Chicago

[Yuwipi Woman]

Through a weird set of circumstances I'm going to be spending three days in Chicago. I know I want to see the Art Institute. Anyone have any ideas on what else I should do there? And is the public transporation as good as I have heard? Can I get by without renting a car??? Any hotel recomendations?

I appreciate any suggestions you can give. :)

[ivebeenhigh]

getting around is really simple. though it takes a while to get in from the airport. and i dont like the orange colour on the maps.

the alcohol abuse centre is my favourite bar of all time. though i think it has had a refit since i was last there 3 or 4 years ago.

http://www.chicagobarproject.com/Memoriam/Tuman's/Tuman's.htm

C

[Johnny Canuck2]

Through a weird set of circumstances I'm going to be spending three days in Chicago. I know I want to see the Art Institute. Anyone have any ideas on what else I should do there? And is the public transporation as good as I have heard? Can I get by without renting a car??? Any hotel recomendations?

I appreciate any suggestions you can give. :)

Concerning the car, depends where you're staying. It is easy to get in from the airport, and you can get around downtown fairly well on the El, but it's a big city to try to get around in without a car.

Things to do: Navy Pier can be kind of fun in the summer. We enjoyed the Field Natural History Museum. There are apparently boat tours that go into the varied architecture, which is truly one of the marvels of Chicago.

Everyone always talks about the Gold Coast area as being the place to drink, and no doubt there are plenty bars there, but I found that area to be a little bit university student-oriented for my taste.

You should take in some blues. House of Blues is the old standard, but there are less well known clubs that are a lot of fun. I had a good time at Buddy Guy's Legends: saw Gatemouth Brown before he died.

[Bernie Gunther]

I found it easy to get around without a car. If someone else is paying, I'd recommend the Swisshotel, right where the river meets the lake. Fab view from the higher floors and in walking distance of the Art Institute.

I'd also endorse JC's blues bar recommendations.

[Yuwipi Woman]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think the Suisshotel is out. It looks lush though. I doubt if my entire hotel budget is as much as one nights lodging. I'm thinking I'll get a cheapy near the airport. It looks like there is a train that runs between the airport and downtown.

Oddly enough I was originally headed for New York. My life is weird. :D

[Johnny Canuck2]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think the Suisshotel is out. It looks lush though. I doubt if my entire hotel budget is as much as one nights lodging. I'm thinking I'll get a cheapy near the airport. It looks like there is a train that runs between the airport and downtown.

Oddly enough I was originally headed for New York. My life is weird. :D

Want something different downtown that's reasonable?

Try the Congress Plaza Hotel.

[mhendo]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think the Suisshotel is out. It looks lush though. I doubt if my entire hotel budget is as much as one nights lodging. I'm thinking I'll get a cheapy near the airport. It looks like there is a train that runs between the airport and downtown.

Oddly enough I was originally headed for New York. My life is weird. :D
I would try to avoid staying out near the airport if you can. I know it's quite easy to get downtown from there, but it really is much more fun and exciting to actually be downtown. Dragging your arse into and out of the city each day would be annoying.

How long before your trip? If it's at least a few weeks away, you should be able to get a good deal on one of the budget travel websites.

[phildwyer]

House of Blues is alright, a bit touristic but you get into two separate clubs for the price of one. If you want a budget motel, try the Heart O' Chicago. Its well outside the loop, but easy to reach on the 24-hour subway system.

[lang rabbie]

If you have any interest in Frank Lloyd Wright, half a day out at Oak Park is a pleasant way to spend time. The suburb still had a diner that time forgot last time I wast there.

The City Suites (http://www.cityinns.com/) out at "Lake View" has some good sized rooms in an old-fashioned hotel. It used to be a bohemian dive, but although prices have gone up since the refurb started, it's still not expensive by Chicago standards.

It's only five minutes walk from an El station that gets you to downtown in ten minutes. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room on the east side away from the El Trains.

IIRC the hotel sells out when there's a Cubs game as out-of-town fans choose it when visiting Wrigley Field. The clientele may be changing further with the extraordinary commercial growth of the pink pound in Boystown only a few blocks away - which may or may not have displaced all the Goths who used to hang around the nearby KFC?

[Gavin Bl]

Going up the Sears Tower was fun, and just generally looking at all the great skyscrapers. The lake is nice but I guess it might be pretty bitter along there right now. The area along Clark, up by the famous baseball ground - the name escapes me now - is nice too, some nice bars, book shops, stuff like that.

Don't miss 'Nighthawks' at the Institute of Art.

[Yuwipi Woman]

Don't miss 'Nighthawks' at the Institute of Art.

I wouldn't miss it. I have this to compare it to:

http://www.sheldonartgallery.org/collection/index.html?topic=detail&clct_id=6126

I hear they have a shitload of Monets too.

[Yuwipi Woman]

I would try to avoid staying out near the airport if you can. I know it's quite easy to get downtown from there, but it really is much more fun and exciting to actually be downtown. Dragging your arse into and out of the city each day would be annoying.

How long before your trip? If it's at least a few weeks away, you should be able to get a good deal on one of the budget travel websites.

I tend to agree. I have about a month to figure out where I'm going. So I have some time. I may just have to stick a crowbar in my wallet.

[EatMoreChips]

You don't need a car at all. I've lived here four years and never felt the need... Got to head off now, but I'll add some more stuff next week.

Chicago's great. The view's better from the top of the Hancock than the Sears tower, mind you.

[Gavin Bl]

You don't need a car at all. I've lived here four years and never felt the need... Got to head off now, but I'll add some more stuff next week.

Chicago's great. The view's better from the top of the Hancock than the Sears tower, mind you.

This I was told coming down Sears Tower lift! :D :rolleyes:

[mhendo]

This I was told coming down Sears Tower lift! :D :rolleyes:Yeah, but going up Sears Tower is a quintessential Chicago experience; the height alone makes it exciting, and the view is still pretty damn good.

[Gavin Bl]

Yeah, but going up Sears Tower is a quintessential Chicago experience; the height alone makes it exciting, and the view is still pretty damn good.

Yes, and the view of the John Hancock Tower is undeniably better!!

[septic tank]

Yes, and the view of the John Hancock Tower is undeniably better!!

I second the Tumans' Alcohol Abuse Center recommendation. Also, the nearby Empty Bottle (http://www.emptybottle.com/home.php) (Western and Augusta?) is great for live music. There's great cheap taquerias all around there, as I recall (Playa Del Mar and Taco Velos on Chicago Ave. were faves), although the classier fare is to be found in Pilsen.

Only decent watering hole in the Gold Coast is the Old Town Ale House, which is very charming (just this side of Cabrini Green, if that's still there). For blues, Rosa's (http://www.rosaslounge.com/) is good. Anything but Checkers (phony tourist dive) and HOB (to the nth power) should be a good time. The real blues joints are mostly anonymous places on the South and West Sides, but there's a few touristy places that still draw pretty good talent.

[EatMoreChips]

For blues, Rosa's (http://www.rosaslounge.com/) is good. Anything but Checkers (phony tourist dive) and HOB (to the nth power) should be a good time.

I live a block or so away from Rosa's and haven't been there yet. That's a bit embarrassing, isn't it?

[Yuwipi Woman]

Thanks for all of the information, guys. I really enjoyed the trip.

I ended up spending two days at the Art Institute. I was totally freaked by what they had hanging on their walls--entire rooms of Monets, four Van Goghs, my favorite Breton. I still didn't see it all. I was impressed with the restaurant there. It was good, relatively cheap food that wasn't some fast food chain.

I also saw the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. One note about the Field Museum. If you want to go to the special exhibits get a ticket for them a day in advance.

Totally freaked over the Smith Glass Museum on Navy Pier. Whole rooms full of Tiffany glass and over 500 windows overall.

Didn't need a car in any way shape or form. It would have been more trouble than it was worth. The El is easy to use. Never did find a coherent bus schedule, but you can go on the internet and plug in where you are and where you want to go and it will plot a route for you.

Only had a small bit of hassle with O'Hare security. I ran into the usual bully with a badge, but I know how to deal with them. Just make them look a bit silly and they leave off.

Thanks again! :)

[JoMo1953]

Nice to hear you had a good trip, hope the weather was cooperative too!

[Yuwipi Woman]

When I unpacked I found a notice from Homeland Security. They had hand searched my bag. I hope they enjoyed playing with my dirty underwear and reading the books I bought at the Art Institute. :)