Going to Chicago ...anything I don't want to miss?

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-01-2008, 07:50 PM

I'm headed to Chicago for an extended weekend. Neither my DH or I have ever been before. I actually booked a hotel in Lisle but we plan on doing downtown I guess. Anything I need to be aware of (think parking kinds of stuff) or that I don't want to miss???

I tried to get tickets to the Blackhawks game for Sunday but the only thing I could find were uber expensive tickets. Wouldn't mind knowing how to get ahold of some better priced tickets for that...(hint hint).

**sdrjeolsen** · 10-01-2008, 08:04 PM

We lived there 14 years, but moved in 2000, so things may have changed.

Leonardo's Pizza in downtown Naperville. Its a must eat if you like pizza at all. (Naperville is one suberb west of Lisle, you can take the train)

I wouldn't drive downtown if you don't need to, take the train in from Lisle. Traffic is usually horrible. They have express trains that don't take long to get downtown.

Go down to the lake shore walk along the lake, see the fountain
museums: of art, natural history, science & industry
Sears tower or Hancock building.
FAO schwartz toy store
Americal girl store if you have girls
There is lots of good shopping on the Magnificent Mile
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier

I know I'm missing some things, I'll post more if I can think of any. Don't have any hook ups for tickets. Hope you find some cheaper ones....maybe check Craigslist in Chicago?

Have fun!!

**Moor** · 10-01-2008, 08:32 PM

my dd has been there twice
she said to go to ed debevics

**blitzen** · 10-01-2008, 11:58 PM

Traffic is a nightmare there!

If you like caramel corn, stop by Garrett's popcorn and get some of their caramel crisp! LOVE it!

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-02-2008, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by sdrjeolsen

We lived there 14 years, but moved in 2000, so things may have changed.

Leonardo's Pizza in downtown Naperville. Its a must eat if you like pizza at all. (Naperville is one suberb west of Lisle, you can take the train)

I wouldn't drive downtown if you don't need to, take the train in from Lisle. Traffic is usually horrible. They have express trains that don't take long to get downtown.

Go down to the lake shore walk along the lake, see the fountain
museums: of art, natural history, science & industry
Sears tower or Hancock building.
FAO schwartz toy store
Americal girl store if you have girls
There is lots of good shopping on the Magnificent Mile
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier

I know I'm missing some things, I'll post more if I can think of any. Don't have any hook ups for tickets. Hope you find some cheaper ones....maybe check Craigslist in Chicago?

Have fun!!

Being transplanted New Yorkers we MISS our PIZZA!!! We will definately check that out.

I didn't have a clue there was a train system so that is some great info. ( Any other info you can pass on about them???)

We pan on hitting the aquarium as that was one of the decideing factors. The boys are aquarium buffs, so they had just asked that we go somewhere that had one.

The Navy Pier and the science and industry museum were also on the list of possibilities.

Anyone know if the Lincoln Park Zoo is worth the time??? I noticed it was free.

Alos one of the museums has "suggested admission" prices. In NYC, I think it was MOMA (one of the big art museums), had that and it basically meant you could pay anything you wanted. I use to go all the time as a broke teenager and throw in whatever change I had.
Does anyone know if it mans the same here???

**elphie** · 10-02-2008, 09:49 AM

If you have the time or money to catch a show Wicked is AMAZING.

**LexTysMommy** · 10-02-2008, 09:51 AM

There are also free trolleys that can take you around town. We took double decker bus last time we were there and saw the whole city with tour guide. In my opinion Lincoln Park Zoo is worth a little of your time, its widely spread out.

Navy Pier has a place to eat called Bubba Gumps that is good. Ed debevits is fun. I dont know about the :suggested admission: I would think its the same thing, a donation.

**LexTysMommy** · 10-02-2008, 09:54 AM

Are you going this weekend? there are 2 baseball games that is going to affect traffic and cabs and trolleys.

I am taking train there saturday then going to see dirty dancing. Like above poster said wicked is awesome.

http://chicagoweekendfun.com/2007/08...st-see-sights/

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-02-2008, 10:22 AM

Hadn't thought about a show. I'll look them up. Thanks!....DH did mention the baseballs. (as in he wanted to go) I just looked at him. He doesn't even watch baseball and both boys think it's boring, as do I. I don't think it's even clicked to hubby about the hockey yet. We both grew up HUGE hockey fans though and I'm still trying to figure out how to get tickets that aren't a couple a hundred a pop to Sundays game.

**Parksfamily5** · 10-02-2008, 04:09 PM

I have always wanted to go see Wicked. Just haven't made it yet. We like to eat at Harry Carry's ( they have the best Calimari) and Gine and Georgetti's which is a great old italian type steakhouse. The waiters are all 100 years old ( aproximately

) and have worked there since the place opened. They are really great.
I would also suggest going downtown in the evening. The shops are amazing. Remember, that wind off of the lakes is pretty chilly. We went there once during super bowl weekend and I thought I would die. Have fun. We always have fun when we go there.

**sdrjeolsen** · 10-02-2008, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by TheRootedNomad

Being transplanted New Yorkers we MISS our PIZZA!!! We will definately check that out.
Pizza there is not NY style...its deep dish.

I didn't have a clue there was a train system so that is some great info. ( Any other info you can pass on about them???)
http://www.transitchicago.com/ runs out from the city, but within city limits
http://www.metrarail.com/ runs in from the suburbs
http://www.chicago-l.org/ "the L" (elevated train) runs around the downtown area.

We pan on hitting the aquarium as that was one of the decideing factors. The boys are aquarium buffs, so they had just asked that we go somewhere that had one.
The aquarium is very cool!

The Navy Pier and the science and industry museum were also on the list of possibilities. Your boys would love Museum of S&I, its worth the time, could spend a whole day there pretty much.

Anyone know if the Lincoln Park Zoo is worth the time??? I noticed it was free.
The zoos there stink, both Lincoln Park and the Brookfield zoo. Skip them too much walking, exibits are lame.

Alos one of the museums has "suggested admission" prices. In NYC, I think it was MOMA (one of the big art museums), had that and it basically meant you could pay anything you wanted. I use to go all the time as a broke teenager and throw in whatever change I had.
Does anyone know if it mans the same here???
Many of the attractions have a free day. You have to call or check the website to see, but it used to be pretty much everyone had one day a week you could get in free or reduced. Problem is, they are really packed on those days. School stake advantage of it and bring kids by the busload.

Ed Debevics is a great idea too.

Oh, Oprah tapes there too, although that wait to get in and all is quite long,you have to get there early to get in line, they used to take 300 people. and then the taping takes a while too.