Chicago, first time in the US: What to do; see; eat; buy & miss

LondonDiva

magic_pants wrote:

Went there last year and one thing you MUST do is go up to the top of the Hancock Tower at night and have a cocktail in the cocktail bar there. You might have to queue a bit but it's well worth it for the views.

Will be takign a toast to MSE with a nice margharita:)

LondonDiva

barron wrote:

Totally agree with PBA,
Fantastic city,shops should be decked out for thanksgiving and xmas when you go.

Visit some of the Blues/Jazz Bars,ask the concierge at hotel for the good local ones.(The Back Room on Division is good,as is Jillys next door)
Cab it there and Cab it back.

Theres a great chinese,just round the block from The Marriot(Nth Michigan),cant remember the name.(front door ,left,next street ,left,on the right)

Mike Ditkas(Chicago Bears) - Mega Burger Grill(Try The Fridge)!!
Sullivans - Best steaks and huge !!

Get down to Rush Street & Division,great night with free shooters(drink)and free alcojello(jelly and spirit)

Oh the memories!!!!!!!!

Happy Hols

Will add to the list:D

LondonDiva

LondonDiva wrote:

What's the Field Museum?

I have tights, thermals and thick socks:D:D:D:D

I was goign to buy a gillet from M&S, but thought I may as well wait to buy one at Gap when I get there... someone somewhere mentioned that Old Navy (?) is a cheaper version of Gap. Are their clothes good quality?

barron_2

Couple of links for you.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

http://www.rushanddivision.com/clubs.html

http://www.gochicagocard.com/?GCID=S18000x004&KEYWORD=chicago%20sightseeing&MATCHTYPE=search

http://www.chicagotours.us/?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=tour-1&ovcrn=chicago+sightseeing&ovtac=PPC

Happy Hols

mystic_trev

The Blues clubs are a must as is http://www.dickslastresort.com/ It's a great place where the waiters are taught to be rude to the customers - Somewhat a novelty in the US !

VickyM_2

LondonDiva wrote:

I have tights, thermals and thick socks:D:D:D:D

I was goign to buy a gillet from M&S, but thought I may as well wait to buy one at Gap when I get there... someone somewhere mentioned that Old Navy (?) is a cheaper version of Gap. Are their clothes good quality?

Old Navy is a lot cheaper than Gap. Some of their stuff is excellent quality, some of it is junk - I have a pair of trousers I bought about 6 years ago which are still fine, but some of the cheap T-shirts have pretty much disintegrated. Definitely worth a look though!

If you go up the Hancock Tower for a drink, make sure you go to the loos there - the view is even better than from the bar (and rather cheaper).

If it isn't freezing, try a boat trip around the city - they do one which shows you all the amazing buildings.

LondonDiva

Thanks MSE'ers:T:T:T:T

Does anyone know anything about where to get snow globes? My niece collects them & it would be cool to get a Chicago one for her.

What would you suggest as value for money gifts? (not neccessarily cheap), just stuff that's great bargains in the States or must be bought on the first visit?

I currently have:

*Maple syrup
*Eat a giant pretzel
*Kidnap Luca Kovac:D

Tony_M_2

We went up the Sears Tower, can be a wait though, we had a school trip in there at the same time! the lift journey is an experience and the views are great. Stayed at the Hotel Monaco, in a great location and for breakfast turn left out of the hotel and, left again at the next turning, across the road for a great diner. Went to N Rush street to a really good Italian restaurant but, there are plenty of great places to eat. For lunch go to Joe's seafood, steak and crab restaurant. Corner of grand & Rush. Navy pier is good for a stroll if the weather is nice. Plenty of shopping as mentioned before on N Michigan. Take an airport express van into town, charge about $18 per person, not as quick as a cab but a fixed price, our trip on arrival took over an hour due to traffic, so a cab would have been much more than that. It's a great city you will love it.