What to do in Chicago?

July 5, 2005 8:41 AM

I'm going to be in Chicago with some co-workers for a few days on business. None of us have ever been to Chicago. What should we do with our free time?

Museums, other sights and sounds, and what of dinner? We like brew pubs and restaurants of that nature, live music might be nice too. And how is public transportation? We'll be staying at the marriot in oakbrook terrace, which is apparently about 20 minutes from the city center. Should we rent a car?

posted by duckstab to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

If you call 836-7000 from any chicago area code, (312, 773, etc), you will reach the RTA, they will tell you how to get from anywhere to anywhere else using public transportation. tripsweb.rtachicago.com is the same thing, but I can't seem to access it right now.
posted by michaelkuznet at 8:51 AM on July 5, 2005

Gotta pimp Hopleaf for your brew pub/restaurant. Great food, huge selection of beer. Quite a few other suggestions under the Chicago tag here in AskMe.

Public transportation is great, and there are plenty of cabs. You should be able to take Metra in from the Downers Grove stop(s) on this line -- your hotel may have a shuttle to the station.
posted by me3dia at 9:09 AM on July 5, 2005

I've been to Chicago numerous times, having a best friend who lived there for a number of years. I was just there in June as a matter of fact.

I can strongly recommend Second City for some totally hilarious improv theater. It's pretty cheap too.

Gino's East at Ontario and Wells streets is the originator of Chicago deep dish pizza. If you're into that sort of thing, this is the place to go.

The Art Institute Museum is amazing if you like art, I spent hours there the last time I visited. It's free on Tuesdays.

The Shedd Aquarium is also pretty amazing, but of course admission is pricey, as it tends to be at most aquariums.

Finally, the Field Museum of natural history has dinosaur skeletons and all kinds of other cool stuff of that sort.

If you're going to be spending a good deal of time right in downtown or the surrounding areas, renting a car is probably more trouble than it's worth. The Metra can get you down there from your hotel, and the subway/el and buses are very convenient and cheap. Come to think of it, I have a CTA transit card with a few dollars still on it from my last visit - shoot me an email with your mailing address and I'll mail it to you. I won't be needing it anytime soon.
posted by autojack at 9:27 AM on July 5, 2005

First of all, since you are in Oak Brook Terrace, there are bountiful opportunities for food and shopping in Chicagoland's best outdoor mall just a few minutes away in Oak Brook. But head downtown because it is a great city. Now is a great time to be in Chicago because of some awesome weather. Go to www.metromix.com for detailed information on entertainment, dining, drinking, and sporting events (site owned by Chicago Tribune). I strongly suggest hitting some neighborhoods to really get a feel for the city. For instance, take the blue line from downtown and get out at North Avenue in an area called Bucktown. It has great food, great shopping, and great music. Or take the brown line and get out at Western in an area called Lincoln Square. It has one of the top outdoor dining areas in a restaurant called Bistro Campagne plus many more dining and drinking options. The blue and brown lines are easily accessible from downtown and you can use www.transitchicago.com to get the lowdown on all that. Gimme more details on what you want and I can really get pointed with suggestions because there are a billion more neighborhoods.
posted by jdstef at 9:28 AM on July 5, 2005

Previous "things to do/places to go/neighborhoods to explore/where to stay in Chicago" AskMe threads here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. There's good advice in all of them. I swear this isn't a snark.
posted by zsazsa at 10:22 AM on July 5, 2005

Let me plug one of the friendliest, coolest little juke joint bars in the United States: Lee's Unleaded on the South Side. Good chance you will hear awesome blues or R & B (Johnny Drummer is especially worth the effort). The crowd is substantially local South Side folks, but they are used to tourists and guests and treat strangers like family. And the local characters are wonderful. I go every time I am in Chicago, and even when there's a year or more between visits, the management remembers me and a seat at the front table (this is a very crowded little joint) miraculously opens. Pure joy! It's a longish trip from downtown, and the neighborhood looks a little dicey, but you can park nearby and I've never had a problem coming out of there at 2 AM.

More here.

Damn, I get thirsty just thinking about the place.
posted by realcountrymusic at 10:24 AM on July 5, 2005

PS -- dress classy for Lee's. You'll see why when you get there.
posted by realcountrymusic at 10:24 AM on July 5, 2005

As a frequent visitor but non-native I'll second the above and add...

Counter-intuitive - I know -but I'd recommend the Fronterra Grill for really good Mexican food.

Its a matter of taste of course - but my favorite deep dish is Giordano's.

Have a drink at the top of the Hancock building (the 96th floor has a bar - same view - no tourist trap fee to go up)

If you like architecture at all - take the Architecture River Cruise.
posted by Wolfie at 10:25 AM on July 5, 2005

Seconded on the Hancock building over the Sears. Just as good a view, and the bar has no fee except for a drink or two. Make sure any ladies in your party use the women's rest room there - it is supposedly the best view in the city.
posted by true at 10:48 AM on July 5, 2005

And don't forget to try Hubbard State Cigar shop for some after dinner stogies....
posted by stevejensen at 10:49 AM on July 5, 2005

I just asked a similar question last week and got lots of great advice. The highlights of our trip:

- A Second City etc. show called From Fear to Eternity. Under $20 pp and absolutely hysterical (sketch comedy).

- Exploring Wicker Park. Cool neighborhood - great breakfast spot called the Bongo Room.

- Weiner's Circle hot dogs in Lincoln Park. There are million cool bars and restaurants in this area and the best fries you've ever had.

- The Art Institute is huge - we went for the contemporary/modern and American art and there was lots to see.

Have fun.
posted by kdern at 11:28 AM on July 5, 2005

I'm sorry, Wolfie, but as a lifelong and current Chicagoan Giordano's is the wrong answer (I kid, I kid). Duckstab, I second Gino's East as recommended earlier. The only weird thing about Gino's East downtown is that it's in an old Planet Hollywood...which might be reason enough to go.

Definitely check out this Chicago events site. All the summer street festivals, and the beer that goes with 'em, are one of my favorite things about this city.

As for museums, the one I'd recommend over all the others (except maybe the Art Institute) is the Museum of Science and Industry. It's waaaay cooler than it sounds. They have a German sub from WWII you can tour and I've heard good things about the current exhibit Body Tours (if you can get over the ick factor). Plus, the museum is the only building that's left from the Columbian Exposition from 1893.
posted by awegz at 8:33 PM on July 5, 2005