I saw a couple of features about the sculpture and architecture in Chicago in this month's Conde Naste Traveler magazine. I must admit I am intrigued. I know that Sir R Tricky lives in that area, if memory serves. Perhaps he'll come out of lurking to inform us. Shadoglare's in Illinois if I remember correctly. Do tell!!

Also home to Wilco, so there's that homage. And Blues Brothers was set there, so yay!

Anyone ever been? Things to see? Places to eat? Beers to drink?

I've only been stuck in traffic there. :rolleyes:

I've only been stuck in traffic there. :rolleyes:
So....mass transit, then? :|

ja voll

Well, I've been up there a few times but mostly to see the touristy stuff... among those types of things to see are Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Sears Tower,
One of Chicago's better (and most widely distributed) beers is from a brewery called Goose Island, the best brew from them probably being Honker's Ale (which should be easy to find on tap there).

So....mass transit, then? :|

If at all possible. You can get a "credit card" style visitors' one-day bus pass for cheap which might be a decent way to go if you can figure out their nightmarish bus route maps. Depending on how you're getting into town there may actually be stuff within walking distance too.
I've driven down there as well, but yeah, it's a bit of a nightmare and the price of parking lots is through the roof.

Well, I've been up there a few times but mostly to see the touristy stuff... among those types of things to see are Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Sears Tower,
One of Chicago's better (and most widely distributed) beers is from a brewery called Goose Island, the best brew from them probably being Honker's Ale (which should be easy to find on tap there).
Horray beer! I would probably end up doing touristy stuff, meself.
If at all possible. You can get a "credit card" style visitors' one-day bus pass for cheap which might be a decent way to go if you can figure out their nightmarish bus route maps. Depending on how you're getting into town there may actually be stuff within walking distance too.
I've driven down there as well, but yeah, it's a bit of a nightmare and the price of parking lots is through the roof.
Yeah, we'd probably fly and take public transit. Renting a car is an invitation for disaster.

Yeah, we'd probably fly and take public transit. Renting a car is an invitation for disaster.

Might wanna take a look at http://www.transitchicago.com/ - they have brochures you can download, bus & train routes, order forms to pre-purchase passes, etc...

Might wanna take a look at http://www.transitchicago.com/ - they have brochures you can download, bus & train routes, order forms to pre-purchase passes, etc...
neat! thanks!

In a nutshell...
Overrated, but nice.
Same feel as Cleveland, but bigger.

In a nutshell...
Overrated, but nice.
Same feel as Cleveland, but bigger.
How far are they from each other, Matt?

4 and some change by car if you don't hit traffic...

4 and some change by car if you don't hit traffic...
Everything is so far away from everything else. :mad:

Take a train, you'll probably hub out through cleveland :hmm:

Take a train, you'll probably hub out through cleveland :hmm:
Maybe we'll just visit you on a separate trip. *bumps Gibby up in the queue*

Just make sure it's summer. This place is a hell hole in the winter :|

Just make sure it's summer. This place is a hell hole in the winter :|
Maybe next spring? Since I'll be in school in a few weeks?

I saw a couple of features about the sculpture and architecture in Chicago in this month's Conde Naste Traveler magazine. I must admit I am intrigued. I know that Sir R Tricky lives in that area, if memory serves. Perhaps he'll come out of lurking to inform us. Shadoglare's in Illinois if I remember correctly. Do tell!!

Also home to Wilco, so there's that homage. And Blues Brothers was set there, so yay!

Anyone ever been? Things to see? Places to eat? Beers to drink?
I am a lifelong Chicago area resident.

I can tell you anything you want to know about the city.

My favorite places are those not really on the tourist map.

Best live music venue? Empty Bottle on 1035 N Western.
Best leftist bookstore? 1300 N Western Ave
Most overlooked museum? Sun Yet Sen Museum in Chinatown
Best art gallery? Peace Museum: 100 N. Central Park Ave.
Most photogenic place? The Midway at the University of Chicago
Also: Osaka Gardens On Wood Island in Jackson Park (Just south of the Museum of Science and Industry).
Best place to drink: Along Lincoln Avenue. Also around Wriggly Field DO NOT go on Game Day to Wrigglyville. You will be robbed if you try to park.
Best Resturaunt: Heartland Cafe, 7000 N Glenwood.
Most sacred place: Forest Home Cemetary in Forest Park, on Des Plaines Avenue just south of the Eisenhower Expressway. Look for the Haymarket Memorial, dedicated to the four men who were MURDERED by the state for trying to organize workers.
Best way to see the city. Take a boat tour. There are several boats which dock at Navy Pier. Also on the river by Michigan Ave. Be sure to take a tour which includes the river.
Favorite cheap place to grab a sandwhich, Starship 7618 W. Madison Street in Forest Park. Lots of Star Trek picures and stuff.
Best store for wierd shit: http://www.unclefunchicago.com/ Lots of old toys and bizarre stuff. Tricks and junk.

Of course if its your first time than you will want to check out the toursty stuff... Chinatown (a blast), Museum of Science and Industry (the coolest place in the city, check out the Nazi Submarine), Field Museum, The Planetarium, The Aquarium, The Biograph theater where John Dillenger was corked, Grant Park (an opportunity to take lots of pictures of the Chicago Skyline), Navy Pier (costs nothing to visit, lots of cool shops), Sears Tower (it will give you a headache but its the tallest place on earth), The John Handcock Building. Greektown is kind of fun.

Places to avoid? Rush Street (too many drunk college kids, locals avoid the place), Wrigleyville on game day (you will never find a place to park), the loop after dark, Comitsky Park unless you are actually going to a game (and if so be sure to park at the secure lot), 26th and California (ask a local whats there), any overpriced resturaunts in the loop.

The BEST Goose Island Beer is 312. By far. mmmm

Elbo Room and Delilahs on lincoln are my favorite bars.

Wrigleyville is a great neighborhood, but don't overlook the bars on North, Damen and Milwaukee, Nicks Beer Garden is a great place open late.

The Chicago History museum is really neat to get some info on chicago, and it has some hands on stuff to play with.

going anywhere on the trains and buses can sometimes be tricky, and make sure you get a day pass, or else it is 2 bucks a ride.

Cabs are plentiful all the time though.

It all depends on what you are wanting to do, whats your scene, etc. Definitely try to take in a game. ocugh cough CUBS! cough. lol

places to eat:
Orange on Clark and Belmont
Kitsch'n on Damen and Roscoe (roscoe Village, another neat area in chicago. Go to Sacred Art for neat local artists www.sacredart.com)
Japonais
Taylor street for Italian mmm.

In a nutshell...
Overrated, but nice.
Same feel as Cleveland, but bigger.


sorry, but no. that is a false statement.

Chicago is an awesome city...I lived there for a couple years....many places to visit.....I reccomend Second City..and Smith & Wolensky's...the House of Blues...aside from the many awesome dance clubs they have there.....shopping on Michigan Ave is pretty fun too....Navy Pier...happy hour at the Signature Room at the the top of John Hancock building is fun too..:nice:

Chicago is an awesome city...I lived there for a couple years....many places to visit.....I reccomend Second City..and Smith & Wolensky's...the House of Blues...aside from the many awesome dance clubs they have there.....shopping on Michigan Ave is pretty fun too....Navy Pier...happy hour at the Signature Room at the the top of John Hancock building is fun too..:nice:
That's right, I forgot you used to live there. :nice:

I am a lifelong Chicago area resident.

I can tell you anything you want to know about the city.

My favorite places are those not really on the tourist map.

Best live music venue? Empty Bottle on 1035 N Western.
Best leftist bookstore? 1300 N Western Ave
Most overlooked museum? Sun Yet Sen Museum in Chinatown
Best art gallery? Peace Museum: 100 N. Central Park Ave.
Most photogenic place? The Midway at the University of Chicago
Also: Osaka Gardens On Wood Island in Jackson Park (Just south of the Museum of Science and Industry).
Best place to drink: Along Lincoln Avenue. Also around Wriggly Field DO NOT go on Game Day to Wrigglyville. You will be robbed if you try to park.
Best Resturaunt: Heartland Cafe, 7000 N Glenwood.
Most sacred place: Forest Home Cemetary in Forest Park, on Des Plaines Avenue just south of the Eisenhower Expressway. Look for the Haymarket Memorial, dedicated to the four men who were MURDERED by the state for trying to organize workers.
Best way to see the city. Take a boat tour. There are several boats which dock at Navy Pier. Also on the river by Michigan Ave. Be sure to take a tour which includes the river.
Favorite cheap place to grab a sandwhich, Starship 7618 W. Madison Street in Forest Park. Lots of Star Trek picures and stuff.
Best store for wierd shit: http://www.unclefunchicago.com/ Lots of old toys and bizarre stuff. Tricks and junk.

Of course if its your first time than you will want to check out the toursty stuff... Chinatown (a blast), Museum of Science and Industry (the coolest place in the city, check out the Nazi Submarine), Field Museum, The Planetarium, The Aquarium, The Biograph theater where John Dillenger was corked, Grant Park (an opportunity to take lots of pictures of the Chicago Skyline), Navy Pier (costs nothing to visit, lots of cool shops), Sears Tower (it will give you a headache but its the tallest place on earth), The John Handcock Building. Greektown is kind of fun.

Places to avoid? Rush Street (too many drunk college kids, locals avoid the place), Wrigleyville on game day (you will never find a place to park), the loop after dark, Comitsky Park unless you are actually going to a game (and if so be sure to park at the secure lot), 26th and California (ask a local whats there), any overpriced resturaunts in the loop.
Very thorough, Crim. Thanks!
The BEST Goose Island Beer is 312. By far. mmmm

Elbo Room and Delilahs on lincoln are my favorite bars.

Wrigleyville is a great neighborhood, but don't overlook the bars on North, Damen and Milwaukee, Nicks Beer Garden is a great place open late.

The Chicago History museum is really neat to get some info on chicago, and it has some hands on stuff to play with.

going anywhere on the trains and buses can sometimes be tricky, and make sure you get a day pass, or else it is 2 bucks a ride.

Cabs are plentiful all the time though.

It all depends on what you are wanting to do, whats your scene, etc. Definitely try to take in a game. ocugh cough CUBS! cough. lol

places to eat:
Orange on Clark and Belmont
Kitsch'n on Damen and Roscoe (roscoe Village, another neat area in chicago. Go to Sacred Art for neat local artists www.sacredart.com)
Japonais
Taylor street for Italian mmm.
Very cool. Lots to see. Do either of you guys give tours? :p

Very cool. Lots to see. Do either of you guys give tours? :p

buy me a couple of beers and Ill take ya anywhere you wanna go! haha but definitely would be a fun weekend trip to at least see the touristy stuff. It would take weeks to see everything! lol

buy me a couple of beers and Ill take ya anywhere you wanna go! haha but definitely would be a fun weekend trip to at least see the touristy stuff. It would take weeks to see everything! lol
done & done!!

More stuff I forgot to mention....

Avoid the loop after dark. The only people who hang out there after dark and on weekends are homeless people. The real action is on the north and near north side.

A lot of pretentious folks like to talk about how good Pizza is in the city but since I don't like pizza all that much it never was an issue for me.

If you do like Pizza you might try Ginos on Rush Street.

If shopping is your thing (and money is no object) take a walk up the magnificant mile (Michigan Ave, north of the river).

Maxwell Street (A block south of Roosevelt) and Halstead once had Chicago's only open air markett. But the Mayor drove it away since he was paid off by real estate developers who saw a quick buck. All the same you can still get tasty Polish Sausage there. Its what locals really eat. Its greasy and unhealthy. But it tastes like nothing else.

If beaches are your thing, go to the Oak Street Beach.

If you want to know what events are going on (art, music or theater) than get your hands on the Chicago Reader.

If you are not busy on Saturday Night you might hang out at the College of the Complexes http://www.collegeofcomplexes.org/ and listen to the speaches. Its lots of fun.

Also go to Bughouse Square for the Debates. This is Every Saturday from noon to 4, at the Newbery Library, 60 W. Walton St.

We're definitely fans of pizza. I'm so psyched about all this awesome info. Thanks!!! :D