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Driving over to Chicago for a few days this weekend. I've never been. What are a few things to do/see for a first time visitor?
I'll be staying in Wheaton with my girlfriend's sister. The two of them just keep asking me what I would like to do and have no suggestions for me :o.
Thanks!
Millennium Park is great, or just strolling around anywhere downtown really. Navy Pier is maybe a little touristy, but there are some great skyline views there as well. Shedd Aquarium is HUGE... first time I went I realized that I missed another area and barely scratched the surface. Thankfully, I got in for free with my United (technically SkyWest) ID so it's not like I wasted a ton of money.
Ok, Chicago. Food. Man's gotta eat, right? Now, you will need to have at LEAST one of the following: Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dog with all the condiments, deep dish pizza. The first two are readily available at Portillo's, a local chain. Hot Doug's seems pretty good as well, but I haven't been there. Pizza is a personal preference. You've got the original Uno's (which is right next to Deux, basically an "expansion" across the street), Gino's (Geno's?) East, and Giordano's. The second two are also local chains, I'm almost positive. I prefer Giordano's, personally. Also heard good thing about Lou Malnati's.
That should get you started. Give me some more information about your preferences and I'll see what I can do. I've only been outside of the airport maybe 4 short times before, plus a couple times driving through, but it's a great city. Been meaning to go back for a while, though it's a bit of an "easy" city for United that's easy to kind of ignore ("I can go there anytime...")
It's been years since I been to Chicago. Like since 1988. So its moot really, but I can tell you that Chicago is a very neat place, great beers, love the old style buildings and nippy cold weather. Do try a deep dish, do have some OLD STYLE beer, go to RUSH street for a little bit of partying, but like I say, its been a quarter of a century since I was last in chi-town.
So Palms, what you're saying is that your last time in Chicago was roughly when I was born? :)
I just saw Gino's East on TV this weekend, that Meaty Legend looks awesome !!!!
It just so happens I’m on a pizza run too
StormHawk you are in luck this week-end is the Taste of Chicago City of Chicago :: Taste of Chicago an outdoor food and music festival free admission- Grant Park on the lakefront. Lots of really great food, great music and lots and lots of people.
If I can get up from the table I’ll get down there. :cool:
As Brian said Navy Pier is great and so is the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise and the Cubbies are in town playing the Cardinals.
Oh and because man cannot live on pizza and Italian beef sandwiches alone, pick up some Chicago dogs too.
Giordano’s HOME - Giordano's Famous Chicago Pizza there are a couple in the Loop area
Portillo’s
I suppose so. The years creep up before you know it and talking about something that happened some 25 years previous like yesterday is the mean joke of them all.Quote:
Originally Posted by spongebue
Another vote for Gino's East!
I've never been but when I do go back, I would like to visit the Museum of Science and Industry where they have an aviation gallery.
I ended up going to Lou's and wasn't terribly impressed. It was good and reasonable ($16), but it fell short of the hype. Going to a portillo's later on, and may stop by a Gino's before heading out tomorrow.
Chicago - hot, humid, hot dogs and hellaciously delicious pizza plus fireflies and ferocious mosquitoes. no cicadas, just the mosquitoes refueling. :D:D
Giordanos wasn't as good. I liked the sauce and the extra cheese was good, but the meat and crust weren't for me.
Chicago update- Giordano's has thin crust pizza on the menu, who knew! And Chicago's pterodactyl mosquitoes luv Angelenos!
I think the thin crusts have been there for a long time. So wrong.