Things to checkout in downtown Chicago?

[Cyclones26]

Will be heading to Chicago for a little march madness at the united center March 17-19 with three friends. Were staying on Michigan Ave and what are the coolest things to do or good places to eat within walking distance? We are 19 and 20 year olds if that helps.

 

[CycoCyclone]

Must have pizza at Ginos

 

[Chipper]

I'm assuming you're in for the parade and coloring of the river. Check out who is playing at House of Blues or other downtown venues. Willis Tower, Hancock are pricey but worth a look. Do the museum but avoid the aquarium, it's kind of dull. Could also continue normal touristy stuff like the Navy Pier.

And get an apple pancake at an area Walker Bros.

 

[burn587]

I agree with avoiding the aquarium, it's just not that great but the field museum is awesome and is a must see. Of the other touristy stuff there is the bean in millenium park just about at the corner of michigan and randolph. The rest just really depends on what you like to do. Where on Michigan are you staying?

 

[wxman1]

Pizzeria Uno...best pizza in the city!

 

[Cyclones26]

I agree with avoiding the aquarium, it's just not that great but the field museum is awesome and is a must see. Of the other touristy stuff there is the bean in millenium park just about at the corner of michigan and randolph. The rest just really depends on what you like to do. Where on Michigan are you staying?

My mistake. Its actually a half block off Michigan on Ohio. Called the Inn of Chicago.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

Downtown is fun, and there is some sightseeing to be done for sure. The best pizza in the city is Pequod's, it is deep dish not Chicago style, but it is a cab ride it's on Webster and Clybourn. Brix is also very good and closer to Downtown. For concerts there could be shows at The Vic, Aragon Ballroom the Riv or the Park West. Head up Willis Tower and stand on the overhang, that is interesting. The museum is great obviously and the Aquarium is really cool IMO.

Get on the El, and explore the city a bit. You can get the Brown/Red/Purple/Blue lines from the loop. The great thing about Chicago are the neighborhoods. There is any kind of restaurant you want in the city. Checkout Yelp and metromix.com to hone in on what cuisine you want. If you are hipsterish take the blue line up to Damen and hang around North/Milwaukee/Damen. If you want to ogle cute Lincoln Park Trixies take the red up to Clybourn and walk around Old Town/Lincoln Park.

Also, the UC is not in the greatest neighborhood so you may not get cabs after the games if it is like a Bulls game anyway. Figure out which Bus to take to and from and that will save you a bunch of time.

Have fun!

 

[burn587]

My mistake. Its actually a half block of Michigan on Ohio. Called the Inn of Chicago.

Ok, I know exactly where you're talking about. That area is generally very touristy (PF Chang's Rainforest Cafe) but the original Gino's is right around that area, on Ontario to the Northwest of where you're staying. Pretty much everything is in walking distance from your hotel though. A couple of semi-close places that I really enjoy eating at, both near Millenium Park. Sweetwater, an upscale bar/grille on the corner of Michigan and South Water st. They have some awesome fish tacos that I'd highly recommend. Another place in a similar style on the corner of Randolph and Michigan is Tavern at the Park. Frontera grill should also be pretty close to you, and the owner Rick Bayless won top chef masters and is pretty famous.

Also, parking at the United Center is plentiful and fairly cheap. If you don't want to take the bus (the buses suck in Chicago) you should be able to park for something around 6 bucks.

 

[Hilz4cy]

Its been a few years but I know there is a bar / restaurant in the John Hancock building that is actually 1 floor higher then the observation deck at the Sears Tower plus the cost of having a couple beers in the bar basically equals the cost to go to the observation deck at the Sears, Just tell the person at the botton of the JHB that your going to the restaurant and not the observation deck it is a different elevatorThere is also Dicks Last Resort in the mall along the river west of Navy Pier

 

[cy616]

Downtown is fun, and there is some sightseeing to be done for sure. The best pizza in the city is Pequod's, it is deep dish not Chicago style, but it is a cab ride it's on Webster and Clybourn. Brix is also very good and closer to Downtown. For concerts there could be shows at The Vic, Aragon Ballroom the Riv or the Park West. Head up Willis Tower and stand on the overhang, that is interesting. The museum is great obviously and the Aquarium is really cool IMO.

Get on the El, and explore the city a bit. You can get the Brown/Red/Purple/Blue lines from the loop. The great thing about Chicago are the neighborhoods. There is any kind of restaurant you want in the city. Checkout Yelp and metromix.com to hone in on what cuisine you want. If you are hipsterish take the blue line up to Damen and hang around North/Milwaukee/Damen. If you want to ogle cute Lincoln Park Trixies take the red up to Clybourn and walk around Old Town/Lincoln Park.

Also, the UC is not in the greatest neighborhood so you may not get cabs after the games if it is like a Bulls game anyway. Figure out which Bus to take to and from and that will save you a bunch of time.

Have fun!

Looks like we have some differing opinions here, but I'd throw my hat in the "Lou Malnati's is the best pizza in Chicago" ring. Unfortunatley the closest thing to Lous by you would be Pizannos on State and Chestnut, same family, pretty good stuff.

Others were correct to point out that you're in a touristy area, so there's not a whole lot of authentic Chicago stuff around there, but you'd be remiss not to hit Portillos on Ontario and Clark for a hot dog, italian beef, or combo (may need an angioplasty afterword).

Also, based on anothers comments it sounds like you'll be here on the saturday we celebrate St. Paddys. That's an experience unlike any other here. Hope you've got a good fake.:yes:

 

[ThatllDoCy]

We could have a good debate on Pizza for sure. The sauce on top just does not do it for me. It's good just not my favorite. If you have never had a 5 Guys Burger that would be worth checking out too. Not really a Chicago thing, but awesome.

 

[CY ST8T]

Call me weird, but a Five Guys burger to me tastes the same as a Bbops hamburger and cost about $5 less at Bbops

 

[Cyclones26]

Looks like we have some differing opinions here, but I'd throw my hat in the "Lou Malnati's is the best pizza in Chicago" ring. Unfortunatley the closest thing to Lous by you would be Pizannos on State and Chestnut, same family, pretty good stuff.

Others were correct to point out that you're in a touristy area, so there's not a whole lot of authentic Chicago stuff around there, but you'd be remiss not to hit Portillos on Ontario and Clark for a hot dog, italian beef, or combo (may need an angioplasty afterword).

Also, based on anothers comments it sounds like you'll be here on the saturday we celebrate St. Paddys. That's an experience unlike any other here. Hope you've got a good fake.:yes:

Have been to Portillos, needless to say ill be making a return trip.:yes:

 

[ThatllDoCy]

Call me weird, but a Five Guys burger to me tastes the same as a Bbops hamburger and cost about $5 less at Bbops

I know not of Bbops, but would like to.

 

[CyBroncos]

Its been a few years but I know there is a bar / restaurant in the John Hancock building that is actually 1 floor higher then the observation deck at the Sears Tower plus the cost of having a couple beers in the bar basically equals the cost to go to the observation deck at the Sears, Just tell the person at the botton of the JHB that your going to the restaurant and not the observation deck it is a different elevatorThere is also Dicks Last Resort in the mall along the river west of Navy Pier

This. It's called Signature Lounge and its at the top of the Hancock building. The drinks aren't cheap but it beats paying the same amount to go to the top of Hancock or Sears and get herded in and out like cattle. You can sit there at a table with a drink and enjoy a great view. Think Legends in Ames but just a lot higher up and a lot more to see.

I highly recommend this

 

[SplitIdentity]

If somebody offers to shine your shoes, avoid them.

 

[CyclonePower88]

field museum*
navy pier
ed debevic's (restaurant)
museum of science and industry*
adler planetarium*
millenium park
shedd aquarium*
sears tower*

there's really a lot to do. If you want to do any of the asterisked things, I'd recommend buying a city pass. Cheaper to get than paying for each admission price.