Things that are a must do when in Chicago

bbiggs

Not “must sees,” but couple options not previously mentioned, depending on what you’re into:

Field Museum
Lincoln Park Zoo
Stroll Lake Michigan/ North Ave or Oak St Beaches

darwinstheory

BK221359 said:

Brewery Recommendations Please...

Half Acre
Revolution
Pipeworks

*If you're traveling from Ohio and want a stop along the way, I would recommend Iechyd Da in Elkhart, IN.

*Traveling through SW Michigan via I94, try Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, MI. As sure as you will enjoy a PJ show at Wrigley, you will enjoy Greenbush. (Pro Tip: yummy brisket)

*If you're a craft brew but and are going through NW Indiana (at the IN/IL border) you should make 3 Floyd's a stopping point for sure. 

*If you're opting to stay in NW Indiana over downtown, you can find a bunch of breweries within very close proximity to one another. Little late now, but maybe we should have had a NW Indiana brewery tour bus on Sunday. Damm!

darwinstheory

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but if you want to try something other than a Chicago dog/deep dish pizza:

Hit up Kuma's Corner for a delicious wild burger. We saw it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and WOW was it ever AWESOME! It was also a fairly short drive to the aforementioned breweries above.

If you're at Half Acre, you could check out a place called The Bad Apple across the street. Real enjoyable spot as well.

Gtilley8

Dude, Chicago is the place.  Get a beer at Murphy's, Lou's or Giordano's deep dish, an Italian beef.  Ride the L downtown.  Walk from Michigan and Wacker north.  Rush street at night, if you have a spare night to dedicate.  My favorite town on Earth.  You won't be disappointed with anything.  

bbiggs

PJNB said:

mcgruff10 said:

Just booked an boat cruise for monday.  I am pumped.  Now everything else is up to my wife lol.

Nice! That sounds like a lot of fun. I get to plan Seattle and my wife is planning Chicago. She says head straight to the GA line ugh!

Head straight to GA to get up close for her H2I they’ll be playing! While I won’t be spending my day in the GA line, that’s one cool wife! 

Kevinman

Food
Ricobennes is near Chinatown and has one of the best steak sandwiches on the planet.
Au Cheval or The Orbit Room for a great burger.
If you’re by O’Hare, Mr Pup has one of the best Chicago style hot dogs.....downtown go to Max’s or Portillo for dog.
Sub sandwich go to Bari’s Italian Deli in River West.  Meatball sub or Italian.
Pizza....I prefer thin crust and like johns pizzeria on western.  

Best pictures and view of downtown
Go to the planetarium.  From there you are looking across the water towards downtown.  
Best drive
drive lake shore drive, especially going south towards downtown.

And there ain't no road just like it 
Anywhere I found 
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town 
Just slippin' on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound…


Enjoy

cincybearcat

BK221359 said:

Brewery Recommendations Please...

Willing to travel around the Chicagoland area?

Noon whistle

Mikerphone

Solemn oath

Pollyanna 

But those are in addition to the usual suspects. I had a great time at half acre last time. Piece brewing is not bad and has great pizza. And for beer bars map room and Hopleaf have been good to me in the past.

philobeddoe

Kevinman said:

Food
Ricobennes is near Chinatown and has one of the best steak sandwiches on the planet.
Au Cheval or The Orbit Room for a great burger.
If you’re by O’Hare, Mr Pup has one of the best Chicago style hot dogs.....downtown go to Max’s or Portillo for dog.
Sub sandwich go to Bari’s Italian Deli in River West.  Meatball sub or Italian.
Pizza....I prefer thin crust and like johns pizzeria on western.  

Best pictures and view of downtown
Go to the planetarium.  From there you are looking across the water towards downtown.  
Best drive
drive lake shore drive, especially going south towards downtown.

And there ain't no road just like it 
Anywhere I found 
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town 
Just slippin' on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound…


Enjoy

Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah! A radio staple growing up in Illinois, it's in my musical DNA. Glad that the song finally got some love in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.

tschav

Heads up that on the day of Saturday's show Half Acre's doing their Big North event. Not a cheap pregame, but lots of good beers. The even might also change up their hours in both taprooms, so check ahead.

Also second Hopleaf and Map Room for beer lists. Haymarket in Fulton Market is decent too.

Tree77

Great suggestions all, keep them coming! Can't wait! 

PJWGIII

Don't bother with Deep Dish - that's tourist BS - the real Chicago pizza is just pan pizza from the classic places above (Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, etc.)

Bigger food priority: Chicago Dog, PORTILLO'S, Ditka's
Wrigleyville must-eats and drinks: Murphy's Bleachers and Cubby Bear

For things to do - Buckingham Fountain is always fantastic by the lake, the skydeck at the Sears Tower is a blast, same with Hancock Center skydeck, a walk down Michigan Ave (The magnificent mile) is a must (but NEVER stop in the middle of the sidewalk you will be hated on), the Bean is fun only if you haven't been before, but the rest of Millennium Park is great. As far as museums, I highly recommend science and industry. Weather depending: Navy Pier.

mcgruff10

PJWGIII said:

Don't bother with Deep Dish - that's tourist BS - the real Chicago pizza is just pan pizza from the classic places above (Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, etc.)

Bigger food priority: Chicago Dog, PORTILLO'S, Ditka's
Wrigleyville must-eats and drinks: Murphy's Bleachers and Cubby Bear

For things to do - Buckingham Fountain is always fantastic by the lake, the skydeck at the Sears Tower is a blast, same with Hancock Center skydeck, a walk down Michigan Ave (The magnificent mile) is a must (but NEVER stop in the middle of the sidewalk you will be hated on), the Bean is fun only if you haven't been before, but the rest of Millennium Park is great. As far as museums, I highly recommend science and industry. Weather depending: Navy Pier.

The bean?

tup30

the bean's formal name is Cloud Gate, it's an iconic art piece in Millennium Park.  its definitely worth a stop, it's pretty cool. plus, it's just a block from Intelligentsia Coffee (my fave) 

Miller's Pub on Wabash in The Loop is open to 4pm. it's muuuuuch nicer than I anticipated, really good food too. 

know1

The Air and Water show is going on again on Aug. 18 and 19. We went out to the lakefront to watch it on Sunday in 2016 and really enjoyed it. 

bbiggs

mcgruff10 said:

PJWGIII said:

Don't bother with Deep Dish - that's tourist BS - the real Chicago pizza is just pan pizza from the classic places above (Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, etc.)

Bigger food priority: Chicago Dog, PORTILLO'S, Ditka's
Wrigleyville must-eats and drinks: Murphy's Bleachers and Cubby Bear

For things to do - Buckingham Fountain is always fantastic by the lake, the skydeck at the Sears Tower is a blast, same with Hancock Center skydeck, a walk down Michigan Ave (The magnificent mile) is a must (but NEVER stop in the middle of the sidewalk you will be hated on), the Bean is fun only if you haven't been before, but the rest of Millennium Park is great. As far as museums, I highly recommend science and industry. Weather depending: Navy Pier.

The bean?

mcgruff10

wow that's pretty sick!!! millennial park is close to navy pier or am I completely wrong?  I think we are staying 3 blocks from navy pier.

Chasing Footsteps

Chicago Blues 

bbiggs

mcgruff10 said:

wow that's pretty sick!!! millennial park is close to navy pier or am I completely wrong?  I think we are staying 3 blocks from navy pier.

Not far at all...walking distance. You’ll be close to both. You’re in a great part of the city. Enjoy! 

H.Chinaski

Portillo's for sure for a chicago dog and italian beef! If your a metal head at all get a burger at Kuma's Corner. Last time i was there i rented a jet ski and hit lake michigan which was ridiculously fun. Hit up Reckless Records! Dive bars in Wicker Park are always a good time too!

tschav

know1 said:

The Air and Water show is going on again on Aug. 18 and 19. We went out to the lakefront to watch it on Sunday in 2016 and really enjoyed it. 

Oh yeah, the Air & Water show if you're staying near the lakefront.