Visiting Chicago on a small budget

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oberhaus

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May 25, 2013 11:47 AM
What are some things we can take in on a two day trip to Chicago and not spend a lot?
May 25, 2013 11:47am
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sportchampps

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May 25, 2013 11:58 AM
Lincoln park zoo is free
Millennium park is free and has the bean and sometimes concerts
Window shop on Michigan ave
Eat at Yolk ( a great breakfast and will run about $25 for 2 people)
Eat some Chicago pizza
I've got tickets to cubs games for like $10
Take the water taxi to Chinatown and grab lunch (taxi is like $4 and there's cheap food and always some interesting going on)
Visit the Shedd aquarium it will be around $30 a person but it will take up a who,e day and is really interesting
May 25, 2013 11:58am
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Fred Garvin

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May 25, 2013 10:32 PM
^^^great advice.

Chicago, like any large city, is not cheap. But the above post is wonderful advice.
May 25, 2013 10:32pm
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Classyposter58

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May 25, 2013 10:58 PM
Fred Garvin;1448337 wrote:^^^great advice.

Chicago, like any large city, is not cheap. But the above post is wonderful advice.
:laugh:Detroit is pretty cheap
May 25, 2013 10:58pm
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Crimson streak

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May 25, 2013 11:41 PM
Classyposter58;1448349 wrote::laugh:Detroit is pretty cheap

No one gives a fuck about Detroit but you. Stop bringing it up every post.
May 25, 2013 11:41pm
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sportchampps

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May 26, 2013 2:25 AM
Navy pier is also good and has fireworks almost every weekend of the summer
May 26, 2013 2:25am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 2:34 AM
Into looking at art?

Visit the Art institute of Chicago or could check out Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park. Also believe the Museum of Contemporary Art is still free on Tuesdays.

Tons of smaller museums and art galleries are free.
May 26, 2013 2:34am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 2:34 AM
Depending on what weekend you go, there is almost always some festival or block party-type thing.

Lincoln Park (the actual park, not the neighborhood) where the zoo is is pretty cool. There are some botanical gardens there, as well. You could then head across Lake Shore and walk along the beach down to Navy Pier.

Really just wandering around downtown (Mich Ave area) is a very enjoyable architectural tour, people watching, and shopping.

Even cheaper, potentially, than a Cubs game is just to go to the area on game day and hit up some of the bars around there. Maybe even show-up 6th inning or so, pull up a chair to watch the end of the game and then wait for the mayhem to ensue as the park empties out.
May 26, 2013 2:34am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 2:38 AM
gut;1448409 wrote:Depending on what weekend you go, there is almost always some festival or block party-type thing.

Lincoln Park where the zoo is is pretty cool. There are some botanical gardens there, as well. You could then head across Lake Shore and walk along the beach down to Navy Pier.

Really just wandering around downtown (Mich Ave area) is a very enjoyable architectural tour, people watching, and shopping.

Even cheaper, potentially, than a Cubs game is just to go to the area on game day and hit up some of the bars around there. Maybe even show-up 6th inning or so, pull up a chair to watch the end of the game and then wait for the mayhem to ensue as the park empties out.
Lincoln Park zoo is a must. No doubt about it .

Visiting Wrigley field and hanging outside is an idea, especially fun if a night game.

Be willing to take the L train getting around. It's worth figuring out the stops.
May 26, 2013 2:38am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 2:44 AM
said_aouita;1448410 wrote: Be willing to take the L train getting around. It's worth figuring out the stops.
True. You can download the Redeye app, which has routes.

But in the summer, younger couple, I'd plan on walking most places (provided it's not too hot and humid). I wouldn't walk to the Museum of Science & Industry or Cellular Field (or whatever WSox stadium is). But pretty much you can walk about anywhere between Wrigley and the Fields Museum. Great walking if you pick the right routes.
May 26, 2013 2:44am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 2:48 AM
And if you want to spend a few bucks, the one bar I always recommend for just the coolest atmostphere is B.L.U.E.S. A lot of tourists don't know about it, and you have to get there by 9 if you have any hope of grabbing a chair. Drinks aren't horrible, but cover is like $20. The live music is always good, and it is one of the iconic (if not lesser "known") bars in Chicago.
May 26, 2013 2:48am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 2:50 AM
Or if wanting some real adventures both of ya wear a "white pride" or Rebel flag t-shirt and go walk around Cabrini-Green.


:thumbup:
May 26, 2013 2:50am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 3:00 AM
said_aouita;1448413 wrote:Or if wanting some real adventures both of ya wear a "white pride" or Rebel flag t-shirt and go walk around Cabrini-Green.
LMAO...when is the last time you were in Cabrini? The last projects are gone, and there's a Target superstore going in along with some half-mill (and up) condos. Practically full yuppy now from like Division up past Wrigley field. That North/Halsted corridor now rivals Mich Ave.
May 26, 2013 3:00am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 3:00 AM
gut;1448412 wrote:And if you want to spend a few bucks, the one bar I always recommend for just the coolest atmostphere is B.L.U.E.S. A lot of tourists don't know about it, and you have to get there by 9 if you have any hope of grabbing a chair. Drinks aren't horrible, but cover is like $20. The live music is always good, and it is one of the iconic (if not lesser "known") bars in Chicago.
Tons of smaller "local" bars ya never hear about in Chicago. I can't remember exactly where or what it's called but I believe the bar is near the Wicker Park area.
Something I've never seen before - a bar with a barber in the front. Old school bar where ya can get a beer and a haircut. Great pool table in the back too.


gut;1448414 wrote:LMAO...when is the last time you were in Cabrini? The last projects are gone, and there's a Target superstore going in along with some half-mill (and up) condos. Practically full yuppy now from like Division up past Wrigley field.
.ok, I'm guilty of using an out dated joke again.....trying too hard.
Is that area even called Cabrini anymore?

My family is North-siders. Closer to Milwaukee actually, only a few miles from Wisconsin border.
May 26, 2013 3:00am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 3:10 AM
gut;1448414 wrote:LMAO...when is the last time you were in Cabrini? The last projects are gone, and there's a Target superstore going in along with some half-mill (and up) condos. Practically full yuppy now from like Division up past Wrigley field.
heehee...ok, I'm guilty of using an out dated joke again. I know cabrini is dead. Hell it was dear death even when I was a teen. Is it even called Cabrini anymore?

My family is North-siders. Closer to Milwaukee actually, only a few miles from Wisconsin border.
May 26, 2013 3:10am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 3:11 AM
said_aouita;1448415 wrote:Tons of smaller "local" bars ya never hear about in Chicago. I can't remember exactly where or what it's called but I believe the bar is near the Wicker Park area.
Something I've never seen before - a bar with a barber in the front. Old school bar where ya can get a beer and a haircut. Great pool table in the back too.
Well, there are obviously hundreds of bars. Problem is finding the gems (when budget is a factor) that aren't tourist traps or overrun by college kids.

I'm sure there is a list somewhere, but you can do a decent pub crawl just hitting some of the historical bars and bars featured in movies.

And I always tell people you can get a free view of the city from the 95th floor of Signature Room in the Hancock building. Go check the menu prices, get a free view (unless they cracked down on it). I've eaten there - food is overpriced (shocker!) and not that good. Could be worth an afternoon drink, though (if you want your wallet to bleed).
May 26, 2013 3:11am
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gut

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May 26, 2013 3:24 AM
If you're out and drunk late night, hit up the Weiner Circle for a late night hotdog.

And if you don't want to wait in line to order, this is how you do it:
Walk in like you own the joint and yell "hey, Shirley, give me a fucking char dog". Why "Shirley" you ask? Because there's always a fat black chick working there that looks like Shirley from What's Happenin'.


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May 26, 2013 3:24am
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Belly35

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May 26, 2013 6:57 AM
Get a weekend subway pass and you can travel around easy and quickly Something like $12.00 ?...

Plan on walking a lot.....mofo
May 26, 2013 6:57am
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said_aouita

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May 26, 2013 7:42 AM
gut;1448420 wrote:If you're out and drunk late night, hit up the Weiner Circle for a late night hotdog.

And if you don't want to wait in line to order, this is how you do it:
Walk in like you own the joint and yell "hey, Shirley, give me a fucking char dog". Why "Shirley" you ask? Because there's always a fat black chick working there that looks like Shirley from What's Happenin'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Goat_Tavern
Is the original Billy Goat Tavern still open or worth seeing?
May 26, 2013 7:42am
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SportsAndLady

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May 27, 2013 9:44 PM
said_aouita;1448431 wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Goat_Tavern
Is the original Billy Goat Tavern still open or worth seeing?
Was just there this past weekend. Great place.

One of my favorites places is Ceres Cafe. Located right in the middle of the financial district. They give you a huge cup of liquor, and a can of soda (if you need it). It's like $10.

Go there when the markets are open if possible and see for yourself the hustle and bustle of the financial district during the open markets hours.

They're not open on the weekend and only til about 8 weekdays. It's a happy hour kind of thing.

Free popcorn and a gigantic cup of Crown Royal. Gets the evening started.
May 27, 2013 9:44pm
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Laley23

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May 27, 2013 9:57 PM
Best advice is stay away from Cabs. Walk or take the L. They seem cheap initially, but the rides add up.
May 27, 2013 9:57pm
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SportsAndLady

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May 27, 2013 10:18 PM
Laley23;1449089 wrote:Best advice is stay away from Cabs. Walk or take the L. They seem cheap initially, but the rides add up.
Living here, I get so fucking lazy when it comes to this. Especially when it's a couple people and we're drunk. "Hey guys you wanna wait for a train to get home?" "Fuck that, lets cab it"

That's basically the conversation I have every Friday and Saturday night.
May 27, 2013 10:18pm
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Tiernan

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May 28, 2013 1:40 PM
SportsAndLady;1449100 wrote:Living here, I get so fucking lazy when it comes to this. Especially when it's a couple people and we're drunk. "Hey guys you wanna wait for a train to get home?" "Fuck that, lets cab it"

That's basically the conversation I have every Friday and Saturday night.
Like you have "guys" that would hang out with you on Friday and Saturday nights...liar.
May 28, 2013 1:40pm
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SportsAndLady

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May 28, 2013 2:22 PM
Tiernan;1449250 wrote:Like you have "guys" that would hang out with you on Friday and Saturday nights...liar.

Random
May 28, 2013 2:22pm
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hasbeen

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May 28, 2013 2:23 PM
SportsAndLady;1449277 wrote:Random
He's drunk. Please forgive him.
May 28, 2013 2:23pm