according to the old B. Dalton building signage). From there, you are basically one stop north of both Carson, Pirie, Scott; and Marshall Field for shopping; 2 stops north of the Art Institute of Chicago; one stop north and one block east of the whole fun that is State Street and the shopping corridor (bookstores, etc. I think there is a Borders right around Washington and State; and the Chicago Theatre is in that neighbourhood as well.

If you hike over to the Red Line (State Street), you can ride it North to Addison (Wrigley Field) or South to 33rd (Comiskey) for a ballgame (check on tickets ahead of time.. Weekend games tend to be sold out, even if the teams are in the cellar). Also on the Red Line, at Grand, is the Rock Bottom Brewery ride north 1 stop from the Lake Street Station. This also puts you in the River North area, and a lot of good restaurants depending on your taste, you can find it here. (and from the Grand station, it is only 3 blocks east, and you are on North Michigan Ave, and all the shopping that you can imagine, including Neimann-Marcus (although the Chicago Ave. station on the Red Line puts you closer to that, and the Water Tower Monument).

If you get a chance, the Brown Line will take you to the Merchandise Mart, which is kinda cool to poke around in (and the Shamrock Bar is just about in the shadow of the train, and not a bad place to get a drink if you need one.) Between the Merchandise Mart stop, and the Brown Line Chicago Ave. Stop at Ontario and Wells, is Gino's East Pizza.. incredible stuff. Long lines usually, but be sure to take something along to graffitize your booth, they like that (my initials are carved in three places in the main room. If you see a TD, and a VOA, that was one I was in. )

Lots of theatres for movies in the area north of the River, mainly along Michigan, but there is one near Grand and Wabash too. (as well as one down at 800 S. Wabash. )

If you are looking for cigars and/or pipe tobacco: either Iwan Reis, in the Loop between Madison and Monroe on Wabash. 2nd floor over the Popeye's, and a bunch of great guys; or the UpDown shop just south of North Avenue on Wells (up near Second City and entertainment district up there.) Easiest way to get there is either the Red Line north to either Clark/Division or North/Clyborne (either puts you on one end of the district with a bit of a walk, but on a warm summer night..); or Brown Line to Sedgewick station (which also puts you about 2-3 blocks south of the Twin Anchors' pub which has some notoriety too) at about 1600 Sedgewick.

If you are going to be there a while, get a Visitor Pass for the CTA at the airport (they are available at the Orange Line Terminus at Midway, or the Blue Line Terminus at OHare).

Most of all, do a little exploring.. The Hancock is just a short hike from the Chicago Ave. Red Line station on Michigan Ave, and has great views of the City; to get to the Field Musuem/Shedd Aquarium/Adler Planetarium, just take either the Green/Orange Line or the Red Line south to Roosevelt Road and hike east toward the monstrosity that is Soldier Field.

WOW

I'm from Chicago and couldn't of have said it better myself. Chicago is a fun town. You might want to make Navy Peir one of your stops. Plenty of great restaurants, shopping, bars, entertainment, a IMAX theatre, etc.

[TinCup4aChalice]

Definitely catch some live music at Blue Chicago (http://www.bluechicago.com/)....one cover charge gets you in both bars (within a couple blocks of each other).

Grab a burger at Ed Debevic's on Wells Street....gotta have a deep dish pizza at Gino's East (the original Chicago deep dish) at Wells & Ontario...top it off with dessert from the Cheesecake Factory in the plaza below the Hancock Tower.

Go up in the Hancock Tower to the Observatory...incredible views from 98 floors up.

Do the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Avenue. (If you are a Saturday Night Live fan, you'll be familiar with "Chee-burger, chee-burger, no pepsi, coke".....that's the place)

Agree with djtommyt....Navy Pier is great....be sure to go out on a cruise on the SeaDog speedboat. Great way to see the city.

Michigan Avenue is good for walking, people-watching and window shopping.

For a good margarita and Mexican food, try the Blue Agave just off of Rush Street.

If you've got the time and money for a little upscale dining, try Roy's for some killer Hawaiian-Asian cuisine. (State street)

[job41475]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I took you up on many of them. I just got back and had a great time. Wrigley Field was the highlight for me but everything was awesome. Thanks again.

[flipflops]

I've never been, but if you're a blues fan, check out the old clubs and stop by the old Chess Records building. If you see Buddy Guy, tell him I said hello!