The Singapore Forum

I'll be in Chicago for a few days in the third week of May. Any suggestions for things to do, places to go, restaurants I must visit?
Thanks!

Chicago Chop House (I think that's what it was called). Best steak I have ever had.

Well, checking out the shopping on Michigan Ave is worth a look. The Chicago museums are all great -- in particular the Art Museum (also on Michigan Ave - south end, I believe), Museum of Science and Industry and Museum of Natural History are pretty cool. You can go up in the Sears Tower and/or John Hancock buildings for views of the city. Baseball season should be going, so if there's a home Cubs game that would be well worth checking out -- bleacher seats should be pretty cheap and probably the most fun seats in the house. In fact, Wrigleyville - the area around Wrigley field - is full of fun bars & restaurants (at least last time I was there, but I can't imagine it's changed all that much). Not sure I'd recommend seeing a White Sox game only because the ball park is in a pretty rough neighborhood.

There are just too many great restaurants to name - as you find in any big city. If you like steaks and can find Baloo's recommendation, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. If you're at all into pizza, then you need to try authentic Chicago pizza (deep dish) and Pizzera Uno is probably the most well-known place for that.

I'll keep thinking

Edit: I remember having some fab breakfasts at this place: Ann Sather I don't remember which location - they may have only had one at the time anyway. But it looks like most of them are downtown-ish anyway.

Edit Again: How could I have forgotten the Shedd Aquarium??! It's in the same area as the Science & Industry and Natural History Museums. Also seeing a lot for Navy Pier - I think it's been built up quite a lot in the past 10 years or so - last time I was there we did have lunch out there and went to a children's museum there - probably not your thing However, I did see a lot of boat tours/cruises available there, so there might be something worth checking out and as it will be well into May, the weather should be quite nice for a boat cruise.

If you're into pizza then there is a pizza tour to the various claimants to the the real Chicago pizza title so you can compare! My sis in law loved this.

Ooh, didn't know that had that, Tack, sounds great!

You gotta have a Chicago Dog.

My friend lives there - let me know if you want to be put in contact for ideas - she might have ideas based on where you are staying etc.

Thanks for the ideas, I know you guys would come up with stuff I wouldn't find on Wikitravel

I am planning to visit Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, and do the boat tour thingy recommended by some locals.

I'll be staying at my sister's in Joliet, but I'll have her car while she's at work, with GPS, so I'll find my way around. Primary purpose is to hang out with my sister, so not going to do too many touristy things. Good food is a must, though!

If you have more recommendations, post away

Chicago was lovely, I especially liked the lake and the view of super flat landscape beyond the city limits, from one of the observatories (can't remember which one). The aquarium was small but quite nice, the best part was the underground tropical ocean exhibit. The food was excellent, although we mostly ate in my sister's suburban neighborhood of Joliet. I was also invited to my first genuine Mexican family party (my brother in law is Mexican American)... it was very interesting to see that Mexicans and Indonesians are so similar. We're loud, boisterous, play music at full volume, and love spicy food. The only difference was the amount of booze consumed at the party, it was... abundant Another interesting thing was the size of the people in the Midwest; they are BIG. After California, it was quite a change of scenery. I'm not exactly chocolate-sized, but I felt small in Chicago.

Next time I go, I will explore the city area more, maybe swim in the lake or something.

LOL - glad you had fun "abundant" alcohol!

Did you go up the top of the Hancock tower to the bar there?

I never knew there are 2-litre bottles of tequila

Now I remember it's Hancock tower, but I didn't go the bar because it was soooo crowded. The coffee shop at the Observatory deck was much more comfortable.

I liked Chicago too. Seemed very unpretentious and down to earth, unlike NYC and LA. People were surprisingly friendly

baloo wrote:I liked Chicago too. Seemed very unpretentious and down to earth, unlike NYC and LA. People were surprisingly friendly

Yep, it's the great Midwest People do tend to be a bit more down to earth and friendly --- but, full disclosure, I grew up about 2 hours from Chicago

I still look at a map of the US and struggle to see why they call it the "Midwest". They might be friendly, but their geography sucks.

Yup I totally agree, Midwesterners are very friendly. Somewhat naive (in the best sense of the word) and are very easily amused There are very few Asians where my sister lives, so we're kind of a novelty. People compliment me on my "very good English"

baloo wrote:I still look at a map of the US and struggle to see why they call it the "Midwest". They might be friendly, but their geography sucks.

Heh heh, can't help but think of the Blues Brothers whenever I see anything mention Joliet...

nev wrote:People compliment me on my "very good English"

Americans complimenting you on your English language skills? How would they know?

Fat Bob wrote:

nev wrote:People compliment me on my "very good English"

Americans complimenting you on your English language skills? How would they know?

One of my favorite stories with regard to this topic is when my cousin's British husband was in a McDonald's in Florida and the girl taking his order noticed his 'foreign accent' and asked him where he was from. He answered: "England." And she said, "Oh, well you speak our language very well." To which he answered, "Actually it's our language." I don't think she quite understood

Chicago for sure is a really beautiful place.... one of the best places in Chicago is the field museum!!

OK, so how cold is Chicago in early February? I'm getting a bit paranoid because my sister makes it sound so bad. I've lived in Tokyo where the temp drops to -4C in winter and I was fine. Wiki says Chicago temps in Feb is around -6 to 2C which I think should be bearable... am I grossly underestimating it?

It can of course be much colder then that. It is giving you average temps. If you catch a cold spell it can be much colder. It would not be unusual for it to get down to-20° C or lower with strong winds and blowing snow which makes it feel much colder. On the other hand it could also be 15° C. Good luck.

Thanks sluggo, I forgot that its not called Windy City for no reason. I just hope they don't blast the heaters indoors; cold outdoors+too hot indoors=nosebleed for me

When the winter winds come off Lake Michigan down from the artic climes you get a true education
of the term 'wind chill factor'