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Things to do in Chicago

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Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:32 AM
I'm heading to Chicago for the weekend with my two roommates, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations / suggestions on places to go, eat, visit, etc.

I've been to Chicago once, but I was in 3rd grade or so, so I'm sure things have changed since, and I'm sure I'm going to be interested in seeing other things that, say, a 3rd-grader wouldn't be down for.

We should be arriving sometime late Friday night, and we will be heading back mid-day Sunday. We're hoping that with Valentine's Day this weekend, any ladies out at the bars will more than likely be single ladies. So should be pretty fun [we're hoping].

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Feb 9, 2011 10:32am
U

UANyg

Senior Member

265 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:47 AM
In my experience unless the wait isn't too bad, i would go up to the top of John Hancock Tower instead of Willis (Sears) Tower. At that height, the view is almost identical and the only thing different is the novelty of being in Willis (Sears) Tower. Also make sure you hit up Pizzeria Uno or another great Chicago style pizza place.
Feb 9, 2011 10:47am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

Senior Member

10,760 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:53 AM
If you REALLY like hot dogs, go here: http://www.hotdougs.com/. Best dogs I've ever had, and if you go on Friday or Saturday you can get some duck fat fries.

Head to Lincoln Park or River North if you're looking for the bar scene. Wrigleyville is a big frat party if you're into that sort of thing.
Feb 9, 2011 10:53am
september63's avatar

september63

Senior Member

5,789 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:54 AM
Even though it will be cold, I would still head up and check out Wrigley and the surrounding bars in Wrigleyville.

IMO neither Ditka's nor Harry Caray's food is all that great but they are attractions.
Feb 9, 2011 10:54am
K

khujo

Senior Member

111 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:55 AM
Weiner's Circle for late night drunken food.

Be sure to order the chocolate shake!
Feb 9, 2011 10:55am
september63's avatar

september63

Senior Member

5,789 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:58 AM
Ive been to both NYC and Chicago and I have to say all things considered, I had more fun in Chicago. Chicago is expensive, but not NYC expensive.

I suggest you and your buddies all contribute 75.00 to a cab fund and let one guy take care of paying cabbies. If there is money left at the end just divide it back up.
Feb 9, 2011 10:58am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Feb 9, 2011 10:58 AM
gorocks99;671428 wrote:If you REALLY like hot dogs, go here: http://www.hotdougs.com/. Best dogs I've ever had, and if you go on Friday or Saturday you can get some duck fat fries.

Head to Lincoln Park or River North if you're looking for the bar scene. Wrigleyville is a big frat party if you're into that sort of thing.
Did your street get cleared yet.... my daughter digging her car out this weekend
Feb 9, 2011 10:58am
4cards's avatar

4cards

Ohio Chatter Legend

2,551 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:00 AM
Scarlet_Buckeye;671388 wrote:I'm heading to Chicago for the weekend with my two roommates, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations / suggestions on places to go, eat, visit, etc.

I've been to Chicago once, but I was in 3rd grade or so, so I'm sure things have changed since, and I'm sure I'm going to be interested in seeing other things that, say, a 3rd-grader wouldn't be down for.

We should be arriving sometime late Friday night, and we will be heading back mid-day Sunday. We're hoping that with Valentine's Day this weekend, any ladies out at the bars will more than likely be single ladies. So should be pretty fun [we're hoping].

Any help is greatly appreciated.
...If you've seen the old SNL skits with Belushi, Aykroyd and Murray then you would remember the "Billy Goat Tavern"

"Cheezb0rger, Cheezborger, Cheeszborger.
Fries?........No fries Chips.
Pepsi?...No Pepsi,COKE!"

...Also, the Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to kill a few hours.

Feb 9, 2011 11:00am
september63's avatar

september63

Senior Member

5,789 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:03 AM
Ahhh the Billy Goat Tavern. I had a burger there. It is an underground establishment.
Feb 9, 2011 11:03am
W

wkfan

Senior Member

1,641 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:04 AM
Lots to do in Chicago......Navy Pier, shopping on Michigan Avenue, Art Institute, Architectural boat tour on the river (if ehya re running int eh winter), lots of great resturants and bars.

Great town!
Feb 9, 2011 11:04am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

Senior Member

10,760 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:04 AM
Belly35;671435 wrote:Did your street get cleared yet.... my daughter digging her car out this weekend

The middle of the street is driveable but my car is still buried. Thankfully I haven't had to drive anywhere yet, but I'm planning to dig the car out this coming weekend as well just so it's not covered. The good news is we're supposed to almost hit 40 on Sunday so some of the snow will melt!
Feb 9, 2011 11:04am
Tiger2003's avatar

Tiger2003

Kill or be Killed

15,421 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:05 AM
Go to Garrett's Popcorn and get a gallon of Chicago Mix. It is the best popcorn you will ever eat.

For a lunch or dinner- Exchequer Restaurant and Pub they have great deep dish pizza.

We were just in Chicago on our way to North Dakota.
Feb 9, 2011 11:05am
O

Oldman82

Member

68 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:20 AM
Plenty of places to shop and eat on the Magnificant Mile.
Feb 9, 2011 11:20am
SQ_Crazies's avatar

SQ_Crazies

The Godfather

7,977 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:26 AM
Eh, Portillo's has the best hot dogs.

Theres all kinds of stuff to do. Go stay for a night in The Sutton Place and go out to the bars around there, you'll thank me later. Oh and go see ANYTHING at the Chicago Theatre. The building is incredible.

Love Chicago, was just there last week.
Feb 9, 2011 11:26am
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:38 AM
I just checked out Hot Doug's website. Better hit it up this weekend, it'll be closed February 14-March 1.
Feb 9, 2011 11:38am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

Senior Member

10,760 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:48 AM
OSH;671516 wrote:I just checked out Hot Doug's website. Better hit it up this weekend, it'll be closed February 14-March 1.

They run some crazy hours, but it's so worth it. Their specialty dogs are out-of-this-world good. Some samples from today's menu:

Chardonnay and Jalapeno Rattlesnake Sausage with Roasted Yellow Pepper Dijonnaise and Cranberry Wensleydale Cheese
Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel
Cognac-Infused Pheasant Sausage with Dijon Goat Butter and Walnut-Studded Gouda Cheese
Cherry and Apple Pork Sausage with Sir William Pear Mustard and Vosges Bacon Chocolate

That said, you can still get just the standard Chicago dog there too - and it's damn good.
Feb 9, 2011 11:48am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:52 AM
gorocks, have you been to Chicago Dog House? If so, is Hot Doug's THAT much better? I haven't been to Hot Doug's yet but I plan on going when I'm (hopefully) in Chicago in March.
Feb 9, 2011 11:52am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:52 AM
Oh, if you like tshirts hit up the Threadless store.
Feb 9, 2011 11:52am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

Senior Member

10,760 posts
Feb 9, 2011 11:58 AM
justincredible;671550 wrote:gorocks, have you been to Chicago Dog House? If so, is Hot Doug's THAT much better? I haven't been to Hot Doug's yet but I plan on going when I'm (hopefully) in Chicago in March.

I have not been to Chicago's Dog House yet - it's pretty close to me so I'll have to go and check it out. But I will say that Hot Doug's is the highest rated restaurant with 1000+ reviews on Yelp that I've probably ever seen: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-dougs-chicago. Plus, it made Anthony Bourdain's 13 places you have to eat before you die list: http://www.menshealth.com/bestfoods/food_features/13_Places_to_Eat_Before_You_Die.php
Feb 9, 2011 11:58am
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 9, 2011 12:17 PM
Thanks to all those who have supplied ideas. I'm really excited about Hot Doug's - definitely going to have to hit that up. Any other recommendations are still greatly appreciated. We're not exactly sure what we're still going to do.
Feb 9, 2011 12:17pm
Fab4Runner's avatar

Fab4Runner

Tits McGee

6,196 posts
Feb 9, 2011 12:35 PM
I'll be heading to Chicago for the first time in July for a bacherlorette party....I can't wait to get some pizzaaaaaaaaaaa.
Feb 9, 2011 12:35pm
oberhaus's avatar

oberhaus

Senior Member

868 posts
Feb 9, 2011 12:49 PM
gorocks99;671541 wrote:They run some crazy hours, but it's so worth it. Their specialty dogs are out-of-this-world good. Some samples from today's menu:

Chardonnay and Jalapeno Rattlesnake Sausage with Roasted Yellow Pepper Dijonnaise and Cranberry Wensleydale Cheese
Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel
Cognac-Infused Pheasant Sausage with Dijon Goat Butter and Walnut-Studded Gouda Cheese
Cherry and Apple Pork Sausage with Sir William Pear Mustard and Vosges Bacon Chocolate

That said, you can still get just the standard Chicago dog there too - and it's damn good.

Holy shit. So how much does these dogs cost?
Feb 9, 2011 12:49pm
oberhaus's avatar

oberhaus

Senior Member

868 posts
Feb 9, 2011 12:51 PM
justincredible;671552 wrote:Oh, if you like tshirts hit up the Threadless store.

My wife buys shirts from there online all the time.
Feb 9, 2011 12:51pm