Chicago?

Parent Cafe
21

<p>I’ve been to Chicago a few times, son has been living there for almost 3 years.
Thoroughly enjoyed the bus hop on hop off, for great introduction to Chicago.</p>

<p>Gold Coast/ Lincoln Park Food tour enjoyable and good insight into areas where son moved.</p>

<p>Son and I took a Sunday, underground Pedway tour ( something like this) run by former Rick Steve’s tour guide in Italy, and it was wonderful two hours. highly recommend, but can’t remember the name of the company.</p>

<p>the architectural tours are rated highest activity, but due to weather we haven’t done this yet.</p>

<p>skip the Chicago history museum, along Lincoln park.</p>

<p>Haven’t been to Hancock,but all advice, via YELP, TRIP ADVISOR, FROMMERS, say to have drink but don’t eat there.</p>

<p>couple blocks north, is lovely area where several restaurants, surround a little park, benches, gelato stand, twinkly lights on trees. very European. Restaurants along this area have outdoor dining areas, and it’s very pleasant vibe.m( sorry cant remember the name of this area but known by locals) Gold Coast area, very lovely.</p>

<p>near there is a casual restaurant we like, called The Big BOWL, Cedar Street
a Melman family owned restaurant. You can google this, they own several " concept" restaurants in Chicago, very successful.</p>

<p>Son’s company took a group to cafe Babareeba, when son first moved Chicago,and he’s been back MANY times! . It’s a Very popular tapas place near Lincoln Park. Son and friends LOVE IT- ME, TOO.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
cafebabareeba.comOpenstoday at 5 PM
(773) 935-5000
2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, </p>

<p>SON also went to The Girl and th Goat, although the menu is intimidating, it’s rated as one of hottest restaurants in Chicago.</p>

<p>my fondest dining memory was window seat overlooking the Chicago river, watching water taxis - at Smith and Wolensky. it’s iconic Chicago, great view of architecture , high rises. </p>

<p>I’ve walked the Mag Mile from millennium Park, to Hancock,and in nice weather pleasant 20 minutes. I’ve taken taxi too, and $6 cab ride.</p>

<p>blue man group- (shudders) they warn you about glaring lights, well I woke up in middle of night with killer migraine, which I associate with blue man group…ugh, bad memories for that reason.</p>

22

<p>Oh my, thanks so much for all this great information! Ordered the CTA groupon, looks like a great deal.</p>

<p>Thanks for the great show and touring info. We are looking forward to a nice few days away. If only the weather will cooperate, I really have winter fatigue and need some spring weather. It’s been a tough spring here so just a few flowering trees would be nice.</p>

23

<p>I go to Chicago for three things: the Joffey Ballet, the Field Museum and the Art Institute. These are so amazing! The Field Museum has probably the best evolution exhibit in the world. It is a long path through the geologic time, and the enormity of their fossil collection is stunning. It’s a strange feeling when you walk past the five markers of mass extinctions on the planet along the way and at the end of the exhibit come up to the most recent mass extinction which is going on right now, and is human-caused.</p>

24

<p>

So get the Chicago mix and you don’t have to choose! Yes, it’s all excellent.</p>

<p>Just went on Google maps and they now have Chicago in 45 degree view - very cool!</p>

<p>I know a lot of people deride Navy Pier as too touristy but I’ve always enjoyed going just to walk all the way along the outside for the views of the lake and the city. Plus there’s a great free stained glass museum [Historic</a> Navy Pier Attractions - Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows](<a href=“http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/smith_museum.html]Historic”>http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/smith_museum.html) near the end - well worth the walk.</p>

25

<p>My pick for a steakhouse is always Gene and Georgetti - local institution and not part of a chain.</p>

<p>Phone - (312) 527-3718
Address - 500 N. Franklin
Website - geneandgeorgetti.com</p>

26

<p>I went to Chicago for the first time last fall and loved it! Highlight was the Architectural Boat Tour - not something I thought I would have liked, but actually loved it. We also did Second City - fun and cheap (even cheaper, as we got half price tickets, I believe at Hotix). We did drinks at John Hancock building and I really do think that’s the way to go. You have the experience but at a much more reasonable price. Other things we did: Art Museum, shopping, Millennium Park, eating, just walking around. And make SURE that you get Garrett’s Popcorn! I don’t particularly love popcorn, but the Chicago Mix is unbelievably delicious. Mmmmmmm…just thinking about that now…I might have to order some online. Or make another trip back! :)</p>

27

<p>Going way back–anyone go to Le Francis in Wheeling when Chef Jean Banchet owed it? We’d visit Chicago just for that!</p>

28

<p>You can get great food in Chicago dirt cheap if you want to. There’s no reason to pay a bundle unless that is what you are looking for. Hop the Red Line subway to Chinatown, and you will be overwhelmed by all the great choices.</p>

<p>“sorry cant remember the name of this area but known by locals”</p>

<p>The Viagra Triangle. One can hope, but the odds are not good that the weather will be warm enough for comfortable outdoor dining in a couple of weeks, especially in the evening.</p>

<p>“it’s easier and same price to travel by cab to these nearby destinations. Thus walking (few miles) to shedd and field is possible or cab would probably run same as public transit from your hotel.”</p>

<p>Just the flag pull on a cab is more than a CTA fare, so unless you’re only going a couple of blocks, it is unlikely to cost the same as public transit. That said, most of the distances discussed here will likely be ~$10 in a cab. The only big tourist attractions that are a significant distance away from downtown are the Museum of Science & Industry and the Garfield Park Conservatory (free!). Both are wonderful, and there is easy public transport to each of them if you don’t want to spend on a cab.</p>

29

<p>Add The Natural History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry to the list. At the Art Institute be sure to see my favorite- the Chagal wall at the end of a hall (past the armor stuff). Look for the free stained glass museum at the Navy Pier- a great place to visit. You need weeks, not days, to enjoy the stretch of Chicago along the lake. It is free to walk in and out of the stores along Michigan Ave. So many people of all kinds- locals and plenty of tourists, including families. Do pay attention to traffic and go with the crowd when crossing the streets.</p>