Chicago/Wrigley Field Advice

[bluehenbillk]

I'll be in Chicago in 2 weeks on business & will be making my virgin trip to the Friendly Confines.

Suggestions for Wrigleyville pre/post game spots?

Staying downtown, by the Navy Pier area, any dining suggestions to get a true Chicago experience???

[AZGrizFan]

Don't park in the parking lot across the street. They tow.

[Col Hogan]

Don't park in the parking lot across the street. They tow.

Don't park in any of the near-by neighborhoods...you need to have a pass, and they will tow you without one...

[ASUG8]

We're leaving Friday for a long weekend - some CSers have already posted when I asked.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... f=9&t=7090

[bodoyle]

I'll post the same thing I posted on AGS:

Pizza - not Giordano's. It's soupy. Get Due's on Ontario and Wabash or Lou Malnati's. Steak - Chicago Chop House - best steakhouse in the country.

I haven't gone to the Museums in years, but Shedd and Adler are always pretty cool. Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo are two of the best zoos in the country if you like going there.

You need to go up to the top of the Sears Tower. They have a new SkyDeck Ledge (just put in this year) which is glass enclosed and looks like you are floating about 1400ft above the ground. People like Buckingham Fountain - not sure why but they do. The Wrigley Building is kinda cool too. There are also a lot of sightseeing tours - granted I can't tell you what is good and what isn't since I've never taken one, but there are busses that take tours and there are boats that go down the Chicago River giving tours too. There are a lot of things to see. Too much to write on here lol.

Places to waste money:
If you are going with your wife/significant other, she should go on the Magnificent Mile. It is Michigan Ave. I never thought much of it, but when a friend of mine from NC was in town she was amazed at the stores there. They're not unique stores (some but not many), but they're super-sized apparently. There is a 7 story Pottery Barn store (ugh), a 5 story Bed Bath and Beyond etc etc. There is Watertower Place which is a high-end mall, but it's pretty cool. Here is a link to stores on Mich. Ave. **keep your wife/'significant other away from these places unless you want to go broke in a heartbeat** http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chica...opping_map.htm

Wrigley - just don't go. Horrible food, horrible stench, horrible views unless you spend serious cash and horrible team. Yea the area around the stadium is nice, but IMO, if you're over 30 it's just annoying. Tons of drunk college kids acting like morons - doesn't matter what time of day.

Go with ISU to see a Sox game. Better food, parking, no smell, BETTER TEAM!

[UNI88]

bodoyle is crazy!

Wrigley - BD is right about Sox Park but if you want to truly experience Wrigley get tickets & sit in the bleachers with all of the nuts. The Cubby Bear and Murphy's Bleachers are the most famous post-Cubs game destinations.

Pizza - Uno's or Due's are very good but I prefer Gino's East.

Steak - The Chop House is good but I prefer Gibson's. The truth is that there are probably a dozen really good steakhouses in or near downtown Chicago and everyone here has their preferences.

Museums - Shedd is cool as are the Field Museum (Sue the T-Rex) and the Museum of Science and Industry (only building remaining from the 1893 Worlds Fair).

I haven't been up tothe Sears Tower's new viewing decks but that is high on my list of things to do. Before they put them in I always recommended people skip the Tower and go to the Hancock Building for a drink at the restaurant near the top (shorter lines and no fee).

Hot Dogs - Hot Dougs is difficult to get to but is a hotdog culinary experience.

Check out Metromix for bar and restaurant reviews and opinions as well
http://chicago.metromix.com

[bodoyle]

88: How can you enjoy the CB? Ugh!

Gino's East is #3 for me but a great pizza either way.

Yea if you can get to Gibsons, Chop House, or Gene and Georgetti's you'll leave satisfied.

I work right by the Sears Tower and went up last week. It's kinda weird and takes a minute to get used to it, but it's pretty sweet.

Hot Dogs - GOLD COAST DOGS and PORTILLO'S!

[UNI88]

88: How can you enjoy the CB? Ugh!

Gino's East is #3 for me but a great pizza either way.

Yea if you can get to Gibsons, Chop House, or Gene and Georgetti's you'll leave satisfied.

I work right by the Sears Tower and went up last week. It's kinda weird and takes a minute to get used to it, but it's pretty sweet.

Hot Dogs - GOLD COAST DOGS and PORTILLO'S!

Didn't say I liked the CB just said it was one of the most popular. Sometimes visitors like to go to the most popular places like Cubby Bear or Division Street. The reality is they're hanging out with other tourists and suburbanites. It's been a long time since I've done the bar scene in the city so I can't really help with what's cool now. I do remember Cubby Bear getting some pretty good bands to play there during the off-season though.

Hot Dougs is a little difficult for a visitor to get to and Gold Coast Dogs and Portillos are both excellent alternatives. It's too bad Demon Dogs bit the dust with the "L" station remodeling a while back. It was the only hot dog stand to make Jimmy Buffett's list of top cheeseburger joints.