Trip to Chicago in May

[dozer]

Die-hard Chicagoan here.

If you're easily amused, then do the Shedd, Art Institute, Museums, Millenium Park, etc.

If you're young and looking for fun and fun, then skip the above. That's family stuff, and while it will educate you and kill a few hours, it's not for hip young males.

You should go to a Cubs AND Sox game. Both parks are nice, but Wrigley Field is absolutely gorgeous. The whole setup of a major league ballpark in a regular neighborhood is really cool. If you can only pick one, hit Wrigley -- and that's coming from a Sox fan. Bulls should also be playing in May (playoffs?).

Absolutely have to go to metromix.com and hit the hot spots at night. Rush St. is where you'll likely end up.

I'd also check out The Second City, on North St. It's an improv comedy club where some very famous SNL stars started. It's a guaranteed good time.

I'd also look into some of the indy rock bands in town and see where they're playing. A lot of good local music in Chicago.

Pizza: Giordano's, hands down, is the best pizza in Chicago. Their stuffed pizza is the best on earth. You may experience stomach pain from eating too much, but you will not regret it. Uno's and Lou Malnati's are like K9 offsuit UTG compared to Giordano's (which is obv AA in the SB).

Steak: My preference is a place called The Saloon. Not a highfalutin place like other steakhouses, but they serve some incredible stuff. Popular local place. Do a Google.

Italian: Either Rosebud's or Tuscany, both of which are on the south side.

You're also close to Gary, Ind., where they have four casino boats, three of which have poker rooms. I can't speak on the action in the rooms since I've only played there a couple of times (I've been in Florida for seven years), but the gaming is not far from Chicago (take the Skyway).

Sears Tower is also worth checking out. I'm going back in April for three days to play cards and have fun. Can't wait. It's the best city in the world.

[Brian707]

Uno's the orginal in Chicago is not the same as that crap that is a franchise, it tastes much better. That being said there are better options like Due's(same owner) or Gino's East. Gibson's is great for steak. Go to a Cubs game over a Sox game. Better atmosphere at the game and after.

[oddjob]

go to portillos and get an italian beef and a chili cheese dog. i know there are better places, but i grew up in teh burbs and this was our staple, so i have a strong attachment to the place.

go eat in china town. go eat in greek town.

my favorite museum was the museum of science and industry, although i haven't been there in ages.

walk around clark street. go get cat whistled at in boy's town.

picking up a chicago reader almost anywhere, will pretty much tell you all the shows going on in the city.

[7ontheline]

Lou Malnati's >>>>> Uno's >>>>> Giordano's.

Giordano's cannot compare at all to the other two places mentioned. Lou Malnati's crust and sauce crush the other two.

[TonyDanza]

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Die-hard Chicagoan here.

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Me too.

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If you're easily amused, then do the Shedd, Art Institute, Museums, Millenium Park, etc.

If you're young and looking for fun and fun, then skip the above. That's family stuff, and while it will educate you and kill a few hours, it's not for hip young males.

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Definite

You should go to a Cubs AND Sox game. Both parks are nice, but Wrigley Field is absolutely gorgeous. The whole setup of a major league ballpark in a regular neighborhood is really cool. If you can only pick one, hit Wrigley -- and that's coming from a Sox fan. Bulls should also be playing in May (playoffs?).

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Double agree.



[/ QUOTE ] Absolutely have to go to metromix.com and hit the hot spots at night. Rush St. is where you'll likely end up.

I'd also check out The Second City, on North St. It's an improv comedy club where some very famous SNL stars started. It's a guaranteed good time.

I'd also look into some of the indy rock bands in town and see where they're playing. A lot of good local music in Chicago.

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Check out metromix. Rush and Division blows. If you want to hang out with young single (people hit up Lincoln Park. If you go to a Cubs game, you can hit the bars there afterwards. If you want to go to a club, Reserve (West Loop area) is good. Second City is very cool and I highly recommend it.

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Pizza: Giordano's, hands down, is the best pizza in Chicago. Their stuffed pizza is the best on earth. You may experience stomach pain from eating too much, but you will not regret it. Uno's and Lou Malnati's are like K9 offsuit UTG compared to Giordano's (which is obv AA in the SB).

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I disagree slightly. Giordano's used to be my favorite. The best sausage pizza in my opinion is Malnatti's. The sauce can be a little to tomato-rich, so it is somewhat of an acquired taste. Uno's (or Due's) is also very good. The chains outside of Chicago definitely do not do this pizza justice. I don't like Gino's East, but some people do.

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Steak: My preference is a place called The Saloon. Not a highfalutin place like other steakhouses, but they serve some incredible stuff. Popular local place. Do a Google.

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I'm not familiar with it, but I trust your judgment. Gibsons is also good. If you want a steak for lunch Sullivan's has a good deal where you can get a filet, soup or salad and a potato for like $17.

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Italian: Either Rosebud's or Tuscany, both of which are on the south side.

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Also, any 3 of the restaurants in the Italian Village (in the loop) are good.

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You're also close to Gary, Ind., where they have four casino boats, three of which have poker rooms. I can't speak on the action in the rooms since I've only played there a couple of times (I've been in Florida for seven years), but the gaming is not far from Chicago (take the Skyway).

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The action is good. Majestic Star II has lower stakes (3-6, 6-12 limit; 1-2 (100 max) and 2-5 (300 max) NL). Resorts has slightly higher stakes (5-10, 10-20, 20-40 limit, 5-10 500 max NL). I believe shuttles are available from downtown (Hilton maybe).

Sears Tower is also worth checking out. I'm going back in April for three days to play cards and have fun. Can't wait. It's the best city in the world.

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Sears tower is cool if you want to see the city. You can get a good view and better ambience at the Signature Room Lounge 96th floor of the Hancock. Drinks are overpriced and there's a 2 drink minimum, but you can sit and hang out in a cool place.

[Big TR]

Go to Wrigley for a game. Sox park is nothing special, sitting in the middle of the ghetto.

Eat at the Chicago Chop House if you are balla, Giordano's/Lou Malnatis if not.

Go bar hopping by DePaul, not Wrigleyville.

Go up to the Sears Tower skydeck. One touristy thing should be done.

The Green Mill for Jazz.

[illini43]

Lou Malnati's deep dish is great pizza. Giordano's also makes delicious pizza. You can't really go wrong either place.

Sears Tower Skydeck is really really cool. I went there for the first time this past year and I have lived in the burbs for 19 years. The view is spectacular, and it doesn't eat up the whole day. Also, only do this on a clear day.

Wrigley > The Cell, not just because I'm a Cubs fan. Wrigley is such a great place, and has an aura surrounding it.

Take public transportation where you can unless you feel like paying for ridiculous parking places in the garages downtown (like $12 for 20 min. is a deal).

The EL is an experience in itself and it runs all over downtown (The Loop) and the major hotspots around town. You can get to all the major attractions in Chicago by using the EL.

Going to the lakefront is also a good idea downtown. The skyline is spectacular, especially at night. The boat tours on the river are very good as well, so I would recommend going on one.

As for nightlife, there are a ton of theaters and restuaruants/bars. Use metromix.com to find ones that suit your taste. Maggiano's has great Italian food.

I second Portillo's. If you are driving in and need a place to stop before you get downtown, go to Portillo's. They have excellent typical "Chicago" food.

Chicago is an AMAZING city.

[whodatdare]

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Lou Malnati's >>>>> Uno's >>>>> Giordano's.

Giordano's cannot compare at all to the other two places mentioned. Lou Malnati's crust and sauce crush the other two.

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For a truly unique pizza go to Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, 2121 N. Clark St. Stuffed pizza, hands down the best one is Gino's East.

You MUST have an Italian Beef Sandwich, but definitely not at a pizza place. Wrigley Field is a beautiful ballpark, but that team seriously blows and always will.

[aramfingal]

if any of your friends are vegetarians, go to soul vegetarian at 150 e. 75th st. best vegan restaurant in the world, and yummy for everyone.

[Narcileptico]

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Die-hard Chicagoan here.

If you're easily amused, then do the Shedd, Art Institute, Museums, Millenium Park, etc.

If you're young and looking for fun and fun, then skip the above. That's family stuff, and while it will educate you and kill a few hours, it's not for hip young males.

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You seem like a real douchebag.