[MyE92]

Hey guys,
I'm looking to visit Chicago really soon for the first time. I was just wondering if some of you can help out with suggestions on the best places to stay, eat, visit, etc... Where is the best area in Chicago to stay, thats an easy commute to everything? I appreciate all your input. Thanks!

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by MyE92

Hey guys,
I'm looking to visit Chicago really soon for the first time. I was just wondering if some of you can help out with suggestions on the best places to stay, eat, visit, etc... Where is the best area in Chicago to stay, thats an easy commute to everything? I appreciate all your input. Thanks!

Nothing in Chicago is an easy commute. Maybe if you gave us a clue of the types of things you hoped to do/see/eat we could steer you in the right direction.

[MyE92]

Originally Posted by AFV335i

Nothing in Chicago is an easy commute. Maybe if you gave us a clue of the types of things you hoped to do/see/eat we could steer you in the right direction.

Well it looks like the hotel prices in downtown Chicago are really really expensive. Does it make sense to stay by the airport and rent a car to drive into town?
I just want to see all the "touristy" spots, and any local suggestions on places to eat, see, etc... Any bars or lounges you suggest.

[Ricer X]

Well, depending on day and time, the commute from the airport to the downtown area for the touristy spots will be about 30 mins to 1.5 hrs. There is a public train that runs from the airport to downtown pretty regularly though.

As far as things to do, I'd say you have to go to the Hancock building for sure, check out wrigleyville and greektown. The Lakefront is cool too. Mag mile and Water Tower are musts as well.

There are soo many restaurants of varied tastes its hard to pin down. Some of my favorites are Topolobampo, Carnivale, Catch 35, Zed 451.

[mkPOTO]

where have you been looking? I can recommends some great places to eat and some places to visit, i will make a list and post later

[UdubBadger]

i would say the price difference in staying downtown would probably equate to being more benificial to you in what you would pay in traveling and your sanity level would be coming in from Ohare.

Stay in the city. Try hotels.com and see what you can find around the mag mile... you should be good for $150 a night somewhere which is about what you should expect to pay.

if you like Italian food hit up the Italian Village on Monroe... I'm a big fan.

[MyE92]

Thanks for the input so far! Yeah, i just realized the airport is pretty far from the downtown area, so going back and forth will be a hassle.
I don't think I'm going to rent a car anymore, because it seems like parking in town is really expensive. If I don't stay in a hotel in town or by the airport, are there any other particular towns you guys can suggest that are close by and have easy access on the CTA?
Also as far as places to eat, i'm really looking for places that locals enjoy (even if its a mom and pop shop), any places for deep dish pizza lol? I know I'll visit a lot of touristy places, so I also want to include places the regulars or locals go.

I know I'm being a PITA, but I really do appreciate all your help so far.

[MyE92]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

where have you been looking? I can recommends some great places to eat and some places to visit, i will make a list and post later

Thanks! I would definitely appreciate it!

[UdubBadger]

stay near downtown... no "outside towns" are close dude, Chicago isn't small.

Try some Pizza at Uno on Ohio. Most of the good mom and pop stuff is gonna be outside of the loop unfortunately.

[UdubBadger]

yeah anything down there is gonna be good. You can get around pretty easily while you're in the city.

[Ricer X]

Yeah, Uno's is prolly better, but Gino's East is more well known nationally. Both are chains now and not quite the same but you should hit one of them up. Not my personal fav hot dog place but Byron's is probably the most famous Chicago style dog place. Find the original Al's beef downtown (again not my fav beef place but the most well known). Billygoat's Tavern (from Saturday Night Live fame) on Wacker might be a good stop too. There are others, but that one is the original hole. Johnnie Walker's for breakfast downtown is a good idea too.

[UdubBadger]

Johhny Walker for breakfast is ALWAYS a good idea, but only if it's gold or blue label

[MyE92]

Originally Posted by AFV335i

Yeah, Uno's is prolly better, but Gino's East is more well known nationally. Both are chains now and not quite the same but you should hit one of them up. Not my personal fav hot dog place but Byron's is probably the most famous Chicago style dog place. Find the original Al's beef downtown (again not my fav beef place but the most well known). Billygoat's Tavern (from Saturday Night Live fame) on Wacker might be a good stop too. There are others, but that one is the original hole. Johnnie Walker's for breakfast downtown is a good idea too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll make sure to add that to the list.

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

Johhny Walker for breakfast is ALWAYS a good idea, but only if it's gold or blue label

hahahaha

Didn't you used to have a chipped 328? Traded it in?

[mkPOTO]

Places to eat:
Kumas Corner
2900 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-5804
You might have to wait a little bit, but well worth the wait, if you can go on a weekday you wont have to wait much

Hot Dougs
3324 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-5848
Best hotdogs in the city, they have some very unique ones

Berghoff
17 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
oldest resturant in downtown chicago, food is really good

Things to do:
Chicago Trolly

Skydeck (sears tower)
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-6437

Depending on when you come go to a sporting event
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Fire (games are so much fun)

And if your looking to go to any clubs or anything give me a pm, and ill get you in contact with my promoter friend who will hook you up

[scribbler11]

http://www.hotelpricebot.com/
http://chicago.timeout.com/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/
http://www.urbandaddy.com/home/chi
http://chicago.metromix.com/


I would highly recommend staying in the magnificent mile/river north areas and forget about driving. However, it does depend on your budget and length of stay. Review the above links and hit me up if you have any questions...

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by MyE92

hahahaha

Didn't you used to have a chipped 328? Traded it in?

yep I sold it to some kid from Wisconsin and got a 1er.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

Hot Dougs
3324 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-5848
Best hotdogs in the city, they have some very unique ones

totally forgot about this place... excellent suggestion.

Also don't be too shy to take the Chicago River Architectural boat tour from Navy Pier... it's not uber touristy at all. I've lived here my whole life and done it at least 10 times, its great.

[CubanJJ09]

pretty much eat a solid breakfast, centennial park, SEARS tower, lou malnatis hit up the musems and aquariums. rest.......... rush street, say goodnight. you can thank me later

[MyE92]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

Places to eat:
Kumas Corner
2900 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-5804
You might have to wait a little bit, but well worth the wait, if you can go on a weekday you wont have to wait much

Hot Dougs
3324 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-5848
Best hotdogs in the city, they have some very unique ones

Berghoff
17 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
oldest resturant in downtown chicago, food is really good

Things to do:
Chicago Trolly

Skydeck (sears tower)
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-6437

Depending on when you come go to a sporting event
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Fire (games are so much fun)

And if your looking to go to any clubs or anything give me a pm, and ill get you in contact with my promoter friend who will hook you up

Damn, thats a crazy list! I'm going to gain a couple pounds after this trip. Nice list! I might need a list of clubs/lounges to hit up too, I'll let you know!

Thanks! If you think of any other places, just post them up.

Originally Posted by scribbler11

http://www.hotelpricebot.com/
http://chicago.timeout.com/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/
http://www.urbandaddy.com/home/chi
http://chicago.metromix.com/


I would highly recommend staying in the magnificent mile/river north areas and forget about driving. However, it does depend on your budget and length of stay. Review the above links and hit me up if you have any questions...

Nice sites, I'll try looking through all of them. i found my hotel already. Thanks!

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

pretty much eat a solid breakfast, centennial park, SEARS tower, lou malnatis hit up the musems and aquariums. rest.......... rush street, say goodnight. you can thank me later

Hahaha, straight to the point. I like it! Thanks for the suggestions!

[MyE92]

I don't know if Chicago is known for any of their beaches, but are there any good ones? Also any bars you guys suggest?

[Ricer X]

Chicago has lots of beaches. Some are better than others. Depending on which beach or day the beach may be filled with Carlos' family but I would suggest renting a bike down by the lake and cruising the beach until you find a good spot and veg.

[Chewy734]

I recommend Uno's too... their crust is amazing...