There's so many possibilities that it's impossible to give general what-to-do advice. All depends on what you're most interested in. But of the main 'touristy' things, the architecture boat tour is probably worth it. Navy Pier is good for the view but that's really it. Deep dish pizza is gross but Lou Malnatis is the best of that genre by far (in terms of the chains). Portillos has a good beef (although I haven't been there since they went corporate), but of course there's better at smaller joints in the neighborhoods.The wife and I are going there for a three day anniversary weekend in July. I have never been, and am just looking for ideas of where to stay, what to see, what to eat, and where to drink from those in the know. Any input is appreciated.
I would say drive down Cicero after 8PM.I've only been to Chicago once and I thought it was incredible. My only recommendation is to visit Goose Island brewery for a tour if you like beer. The tour was very well done and the facility was really incredible. You also get to see the first whiskey barrels to age beer. Very cool.
And if you want a little danger/excitement go for a job on the southside towards the evening.
Cicero even on the South Side isn't too awful. Now, S. Pulaski in the 2000-5000 blocks I have stories about (used to commute between NW Side and 7500 S Pulaski, would take the surface streets route to break the 90/94 to 55 monotony, which it certainly did).I would say drive down Cicero after 8PM.
I've only been to Chicago once and I thought it was incredible. My only recommendation is to visit Goose Island brewery for a tour if you like beer. The tour was very well done and the facility was really incredible. You also get to see the first whiskey barrels to age beer. Very cool.
And if you want a little danger/excitement go for a job on the southside towards the evening.
Yeah those are both good. If G and G is booked, her more casual Little Goat Diner across the street is also awesome.I forgot about Girl and her Goat, love that place.
The Gage on South Michigan is awesome.
Just because Budweiser owns it now doesn't mean that they don't make good beer and that they weren't important to the craft beer scene. It's still a cool place. Although your recommendations sound good. I'll remember those after I win the Chicago Marathon in October.Skip Budweiser-owned Goose Island (even the original Clybourn location), in favor of Revolution, Half Acre, etc. Even better, take a behind the scenes tour of The Plant, a 90,000 sq foot self-sustaining vertical farm housed in a former meat processing plant at the former Stockyards. It includes a brewery and tap room now, focusing on barrel-aged funk. Southside!
Now we're getting warmer. Although Kuma's (Belmont original) is a shadow of its early self---still a good burger and a good experience especially if you like metal. Chicago sucks for live music, for many reasons, with Reggie's being one of the exceptions. Hopleaf is nirvana, my favorite bar ever, all that is right in the beer universe--it's celebrating 25 years (of buying and re-imagining a dive bar) and the owners are doing a nice job looking back. Get the mussels and/or the Montreal brisket sandwich.Skip the deep dish pizza and hot dogs. Go get a breaded steak sandwich from Ricobene's. Get a hamburger at Kuma's. Go check out a show at Reggie's (I liked their hot beef better than Portillo's and Al's too). Hopleaf if it is still around was the perfect beer nerd bar with some good hard to find brews.
Really good electric blues, regional and national acts most nights. Buddy only plays a couple of weekends per year these days, and that's a tough ticket. Maybe he does some random surprise sit-ins but I'm not sure. Trending towards tourist trap. A unique live music experience is the Green Mill in Uptown, for jazz and some kinda blues stuff. Go in the off-hours, order a stiff drink, and sit in Capone's favorite booth. I'm writing a book about Uptown. AMA.If you like jazz go to Buddy Guys. Buddy is there a lot.
I went to the Green Mill during the day so it was pretty dead but I'd love to go back when there's music, especially jazz. So coolReally good electric blues, regional and national acts most nights. Buddy only plays a couple of weekends per year these days, and that's a tough ticket. Maybe he does some random surprise sit-ins but I'm not sure. Trending towards tourist trap. A unique live music experience is the Green Mill in Uptown, for jazz and some kinda blues stuff. Go in the off-hours, order a stiff drink, and sit in Capone's favorite booth. I'm writing a book about Uptown. AMA.
Yeah it's just a random joint during the day (but a good opportunity to get a good look at the place), gets going on the weekends around midnight and very packed. NPR's "Paper Machete" is taped there. The poetry slam concept was pioneered there, still a good place to catch it occasionally.I went to the Green Mill during the day so it was pretty dead but I'd love to go back when there's music, especially jazz. So cool
Now we're getting warmer. Although Kuma's (Belmont original) is a shadow of its early self---still a good burger and a good experience especially if you like metal. Chicago sucks for live music, for many reasons, with Reggie's being one of the exceptions. Hopleaf is nirvana, my favorite bar ever, all that is right in the beer universe--it's celebrating 25 years (of buying and re-imagining a dive bar) and the owners are doing a nice job looking back. Get the mussels and/or the Montreal brisket sandwich.