Tips for Visiting Chicago

[Cycsk]

In 2016, I used the time driving back from Denver (through Nebraska) to write my thoughts from 20+ years in Chicago. I don't claim that it was up-to-date even back in 2016 and I've only made slight revisions, but hopefully there will be something to help those of you going to Chicago (I'm going to Greensboro for WBB).

Here are the categories of my tips:

• My Favorite Places
• Other Restaurants in River North or N. Michigan Avenue.
• Other Restaurants not downtown
• Cyclone Gamewatch Locations
• Sports-Related Sites
• Thinking Like a Chicagoan
• Transportation-Related (not driving)
• Driving
• Parking
• Architecture and Engineering
• Museums
• Universities
• Churches
• Other Places and Things to Do
• Safety
• Tickets

 

[Frak]

I'd say the first thing is don't worry about finding a place to stay close to the United Center. That's not a great area from what I remember. Find someplace fun and take the L train to the arena.

 

[Cycsk]

How could I have left off this?

Here is a link to scenes from The Blues Brothers movie.

Your Chicago location guide to The Blues Brothers | Choose Chicago

The Blues Brothers instantly became a special piece of cinema and Chicago history from the moment it hit the silver screen in 1980. Even today,…

www.choosechicago.com

 

[Sigmapolis]

How could I have left off this?

Here is a link to scenes from The Blues Brothers movie.

Your Chicago location guide to The Blues Brothers | Choose Chicago

The Blues Brothers instantly became a special piece of cinema and Chicago history from the moment it hit the silver screen in 1980. Even today,…

www.choosechicago.com

Well, this is definitely Lower Wacker Drive.

 

[Rabbuk]

If marios italian ice is open that is the only thing i miss about living in chicago

 

[Isualum13]

Is Ed debevics still a thing. I remember going there and not much caring for it. Not realizing that apparently being miserable is apparently their goal.

 

[KnappShack]

Here's some Dark Knight filming locations too.

Film Locations for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008), with Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, in Chicago and London; including the Post Office Building, the Twin Anchors, the Berghoff Restaurant, Hotel 71, Sears Tower, Lake Street and the Navy

Film Locations for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, in Chicago, London, Bedfordshire and China: Chicago Post Office, West Van Buren Street at Canal Street, Chicago (robbery of ‘Gotham National Bank’); 200 West Randolph Street, Chicago (Batman rounds up bad guys); Richard J Daley Center...

www.movie-locations.com

 

[cyfanbr]

For those that like craft beers I highly recommend a stop at Revolution Brewing and Maplewood Brewery

 

[HFCS]

For those that like craft beers I highly recommend a stop at Revolution Brewing and Maplewood Brewery

Some of the Binny's liquor stores are like an amusement park of beer and wine. The Lincoln Park one off Clybourn is insane.

If nothing else I'd recommend hitting it up on the way out of town. I'm only casually into that stuff but I could spend hours looking around when I lived near that one.

 

[canker2323]

Is Ed debevics still a thing. I remember going there and not much caring for it. Not realizing that apparently being miserable is apparently their goal.

Location on Wells closed a while ago and looks like it opened back up.

Faux ’50s Diner Ed Debevic’s Is Back in Streeterville

The chrome, neon, and theatrically rude servers are back, too

chicago.eater.com

 

[canker2323]

For those that like craft beers I highly recommend a stop at Revolution Brewing and Maplewood Brewery

Lagunitas brewery, south and west of the United Center near Douglas park, is a cool one as well.

 

[mramseyISU]

We always try and hit up the Signature Room at the Hancock Tower. It’s 2 or 3 floors above the observation deck and one $8 beer is a better deal than a $25 ticket to the observation deck.

 

[ISUTex]

I heard Chicago has good pizza. May want to give that a try.

 

[cyfanbr]

Lagunitas brewery, south and west of the United Center near Douglas park, is a cool one as well.

True, not sure sure how I forgot about them.

 

[TruClone]

For those that like craft beers I highly recommend a stop at Revolution Brewing and Maplewood Brewery

There is also a newer brewery downtown, Crushed By Giants, that is pretty good.

 

[Drew0311]

We like Gino’s East pizza. Pizza is good but its a Cool building .

Parking in Chicago costs a crap load

 

[Cycsk]

We like Gino’s East pizza. Pizza is good but its a Cool building .

Parking in Chicago costs a crap load

If you want the pizza, but don't necessarily want to see the Gino's East place (which is great), you can always get carryout and take it to your hotel.

 

[canker2323]

If you're a foodie and adventurous, I highly recommend exploring Logan Square neighborhood. Best restaurants in town are scattered throughout. Great watering holes as well.

We always try and hit up the Signature Room at the Hancock Tower. It’s 2 or 3 floors above the observation deck and one $8 beer is a better deal than a $25 ticket to the observation deck.

the up room, top of the roby hotel in wicker park, has great views of downtown from the west.

Too bad the weather is going to suck because there are some good beer gardens within spitting distance of the united center.

 

[quasistellar]

Check out the purple pig. Great food.

 

[NorthCyd]

Don't forget to check out the local dispensaries.