Going to Chicago
 

I'm taking the wife and daughters (ages 19 and 15) to Chi-Town the week after Christmas for the holidays. What are the recommendations for "must-see/must-do" attractions. Also, what's the best steak house and pizza place in town? Thanks! BTW, we're staying at the Omni downtown, so anything close would be great.

-johnjr
former owner 78 SC Targa
current owner 07 Cayman S

You have to swing by the federal prison in Terre Haute and check out our old governor and welcome our current one...

Gino's for pizza for the family if you want to wait in line.

Fogo De Chao if you want the best meal of your life and don't mind spending $400+ for a family of four.

The museums are cool. (Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium.)

Blue Man Group is a cool show if you haven't seen it.

Walk Michigan Ave up to the Hancock. Either pay for the lookout on top or go to the restaurant/bar just below (we're doing that next time instead of paying for the 'observatory'). Then have tea in the lobby of the Drake.

Go to Vosges and have bacon chocolate.

Eat a few dogs. Argue about which is best. Then get a beef.

Get your tongue stuck to the bean and then go ice skating at Millennium Park.

I'd avoid Navy Pier.

The girls like Broadway musicals, so I already got tickets to Wicked for the 27th. Legion, what kind of food do they serve at Fogo De Chao? Both daughters have been to Europe (with their mother, my ex) and dined on continental cuisine, but the 19-year-old has decided she's a half-baked vegetarian. That means she'll eat seafood and poultry, but no red meat. Thanks!

-john jr.
former owner 78 SC Targa
current owner 07 Cayman S

For steaks, I love Ditka's , as good as any plus the coach is usually upstairs holding court.. great guy!! Second city is a cheap/fun night out too!

Shaw's Crabhouse for seafood.
Carmichael's in the West Loop for steak. The girls might like the Wicker Park/Bucktown area. Nice unique shops and boutiques. Good restaurants around there too. You'd have to hop in a cab for that though. Tell 'em "North and Damen". As previously posted, avoid Navy Pier and don't go to Ed Debevic's. You have to see the bean no matter how cold it is outside.

Don't go to Fogo De Chao then...it's Brazilian, and basically revolves around guys walking around with giant skewers of meat, and it's all you can eat. Of meat. Lots and lots of meat.



I'd suggest the Hancock bar. The observatory is around $10 each, with a wait, and no sitting. The bar is 2 drink minimum at $5 each, with no wait and nice comfy seats. It's a much better deal.

There might/should still be lights up on State Street, go shopping and see how Chicago does Christmas.

Personally I think the best steak I have had in Chicago ws th bone-in Ribeye at Keiffer's. Not cheap, but what steak houses are.

If you guys are into out of the norm dining the girls may like going to, pardon my spelling, Tizi Melloul (Moroccan) and eating in the Cresent Room (need reservations) which is a small circular room where you sit on pillows and feast form a fixed menu. Very good and something a little different.

There is a tremendous latin american place in the Old Town neighborhood called Salpicon. Absolutely awesome. Very highend but very fun atmosphere and unbelievable tequila offering.

Shopping on Michigan is always popular. You can head up to the top of the Hancock or Sears towers for a tremendous view from what both used to be the tallest buildings in the world at one time (if I remember correctly).

There are some great art galleries in the River North area.

Somewhere I actually have a list of restaurants that I assembled for visiting friends and family. If I remember correctly its got descriptions, numbers, addresses and price ranges. Shoot me a PM and I'll see if I can't find it for you.

For steaks either the Chop house or Gene and Georgetti. Vegetarian can just order a salad.

For almost free entertainment a trip to Millenium ice rink. Navy pier on a Saturday night to see the firework. Rent a car or take public transportation to Woodfield Mall for after Christmas bargains or take a drive up to Gurnee Mill.

Excalibur night club for the older kids.

For ethnic dining a trip to Chinatown or Greektown.

If you are going to be around at the first of the new year tickets to the blackhawk hockey game at Wrigley Field.

Do the CAF (Chicago Architectural Foundation) tours, if you're into that at all. They're well-done and very interesting.

+ 1... in Greektown make a point to eat at The Greek Isle.

That's always my first destination in Chicago. Not the main room, but the oyster bar. Absolutely sensational place!

Then off to Buddy Guy's for some serious blues.

Another vote for Keiffer's. Not sure if it's the best, but it's damn good.

I would skip Fogo. Too big a chain and really it's quantity over quality, at least to me.

If you want to move around get a day pass for 5 bucks and take any bus or subway anywhere for a day. They have a good system.

If you want deep dish pizza, try Pequod's. It is by far the best, yet lesser known. 2207 N Clybourn. 5-10 minute cab ride from downtown.

Gibsons is the gold standard by which all other steakhouses are judged... Close to downtown, good atmosphere.

Did you hear that Buddy Guy's closed? Total bummer. I'd love to see him in concert...

To stay on topic, I had an awesome filet at Joe's Crab House. It seemed a very nice, rather upscale sort of joint. Couldn't tell you if it's expensive or not; looked all over but damned if I could find a price somewheres. Also, they have a wonderful collection of Scotch, if you're into that.

What? When?

Books have been written on this topic - big ones. I lived there and visit often. My top pics -

Food-

Ruth's Chris Steaks on Dearborn - yeah it's a chain, but a damn good one. I like it better than the Chop House and Gibson's, but they're all three very good. Make sure to get reservations.

Marai for Sushi on west Division in Wicker Park (just west of Rush street by a couple of miles). Best sushi I've had - anywhere. Cool decor. Try the saketini. So what if it sounds gay - it tastes great!

Harry Carrey on Dearborn for lunch. It's iconic.

RA sushi on Rush - again a chain, but good and very cheap. Decent Saki and hot servers.

Gino's on Wells - much better than Pizza Uno

Drinks - too many to list but in that area I like-

Wimpy's Hunt Club on State. Right on Staet and Rush, it's a fun area to people watch, if not a bit touristy. Wimpy's has Blue Moon beer instaed of that Goose Island crap served everywhere else.

Excaliber, but only late and on weekends, otherwise it's size makes it very apparent how dead it is. When it's busy, it's huge fun. Practice "not looking" now.

Shopping -

All of Michigan Ave. Nordstroms mall is close to the Omni and excellent. The kids will love the water tower - dozens of shops. I like the Burberry store. Bloomingdales, Tiffanys, etc., etc.

Culture - It should be required to pay admission to these 3 things to even be allowed into Chicago -

The Art Institue of Chicago, just because it was featured on Ferris Bueller's day Off....or if your even remotely interested in fabulous, historic works of art. Check out the courtyard area just north of the building (attached pic)

Field Museum. Again, iconic

Shedd Aquarium. A terrible shame that the oceanarium is closed while your visiting, but it's still cool.

In addition to those three maybe check out Chinatown. Very cool, but it will be a chilly walk. I would plan it for a short lunch trip. Best visited in summer.

Transport -

All of this is very close by cab and cabs are cheap in Chicago. Just wave at one with the light on. Hard to find getting out of Chinatown though so take the subway north to get back downtown.

The subways are excellent, if not seedy. If you are good at navigating subways, go for it. Otherwise stick to cabs as a wrong subway ride can put you were you don't want to be very fast.

Driving isn't so bad, but parking is difficult and expensive. A jaunt up Lakeshore is a nice diversion.

Walking Michigan is great. Cut over to Rush and basically check out the side streets (Elm, Maple, other tree named streets) to see upscale Chicago living. I love the architecture.


Last piece of advice - BRING A CAMERA!
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/1...erunnervj0.jpg

Take her to the Billygoat!