The Official "I'm visiting/moving to Chicago, what should I do?" Thread

[Uaarkson]

Chicago's core is the nicest and cleanest of all the big North American cities. Calling it futuristic is not too much of a stretch, especially in the last few years.

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by Uaarkson

Chicago's core is the nicest and cleanest of all the big North American cities. Calling it futuristic is not too much of a stretch, especially in the last few years.

It was very clean and shiny! The city seemed to glisten! It was like seeing something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie!

[Four32Oh1]

Originally Posted by QuantumX

It was very clean and shiny! The city seemed to glisten! It was like seeing something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie!

There's solar powered trash cans, and I swear one of them talked to me once.

[tpe]

Originally Posted by Uaarkson

Calling it futuristic is not too much of a stretch, especially in the last few years.

I tend to agree, escpecially the juxtaposition of old and new...

[Northsider]

Originally Posted by QuantumX

It was very clean and shiny! The city seemed to glisten! It was like seeing something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie!

Maybe my vision of the future is very different!


Dystopia, by me on deviantart

[zaphod]

I guess this is the question and answer thread..

I am going to be visiting Chicago with family members in 2 weeks. The plan is to stay in a La Quinta motel in the suburbs because we have free room points. The two options come down to one in Schaumburg or one in Lake Forest.

What Metra lines and stations make the most sense for parking and riding into the city? I have looked on a map and determined which stations are nearest to the motel, and which have parking.

However, I was hoping someone with local knowledge might have some advice on the station parking situation on a weekday and if spaces will actually be available or if regular commuters will fill every single one of them like how it is in some other cities.

Schaumburg seems to have a large surface lot near a ballpark. Arlington Park looks like it has loads of parking shared with the racetrack. Palatine appears to have a garage. Not sure about the northern lines up by Lake Forest, they all seem to stop in suburban villages. But that's all I can tell from Google Earth.

[Mr Downtown]

I think you'll have a much easier time parking at Schaumburg or Arlington Park because those lots are enormous.

[iloveclassicrock7]

Originally Posted by Northsider

Maybe my vision of the future is very different!


Dystopia, by me on deviantart

I have to agree with you here. I definitely expect a dystopian future with limited freedom.

[zach7795]

Hi, I'll be visiting Chicago from July 18-23rd. Being born and raised in Miami and as a die hard marlins fan the first thing I'll be doing after getting off the plane is heading to Wrigley to watch the fish play the cubs. I wanted to know if there's anything I should visit while at Wrigley field or the Wrigleyville area. Of course being a marlins fan I definitely want to take pictures where Steve Bartman made "the catch" against us in 2003.

I'll be staying in palatine with family, I'm not sure how far that is from everything to do in Chicago but that's where they live. Anyway any suggestions on must does/see's in the windy city would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

much love from the MIA!

[Northsider]

Paletine is a bit far, ~1hour 20 minutes by Metra (or 40 minute drive w/out traffic). What to see in "Wrigleyville"? Ehh, hope you like sports bars and frat boys.

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by QuantumX

It was very clean and shiny! The city seemed to glisten! It was like seeing something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie!

Originally Posted by Northsider

Maybe my vision of the future is very different!

This just one example. Put many of the buildings in this photograph together and the city looks futuristic to me, especially this perspective. It also looks like Dubai rather than Chicago, but that is what I try to do. Capture the city differently.

image hosted on flickr

DSC_0245 by QuantumX, on Flickr

[printingray]

I live in Fairfax and visit Chicago often for business tours and with family. Its colorful fall months deliver nothing short of magical experience. This place is ripe for arts and culture all the time. Whether you're visiting for business or enjoyment, you can find all kinds of hotels accommodation, world class dining and a lot of entertainment.

[Stairz]

Heading to Chicago from Minneapolis in a month or so, staying at the Radisson Blu Aqua, with time to kill. Can any locals / experts recommend some do-not-miss places to eat? In your opinion where is the best pizza place in town? Who makes the most incredible burgers? Where can I get an amazing steak? Interested in places both "affordable" and "higher-end".

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by Stairz

Heading to Chicago from Minneapolis in a month or so, staying at the Radisson Blu Aqua, with time to kill. Can any locals / experts recommend some do-not-miss places to eat? In your opinion where is the best pizza place in town? Who makes the most incredible burgers? Where can I get an amazing steak? Interested in places both "affordable" and "higher-end".

There are an incredible amount of places to eat, but some places to keep in mind are Pizzeria Uno (The original one downtown on Ohio) for deep dish pizza, Gino's East for deep dish pizza, Portillos for hamburgers or Italian beef sandwiches, Giordano's for Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago Chop house for steaks. These are some of the well known typical touristy places that never disappoint and show some of Chicago's true food glory.

[Stairz]

Thanks bro. Will look into those.

[Northsider]

In my opinion, don't get deep dish. Deep dish is what tourists eat or what to get when friends are in town. Really, it's just a metric fuckload of cheese. Get some Chicago-style thin crust. Portillos is great (I always get it when I'm out in the suburbs).

For burgers, man there's a bunch of great places. The one that springs instantly to mind is Kumas (expect to wait a LONG time). But Bad Apple has some pretty awesome burgers.

Get out into the neighborhoods...most everything is accessible by CTA rail. Downtown is...whatever.

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by Northsider

In my opinion, don't get deep dish. Deep dish is what tourists eat or what to get when friends are in town. Really, it's just a metric fuckload of cheese. Get some Chicago-style thin crust. Portillos is great (I always get it when I'm out in the suburbs).

For burgers, man there's a bunch of great places. The one that springs instantly to mind is Kumas (expect to wait a LONG time). But Bad Apple has some pretty awesome burgers.

Get out into the neighborhoods...most everything is accessible by CTA rail. Downtown is...whatever.

While I respect your opinion, I have to disagree. I live in Uptown, and I LOVE deep dish pizza and downtown. How can you not like deep dish pizza and downtown Chicago??? Outer neighborhoods certainly have character but it takes time to get involved with them the right way. Downtown is crazy fun in a shorter amount of time. I only go to two of the many Portillo's joints. The one downtown and the one in Forest Park.

[Stairz]

Originally Posted by Northsider

In my opinion, don't get deep dish. Deep dish is what tourists eat or what to get when friends are in town. Really, it's just a metric fuckload of cheese. Get some Chicago-style thin crust. Portillos is great (I always get it when I'm out in the suburbs).

For burgers, man there's a bunch of great places. The one that springs instantly to mind is Kumas (expect to wait a LONG time). But Bad Apple has some pretty awesome burgers.

Get out into the neighborhoods...most everything is accessible by CTA rail. Downtown is...whatever.

Thanks. A friend had recommended Kuma's but I'm not sold on the music or likely wait. Anyone been to Longman & Eagle? I heard they do a great burger for the same price ($12).

[Northsider]

Originally Posted by HomrQT

How can you not like deep dish pizza and downtown Chicago???

I'm not saying I don't like either, it's just neither are the be all end all of Chicago. I really don't think deep dish is "Chicago Style". I've lived here my whole life and I've always had the Chicago-style thin crust. Downtown is great, but there's way more to this city than downtown.

If I were recommending a friend to do stuff in Chicago, besides Grant Park, I don't think I'd recommend anything downtown. It's touristy, expensive, and crowded. Most Chicagoans live and play in their respective neighborhoods, so that's where you'll find all the quirky hole-in-the-walls, all the great ethnic foods, eccentric stores, awesome beer bars, etc.

I know my opinions on deep dish are ill received here for whatever reason, but I don't know a single person [personally] that actually prefers it over regular thin crust (party cut!). Either way, it's just fucking pizza...I hope people come here and enjoy more than simply pizza. Stairz, enjoy yourself here. Kumas can be a bit abrasive with the music, I agree. L&E is also a great choice, they've got great beers there as well.

[bnk]

Originally Posted by Northsider

...

I know my opinions on deep dish are ill received here for whatever reason, but I don't know a single person [personally] that actually prefers it over regular thin crust (party cut!). Either way, it's just fucking pizza...I hope people come here and enjoy more than simply pizza. Stairz, enjoy yourself here. Kumas can be a bit abrasive with the music, I agree. L&E is also a great choice, they've got great beers there as well.

Kind of agree with you on this one but if he does want deep dish I would also recomend Lou Malnaits.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/


As far as steak resturants there are tons of good ones.


http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Ma...-Steak-Houses/



I like

DAVID BURKE'S PRIMEHOUSE http://davidburkesprimehouse.com/

SMITH & WOLLENSKY www.smithandwollensky.com

GIBSONS STEAKHOUSE www.gibsonssteakhouse.com

THE CHICAGO CHOP HOUSE www.chicagochophouse.com


I ranked them in order of preference. Each one will give you a different experince. Look into the Chicago Mag reviews. I prefer Dry Aged steaks myself.