Going to Chicago.
October 7, 2009 1:51 PM Subscribe
Any last minute ideas for Chicago? Looks like I'm staying on the Magnificient Mile (not into shopping but oh well).
I've read through most of the other Chicago threads - just wondering if anybody had anything to add. I don't have a fancy cell phone but I'll have my Peek with me - can it be useful in some way? Any yoga studios nearby that aren't Bikram? I'll be staying at The Westin with my wife and another 40 something couple. Thanks in advance! Up for anything.
I've read through most of the other Chicago threads - just wondering if anybody had anything to add. I don't have a fancy cell phone but I'll have my Peek with me - can it be useful in some way? Any yoga studios nearby that aren't Bikram? I'll be staying at The Westin with my wife and another 40 something couple. Thanks in advance! Up for anything.
Find a Reader (free paper) go see some bands?
Go to Pizzeria Due's and see what real deep dish pizza is?
Hit Ric Bayless's new take out joint XOCO?
posted by Max Power at 2:05 PM on October 7, 2009
Go to Pizzeria Due's and see what real deep dish pizza is?
Hit Ric Bayless's new take out joint XOCO?
posted by Max Power at 2:05 PM on October 7, 2009
rokusan beat me to it. The MCA is always on my must-see list when in Chicago.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:05 PM on October 7, 2009
posted by Thorzdad at 2:05 PM on October 7, 2009
I just got back from Chicago and I would say - skip the Sears tower. The lines are long and if you've ever been up a tall building, the view from the top not worth the wait, or the admission cost.
If you want to do the Architecture River Cruise, which I've heard is highly recommended - do make reservations.
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:16 PM on October 7, 2009
If you want to do the Architecture River Cruise, which I've heard is highly recommended - do make reservations.
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:16 PM on October 7, 2009
Any yoga studios nearby that aren't Bikram?
Yelp seems to like Harmony Yoga, a Vinyasa studio about 15 minutes' walk from you.
posted by Iridic at 2:19 PM on October 7, 2009
Yelp seems to like Harmony Yoga, a Vinyasa studio about 15 minutes' walk from you.
posted by Iridic at 2:19 PM on October 7, 2009
My two favourite activities in Chicago are the MCA and the Chicago Architecture Foundation Boat Tours. The boat tours depart from a dock near Michigan & Wacker, so it's easily accessible from the Magnificent Mile as long as Oprah's not blocking traffic.
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:21 PM on October 7, 2009
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:21 PM on October 7, 2009
Oh, yes, the "tall building" angle. I never did this myself when I lived there, but the "local" trick for excellent views is to go to the Signature Room, on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Centre. You're a story higher than the observation deck, and the cost of a drink at the bar is less than the cost of admission to the observation deck. The view from the women's restroom is reportedly one of the best in Chicago.
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:25 PM on October 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:25 PM on October 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
House of Blues. Commercial, but very Chicago-ey in a way.
posted by xammerboy at 3:21 PM on October 7, 2009
posted by xammerboy at 3:21 PM on October 7, 2009
For yoga, hop on the #66 Chicago Ave bus at Michigan and Chicago and head west to Moksha Yoga. It's my favorite studio in the city, and they offer a good variety of classes. You'll get off the bus at Milwaukee/Ogden.
posted by smich at 3:25 PM on October 7, 2009
posted by smich at 3:25 PM on October 7, 2009
The view from the women's restroom is reportedly one of the best in Chicago
I regularly take my out of town guests to the women's bathroom at Hancock and can verify this is true. Its a south-facing view so you get the Sears Tower and Navy Pier.
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:29 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
I regularly take my out of town guests to the women's bathroom at Hancock and can verify this is true. Its a south-facing view so you get the Sears Tower and Navy Pier.
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:29 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Within walking distance of you: Architecture Boat Tour is a must...not sure of your age but the Billy Goat Tavern is on Lower Wacker Drive below The Wrigley Building (legend has it that the owner once put a hex on the Cubs and they've never won the World Series since!)....Navy Pier...Mellinium Park is just south of you.
Just walk around....Chicago is a great walking city when the weather isn't freezing cold! :)
posted by livelife at 4:44 PM on October 7, 2009
Just walk around....Chicago is a great walking city when the weather isn't freezing cold! :)
posted by livelife at 4:44 PM on October 7, 2009
I live in the fair city of Chicago and receive lots of visitors. Recently took a couple of people on the Bucktown/Wicker Park walking food tour from Chicago Food Planet and we had tons of fun: lots of history, 2-3 hours, and lots of restaurants to taste. The iced hot chocolate and homemade marshmallow at Hot Chocolate? Worth the price of the tour. Website here:
http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/
I'm not sure when you're coming, but if it's after 10/20...I don't think you can leave Chicago without trying the sausages and hot dogs at Hot Dougs. Not close to an el stop, but worth cabbing it from the closest el stop. Go early or late to miss the long lines.
http://www.hotdougs.com/
Have a fun and delicious time!
posted by knmr76 at 4:59 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/
I'm not sure when you're coming, but if it's after 10/20...I don't think you can leave Chicago without trying the sausages and hot dogs at Hot Dougs. Not close to an el stop, but worth cabbing it from the closest el stop. Go early or late to miss the long lines.
http://www.hotdougs.com/
Have a fun and delicious time!
posted by knmr76 at 4:59 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you want to see some Chicago blues hit Kingston Mines or Legends. That usually what I have guests do.
posted by patrad at 5:36 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by patrad at 5:36 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
The Art Institute is amazing.
Wandering around Millennium park and pier are really nice too.
posted by Neekee at 7:26 PM on October 7, 2009
Wandering around Millennium park and pier are really nice too.
posted by Neekee at 7:26 PM on October 7, 2009
Max Power: "Hit Ric Bayless's new take out joint XOCO?"
Xoco currently doesn't offer takeout except for breakfast. Just saying... I follow him on Twitter and he's mentioned it several times.
posted by IndigoRain at 8:05 PM on October 7, 2009
Xoco currently doesn't offer takeout except for breakfast. Just saying... I follow him on Twitter and he's mentioned it several times.
posted by IndigoRain at 8:05 PM on October 7, 2009
Seconding Art Institute, Millennium Park, and Signature Lounge. Skip Navy Pier.
Free samples at Ghirardelli.
Same day $25 rush seats to Jersey Boys at Bank of America Theatre.
Visit the Cultural Center for free photography exhibits, an architectural tour, and the Tiffany dome.
posted by auntietennis at 9:23 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Free samples at Ghirardelli.
Same day $25 rush seats to Jersey Boys at Bank of America Theatre.
Visit the Cultural Center for free photography exhibits, an architectural tour, and the Tiffany dome.
posted by auntietennis at 9:23 PM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seconding a visit to Pizzaria Due for some good deep dish. For sandwiches, I really love Potbelly for something quick. Even better is Pastoral just a block from Michigan Ave.
posted by pkingdesign at 11:39 PM on October 7, 2009
posted by pkingdesign at 11:39 PM on October 7, 2009
I work at the MCA, there's two exhibitions opening up on Saturday, British artists Liam Gillick and British artist Jeremy Deller. There's a conversation between the two moderated by the curator on Saturday at 3 in the mca theater. On the fourth floor there's an excellent painting show going on as well.
posted by Sreiny at 5:46 AM on October 8, 2009
posted by Sreiny at 5:46 AM on October 8, 2009
MetaFilter's own Gapers Block is your huckleberry. Tons of music and film happenings this weekend.
posted by eamondaly at 5:19 PM on October 8, 2009
posted by eamondaly at 5:19 PM on October 8, 2009
Response by poster: Back from Chicago. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. What a great city - really enjoyed it.
posted by philad at 10:49 PM on October 13, 2009
posted by philad at 10:49 PM on October 13, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rokusan at 2:03 PM on October 7, 2009