Chicago!

[Isochronous]

I will be there in Jan, 19-22. What are the must see/do things in the Windy City? Any hotel/airbnb apartment tips?

 

[Sprucegoose]

stay at the Hilton. Its where Obama won the first election. Magnificently fitted out.

Buddy Guys blues band is out the back.

Go on the Architectural tour by boat (run by the society) magnificent structures

Sears, great views (called something else now)

the is a park at the end of the Navy Pier - they used to train the WW2 fighter pilots there. Bush Senior was amongst them.

Take the lake cruise.

It maybe quite cold when you are there.

 

[RB]

Well we certainly enjoyed the rate we paid for the Embassy Suites on priceline-was pretty easy to work out at the time. Also could not go past using the Chicago greeter service-see an old post of mine re this.

 

[Isochronous]

Well we certainly enjoyed the rate we paid for the Embassy Suites on priceline-was pretty easy to work out at the time. Also could not go past using the Chicago greeter service-see an old post of mine re this.

Care to elaborate a little further on both? Hotel and greeter service both sound interesting

 

[Boris spatsky]

+1 for the architecture boat tour.

It will probably be snowing so rug up!

Art gallery near cloud gate, sporting teams (blackhawks ice hockey), shopping on mag mile, aquarium, meigs field (now a park).

The Drake is a great Hilton hotel - where Marilyn Monroe engraved her name in the bar.

The Wit is a trendy new hotel.

Restaurants - Alinea (no. 7 in the world). Mind blowing! Cheaper eats, try Urban Belly. Yum.

 

[codash1099]

Sears is now the Willis Tower. Good views but I prefer the Hancock Observatory.

If art interests you, the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago rivals many European galleries.

And another vote for Architectural boat tour.

 

[Travel Guru]

The Peninsula is the only hotel I'd stay in when visiting Chicago but depends on your budget.

As far as what to do, here are a couple of must do's, I'm sure others will add...

- Architectural River Cruise (catch near the start of Navy Pier)
- Deep dish Pizza from Gino's East (many places do deep dish but according to locals this is the best and my tastebuds concur)
- observation Deck at Hancock Tower

Hope they help.

TG

 

[Ewing]

Sears is now the Willis Tower. Good views but I prefer the Hancock Observatory.

If art interests you, the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago rivals many European galleries.

And another vote for Architectural boat tour.

Do both Willis and John Hancock.

Observation deck at Willis, coughtails at Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of John Hancock.

Definitely agree with Art institute. I need to go back there with more time!

 

[RB]

Care to elaborate a little further on both? Hotel and greeter service both sound interesting

Chicago Greeter: Meet a Greeter and make a friend today -We had a very good greeter & happened to be in Chicago on the day of the parade for the Stanley Cup winners

Downtown Chicago Hotel: Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Hotels Lakefront Packages Weddings Groups Meetings Events -again will depend on your budget. This was very reasonably priced & as I mentioned in the earlier post we bid on priceline, very confident we knew what we were getting. Rooms were a great size, good location & we basically walked everywhere we went other than our day out with the greeter.

 

[Hvr]

I loved Chicago and will go again, as mentioned the Art Institute is essential. Take your camera it is permitted as long as you don't use flash. You can see classic American paintings such as American Gothic and Nighthawks amongst others. I spent a full day there and could've spent another full day there very easily.


Another vote for a night at Buddy Guy's. Just incredible. Susannah Hoffs was there the night I went.

I stayed at Palmer House Hotel (Hilton), it is an old style hotel with photos on the wall of the famous guests who have stayed there.

Go to Wrigley Field, the second oldest major league baseball field in the USA. I was there for opening day this year and the atmosphere was incredible. Couldn't get in but just being outside was awesome.

Have some Garrets popcorn, the Chicago mix is very nice. There is usually a queue at the store it is so good.

Heaps of things to do there and it is a wonderful town.

 

[Kangol]

stay at the Hilton. Its where Obama won the first election. Magnificently fitted out.

Great reason to stay there!

This thread is great, I will be there in Feb.
Are there any outlet shopping malls nearby?

 

[mella2007]

Trump in Chicago is fantastic also.

Chicago has the Premium Outlets ...similar to the ones in LA and Vegas

 

[casanovawa]

Could check out what teams will be playing there at the time, the NFL regular season will be finished so no Bears, but the Bulls might be playing and the baseball teams...

Was lucky to go and see U2 360 concert in Soldier Field when there last year around 4th July, so check out if any decent concerts will be on as well...

And yes +1 for both the Willis Tower and Hancock Tower, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain and the area around that with that mirror jelly bean thing and river cruises, but as people say will be chilly...

 

[Grooba]

- Deep dish Pizza from Gino's East (many places do deep dish but according to locals this is the best and my tastebuds concur)

Hope they help.

TG

Something on my must do list when next in Chicago! Missed out last time through but will make a point of getting there next trip.

 

[Boris spatsky]

There are two sets of premium outlets, but not downtown. Closest is Aurora, about 45 mins by car (mind you it took 1.5 hours to get back on s Saturday arvo).

I would recommend shopping downtown unless you desperately need to do the outlets.

 

[Isochronous]

Just had a quick look on SPG website (my preferred hotel chain).

W City Centre is advertised from $196/night - that seems cheap for a W! That being said on my budget for this trip I'm thinking the Four Points Magnificent Mile from $99 or an interesting looking property called the Tremont from $82. Would use my SPG Gold to get upgraded. Both are near the 'Magnificent Mile' - does anybody have an opinon on this area or those hotels?

 

[Isochronous]

Four Points Magnificent Mile or Westin Michigan Ave - which is in the better location?

 

[Chrisd26]

Visit the shops along N Michigan Avenue FAO Swarz
Have a Chicago Hot Dog - or many......
and a sweet and moist Italian Beef
Great department stores around the centre of the city - quality clothes so cheap
Grant Park....maybe bit nippy?

 

[Alanslegal]

Here's an old inactive blog of mine, I did post it on AFF back then but couldn't find it.

Beautiful Chicago! - Chicago, United States Travel Blog