Posted by Spoc on May 22, 2005, at 12:57:23
In reply to Re: Hooray! » Dinah, posted by All Done on May 21, 2005, at 9:12:25
Don’t mean to interrupt the flow of any more serious topics, but the question of a basic itinerary seems to come hand in hand with anything else. So (although this isn't very specific towards the key restaurant issue), instead of whispering in other people’s ears, I am compelled (as in “obsessively compulsed??”) to post one big post of suggestions. Then *hopefully* have it out of my system. I'm obviously not on the planning committee, but thought this might help to at least print and have with.
I’ve tried to think of things that a diverse group of people could probably all enjoy; that don’t require strict (if any) scheduling; that kind of write their own itinerary as you go along; that aren’t very expensive; that can be walked between rather than at disjointed locations all over town; that cover many of the key areas for visitors; that are conducive to relaxing and chatting instead of laboring over firm decisions and directions. At the end I've also placed these possibilities as a blessedly narrative-free list.
Almost all are within walking distance of each other, at least for people who like walking or are familiar with a city-dweller’s definition of “within walking distance.” (Good maps, including walking maps, can easily be found on the Internet. An aerial one that covers all of the following should be easy to find, and these will probably appear on most detailed street or attraction maps.) Otherwise cabs are of course readily available, but you’ll see a lot of bonus stuff up close by walking. Hey, some people originally wanted to do a walk-a-thon anyway, right? (Btw, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is June 4 & 5.)
I’ve listed them in a possible order, assuming a Friday night start and keeping in mind that some will only be staying until Saturday. But these could easily be rearranged. In reality it might be hard to fit all this in unless you focused on staying in motion. So alternately, there is enough here to stretch through the rest of the weekend.
EVENING:
Dinner on either Rush Street or Navy Pier. These are two of the common “must see” areas, convenient to Michigan Ave. Here you could conveniently walk around a bit before and/or after dinner, and get a good feel for the local flavor and enjoy some interesting people watching. Rush Street is in the famous Gold Coast, and is a festive area of restaurants, outdoor cafes and other entertainment. Navy Pier is on the water (duh) not far away. Touristy. But beautiful view, shops, restaurants, huge lake tour boats dock there, sometimes bands playing outside, even a big Ferris Wheel. Day or evening destination. (Another smaller restaurant & shop area is Wells St. in Old Town, between approx. Goethe & North Ave. FYI, Second City & Zanies comedy clubs are around there too. Location might be best for on the way back from Lincoln Park, if you go one day.)
Since the dinner issue is by nature complicated, I just went with great general dining and "viewing" areas. If you shoot for one of the well-known Chicago restaurants that may come up, you would probably need a *really* firm reservation; even then there may be a wait of over two hours; it may be pretty expensive even if casual; and it may not be in an area where you could easily see other things. There are relatively inexpensive places mixed in on both Rush St. and Navy Pier (and Wells), where small groups don’t typically need reservations and large ones might not, or probably wouldn’t need to reserve much in advance (but should call ahead anyway and check it out). But I wouldn’t mind skipping specific suggestions myself, I’d worry too much, no matter what. At least restaurant details for these areas should be readily “surfable.” Could try calling the concierge at your hotels too.
If people do want to hit one or more of the noted Chicago eateries, there are of course countless possibilities. Many visitors – and locals -- find it a safe bet to stick with a popular group of restaurants operated by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. They vary in style and price. Several are smoke-free.
If you’re up to it and want to cover some key things in just a couple days, you could swing by both Rush St. and Navy Pier on the first evening, to eat in one and walk around both. Maybe dropping into additional establishments as you see fit (ice cream/desert, coffee, a drink, etc.).DAYTIME:
If still desired, start at Millenium Park. Note that the annual Chicago Gospel Festival will be going on there that weekend (it is big, but won’t produce the crowd sizes that Blues Fest does). That will be a plus to some; if not, the park is big enough that you should be able to steer relatively clear.
From there, walk north on Michigan Ave, to see the shopping mecca and beautiful buildings as you go. Best shops are between about Huron and Oak Streets, and I think these freestanding shops illustrate the Magnificent Mile more so than the “malls” along the way. As many of you know, Water Tower Place is usually mentioned, but while it is indeed nice, besides the department stores (Marshall Fields and Lord & Taylor) it largely contains the same chain stores you’d see at any other mall. If you want to go inside something mall-like but a little more unique, might try 900 North Michigan (and 700, I think).
Along this route you’ll also be close to Giordano’s Pizza, as mentioned by Dr. Bob I think. Other nearby pizza joints of note are Uno and Due. Will also pass Ghiradelli for chocolate or ice cream, as mentioned by Poet. End the (window?)shopping leg by turning left on Oak Street, to see another noted boutique area. (FYI, you will be right around Rush St. now, about the midpoint.)
Michigan turns into North Lake Shore Drive around here, a gorgeous stretch of historic brownstones and condos you’ll get to see if you continue walking to the next destination. Which could be: the area of Lincoln Park that Poet posted a “tip” about previously. This “leg” would be a plenty interesting but more peaceful park area, exceptionally so if you want. Navigate from Lake Shore to a pretty winding street called Stockton that cuts through Lincoln Park, to arrive at a central location of it, the Lincoln Park Zoo entrance.
You’ll see a stunning garden right there, with the greenhouse/atrium to one side. Could then walk around the zoo; or nearby you can observe or rent swan paddle boats on the pond. You should be able to see the lake and beach from around there, if you want to walk over there. See this post of Poet’s too, for a little more detail on the area: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050417/msgs/498364.html
After that, you could swing by a nice, more mellow festival that will be very nearby, The Park West Antiques Fair. It goes on the 4th and 5th (ends at 7 & 6 PM, earlier than the big fests). There will be other things for sale too, like jewelry and art. Will also be live music of varying types, but not a real rowdy fest.
Could then hit Wells St. to eat on the way back... But as you navigate all of the above over the weekend, specific restaurant or snack suggestions may not be crucial, since you’ll see so many choices right on top of each other. You’d still end up getting fed decently that way, but of course many may not want to be that freewheeling. And it again assumes that the focus isn’t on having a noteworthy culinary experience in particular.
For anyone still around Sunday, there is a fun Gospel Brunch at House of Blues (used to be two seatings, so may require reservations); or a few jazz brunches. Speaking of HOB, Dr. Bob mentioned that, although I don’t know what time he meant. True it could be interesting to see during the day too, and there is even a bowling alley. Just note that in the evening, it could be very crowded, smoky and loud, and tickets may be expensive (or sold out) to see a band you may not even be familiar with. Also, in the evening it wouldn't be *as* convenient for walking to other things/killing a few birds with one stone.
To name a bunch of other options: culture -- MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art); Art Institute; Field Museum of Natural History; Museum of Science & Industry; Shedd Aquarium. All those are downtown-ish. Ethnic dining areas -- Greektown, or Taylor Street (Italian restaurant area). Both have several pretty outdoor cafes too. Random ideas: Wrigley Field. (Greektown, Taylor St. & Wrigley would require cabs, or in the case of Wrigley, a train is easy.)... Chicago is of course well known for its blues bars and there are even blues bar tours, but I don’t know if everyone would be into that scene... Horse and carriage rides around Michigan Avenue (note there are also double-decker tour buses)... Many check out the view from the top of the Hancock Building... The comedy clubs... Stage/theater scene (but figured that would be too complicated and expensive)... River North is off of Michigan Ave too, and is a bustling touristy area (Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, and several high-tech, gaming, and other types of attractions)...
The architectural cruises can be nice, but depends if you want to use the limited time to instead see many things. On the other hand, if relative peace and quiet in which to just talk is the objective, it may be perfect. To get a taste of that too without committing to it, you could detour down Wacker Drive as you walk north on Michigan Ave., to run into the river and walk down to water level, and see the pretty area those boats depart from and several of the buildings they’d be pointing out. FYI, House of Blues isn't far from where they depart.
LISTS OF ABOVE (should be anyway, may have missed some...)
Ordered roughly south to north:
-- Millenium Park, Gospel Fest optional.
-- Michigan Ave. & browsing/shopping
-- Giordano’s, Uno or Due, for pizza
-- Navy Pier (Located off Ohio St.)
-- Rush Street (focus between about Walton & Division. Division itself is a famous cheesy party area, so could skip detouring down it, though it can be funny to see)
-- Lincoln Park (+ zoo, gardens, atrium, paddle boat, beach/lake options)
-- Park West Antiques Fair
-- Possibly Wells St. to eat on way back south.ETC. IDEAS (in no certain order):
-- Museums & art galleries
-- Greektown or Taylor St. restaurants
-- Blues tour
-- Horse & carriage rides
-- Hancock Building (near Water Tower)
-- River North area
-- Wrigley Field, home of Cubs (well, there's U.S. Cellular Field/f.k.a. Comiskey Park, home of Sox, too. But for seeing from the outside/on foot, Wrigley is much better)
-- Architectural cruise (HOB nearby)
-- Second City or Zanies (Wells St. area)
-- Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
-- Sunday HOB Gospel Brunch, or a jazz brunch(I assume no one really wants a list of bar and nightclub suggestions.) Should be easy to Google further details on any of the above. Hope that didn't present too much info to even be useful towards zeroing in. Any combo of just a couple/few would be fine in reality.
poster:Spoc
thread:5509
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050517/msgs/501225.html