When I go to Chicago, what should I do/ see?

[Courtesy Flush]

We're going in the spring for about five days. For certain I'll visit the art museum, as that's always on my must-do list in larger cities. But what other stuff do you recommend?

Where do I eat? What do I see? What would I kick myself for missing? I've seen several old-school eating establishments featured on TV, but I don't have a list of them.

About me: I'm pushing 50, and handicapped, so I'm not looking for nightlife or roller blading opportunities. My wife will be at a conference during the day, and I'll be on my own. I'm hoping the most fun stuff can be done after 5:00, when she'll be free, but I'm not opposed to striking out on my own (She'll just have to miss some things). I live in a small town in the South, but I love urban environments. We're both adventurous eaters. I speak an embarrassingly small amount of Italian.

Suggestions?

[JVS]

1. Medieval Times out in Schaumburg

[mopinko]

17. meh.

not that much fun for that long of a schlep from downtown. it is fun, tho.

[JVS]

2. "embarrassingly small amount of Italian"

Just the right amount for The Olive Garden

[theghostinme]

28. Actually, there is Taylor Street...and some Western 'burbs have good places

[Callalily]

3. Russian Tea Time is

just 1/2 block away from the Chicago Art Institute. Good, quality food. Oh, and they are famous for their vodka selection.

http://www.russianteatime.com/

Besides the Chicago Art Institute don't forget about the Museum of Contemporary Art.

http://www.mcachicago.org/

And of course, there's all the fabulous jazz places.

Wishing you a safe and fun trip to the Windy City!

[Courtesy Flush]

4. Thanks. We wanted to do at least one upscale dinner. Looks good.

What do you recommend for lowbrow, ethnic, or purely local cuisine? Last thing I want to do is eat Cajun food in Chicago (we're from Louisiana). I want to eat what the locals eat.

[XNASA]

8. I'm a local. And here's what we eat.

Italian Beef sandwiches - If you're downtown my recommendation is Portillo's, which is a local chain but still quite good. Al's #1 is really good, but not downtown.

Deli - Go to Perry's on Franklin near Lake. Order the pastrami. You can thank me later.

Vienna Chicago Hot Dog - Look for the Vienna sign. They're all over the place. But whatever you do, don't order one with catsup. It's just not natural.

[theghostinme]

20. LOL

[Courtesy Flush]

24. My wife says she won't eat the pastrami

She's saying "maybe they'll have brisket." Oy! It's like she's learned nothing from me. We don't eat pastrami in Louisiana, so that's EXACTLY what I want when I go to Chicago!

Thanks. I'll make a point of it!

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. The science museum is kinda cool. Also, just north of Chicago is a wonderful Six Flags.

Or it used to be a Six Flags - I don't know if they're still in business. But, anyway, there's a great big giant rollercoaster-filled amusement park north of the city that's wonderful.

[Nikia]

6. The Shedd Aquarium

I think that is more something that you'd have to do on your own during the day though.

[AngryAmish]

7. LTHForum.com

It is the local foodie board. Go there and look around.

BTW, don't go anywhere on TV (except Frontera Grill or Tompolobompo - both are fantastic).

I assume you are staying downtown. A short cab ride to LaScarola which is a good old-school italian place.

Further out in the city (about a twenty minute train ride) is Terragusto <http://terragustocafe.com/indexie.html> . VERY highly recommended. You need reservations at both places.

Can I let you in on a secret? Chicago-style pizza sucks. Do not go to Geno's East. Actually any of the tourist places suck (except for Lou Malnati's if you must have deep dish, but avoid it altogether). Where would I go? Coalfire on Grand Thin, thin pizza but really good.

Hell, I can give you dozens of places but go to LTHForum above, look for their great neighborhood restuarant awards and you cannot go wrong.

[harmonicon]

12. for shame! Chicago style stuffed pizza is the best food on earth.

[theghostinme]

21. Ah, I am no longer feeling it, myself

Too much crust. Now I love thin crusts and there has to be a great amount of tomato sauce! I think the very first totally organic pizza joint opened up called Crust, so that might be a possibility for OP.

[ghostsofgiants]

9. Is Milton Friedman buried in Chicago?

Go dance on his grave for me.

[Jade Fox]

10. Architecture tour

Chicago has a great architectural history. I'm sure they have tours, and it might do to read up a little on it first.

[mopinko]

14. i think most of the archi tours are on the weekend this time of year,

but you can catch a boat tour. they take off from by the wrigley building on michigan ave and the river. not very expensive. the best tours are here.
the restaurant in millenium park is actually really good. a little spendy, but on par for downtown.
the city is full of great ethnic restaurants. the old italian neighborhood is on the south and west edge of downtown. not a lot left of it, but some. you can get to chinatown with a short el ride from downtown, and it is pretty good. lots of chinese immigrants here, and i know several that go down there to eat, so...
the sushi is mostly good around here. we get a lot of fish flown in every day.
but whatever you want is here in chicago.

will you have a car? what else do you want to do? where will you be staying?


stop by the illinois forum when it gets a little closer and we can see who wants to get together.

[EFerrari]

11. Some friends of mine took me to Chicago for an afternoon.

They took me to the waterfront and then to the top of the Sears Tower (thanks, guys, I have a fear of heights!). It wasn't nearly enough. I would have liked to crawl around because nobody ever told me Chicago was beautiful. Have a great time.

[mopinko]

16. it is super beautiful these days. democrats in charge.

i love my mayor. he has really worked to make the city beautiful, and functional.
but next time call me!!!!

[mokawanis]

13. Boat ride

Take a tour of the shoreline, they'll point out some of the sites and give you a bit of history.

[theghostinme]

15. Sure thing...a whole bunch...get out your pencil

Chicago is now consider the greatest town in the country for restaurants! Of course there is the downtown area, with the Art Institute, but also the Museum of Contemporary Art. It's free on Tuesdays! I just saw a Jeff Koons exhibit recently. There is a museum of Chicago history in Old Town. There is the Shedd Aquarium, and certainly the Field Museum, with so much natural history! So those are all in the downtown area.

However, since you are adventurous, I would recommend going into the ethnic enclaves for great eats. The El is wheel-chair accessible, so you should be good to go. You can pick up a map with indications of the accessible stops. Up North (the Red line), you can go to Uptown, where there are Southeast Asian areas galore. A few stops north of that and you are at Devon Ave., which is supposed to have the largest Indian/Middle Eastern population in the world outside the native areas. There are a plethora of great Indian restaurants and shops. There are also Ethiopian restaurants not too far away. South of the Loop, you can go to Hyde Park, where the Museum of Science and Industry is. There are some nice little restaurants over there, too. One more museum and neighborhood worth checking out is Pilsen. It has the biggest collection of Mexican art in the country and has just been awarded national status. There are some wonderful Mexican restaurants on 18th Street, as well. And the Lakefront has splendid views also! Have fun!

[Courtesy Flush]

19. This is what I was looking for. Thanks.

BTW: I'm not in a wheelchair. I'm an amputee, but not one of those marathon runner amputees, just a regular crippled one :)

[theghostinme]

25. Oh, and I forgot Chinatown...and about what some of these people are saying?

I have been reading lots of posts from out-of-towners who went to touristy places (usually inside or near the museums/places of interest). I would think they probably suck pretty badly and are over-priced. The best thing is to get into the neighborhoods surrounding downtown to get a more genuine experience. Well, that's what I like to do. Just wander around and soak up the atmosphere...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

18. Don't miss this place

It's about 20 blocks north of the Loop, just across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is a pretty wonderful place, as well.

Grunt's is a GREAT place. Really unique and wonderful fun.

Edited to add link:

http://www.rjgruntschicago.com/

[theghostinme]

23. Brookfield Zoo is even better...Just a Metra train away

[Tangerine LaBamba]

26. We lived on Lincoln Park West,

and were there when R J Grunt's opened. I used to go running in the Zoo first thing in the morning, so it's sort of my sentimental favorite. A friend of ours was Curator of Primates at Brookfield, but I never liked it as much as I did the LPZ.

Nice place to take a walk after pigging out at R J Grunt's.

[Name removed]

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[Lex]

22. Don't miss The Field Museum! And if you go to The Art Institute, have lunch

or dinner at the little cafe "The Garden Restaurant" in the courtyard there (if it's open this time of year).

Don't miss The Crown Fountain at Millennium Park.

Navy Pier is interesting to visit.

Last time we went (we go about once a year) we had fun at a chocolate/wine/cheese restaurant called "Eno."

Have you ever read "The Devil in the White City"?

I love Chicago.

[Courtesy Flush]

27. Of course I'll have lunch

When we go to a major museum, we're standing in line when they open in the morning, and we don't leave until closing time, which always comes too soon. So, of course, lunch us a done deal. We had a great lunch in the Baltimore museum!

[Name removed]

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[Tangerine LaBamba]

31. Second City

They're on Wells Street, about 16 blocks north of the Loop. See if you can get tickets. You'll be glad you did.

They're located in Old Town, which has lots of interesting places to shop and eat. Sort of touristy, but really fun.