Heading to Chicago, need some tips on what to see

[JamesDouglas]

I'm going to Chicago for 4 days and I'm staying near the Willis (Sears) tower. I need some tips and advice on what to do and see.

Are there any good tours I should go on?
Are there any must-see sites?
What food do I have to try in Chicago besides their famous deep dish pizza?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JamesDouglas]

How does Chicago compare to other major US cities like NYC, LA? Is Wrigley and Comiskey close to downtown? Where's the United Center?

 

[CapitalGuy]

Navy Pier can be fun - an open liquor licence restaurant/bar/arcade/shop zone. Right at the end of Grand Ave/Illinois Street.

I'm not sure if Joliet Prison is open as a museum yet, but if it is, it'd be a great tour.

A boat tour of the river is worthwhile, and at the end it takes you a bit out onto Lake Michigan so you see the skyline.

 

[bazokajoe]

I was their last summer and they had free concerts in Mellinium Park at night.Field museum has a complete (80% real bones) of a T-rex.I found Navy Peir to be more for families and kids than adults.Of cours you have to go to the top of the Sears tower and see the city from above.

 

[jiiimmm]

take in the Gangster Tour while you're there www.gangstertour.com it's different and pretty cool , get to see parts of Chicago you normally wouldn't

 

[torontojunkie]

Don't miss the Baja Beach Club!

 

[trm]

The Museum of Science and Industry is amazing. They have a German U-Boat, U-505, that was captured in WW2 and you can go inside it. They also have trains and lots of technology history. If you want to visit a ballpark, go to Wrigley Field. It's one of the last classic old ballparks left. Navy Pier is fun.

 

[dr tongue]

I'm going to Chicago for 4 days and I'm staying near the Willis (Sears) tower. I need some tips and advice on what to do and see.

Are there any good tours I should go on?
Are there any must-see sites?
What food do I have to try in Chicago besides their famous deep dish pizza?

Any help would be appreciated.

Take the Architecture cruise on the Chicago river. Have deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. Walk from the Magnificent mile to the spectacular waterfront area.Go to a Garrett's popcorn shop...you won't believe the lineups. The Shedd Aquarium. See the old Marshall Fields department store which is now a Macy's..the coolest store ever built. Have fun in the cleanest prettiest big city in North America..what Toronto could have been with the right planning.

 

[Anynym]

Don't miss the Baja Beach Club!

Baja Beach Club is fun later at night; last time I was there (>10 years ago, some things may have changed) Rush Street was full of bars for the mid-evening crowds.

Check out a couple of the blues bars on Lincoln.

Ask a couple locals where to get the best hot dog in Chicago. (They're great)

I'll second the Museum of Science and Industry.

Depending on when you're there, there may be something fun in Grant Park (huge park downtown).

Check local papers, tourist sites, etc while you're there for things that interest you.

 

[peteeey]

Blues Chicago is a bit of a dive but really great atmosphere
http://www.bluechicago.com/

House of Blues is more mainstream but we went on a weekday night and didn't have to pay a cover.
http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/

Definitely take a boat tour of the Chicago River
http://www.architecture.org/tours

 

[JamesDouglas]

After reading these posts I'm now getting really excited to go to Chicago! It might just end up being my favourite city in North America, and I've been to many many cities.

 

[Solo6]

Have a "steak of your life" at Don Shula's.

 

[Spacealien2]

Portillo's BBQ ribs. Get a full rack.

Lou Malnatis Pizza.

 

[euripides]

Millenium Park, Chicago architectural Tours (boat and walking tours), Blues on Halstead, Art Institute, Oak Park (Frank Lloyd Wright homes and tour), The Drake Hotel for drinks

 

[69Shooter]

Go out to O'Hare and sit around for a couple of hours... as if you're waiting for your delayed connecting flight!

 

[Powpow]

If you're into fine dining or you are a food geek, dine at Alinea and Moto. Reservations take about 2 months to book though...

If you like steak, you can go to the original Morton's steakhouse (what started the chain) in the goldcoast.

I really liked the architecturual tour, and IMHO, a must see if you're visiting for the first time.

 

[TeasePlease]

Morton's for sure!

Navy Pier is a fun way to spend an evening.

Watch out for the Mag Mile. It's like a shopping frenzy. A vortex from which both you and your wallet cannot escape intact.

 

[JohnC]

The Museum of Science and Industry is amazing. They have a German U-Boat, U-505, that was captured in WW2 and you can go inside it. They also have trains and lots of technology history. If you want to visit a ballpark, go to Wrigley Field. It's one of the last classic old ballparks left. Navy Pier is fun.

Totally agree the Museum is great and the Shedd Aquarium next to Soldier Field on the lake shore is worth a visit. Chicago has the lakefront areathat Toronto will never have!! The Original Second City Theatre is in Chicago and way better than the TO version. Also they have a good FREE Zoo in Lincoln Park. And Wrigley is a must, especially if you can fit in a day game!

 

[Grindit630]

Food: Weber Grill - a great place for ribs.
Pizza Due - deep dish pizza
Must do: architecture boat tour runs between city.
Try your best to catch a game at Wrigleys field.
Mangificent mile - an extended version of yorkville.

 

[JamesDouglas]

All great tips, I'll be taking a tour of both the south and northside of Chicago that ends with a trip to the observation deck at the Hancock Tower, and a boat tour as well. I'm going to definitely try some deep dish pizza and catch a Cubs game!