Chicago May 17-20

[ShaqG09]

Hello everyone,

it’s been awhile since I’ve been on here. A few travels and road trips since. My next road trip destination is Chicago in a few weeks. I already have a list of main things I’d like to do and see.

I just wanted to get some opinions/suggestions from any locals or travellers that have already been. Any attractions, things to do, or Food out of the usual tourists stuff would be great. Interest are open, Taking any suggestions

Much Appreciated in Advance!

[Midwest Michael]

I'm frequently in Chicago, but you're really not giving us anything to work with here.

Perhaps if you tell us some of the main things you're planning to see, that can narrow things down and give us an idea of what you might enjoy - but haven't considered as part of "usual tourist stuff."

[ShaqG09]

I'm frequently in Chicago, but you're really not giving us anything to work with here.

Perhaps if you tell us some of the main things you're planning to see, that can narrow things down and give us an idea of what you might enjoy - but haven't considered as part of "usual tourist stuff."

What I have so far:
Museum of Contemporary Art
Millennium park
Wrigley field tour
Up comedy club
Anime Central convention
Chicago Architecture river cruise

I’m open to any suggestions is the point I was trying to get across that you or anyone else might think is worth it. As you see my interest are all over.

[AZBuck]

If the Museum of Contemporary Art is on your list, then consider the Smart Museum.
If Millennium Park is on your list, then consider walking the Loop.
If Wrigley Field is on your list, then consider Comiskey Park (312-674-1000, ext. 7182) and/or Soldier Field.
If Up Comedy Club is on your list, then consider Second City.
If viewing Chicago's waterfront and architecture are on your list, then consider walking the Lakefront Trail.

AZBuck

[glc]

You also have the Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Comiskey Park is now called Guaranteed Rate Field. For (casual) food, look at the Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, Lou Malnati's, and Portillo's. For more upscale dining, there's The Berghoff, which is a historic German restaurant.

You can go up to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower to the Skydeck and stand on the Ledge, which sticks out from the building and has a glass floor. Lines are usually pretty long, but you could go to the Hancock Tower. Not only does it have an observatory, there is a bar at the top that also has viewing windows on all 4 sides. There are separate elevators for the bar, no charge (except you are expected to buy drinks), but there's a charge to go to the observatory.

[Midwest Michael]

UP Comedy Club is part of Second City, but if I was visiting the Chicago, I would go for one of the improv shows either at the Second City main stage or the ETC theater. That's really what they are known for, and where the long list of people who have gone onto be stars, especially on SNL, have performed.

In addition to the museum of Contemporary art, I'd look at the Chicago Institute of Art, which is right on the edge of Millennium park, and home to the iconic Lion statues. Also, on a roadtrip theme, those Lions are also basically the starting point of Route 66. The sign commemorating Route 66 is directly across Michigan Ave on Adams st.

Chicago-Style Pizza, Hot Dogs, and Italian Beef are sort of the signature foods of Chicago, and there are numerous places to find them. Lou Malnati's (pizza) and Portillos (beef and dogs) are two chains that do both well, although there are lots of good smaller non-chain places to check out, depending upon where you are. Of course, Chicago is simply one of the best food cities in the world, so everything from super-fine dining to pretty much any category of ethnic food you can think of is easily available.

BTW, The Hancock Building isn't officially the Hancock building anymore - it's now just 875 North Michigan Avenue, after the Hancock Corporation asked to have it's name removed.

[ShaqG09]

Thanks a lot for the great suggestions.If there’s anymore out of the ordinary ones that would great too.

As for the restaurants I’m pretty excited, I’ve heard amazing things about the food so I’m definitely looking forward to that.

[ShaqG09]

UP Comedy Club is part of Second City, but if I was visiting the Chicago, I would go for one of the improv shows either at the Second City main stage or the ETC theater. That's really what they are known for, and where the long list of people who have gone onto be stars, especially on SNL, have performed.

In addition to the museum of Contemporary art, I'd look at the Chicago Institute of Art, which is right on the edge of Millennium park, and home to the iconic Lion statues. Also, on a roadtrip theme, those Lions are also basically the starting point of Route 66. The sign commemorating Route 66 is directly across Michigan Ave on Adams st.

Chicago-Style Pizza, Hot Dogs, and Italian Beef are sort of the signature foods of Chicago, and there are numerous places to find them. Lou Malnati's (pizza) and Portillos (beef and dogs) are two chains that do both well, although there are lots of good smaller non-chain places to check out, depending upon where you are. Of course, Chicago is simply one of the best food cities in the world, so everything from super-fine dining to pretty much any category of ethnic food you can think of is easily available.

BTW, The Hancock Building isn't officially the Hancock building anymore - it's now just 875 North Michigan Avenue, after the Hancock Corporation asked to have it's name removed.

I was actually looking at the second city plays but I wasn’t sure if the prices were justified. We usually try to visit a comedy club in every city we go to. We’ve been to one in Boston, NY, Philly, so this was next up.

[Midwest Michael]

I'll be honest, Second City tickets aren't what I would call a great deal. They are fairly expensive, and because of the price point, I've only gone a couple times.

But the UP Comedy Club isn't exactly cheap either. You're only looking at another $10 or so to see the main stage performance. If you're just visiting the city, I'd say it's worth the extra money, if only to say you've seen one of the iconic shows, and be able to make a judgement about them for yourself.

[ShaqG09]

I'll be honest, Second City tickets aren't what I would call a great deal. They are fairly expensive, and because of the price point, I've only gone a couple times.

But the UP Comedy Club isn't exactly cheap either. You're only looking at another $10 or so to see the main stage performance. If you're just visiting the city, I'd say it's worth the extra money, if only to say you've seen one of the iconic shows, and be able to make a judgement about them for yourself.

I think the show we checked was about $20-25 USD more. We’re Coming from Toronto so after conversion that would pretty much be atleast an extra $30 CAD. That’s why we weren’t sure