I have to go back to WI in Sept. I am a HUGE Bears fan, this would be my first trip ever to Chicago so my wife and I decided to tour Soldier Field and stay there at least one night. I need some pointers.

1. Are there any nice (affordable) hotels in the area of Soldier Field?
2. What areas do people need not be trapped in day or not? Bad parts of Chicago?
3. Is it easy to get from place to place for visitors, I will have a rental car?
4. What are some must sees during a visit?

Any thing else would be great.....

Shedd Aquarium is worth checking out.

If you have it in the budget, dinner at the top of the Hancock Building http://www.signatureroom.com/ is fun. If the sky is clear, you can see the other side of Lake Michigan.

We vacation in WI every year and we live very far south of Chicago. We still get referred to as "FIB"s, which drives me nuts. I am not a FIB. So, in order to avoid being categorized once again, I will let local Chicago folks answer more questions.

Have fun! Chris

 

If you are "into" architecture, take a look at the architectural boat cruise on the river in downtown Chicago as the buildings there are beautiful.

Still on my Chicago "to do" list!

 

If you are "into" architecture, take a look at the architectural boat cruise on the river in downtown Chicago as the buildings there are beautiful.

Definitely worth doing. Also the walking tour is good from the CAF in the Santa Fe bldg is worthwhile.

Gene & Georgetti's (Illinois & Franklin)
Smith & Wollensky's (State St & the River)
House of Blues (Dearborn & the River)

As much as I like S&W, no need to go to a NY chain when the original Morton's is on State and Rush

As for hotels, there are not a lot of good cheap ones in that area, but I have stayed at the Best Western Grant Park and it wasn't too awful. The Hilton and Renaissance are not bad either but a little pricier.

 

Darn FIB's

 

L-train stinks (literally, as of urine) I've heard. I'm heading out to that area at the beginning of October for work myself.

 

Gene & Georgetti's (Illinois & Franklin)
Smith & Wollensky's (State St & the River)
House of Blues (Dearborn & the River)


That's all the people need to know!!


As far as the bearssssssss.....they are in Green Bay on December 25thh...see ya there.



RK

BTW: you are coming to WI?? Chicago is in the flatlands of IL.
FIBS........

 

Have to do the ledge on the 103 floor of the Willis Tower

http://www.theskydeck.com/the-tower/facts-about-the-ledge

Park your rental car and either walk or cab it. You are going to want to stay in the loop.

 

Art Institute, Millennium Park, if you haven't seen the Blue Man Group great show.

 

1. Are there any nice (affordable) hotels in the area of Soldier Field? No
2. What areas do people need not be trapped in day or not? Bad parts of Chicago? Chicago
3. Is it easy to get from place to place for visitors, I will have a rental car?Til it gets towed
4. What are some must sees during a visit? Packer hall of Fame, Lambeau Field, DVD of Last January's NFC Title Game


:twisted:

Green and Gold Regards

 

1. Are there any nice (affordable) hotels in the area of Soldier Field? No
2. What areas do people need not be trapped in day or not? Bad parts of Chicago? Chicago
3. Is it easy to get from place to place for visitors, I will have a rental car?Til it gets towed
4. What are some must sees during a visit? Packer hall of Fame, Lambeau Field, DVD of Last January's NFC Title Game


:twisted:

Green and Gold Regards

This and Morton's is a must. Cheap hotels are not something you find in Chicago and if you do I suggest you check
http://bedbugregistry.com/
Best bet is to blow the budget and stay at the Drake.

 

I've never spent time in Chicago, except in traffic...

BUT, I'd go do this: http://www.theskydeck.com/

I had just read about it in Yahoo a couple of years ago when I saw it from the interstate while stuck in traffic in the city. LOL

Have fun!

Haha, I saw Paul already put this up -- I had opened this page early this morning and hadn't refreshed.

 

If the fall menu is out at Smith and Wollensky's, the beef wellington is a must. Also, I know it's sort of touristy, but Giordanos is good for the pizza.

 

but Giordanos is good for the pizza.

Actually, I prefer Uno's (the origianal - not the chain)..................... my second fav is Gino's East on SUperior.

 

So is pizza or steak the food of the region

 

(COOK) County is very,very expensive,you might be best served to get a room in Dupage county,i bet it would be half the price.If you have your sights set on going to SOLDIER FIELD,remember they change it several years ago.It use to be one of are great land marks that held great tradition here,now it is a more MODERN architectural design.
I would recommend getting a cab to get around instead of a rental,less headache for you and your wife seeing as there is no where to park!

The SHEDD AQUARIUM is a great place to visit! Try to find out when feeding time is in the big saltwater tank.You will enjoy the show! Outside of SHEDD AQUARUIM is a boat cruise that shows you the city from a different perspective,pretty cool! Then you and your wife can take a walk down are beautiful lakefront to NAVY PIER which is another hang out for tourist.

By now you should be pretty hungry,so please indulge in some of the best pizza ever!!!

ENJOY YOUR STAY!!!
GO BEARS!!!!

 

For steak, Gibson's is a good bet. If you leave hungry it's probably your own fault.

Pizza is generally great in Chi-town, but for my money I will take Lou Malnati's every time.

The original Rosebud is great Italian as well, and was recommended to me by the locals.

 

Haven't been in a while, but I remember the food being pretty good at Harry Carey's! And there's lots of baseball memorabilia there!

Also trying to remember the name of the restaurant that had all the Al Capone photos on the walls around the bar which was on street level (or just below) while the full dining restaurant was upstairs ..... Chops??? If I am remembering the right restaurant they had a postcard showing a HUGE lobster and a HUGE steak for their ultimate surf n turf!

 

Of course, we Bama fans always have the Houndstooth Bar in the Wrigleyville area. Nice touch of home away from home.

 

Eat here(see link).Great prime rib.Lunch or dinner.
Another cool thing if you are there on a Wednesday night.You can kayak with a group up the Chicago river and out to Navy Pier to see the fireworks from the water.My brother was there last night.If you want to try that let me know and I'll get the phone number.I think it's called Kayak Chicago.I bought one of their used boats a few years back.I think they do an architecture tour from the river too.

http://www.lawrysonline.com/lawrys-primerib/chicago/general-info

 

The "Cubby Bear" Sports bar is a great place to end the night! Especially if the Cubs are playing...and WIN

 

From a girl who was born and raised there,, and LOVES food...... Mrs Gooser

1. Lou Malnatis .....for pizza.

2. Davis Street Fish Market...... sea food

3. Mortons..... for steak

3. Carsons.... for ribs.

4. Hackneys..... Great burgers and Onion rings.

5. Irvings, portillos, or stash's..... for Hot Dog or Italian beef.

6. WALKER BROTHERS PANCAKES>>> THIS IS A MUST!!!!!

7. Meiers Taver ( 6 and 7 are in the hotty totty town a Wilmette,,where Mrs Gooser grew up ....... Snooty girl.......:razz:


Shopping:

The Mag Mile. (watertower place)
Westfields Old Orchard.
Long Grove (North of the city but well worth the vistit.....Quaint.
Fannie Mae Candies.

Great PUTT PUTT Golf @ Novelty Golf tell Craig Diane C says HI Big BoY


Thank Mrs Gooser when Ya get back 20 lbs heavier.

Gooser

 

We stay at hampton inn in skokie off edens xpresswy - clean, nice, close to major tollways...And next to the town i grew up in (Wilmette) $139/nt

We've stayed at Four Seasons on Mag Mile... (access to Bloomingdales right there!) that was $425/per nt.
They have valet..you can walk to Rosebuds from there - taxi to BlueMan Group!

 

p.s. The "El" (elevated) train...Starts in Wilmette and runs into Chicago...

As far as where NOT to be at night...nowhere is safe but, just keep your wits about you!
And expect LOTS of honking!! Esp. Downtwn!

 

Taxi to the blue man group.........

THATS a FUN trip!!!

Sit in the front seat next to the cabbie,,,, and try and get him to drag race the cArs next to ya..

Our guy did,, but did sumpin to the engine..")")")
We just Barely made it to the show!!

Ever body that was a sitiin in the back of the cab(wifey, bro in Law, sis im Law ,, and somestray guy we pickedupalong the way!!) was Mad at me fer eggin the guy on!!

I had a ball.

Gooser

GOOOOOOOOSE IT JINX!!!!!!

 

"Billy Goat Tavern" on Nth Michigan
"Cheezeborger....cheezeborger....Cheeps no fries"

"Boston Blackies" on Monroe & Canal

Try them.........


RK

 

"Billy Goat Tavern" on Nth Michigan
"Cheezeborger....cheezeborger....Cheeps no fries"

"Boston Blackies" on Monroe & Canal

Try them.........


RK

"Cheezborger! Cheezborger!
No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!"?

 

I can't believe we all forgot about the legend MIKE DITKA!
Seeing as your a HUGE bears fan,you might enjoy eating at his place and looking at all the memorabillia.

DITKA'S
100 East Chestnut st
Chicago

Or if your on the go

FAMOUS NATHANS would be my pick for a CHICAGO dog
1372 East 53rd st
Chicago

 

I can't believe we all forgot about the legend MIKE DITKA!
Seeing as your a HUGE bears fan,you might enjoy eating at his place and looking at all the memorabillia.

DITKA'S
100 East Chestnut st
Chicago

Or if your on the go

FAMOUS NATHANS would be my pick for a CHICAGO dog
1372 East 53rd st
Chicago

Ya just gave Mrs Gooser a heart attack!!

She says that ANYONE knows that famous Nathans is a NEW YORK dog!!!!

Nathans was started by a polish immigrant in NEW YORK!!!

Seriously!! She wants to bit#$ slap you!!:razz:

Irvings for "Red Hot" lovers,,,, and by the way,,, any REAL Chicagoan, knows its all about the Italian Beef!!


Gooser:razz:

 

Hotels -
Not super near Soldier's Field, but downtown along the river, nice location, but 200+/night.
http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/chicago/chipl/hoteldetail?

Best Western, nice location, $150+ night
http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/

Romantic with a view beyond belief, ask for a room overlooking the lake - this splurge is worth it for a night:
http://www.swissotelchicago.com/

The more affordable brands, good locations, in vicinity of N. Michigan Ave.:
http://www.chicagocomfortinn.com/
http://www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com/

Check out this website for Grant Park hotels, they are closer to SF, (but Michigan Ave. is the nicer, but pricier area for walking.)
They have a Best Western, a Holiday Inn and others listed.
http://reservations.grantparkhotels..._lat_lng=41.875664438682605,-87.62068748474121&poi_name=Grant+Park&rel=nofollow

The restaurant The Snows is referring to is The Chicago Chop House - a most excellent meal. It's a 3-story, the lower level has piano. Great, great steaks, great ambiance.
http://www.chicagochophouse.com/

 

Thanks LucyTudeOn4Feet!! I was thinking it was the "Chop House" but it's been a while and I thought someone would be able to correctly name the restaurant!