Now that we've made it to Chicago:

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Yeah, also for people who aren't into hip or trendy places, find a hotel in one of the neighborhoods north of downtown, like Lincoln park, bucktown, Roscoe Village, or wrigleyville. On Friday go out turn down a neighborhood street, walk until you find the local bar that isn't on the main path, go in and have the time of your life. Beers will be a little cheaper, the bartender will probably be the owner, there will be 5 - 10 regulars in there. By the end of the night you will either have the bar to yourself, or it will be packed with people from the neighborhood. Either way you will have a good time. Chicago is full of those places. It is no different than going to the local watering hole in a small town in Iowa.

I would agree that areas like Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Old Town are great for people who aren't into totally hip stuff. Roscoe Village is also a great little quaint neighborhood. I agree that west of Wicker Park isn't much either at least in this category (it has a lot of Puerto Rican stuff though, and increasingly hipster). However, what I don't agree with is what you say about north of Roscoe Village. DEFINITELY NOT no-mans land with neighborhoods. Lincoln Square/Ravenswood is an awesome neighborhood north of Roscoe Village, and so is Andersonville close to that. Basically contained within Edgewater - which is also good in spots. Of course, there is Devon Street a little north of that too with a lot of Indian food, and Albany Park is one of the "United Nations" neighborhoods of town where you can get just about any type of food.

For the people not familiar with Chicago - there are more people living in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lincoln Square/Ravenswood, and Roscoe Village/North Center combined than all of Des Moines. Also, the ISU bars are in areas like Old Town and Lakeview.

 

[erikbj]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Need sparty to lose to make tix cheaper

 

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Kaiser Tiger is a really fun bar that's close to UC. Also, the Lagunitas Brewery would be a very short Uber ride as well. As a lot of people have mentioned, that area is getting better. All along Madison, you'll find plenty of bars and on Randolph, there are amazing restaurants.

River North/Gold Coast do have a lot of hotels, but I'd recommend looking at other neighborhoods as well. I wouldn't let the distance to UC be the end all, be all factor. Chances are you'll be at a bar or pre-game festivity anyways. The bars on Madison are close enough that it's either a 5 minute uber or 10-15 minute walk.

Also, my own preference, but I like the bar scenes better in Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Lakeview than I do River North.

 

[SCISUFAN]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

If we make it...2 tips.

1. 4 Star hotels in Downtown are under $90 by doing Priceline Express function.
2. Buy only Session one. If we win or you just want to go to the Sunday games (session 2) Then you will be able to purchase tickets from losing fans right after the game very easily and cheaper then stubhub.

 

[The_Architect]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I'll be there. Rooting hard against MSU this weekend because tickets would get dirt cheap.

 

[CySanka3]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Saw some other people recommend the West Loop and I would agree. I work there and the neighborhood has been blowing up with restaurants and bars, some of which offer shuttles to the UC.

These bars do it for Bulls/Blackhawks games so I'm sure they will have it up for the tourney as well:

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/chi...lackhawks-bulls-games-things-to-do-in-chicago

 

[boone7247]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I would agree that areas like Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Old Town are great for people who aren't into totally hip stuff. Roscoe Village is also a great little quaint neighborhood. I agree that west of Wicker Park isn't much either at least in this category (it has a lot of Puerto Rican stuff though, and increasingly hipster). However, what I don't agree with is what you say about north of Roscoe Village. DEFINITELY NOT no-mans land with neighborhoods. Lincoln Square/Ravenswood is an awesome neighborhood north of Roscoe Village, and so is Andersonville close to that. Basically contained within Edgewater - which is also good in spots. Of course, there is Devon Street a little north of that too with a lot of Indian food, and Albany Park is one of the "United Nations" neighborhoods of town where you can get just about any type of food.

For the people not familiar with Chicago - there are more people living in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lincoln Square/Ravenswood, and Roscoe Village/North Center combined than all of Des Moines. Also, the ISU bars are in areas like Old Town and Lakeview.

I probably should have written that different. Those are fun neighborhoods, but really you are getting a little too far away from your ultimate target of the UC up there. Really only West is no man's land. Well and south. But there are still cool things is most of the neighborhoods. But if ultimately you are looking for a good time and easy trip to the UC the neighborhoods mentioned give everyone a good idea.

On a completely different note, if we are lucky enough for ISU to get to Chicago, anyone coming into town for this. Please don't eat at any restaurant that you can eat at home. Please ignore all major chain restaurants, ask hotel, friends or people you know from the area where you should eat. There are so many good places to eat here, make sure you don't eat the same things you can get back home.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

You have this, the Field Museum, Art Museum, Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, shopping on Michigan Ave and State street, god knows how many plays/musical/comedy/blues, plus countless excellent restaurants/bars/clubs. There are only a couple of places in the world that you can stay in a hotel and have all that no more than 20 blocks from there. Okay the Museum of Science and Industry is a little further than that, and that doesn't include all of the small things that interest different people that somewhere in the city it is catered to.

Honestly I don't care who you are, if you come to Chicago for 3 or 4 days and have a bad time that is on you. I get not wanting to live her, i get it can be expensive. But for a short stay, there are very few places on Earth that can be as entertaining as this city.

I will agree slightly. I think Chicago is overrated but it is still a hella fun town

 

[jkclone]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Ok if I don't care about going out before or after the games, is there a problem with staying in Schaumburg? That is where my family always stays when we go to Chicago. Is there some easy transportation from up there? I know 2 years ago we went to a Cubs game and caught the bus from there.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I probably should have written that different. Those are fun neighborhoods, but really you are getting a little too far away from your ultimate target of the UC up there. Really only West is no man's land. Well and south. But there are still cool things is most of the neighborhoods. But if ultimately you are looking for a good time and easy trip to the UC the neighborhoods mentioned give everyone a good idea.

Yeah I agree. And if you're just looking to go to a normal midwest type of bar, then those areas won't be great for you (though Lincoln Square has some).

On a completely different note, if we are lucky enough for ISU to get to Chicago, anyone coming into town for this. Please don't eat at any restaurant that you can eat at home. Please ignore all major chain restaurants, ask hotel, friends or people you know from the area where you should eat. There are so many good places to eat here, make sure you don't eat the same things you can get back home.

Yes times 1 million. I split my time between NYC and Chicago and it's just weird to me when I see people eating at an Olive Garden in Times Square. Same thing about Chicago - it's one of the top food cities in the US and there's not a lot of cities in the country that hold a flame to it. Though if you are coming from a small town and/or don't travel much, then these chains are going to be impressive to you, but I agree.

 

[cowgirl836]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

They may have been going off last year's games. Midwest region started at 6:15.

that's what I looked at was last year's games.

 

[cowgirl836]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Make sure and take time to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. Lots of time! That place is awesome, and don't skimp and skip the U-boat in the basement. Totally worth it!

http://www.msichicago.org/

that's what husband wants to do but I would like to see Fields and possibly the Art Institute.

Plus Michigan Ave would be cool to walk down and maybe do a tiny bit of shopping

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Ok if I don't care about going out before or after the games, is there a problem with staying in Schaumburg? That is where my family always stays when we go to Chicago. Is there some easy transportation from up there? I know 2 years ago we went to a Cubs game and caught the bus from there.

Nothing wrong with that if you don't care about going out and having fun or whatever. Transportation from Schaumburg? There's no reason why there would be a bus from Schaumburg at all. If you have a car, then that's the easiest straight shot down the expressway between O'Hare and downtown. But remember that expressway is one of the worst in the US for bottlenecks. As a traveling consultant, I've had my fair share of rides between the airport and downtown (where I live) which can take an hour in bad traffic, plus you have to go a little further, so it might easily take you 90-120 minutes in bad traffic from Schaumburg to UC.

Otherwise, if you want to take the train, you have a few options:
* Metra train from Schaumburg to downtown, then uber it to the station (or maybe a bus or something)
* Drive to the Blue Line at Rosemont, then take it downtown and either uber it, bus it, or xfer to the Green Line train.

If you have a car, I'd just drive but beware about the traffic as it can get really bad in your path.

 

[jkclone]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Nothing wrong with that if you don't care about going out and having fun or whatever. Transportation from Schaumburg? There's no reason why there would be a bus from Schaumburg at all. If you have a car, then that's the easiest straight shot down the expressway between O'Hare and downtown. But remember that expressway is one of the worst in the US for bottlenecks. As a traveling consultant, I've had my fair share of rides between the airport and downtown (where I live) which can take an hour in bad traffic, plus you have to go a little further, so it might easily take you 90-120 minutes in bad traffic from Schaumburg to UC.

Otherwise, if you want to take the train, you could get to the Blue Line train at Rosemount, then take that to the Loop and transfer to Green Line or take an uber from there.

If you have a car, I'd just drive but beware about the traffic as it can get really bad in your path.

Alright I haven't really looked into anything. I just figured sticking with what I'm familiar with might be good.

 

[cowgirl836]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I probably should have written that different. Those are fun neighborhoods, but really you are getting a little too far away from your ultimate target of the UC up there. Really only West is no man's land. Well and south. But there are still cool things is most of the neighborhoods. But if ultimately you are looking for a good time and easy trip to the UC the neighborhoods mentioned give everyone a good idea.

On a completely different note, if we are lucky enough for ISU to get to Chicago, anyone coming into town for this. Please don't eat at any restaurant that you can eat at home. Please ignore all major chain restaurants, ask hotel, friends or people you know from the area where you should eat. There are so many good places to eat here, make sure you don't eat the same things you can get back home.

recommendations por favor. We don't get there often and when we do it's to Schaumburg and we pretty much go to Malnati's so that we can have that once a year or so.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Alright I haven't really looked into anything. I just figured sticking with what I'm familiar with might be good.

If you have never spent much time downtown or in some other neighborhoods, then I'd suggest it though parking is expensive if you plan on driving into the area. Otherwise, yeah - doesn't matter. Drive or take the Metra or Blue Line into downtown and uber/bus/train after that.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

recommendations por favor. We don't get there often and when we do it's to Schaumburg and we pretty much go to Malnati's so that we can have that once a year or so.

What types of food do you like?

 

[carvers4math]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Can't we all just stay in the extra wing at Hoiberg castle?

Can't decide if freebie of sister's NW burb house is worth the hassle.

 

[Cardinal2001]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

recommendations por favor. We don't get there often and when we do it's to Schaumburg and we pretty much go to Malnati's so that we can have that once a year or so.

I was going to suggest Malnati's. That pizza is Soooo good.

EDIT: They have lots of cool memorabilia in their downtown location, if you haven't been to that one.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I was going to suggest Malnati's. That pizza is Soooo good.

Deep dish is very touristy - not a lot of locals actually eat it. If you go outside of the touristy areas, then you'll find way more thin crust. However, of the touristy chains, Malnati's is definitely the best. Pequod's outside of downtown is even better though, but smaller place with long waits.

The city has almost every type of food imaginable though. I'd suggest trying other things if that's what you've had a lot.