<p>Planned about a month ago but, with freshmen to get settled in college, a senior to send back to college, a move and other life events, neither our friends nor dh or I have had a moment to make any plans and we leave tomorrow! We’re staying at the Marriott Courtyard downtown/Magnificent Mile on Ontario, will not have a car and met these same friends in Chicago last year so have done the architecture river tour (fabulous), walked around Millennium Park (very fun), stopped by Navy Pier and went to the Art Institute. At this moment we have not one dinner reservation and only yesterday came across a Frank Lloyd Wright tour that looks great.</p>
<p>Can anyone share restaurants that are good but not so popular that we might actually be able to get a reservation? Good does not have to mean upscale…any fun Chicago activities to recommend other than those things we did last summer? The husbands will be at a Northwestern football game Saturday afternoon. This will only be my second time visiting Chicago and I’m sure there are many more things to do. Any and all suggestions are much appreciated as it’d be nice to have some plans in place to make the most of our time.</p>
<p>Well, you wouldn’t need a reservation to grab an Italian Beef sandwich at Al’s. When I’m in Chicago I’ll head there (or Portillo’s when in the 'burbs) for an Italian Beef “dipped” with sweet peppers. Heaven for me, but not for everybody. Honestly, it is so sloppy when dipped that I’ll eat mine with a knife & fork, and really had never heard of this “stance” as portrayed in the Man vs Food video: <a href=“http://www.alsbeef.com/als-famous-italian-beef.html”>http://www.alsbeef.com/als-famous-italian-beef.html</a></p>
<p>Museum of Science & Industry was one of my favorites, but has been years since I’ve been there. Still I currently see hundreds of superb reviews when I googled it just now.</p>
<p>I enjoy Quantino’s on State Street, just a couple blocks west of the MM. I like to sit outside, but can’t make reservations for outside seating. i make them, and then go 1/2 hour before…telling them I want outdoor seating. I then just go to the bar and have a cocktail while waiting. It’s a pretty place, quite popular, too. As far as activities, what about a Second City show? Or maybe something is playing at the Albert Goodman Theatre.</p>
<p>It’s more shopping, but have you been to the Macy’s in the loop (the old Marshall Fields building). It’s not a far walk from the MM. Walking around the loop is a nice change from the MM, too.</p>
<p>Lou Malnati’s at 439 North Wells Street is a pretty easy walk - if you like deep dish pizza. IO has moved into their new facility at 1501 N Kingsbury St if you want to catch some improv - the Improvised Shakespeare guys are phenomenal - I think they may only perform on Thursday nights. We’ve never waited for a table at PF Changs near the Red line Grand stop. Also I highly rec the food court at Macy’s on Michigan Ave. Full disclosure - my son lives in Chicago and is on a Harold Team at IO so we go there often and usually stay in River North at the Spring Hill Suites - love that city - have fun!</p>
<p>I love the Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln Square for German food and atmospher. Or the Berghoff is downtown - in the same location for 100-plus years. The Brauhaus has live German bands on weekends and a dance floor. Its full of real people (not touristy) and is a blast!!! The Berghoff is more touristy and more upscale but similar old fashioned German flavor.</p>
<p>Go see Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park at night.</p>
<p>The museums are awesome - Field museum, Adler planetarium, Shedd aquarium, Science and Industry. There is also the Chicago Historical Society in Lincoln Park (Lincoln’s death bed and death mask are a little macabre but super cool if you’re a Lincoln fan). </p>
<p>We ate at Volare and it was good. Also they offered half portions which I appreciated. </p>
<p>Eatly is open in Chicago now. I have never been there but I hear it’s a fun place to explore. </p>
<p>It’s touristy and hooky but I like the Grand Lux Cafe, walk ins only but it’s huge and if you go on an off time it wasn’t too hard to get in. Great desserts. </p>
<p>The Macy’s on state is the original Marshall Fields, fun to see. </p>
<p>A few years ago I went to the national conference of the Amercan Planning Association when it was held in Chicago. They published a pamphlet called Planners Guide to Chicago that includes very cool walking tours, good maps, etc. You can still find the pamphlet online:</p>
<p>If the weather is nice I suggest stopping at one of the hotel rooftop bars for a drink/appetizer. The Ritz-Carlton at 160 E. Pearson has the Dec Rooftop Lounge. Trump also has one. The Gage on Michigan Ave is a nice place to eat- near Millenium Park. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Other museums- Science and Industry, Natural History. Can use the public bus if need be. I hope you caught the free stained glass museum on Navy Pier. Just hanging out on Michigan Ave or the lakefront is something you can do a dozen times.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, some of the restaurants didn’t work as we couldn’t get reservations (and this is a reservations-type rather than a let’s hang out at the bar waiting for a table - type group). But we went on the Gold coast/old Town food tour and it was fabulous. Our tour guide was Krista who was terrific. We’re also going to make it to Eatily (sp?). Otherwise, we’ve spent our time at a football game, walking around Michigan ave and enjoying visiting with our friends. Wish we had time to do more…may try to make it to a Frank Lloyd Wright tour if we can fit it in. Oh, I had wanted to go to the deep dish pizza place mentioned upthread but, while walking, we stumbled upon Gino’s and decided to go in…definitely not worth in imho. Should have waited for the recommended place. Very fun town!</p>