Chicago

[Ruairi77]

here's a weird little tip. Depending on the wind direction, sit on the left side of the plane by the window as you approach O'Hare. The couple of times I've flown in there I'v had amazing views of the city skyline as we flew in over lake Michigan. Again, all wind direction dependent!

 

[verreauxi]

I grew up in Chicago suburbs and very familiar with the city. Great town, but crazy-cold in the winter. Walk through Millenium Park and Art Institute. Visit the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. As many have mentioned Deep Dish Pizza is a must and I grew up on Lou Malnatis. MCA (modern art) is good. A touristy, but still fun thing to do is go to the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building, the Signature room (bar), and get an overpriced drink...the views are amazing. Plenty of good breakfast, including a (chain restaurant) called "Yolk". Plenty of good cocktail bars and high-end bars, but don't by-pass all the good dive-bars: Zakopanes, Old Town Ale House, Bialystok. The Green Mill is worth a trip up to the North Side; used to be a regular hangout past 3am. Most of the Blues Bars in the Loop kinda suck in my opinion. The Original Billy goat on Lower Wacker is till decent. Plenty of good free museums, including the Mexican Museum of Art, museum of contemporary photography. Blackhawks! Make sure to sample Chicago's cultural icon, a fine (crappy) beer called Old Style!

 

[VentureBrosEFC]

In terms of drinks (if you like beer that is) check out half acre brewery (they also have a restaurant now I think), revolution brewery (brewpub has eats), and check out the Everton bar A.J.s Hudsons on Grace and Ashland.

 

[VentureBrosEFC]

I grew up in Chicago suburbs and very familiar with the city. Great town, but crazy-cold in the winter. Walk through Millenium Park and Art Institute. Visit the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. As many have mentioned Deep Dish Pizza is a must and I grew up on Lou Malnatis. MCA (modern art) is good. A touristy, but still fun thing to do is go to the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building, the Signature room (bar), and get an overpriced drink...the views are amazing. Plenty of good breakfast, including a (chain restaurant) called "Yolk". Plenty of good cocktail bars and high-end bars, but don't by-pass all the good dive-bars: Zakopanes, Old Town Ale House, Bialystok. The Green Mill is worth a trip up to the North Side; used to be a regular hangout past 3am. Most of the Blues Bars in the Loop kinda suck in my opinion. The Original Billy goat on Lower Wacker is till decent. Plenty of good free museums, including the Mexican Museum of Art, museum of contemporary photography. Blackhawks! Make sure to sample Chicago's cultural icon, a fine (crappy) beer called Old Style!

+1 on the Green Mill (cash only bar) with great jazz music regularly.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Indeed. I don't remember regular season games after Christmas. Either this is new or I'm getting old...

Seemed normal to me as it started in 04/05 by the looks of it and I arrived here in 04.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Seemed normal to me as it started in 04/05 by the looks of it and I arrived here in 04.

Stop with your facts

 

[obc]

I've put down Lagunitas and Goose Island to see. Big fan of the craft beer scene!

Also looking to have most of the trips booked before we go, so as to ensure all the money can be spent on food and ale.

My brother-in-law lives there, ranked in pref order. As Goose Island sold out to AB-Inbev, were I in your boots I'd do another one over that one.

 

[VentureBrosEFC]

I've put down Lagunitas and Goose Island to see. Big fan of the craft beer scene!

Also looking to have most of the trips booked before we go, so as to ensure all the money can be spent on food and ale.

As others have said don't go to either. Check out Half Acre and Revolution. If you want a real treat rent a car and drive 45 mins to 3 Floyds in Munster, In just across the border. Some call it the best brewery in the country. Great food there too but you have to at least be able to tolerate metal music if you wanna grab something to eat there.

 

[jackyboy]

As others have said don't go to either. Check out Half Acre and Revolution. If you want a real treat rent a car and drive 45 mins to 3 Floyds in Munster, In just across the border. Some call it the best brewery in the country. Great food there too but you have to at least be able to tolerate metal music if you wanna grab something to eat there.

Will take your advice. Thanks buddy.

 

[jackyboy]

My brother-in-law lives there, ranked in pref order. As Goose Island sold out to AB-Inbev, were I in your boots I'd do another one over that one.

Take that on board. So the lesser known??

 

[obc]

Take that on board. So the lesser known??

Most American craft is like that, some have big name recognition, clout, but in any given state or city the locals will know a bunch of places that maybe haven't made the national radar yet.


The last bit of advice I might offer is map 'em. See what is where, maybe some will be within walking distance of each other. That might help prioritize what to check out.

 

[dandydan]

Take a gun

Enjoy

Nah mate. Chicago has relatively strict gun laws so the chances of getting shot are minimal.

 

[allezlesbleus]

It will be exciting tonight!
Try also to catch the Sears tower in the hour that dusk falls. It is great to see the city in daylight and then as the street lights come on.

 

[jackyboy]

6 weeks until I go now!

 

[jackyboy]

Wow.