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Chicago bound for a 60 hour trip, must see/do's?

Chip NoVaMac

Chip NoVaMac

macrumors G3
Original poster
Dec 25, 2003
8,888
31
Northern Virginia
Hotel is booked: Days Inn at Deversy and Clark

Flights are also booked: Arriving ORD at 9:30AM on Sunday Oct 16th; departing at 3:00PM on Tuesday Oct 18th.

Details: Have no car. In fact I am planning on taking the Blue and Red line trains to the hotel. Never been to Chicago. A real photo buff for "street photography" and architectural photography. Like the off-beat, but also enjoy museums (technology and the photographic arts). Love smaller restaurants (like the Pork Shop Cafe in the Haight area of SF). Plan on buying a CTA "Visitors Pass".

Maybe it would help to say, if this was going to be my only visit to Chicago (and I don't think it will be); what should I do and see given my location and time in this city - in order for me to feel as if I have "seen and done it all"?

I should say that I am not opposed to getting just 5 to 6 hours contiguous hours of sleep each night.

Thanks for the help.
 
Well the city itself is beautiful so you won't have any problems taking pictures... of course the Sears Tower, the Hancock Building Observatory might be a good place for some aerial shots. Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park (but that's not really in downtown Chicago) and of course Navy Pier....for museums Chicago has the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, an Art Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium just to name a few (or maybe that's all of them, what do I know) .... remember to stop by at the Apple Store on North Michigan Avenue :D
 
Bubbasteve said:
Well the city itself is beautiful so you won't have any problems taking pictures... of course the Sears Tower, the Hancock Building Observatory might be a good place for some aerial shots. Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park (but that's not really in downtown Chicago) and of course Navy Pier....for museums Chicago has the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, an Art Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium just to name a few (or maybe that's all of them, what do I know) .... remember to stop by at the Apple Store on North Michigan Avenue :D
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Thanks for the tips. I think I am looking for the opportunity to try and capture something "different". So much of what you mentioned I heard of. Just trying to make the best of my 60 hours in Chicago.

I guess I am looking for the "must sees". You know, if this was the only trip in, what should one "must" see.

Though if I can find myself to the Apple Store there, that would be great. I had been to the SF Apple Store at least two times in my trip this past July.
 
In addition to the previous post:

1.You can get a gorgeous shot of the skyline at Oak Street Beach. Get off the red line at Chicago.

2.The Art Institute is probably the second best known art museum in the U.S. after the Met. That might be worth a half day.

3. Take a stroll down Michigan Ave. in downtown - the "Miracle Mile." It's probably the most central landmark in Chicago.

4. Recently-built Millenium Park in downtown is very picturesque.
 
A heap of caffine

Chip NoVaMac said:
I should say that I am not opposed to getting just 5 to 6 hours contiguous hours of sleep each night.Thanks for the help.
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Chip, If I was you and in Chicago for 60, I'd plan towards no sleep at all. Not saying that you shouldn't plan on 'not going to bed' though. Have fun, and say hi to Lee for me.
Kevin,
aka Grey Beard
 
Grey Beard said:
Chip, If I was you and in Chicago for 60, I'd plan towards no sleep at all. Not saying that you shouldn't plan on 'not going to bed' though. Have fun, and say hi to Lee for me.
Kevin,
aka Grey Beard
Click to expand...

LOL! I guess this trip is an exploratory trip. See as much as I can, and come back for some more later.

Also looking at this trip as the first step in deciding on whether Chicago is a place that I can hang my hat permanently.

As to going to bed, I think 5 hours a night will be plenty. Not quite ready for 24 to 48 hours non-stop. Do have to go to work on Wednesday morning. And with the hotel being in the Boystown area, it should be fun.

I will give Lee your best. Take care.
 
Good god- where to start? Let me tell you this- I've lived here for 13 years and have probably only seen half of the city. Check out the neighborhoods chip. See Millennium Park downtown and then spend time in the neighborhoods. No real Chicagoan goes downtown much anyway, we handed it over to the tourists years ago. :) You'll like Boystown, but you must come a bit further north to Andersonville. It's another gay 'hood but it has MEN, not boys. :) That's where I live too. I have a motto- if I want to get laid, Boystown. If I want intelligent conversation, Andersonville. :D

If you want to see a cool museum- go to The Museum of Science and Industry. It's a very cool museum on the South side- the only one left from the World's Fair in th 30's.
 
Tempted to see "Sunday in the Park with George" if it is still in Chicago. Though I may save that for one of my longer anticipated visits to Chicago.
 
Come and stop by my place. I'll show you my new furniture, take you to a few bars, then roipe you into my underground gambling circuit.
 
leekohler said:
If you want to see a cool museum- go to The Museum of Science and Industry. It's a very cool museum on the South side- the only one left from the World's Fair in th 30's.
Click to expand...
The World Columbian Exposition was in 1893. :)
Chip NoVaMac said:
Tempted to see "Sunday in the Park with George" if it is still in Chicago. Though I may save that for one of my longer anticipated visits to Chicago.
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Even if you miss the play, you can catch one of the subjects of the first act.
300px-Sundayafternoon.JPG
 
Miracle Mile is a must.

I hope you have fun, Chip!

I'm usually in Chicago for the marathon every year this time, but not this year. :(

*sad*

There's a great German restaurant we ate at, but forgot the name...I'm sure someone can tell you the name...
 
iGary said:
I'm usually in Chicago for the marathon every year this time, but not this year. :(

*sad*
Click to expand...
I was shooting part of a documentary about marathon runners this past Thursday through Sunday. It was the first big-time road race I'd attended.

iGary said:
There's a great German restaurant we ate at, but forgot the name...I'm sure someone can tell you the name...
Click to expand...
Was it Berghoff's?
 
Rod Rod said:
I was shooting part of a documentary about marathon runners this past Thursday through Saturday. It was the first big-time road race I'd attended.

Was it Berghoff's?
Click to expand...

I miss it horribly. Bah.

Yes, Berghoffs - that was it!

Chicago is an awesome marathon, not as good as NYC....blargh. I'm gonna cry.

Definitely go to Berghoff's, Chip. :D

And definitely the Apple Store - AMAZING!
 
iGary said:
Miracle Mile is a must.

I hope you have fun, Chip!

I'm usually in Chicago for the marathon every year this time, but not this year. :(

*sad*

There's a great German restaurant we ate at, but forgot the name...I'm sure someone can tell you the name...
Click to expand...


Berghoff.

If you're into Architecture, check out the "Architecture River Tour" that starts at Navy Pier.

GET A CITY PASS! ! You'll save a ton of money on doing "touristy" things
 
Lots of good stuff, Mich Ave is a must of course, and there is my favorite Apple store there too.

Food is awesome, ate a great steak at Mortons and an awesome dinner at Wildfire in wonderful schaumburg was outta sight! Gained 5 pounds in town last week.

If you want it they got it! Have a blast!

Oh yea a pizza at Gino's is a must as well
 
iGary said:
I miss it horribly. Bah.

Yes, Berghoffs - that was it!
Click to expand...

In some ways I am afraid, with all the comments I have gotten on how great a town Chicago is. :D

But then again I maybe ready for "changes in latitude, changes in attitude".

Definitely go to Berghoff's, Chip. :D
Click to expand...

Any good Polish restaurants that you all know of. Lee and I are supposed to do dinner on Sunday night. Is Bergoff's far from the Deversy and Clark area? Also I plan only on jeans for the trip in, packing very light for this trip.

{EDIT: I did find two Polish Resturants:

Podhalanka
1549 W. Division St.

and

Red Apple
3121 N. Milwaukee Ave

Red Apple appears to be a buffet. Podhalanka may be better able to fix my meal the way my Babchia would have made.}

And definitely the Apple Store - AMAZING!
Click to expand...

Better then the "Mother Ship" in SF near Market. That place was awesome!
 
leekohler said:
I feel like a jerk but....It's The Magnificent Mile, not The Miracle Mile. :eek:
Click to expand...


It's OK with me, I did that in the political forum last year and was eatten alive by zim and company. :rolleyes:

Hard not to call it that, aint it! :p You have a fun town there, enjoy the Magnificent Miracle Mile.
 
Rod Rod said:
I second that! And you can plan your trips using this handy dandy website. You can also create an itinerary over the phone at (312) 836-7000.
Click to expand...

Thought about the City Pass, used in SF this summer, but I will be in town for such a short stay this time - don't think it is worth it. Maybe for longer stay next year. I do plan on getting the CTA 3 day pass (hope they sell them at the ORD CTA terminal on a Sunday)

Thanks for the CTA sight. Found their trip planner there already. It was helpful in knowing that the hotel was well located, transit wise. Will keep the number handy for when I am in town, not sure that I will bring the PB. Will have to do a test to see how that site works with my Treo 650.
 
Chip NoVaMac said:
In some ways I am afraid, with all the comments I have gotten on how great a town Chicago is. :D

But then again I maybe ready for "changes in latitude, changes in attitude".



Any good Polish restaurants that you all know of. Lee and I are supposed to do dinner on Sunday night. Is Bergoff's far from the Deversy and Clark area? Also I plan only on jeans for the trip in, packing very light for this trip.

{EDIT: I did find two Polish Resturants:

Podhalanka
1549 W. Division St.

and

Red Apple
3121 N. Milwaukee Ave

Red Apple appears to be a buffet. Podhalanka may be better able to fix my meal the way my Babchia would have made.}



Better then the "Mother Ship" in SF near Market. That place was awesome!
Click to expand...


Just for the record- I HATE the Berghoff. BAD German food. I actually regurgitated a bratwurst the last time I was there. The interior is gorgeous though, so go for a drink. :) Visit to the Lincoln Square neighborhood for good German food.

As for Polish, my favorite place, The Busy Bee was closed so yuppies could have a sports bar. The Red Apple is good chip, but I can't say I've been to the other place, but it's probably good. That address is in Ukrainian Village. I would go for it.

Just got this from a friend on the south side:
http://www.szalasrestaurant.com/

He says it's great, so if if you're up for a South Side adventure, go for it.
 
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