Literally there for 3 days. 1/2 a day dedicated to work, other than that I'm free. Waiting in the hole of a place that you call Dallas right now! Shoot away ideas.
Everything around Millennium park is pretty fun. Art institute, Field Museum, Shed Aquarium, Planetarium, Buckingham Fountain and overall the park is just nice. Have brunch at the Gage restaurant. Second City is always an option as is a baseball game.
If you're into architecture stop by Oak Park. You can take the Green line out there. Per Wikipedia: Oak Park attracts architecture buffs to view the many Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes found in the village. The largest collection of Wright-designed residential properties in the world is in Oak Park.Other attractions include Ernest Hemingway's birthplace home and his boyhood home, the Ernest Hemingway Museum, the three Oak Park homes of writer and Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs. John Hancock tower has a nice observation area. You can probably catch 2 baseball games if both teams are in town. You can get to either Wrigley or Cellular field via the Red line.
Going to Wrigley to see a Cubs game is a great experience. Even if you don't like baseball. -Artchitectural tour- Go to Navy Pier (if you don't know where, just ask or google). Towards the entrance you will see a booth somewhere to sign up for a boat tour that goes around Chicago from the water, and talks about the history of alot of the old buildings, the fire, etc. Its relaxing, and really interesting. They have booze too I believe. -The Field Museum- One of the neatest museums in the world. again, educational fun, but still a good time -Deep Dish Pizza Take your pick at some of the best pizza places in the world. Giordanos is my pick typically, but Ginos is good, among others. Just ask around when you get there depending on which area you are in. A local will guide you in the right direction, but I'm pretty sure there is -Millennium Park (get the obligatory pic by the Bean) -Miracle Mile shopping -Hancock tower (95th floor has a bar that if you get a drink you get in free) I prefer Hancock over Sears tower. -Division Street has good bars -Wrigleyville has good bars, and some clubs -Lake Shore Drive - stop at the beach on Lake Michigan. -Good Broadway style live shows. Oriental Threatre usually has a big name touring show. -And last but not least - Garretts Popcorn. Its good stuff. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. Its a great city in the Summer to visit. If you get bored here than you are just boring.
1. goto spelling class 2. eat their famous deep dish pizza 3. get the eff out and goto New York and eat a slice of pizza with your hands like God intended you to, and smack yourself for eating pizza with a fork, Felicia
Ok, So I have lived here, downtown in River North for the last 3 years and have done all the tourist **** you can do. I have a awesome list of things though. Local things What part of Chicago are you staying in? Downtown or the suburbs? (Trust me, there is a huge difference)
Go to the breakfast spot, Yolk and have the Tour de France. This. I never liked deep dish until I spent 10 months in Chicago. My ranking of the big Chicago chains are as follows: 1. Lou Malnati's (dat butter crust) 2. Giordano's 3. Uno 4. Gino's East Actually, I'd say for a first timer get bleacher seats in the outfield... it is a whole different experience. Same goes for Dodger Stadium, the bleachers in the outfield is an experience within an experience.
I don't understand why everyone keeps saying get Giordanos pizza. Its crap compared to Lou Malnati's, Pizanos and in my opinion, the best Chicago pizza - Pequod's. Giordanos is like the hard rock cafe, or cheesecake factory of Chicago Pizza. If you want damn good Chicago pizza, take a cab (about $8-12 from downtown) to the corner of N Clybourn and Webster. That's where Pequod's sits, and you'll never view Chicago pizza the same again.
Haha stupid keyboard on the phone, plus no coffee this morning. And man, I have to give it to you Clutchfans! Awesome range of suggestions there - I definitely will have my plate full here. Will for sure have to check out the architecture, deep dish, the old baseball park, Millennium Park.... running trial? shouldn't be hard to find. I'm staying North Lake Shore Drive, so not far from downtown.. I think? What's public transport like? Or just Uber it?
