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Chicago-Walking around?

loadedgunloadedgun Indiana Posts: 1,383
edited August 2008 in The Porch
I'll be up for Friday night, staying at the Congress. I've never been to Chicago before, and I'm planning on doing a lot of the tourist-type stuff. I plan on walking from Sears Tower to Navy Pier. The distance I am not worried about..just the accessibility getting there. Is this a reasonable assumption that I can walk there? I'm assuming I can cross the River on foot on one of those many bridges? (thank you, google earth).

I've already heard about where to eat and where not to from the locals....just want to say you have all been a big help in planning my 'vacation'.

Thanks in advance for any information you might be able to give. See you at the Pre-Party~
Midwest. Indy/Lafayette.
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    turningscrewsturningscrews Posts: 80
    Yeah it's all walkable. The congress, a sh$t-hole. You get a GREAT location, sh$tty, sh$tty, sh$tty hotel.
    RC:SD 06241998//ET:WI 06271998//MP:MN 06301998//AH:MI 10072000//ET:WI 10082000 (ICEBOWL)//CB:IA 06132003//SL:MO 10052004//CHI:IL 05162006//SP:MN 06262006//SP:MN 06272006//CHI:IL 08212008
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    DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    Maybe you'll see Abe Froman (The Sausage King Of Chicago).
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


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    loadedgunloadedgun Indiana Posts: 1,383
    turningscrews wrote:
    Yeah it's all walkable. The congress, a sh$t-hole. You get a GREAT location, sh$tty, sh$tty, sh$tty hotel.

    That makes me feel a lot better.... ;)
    Midwest. Indy/Lafayette.
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    The StugotsThe Stugots Posts: 306
    Even for touristy places, Sears Tower and Navy Pier are both pretty lame.

    If you're looking for a great view of the city from a skyscraper, go to the John Hancock instead. Easy walk down Michigan Avenue from the Congress. It's situated at a much better vantage point to see the city.

    There are a couple boat tours that leave from Navy Pier, but otherwise all I see are crowds there for the sake of crowding. I'd walk around Millenium Park instead and grab a boat tour that leaves near the Michigan Ave bridge.

    All of these are an easy walk from the Congress.
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    Becky407Becky407 Posts: 21
    Last time I was in Chicago (which was the first time) was for Lollapalooza last year so my sister and I had no time for sightseeing. I'm so excited because I planned extra time just for that. I got this deck of card like things with a map of a neighborhood on one side and info about it on the other. They're really neat and have a lot of fun information. My friend and I went through and picked out all the places we wanna visit. The cards even have info on what bus routes go there and what color train lines (I probably said that wrong..)

    They're called City Walks. They have them for a lot of major cities. Cute things to have. They'd probably be good for moving to a new area as well.
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    Ridin The WaveRidin The Wave Posts: 552
    Danimal wrote:
    Maybe you'll see Abe Froman (The Sausage King Of Chicago).



    "Cameron, you're not dying. You just can't think of anything good to do."

    :)
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    IwasBit10IwasBit10 Posts: 646
    The Stugots wrote:
    Even for touristy places, Sears Tower and Navy Pier are both pretty lame.

    If you're looking for a great view of the city from a skyscraper, go to the John Hancock instead. Easy walk down Michigan Avenue from the Congress. It's situated at a much better vantage point to see the city.

    There are a couple boat tours that leave from Navy Pier, but otherwise all I see are crowds there for the sake of crowding. I'd walk around Millenium Park instead and grab a boat tour that leaves near the Michigan Ave bridge.

    All of these are an easy walk from the Congress.

    I was just about to write the same thing.

    I don't want to deter you from your plans, but unless you want a specific restaurant or a boat tour, Navy Pier isn't anything too special. And I guess there are boat tours elsewhere. Sears Tower is cool if you've never been before. But instead of Navy Pier, walk around Millennium Park or hit up the Art Institute. Or stroll down Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) area. Enjoy your stay and let's have a great show Friday! Can't wait!
    He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share, his key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere.
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    loadedgunloadedgun Indiana Posts: 1,383
    IwasBittin wrote:
    I was just about to write the same thing.

    I don't want to deter you from your plans, but unless you want a specific restaurant or a boat tour, Navy Pier isn't anything too special. And I guess there are boat tours elsewhere. Sears Tower is cool if you've never been before. But instead of Navy Pier, walk around Millennium Park or hit up the Art Institute. Or stroll down Michigan Ave. (Magnificent Mile) area. Enjoy your stay and let's have a great show Friday! Can't wait!

    Sounds like Navy Pier is exactly what I dont want it to be...

    I've never been to Sears Towere before, and definetely plan on going to Millenium park. What is so great about the Magnificent Mile? Is it shopping or what? I'm open to anything as long as it's entertaining and interesting....
    Midwest. Indy/Lafayette.
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    chuck nevittchuck nevitt Posts: 234
    loadedgun wrote:
    I'll be up for Friday night, staying at the Congress. I've never been to Chicago before, and I'm planning on doing a lot of the tourist-type stuff. I plan on walking from Sears Tower to Navy Pier. The distance I am not worried about..just the accessibility getting there. Is this a reasonable assumption that I can walk there? I'm assuming I can cross the River on foot on one of those many bridges? (thank you, google earth).

    I've already heard about where to eat and where not to from the locals....just want to say you have all been a big help in planning my 'vacation'.

    Thanks in advance for any information you might be able to give. See you at the Pre-Party~

    If you are staying at The Congress, you'll want to do a lot of "toursist-type stuff" and spend as much time outside of your hotel.
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    petrocspetrocs Posts: 4,342
    Ridin The Wave wrote:
    "Cameron, you're not dying. You just can't think of anything good to do."

    :)


    When Cameron was in Egypts land.......







    Let my Cameron.....goooooooo


    Pardon my french but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass in 2 weeks you'd have a diamond
    Shows:
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    10/3/05 Philly. 5/27-28/06 Camden. 6/23/06 Pitt. 6/19-20/08 Camden. 6/24/08 MSG. 8/7/08 EV Newark, NJ. 6/11-12/09 EV Philly, PA. 10/27-28-30-31/09 Philly, PA., 5/15/10 Hartford,5/17/10 Boston, 5/18/10 Newark, 5/20-21/10 MSG
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    slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    The Stugots wrote:
    Even for touristy places, Sears Tower and Navy Pier are both pretty lame.

    If you're looking for a great view of the city from a skyscraper, go to the John Hancock instead. Easy walk down Michigan Avenue from the Congress. It's situated at a much better vantage point to see the city.

    We did this on our trip to Chicago last summer. Another piece of advice: When you get to the Hancock, tell them you want to go to the bar at the top. It's free to go up there. Don't pay to visit the observation deck.

    You can sit up there at the bar, order a drink, and enjoy probably the best view of the city/lake.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
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    IwasBit10IwasBit10 Posts: 646
    loadedgun wrote:
    Sounds like Navy Pier is exactly what I dont want it to be...

    I've never been to Sears Towere before, and definetely plan on going to Millenium park. What is so great about the Magnificent Mile? Is it shopping or what? I'm open to anything as long as it's entertaining and interesting....

    Mag. Mile is mostly shopping (best in the city though). But it has some of Chicago's most famous buildings like the Water Tower, Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower to name a few. Very historic part of the city and amazing architecture if you're into that. You're also close to Oak St. Beach once you reach the northern point. Great for people watching and hanging out in the sun under the Hancock.

    Are you into art? I was at the Art Institute this past week for the first time in like 5 years and I loved it. I highly recommend it.
    He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share, his key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere.
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    GmoneyGmoney Posts: 1,618
    Hancock is much better than Sears, not as well known or tall, but much better view and location. For shopping and a good sense of the hustle bustle of the city hit up Michigan av. or State Street, both close to your hotel. Other areas that have shops, food, and local bars that I would suggest that really give you the flavor of the chi would be Lincoln Park, walk up and down clark street and Halsted, also Wrigleyville, further north up clark. Here you can see the field and a lot of cool bars ect... Lastly, Wicker Park is a great area. All of these areas are a short train/bus ride or cab ride away. Tourist seem to flock to the river north area, especially around Rush Street. If you really want the "club" scene then Rush street is pretty good for that, mostly tourist though...
    Further back and forth a wave will break on me, today...
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    pjsycopjsyco Wilmington, NC Posts: 642
    turningscrews wrote:
    Yeah it's all walkable. The congress, a sh$t-hole. You get a GREAT location, sh$tty, sh$tty, sh$tty hotel.

    I second that. I stayed there last August for Lollapalooza and the place was a fricking dump. Great location but it smelled like my Grandma's room, you know mothballs and Ben Gay. I also remember the A/C not working that well and sweating balls trying to sleep. Hey, maybe that's what smelled...my boys.
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    nooramnooram Posts: 389
    slightofjeff wrote:
    When you get to the Hancock, tell them you want to go to the bar at the top. It's free to go up there. Don't pay to visit the observation deck.

    You can sit up there at the bar, order a drink, and enjoy probably the best view of the city/lake.

    This was Giada's exact advice from her weekend in Chicago. I am currently without the food network and need a Giada fix.
    Seattle 8/91, MPLS 3/92, St Paul 8/92, Denver 6/95, Missoula 6/98, MPLS 6/98, Albuquerque 10/00, Seattle 12/02, St Paul 6/03, Thunder Bay 9/05, DC 5/06, St Paul x2 6/06, Vancouver (EV) 4/08, DC 6/08, Chicago x2 8/09, KC 5/10, MPLS (EV) 7/11, Chicago 7/13, St Paul 10/14, Santiago 11/15, Missoula 8/18, Denver 9/22, Saint Paul 8/23, Saint Paul 9/23
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    Lercara FriddiLercara Friddi Posts: 75
    http://www.gangstertour.com/ try these 2 did them both http://www.chicagoline.com/
    11/06/91 - The Haunt: Ithaca, NY
    Alive + Smells Like Teen Spirit + Saying No
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    Lercara FriddiLercara Friddi Posts: 75
    http://www.wendellaboats.com/
    11/06/91 - The Haunt: Ithaca, NY
    Alive + Smells Like Teen Spirit + Saying No
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    turningscrewsturningscrews Posts: 80
    Congress is great for location but most of it is at least 50 years old, some of the rooms not even totally remodeled. We were there for the Marathon last year, we had a room that didn't even have painted trim. Feels like a 1920's horror film.
    RC:SD 06241998//ET:WI 06271998//MP:MN 06301998//AH:MI 10072000//ET:WI 10082000 (ICEBOWL)//CB:IA 06132003//SL:MO 10052004//CHI:IL 05162006//SP:MN 06262006//SP:MN 06272006//CHI:IL 08212008
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    DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    petrocs wrote:
    When Cameron was in Egypts land.......







    Let my Cameron.....goooooooo


    Pardon my french but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass in 2 weeks you'd have a diamond

    My Mom is going to Decataur. Unfortunately she's not staying.
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


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    Kilgore_TroutKilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    IwasBittin wrote:
    Are you into art? I was at the Art Institute this past week for the first time in like 5 years and I loved it. I highly recommend it.
    whats the featured exhibit right now at the art institute? i havent been there since the fall but i try to go as often as possible when i have the time
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
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    Kilgore_TroutKilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    Lercara Friddi wrote:
    http://www.gangstertour.com/ try these 2 did them both http://www.chicagoline.com/
    i think the gangster tour is kindof lame... i did it with my australian cousins... they liked it alright so maybe its appealing to tourists... but i think it all depends on who you get for a tour guide too

    i definitely recommend the architecture boat tour... best way to see the city and its pretty affordable too

    hit up rush street (about 10-15 blocks north of venue) or wrigleyville (short ride on the red line) if youre looking for some really fun bars at night
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
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    SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    loadedgun wrote:
    I'll be up for Friday night, staying at the Congress. I've never been to Chicago before, and I'm planning on doing a lot of the tourist-type stuff. I plan on walking from Sears Tower to Navy Pier. The distance I am not worried about..just the accessibility getting there. Is this a reasonable assumption that I can walk there? I'm assuming I can cross the River on foot on one of those many bridges? (thank you, google earth).

    I've already heard about where to eat and where not to from the locals....just want to say you have all been a big help in planning my 'vacation'.

    Thanks in advance for any information you might be able to give. See you at the Pre-Party~
    The Congress is great. Everyone on THE PIT here told me it was badd and haunted and it was dirty and exxxpensive and creepy and allllllll kinds of wrong stuff. I stayed there ANYWAY and man let me tell you. It was fantastic. I have ZERO complaints. Its close to like aLOT of stuff. There is a VERY good pizza place near the train station behind the congress.

    The congress bar is great too. There was a really cool bartender there by the name of Mike. An older gentleman and was super helpful. If you walk out the front of the congress and walk down Michigan Ave to your left, you will not be disappointed! Theres so much stuff to see and do! More importantly you can see THE BEAN!!!!!! And that water wall or whatever its called. And all the lights at night and you can walk to that lake and see Sears tower and everything! damn i love chicago!!!!! And theres a really cool art store on your left hand side and a walgreens too incase u need to buy stuff.

    You could walk up Michigan Ave forever and be fascinated. Even the little side streets!!! Navy Pier is fun :D You are going to have a GOOD time!!!! Im jealous! And the bridges that cross over from the congress to "lollapalooza" are pretty cool to just stand there and take it all in. I hope you share pictures when u get back!!!!
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
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    SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    sgossard3 wrote:
    wrigleyville (short ride on the red line) if youre looking for some really fun bars at night
    That place is ROCKIN even after hours!!!! I LOVED it over there!!!!
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
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    ruffinitruffinit Posts: 15
    SENROCK! wrote:
    That place is ROCKIN even after hours!!!! I LOVED it over there!!!!

    Wrigleyville is a lot of fun, especially since it's after a Cubs game (hopefully another win)...wouldn't be suprised if Eddie is at a game this week singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".

    John Hancock is definitely better than the Sears, and definitely get a drink at The Signature Room instead of paying to go to the Observation Deck. Also, Sears Tower is isolated...Hancock is on the Magnificent Mile which is good for shopping, eating, people watching and just getting a vibe of the city (no vibe near the Sears Tower).

    Check out the "Chicago Food" thread too...some good recommendations there as well.

    No matter what you do, Chicago is a fun city...you can't go too wrong. Have a few drinks though to help you sleep through the night at the Congress...not the best. If you want to cancel your reservation, try Sofitel (fun, but expensive area..."Viagra Triangle") where you can get good rates sometimes. Otherwise the Seneca can be affordable sometimes and is right near the John Hancock.
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    SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    ruffinit wrote:
    No matter what you do, Chicago is a fun city...you can't go too wrong. Have a few drinks though to help you sleep through the night at the Congress...not the best.
    YES!!! Chicago IS a fun city no matter what you do. Just BEING there. And come on.....the congress was GREAT!!! Its in a good location and everyone was nice to me and really helpful. Our room was clean and the air worked awesomely and everything was good. I even spent some time with people that work there on my last day! :D
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
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    Ridin The WaveRidin The Wave Posts: 552
    Danimal wrote:
    My Mom is going to Decataur. Unfortunately she's not staying.

    "You know, if we played by the rules right now we'd be in gym class."
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    The StugotsThe Stugots Posts: 306
    ruffinit wrote:
    Wrigleyville is a lot of fun, especially since it's after a Cubs game (hopefully another win)...wouldn't be suprised if Eddie is at a game this week singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".

    As of now he's not scheduled, although he is very good friends with Chelios

    Wednesday - Dan Tani (Shuttle astronaut)
    Thursday - Dan Plesac
    Friday - Chris Chelios
    Saturday - Fred Willard
    Sunday - John Cusack
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    IwasBit10IwasBit10 Posts: 646
    sgossard3 wrote:
    whats the featured exhibit right now at the art institute? i havent been there since the fall but i try to go as often as possible when i have the time

    The special exhibit for the summer is sculptures from Nigeria(I think) and a this whole "Passport to Africa" theme. Not really my cup of tea and I only walked around in it briefly, but still seemed interesting. Looking forward to the opening of the Modern Wing.
    He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share, his key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere.
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    flamingo1013flamingo1013 Posts: 29
    the congress hotel employees have been on strike for over 2 years, always a picket line (I live down the street, see it all the time). Some friends stayed for lolla said it was a dump, got stuck in the elevator twice.

    Can you change? Best Western is about the same price, on Michigan and 11th.
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    LiteTheMatchLiteTheMatch Posts: 1,179
    I'm not sure what time the show will be out, but there are fireworks near the lake at 10:15 on Saturdays, 9:30 on Wednesdays
    A child's rhyme stuck in my head...
    It said "Life is nothing but a dream."
    I've spent so many years in question
    To find I'd known this all along.
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