What to do in Chicago when I’m there this August?
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Proud to be 51 asked:
We’re flying from So Cal to Chicago for a Cubbies/Cardinal’s game at Wrigley Field. We’ve never been to Chicago, so I need to know a few things. Do we need to rent a car? I was looking at the Four Points - Sheraton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile for our hotel. We also would like to see the Bean, and also the history museum. Can we get to all these places easily, is downtown the best place to stay? We’re flying in early August, and staying a few days before the game and the weekend of the game. Any good local eateries you recommend? Thanks to everyone for helping!
Sally
We’re flying from So Cal to Chicago for a Cubbies/Cardinal’s game at Wrigley Field. We’ve never been to Chicago, so I need to know a few things. Do we need to rent a car? I was looking at the Four Points - Sheraton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile for our hotel. We also would like to see the Bean, and also the history museum. Can we get to all these places easily, is downtown the best place to stay? We’re flying in early August, and staying a few days before the game and the weekend of the game. Any good local eateries you recommend? Thanks to everyone for helping!
Sally
March 9th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Alicia
I’m taking AMTRAK from Texas to Chicago this weekend.
We’re staying near the Navy Pier pm E. Ohio Street. Planning on seeing Jersey Boys (a Broadway touring company), eat at Weber Grill REstaurant on N. State Street (everything is cooked on Weber charcoal), going to Water Tower Place, Art Institute of Chicago (gotta see American Gothic), might even take in a Blackhawk game.
Have a good trip!
March 10th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Norma
Take the Chicago River Architectural Tour! You’ll see all the art-deco buildings, go under all the little pedestrian bridges & have an amazing over view of the city.
Chicago is well known for its food - just ask a local! Have a great time! I want to go back!
March 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Allan
Do not rent a car. Buy the transportation passes at the airport, and a city map, to see the real Chicago. The train and city buses go everywhere. Riding the EL into the city, from Midway Airport, for the first time was awesome!!
We stayed at Motel 6, one block off of Michigan Ave.; the price was reasonable, it was clean, the employees were very nice and they have 24 hr. security. No fridge in the room, but they do have an ice machine, so we bought a styrofoam cooler from the little store across the street (open 24 hrs. in case you need anything) and left it for the next guest to use.
Motel 6 is within walking distance of the Raintree Cafe (even if you don’t eat there, the aquarium is worth the walk!), Harry Carey’s Restaurant (the food is soooo very good!), the Navy Pier, some terrific jazz clubs and all of those wonderful stores (Nordstrom, Saks, even a Harley Davidson).
The Water Tower is on The Magnificent Mile and there are usually street performers there on the week-ends.
Be sure to see the Drake Hotel; the lobby is amazing, so take photos!!
One of my favorite places is Lincoln Park. We took the bus, walked around and found a Sunday brunch, complete with an Elvis impersonator; he was very entertaining and the food was marvelous!!
Definately take the train to the game!! Cubbie fans are the best!! You will love Wrigley Field and discover, first hand, why they call it “The Friendly Confines”. Be sure to eat light at the park and then after the game, enjoy a great meal at one of the eateries just outside the Main Gate.
I highly recommend a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. After being a tourist and wearing casual clothes, it was nice to dress up (nothing fancy, casual dress) for an evening of entertainment and delicious food.
We are a die-hard Braves fan, but we really had a great vacation in Chicago, cheering for our #2 team!!!
Have a wonderful time and don’t forget your camera!!
P.S.
I found a watch worth $400.00 on the sidewalk our first day there, and the next day, my husband found a $20.00 bill, so be sure to look down, once and awhile!!
March 15th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Ricky
Sounds like a fun trip check out the following website for a complete list of things to do and see while you are in Chicago.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Timothy
Here is a great website to check out:
They will give you all the information you would need about Chicago’s entertainment. This website is updated daily, so it’s always current information. They will even let you know where the good deals are going on, so you can save a few bucks too!
March 17th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Edwin
Make sure you visit Navy Pier
You should be close to the red line from the hotel that stops about a 1/2 block from WRIGLEY and always will be Wrigley to me..once you get to the many things are within walking distance if you like to walk..and there is a a free trolley that goes to Navy Pier
ask the conceir at the Hotel where it stops
also take a a couple of boat tours architecture is real nice
also if your here on Friday check out the fireworks from Navy Pier
also go to the top of the Hancock andor the Sears Tower!!
March 19th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Suzanne
August is a GREAT time to go to museums. Trust me (i live in Chicago), there are next to no people there, so you can see way more of the exibits then if there were huge crowds. I reccomend going to the Addler (sp?) Planetarium (see one of the movies showing there, they are almost always really good), and maybe the Shedd Aquarium or the Field Museum. There is a large museum campus over by those three, so you can go to whichever ones you want.
Millenium Park (where the Bean is) is pretty fun. Also, I’m pretty sure that the Bean is actually named the Cloud Gate, but it looks way more like a bean, thus the fact that everyone calls it the Bean.
Navy Pier is also a great place to visit while you’re here. I highly reccomend it.
As for transportation, it depends. If you are good with directions and aren’t to likely to get lost, you might as well just take public transportation. Or you could take cabs. But if you’re directionally challenged, or would just like the cleanlieness (sp?) and privacy of a car, you should just rent one. (Personally, I suggest renting.)
I’m not much help when it comes to hotels and food, but if you happen to be near Laurence and the lakefront, I suggest Fiesta Mexicana. Be careful when you go though, it’s near the theaters and if there is a show, it can get pretty crowded.
That’s all the advice I have. Have fun!