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Going to Chicago mid-April for 4 days. Staying in Magnificent Mile area

Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:00 pm
Posted by ForeverLSU02
Albany
Member since Jun 2007
52157 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:00 pm
1) What are some must-sees & restaurant suggestions in/around Magnificent Mile?

2) Anything outside of Magnificent Mile area that is a must-see?

3) Best way to get around city? Cab, public transportation, walk, etc?

4) Planning on going to a weekday Cubs game. Best way to get to Wrigley Field area from Mag Mile? Should I buy tickets in advance or will they be available on the streets on gameday?


We've never been before and have no clue what Chicago has to offer so all other thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated
Posted by C
Houston
Member since Dec 2007
27830 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

2) Anything outside of Magnificent Mile area that is a must-see?


Head south about 5 miles. Should get interesting.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
116309 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:01 pm to
Good thread. I am going to Chicago in the middle of march. haven't been in about 10 years.
Posted by CuseTiger
On the road
Member since Jul 2013
8226 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:02 pm to
I'll give you some suggestions in 2 days, heading up there for the day. Granted you'll be there when it's not 35* out...
Posted by Clark W Griswold
THE USA
Member since Sep 2012
10512 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:02 pm to
You can take a boat or bus tour to city everything you need. Then come back and walk around. It's a small area you really wanna check out from Soldier Field to the Mile. Take the subway to Cubs game. Walk everywhere else. Blackhawks may be around depending on the dates.
Posted by AbsolutTiger
New Orleans
Member since Sep 2006
4796 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:03 pm to
Purple Pig.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
65859 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:04 pm to
Prayers sent.

Make sure to tell them you are a Saints fan.
Posted by SallyWheeler
Member since Dec 2007
3223 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:11 pm to
Gino's East
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:12 pm to
Watch ferris bueller's day off to see what you need to do.

Take the L

Eat a steak and a pizza
Posted by AbuTheMonkey
Chicago, IL
Member since May 2014
8019 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:17 pm to
quote:

1) What are some must-sees & restaurant suggestions in/around Magnificent Mile?


Your options are almost endless. Typical tourist crap like Navy Pier, the art museums, other museums, Lincoln Park Zoo, boat tours, architecture stuff, and so forth aren't too far from you. What kind of food do you like and what do you like to do?

quote:

2) Anything outside of Magnificent Mile area that is a must-see?


Yes, and in fact, the Mag Mile is, in my opinion, significantly overrated. It's pretty jaw-dropping at first, but once you get over the scale and shopping, it's basically the world's largest and nicest mall. I live maybe two miles from it, and the only reason I ever go down there is because it has the best Brooks Brothers I have ever seen (including the NYC flagship).
Old Town - just north of River North and in between River North and Lincoln Park, Wells Street has lots to do, Second City is here as well
Wicker Park - funky, hipster, gentrified very quickly and getting to be more expensive, lots to do, excellent restaurants, very active urban neighborhood
Lincoln Park - beautiful, used to be quite hip but not quite so much as $3+ million homes are slowly replacing rental units, still tons to do
West Loop - very urban, near downtown, loads of good restaurants
River North - Mag Mile is kind of the eastern edge of River North, tons of clubs and bars, lots of restaurants, fun, active, very urban
Lakeview - north of Lincoln Park near Wrigley, similar to Wicker Park in that it gentrified very quickly, very active, pretty young, lots of bars and restaurants, lots of comedy clubs around here
Bucktown - hipster, just north of Wicker Park, pretty similar
Ukrainian Village - most recently gentrified neighborhood, very very hipster, pretty fun
Logan Square, and other neighborhoods are all

quote:

3) Best way to get around city? Cab, public transportation, walk, etc?


Combination of Uber/taxi, walking, and public trans - really depends where you're going

quote:

4) Planning on going to a weekday Cubs game. Best way to get to Wrigley Field area from Mag Mile? Should I buy tickets in advance or will they be available on the streets on gameday?


You can take the Red Line from the Grand stop near the Mag Mile right up to the Addison stop next to Wrigley. Tickets shouldn't be tough to get unless you plan on going to a Friday/Saturday/Sunday game in the bleachers.

Posted by ShreveportSteamer
SFO/ORD/DFW/MSY/SHV/DCA/MHT
Member since Jun 2014
276 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:34 pm to
Gibson's is good for steaks.
Posted by Brageous
Member since Jul 2008
107724 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:34 pm to
go to ditka's and order the polish sausage
Posted by Bluefin
The Banana Stand
Member since Apr 2011
13264 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:39 pm to
Go to Weiner Circle.

Ask for a chocolate shake.

It's pricey, but it's worth it.
Posted by AddisAbaba
Chicago
Member since Sep 2011
70 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:43 pm to
quote:

Should I buy some sort of pass for the Red Line that will last a few days?



Chicago's transit fare system is called Ventra. If you're only planning to use it once I would not recommend getting a pass. I would just put $5 on the card.

Every station has a fare machine where you can purchase them.
Posted by J Murdah
Member since Jun 2008
39789 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:53 pm to
FYI there is a "what to do/where to go in Chicago" thread almost weekly. Do some searching.
Posted by foreverLSU
Member since Mar 2006
17060 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 1:59 pm to
quote:

1) What are some must-sees & restaurant suggestions in/around Magnificent Mile?


You're right on the river, do an architechture river cruise. If it's too cold (which it may be- temps tend to fluctuate that time of year), do one of CAF's walking tours. They are top notch. LINK

Grab a drink at the 96th floor Hancock Building- awesome views of the city.

Eataly, Purple Pig, Frontera Grill or Topolabompo (make a reservation sooner rather than later), Giordanos (deep dish!), mEAT, Havana, RL Bar & Restaurant.

Bottlefork has great craft cocktails

Field Museum, Chicago Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, the Bean, Millennium Park. Avoid Navy Pier- touristy af.

quote:

2) Anything outside of Magnificent Mile area that is a must-see?


Some cool neighborhoods- Southport, Old Town, Gold Coast
Science and Industry Museum
The Dawson= good rooftop bar
Zebra Lounge

quote:

3) Best way to get around city? Cab, public transportation, walk, etc?

walk
cta (subway)
uber
cab

quote:

4) Planning on going to a weekday Cubs game. Best way to get to Wrigley Field area from Mag Mile? Should I buy tickets in advance or will they be available on the streets on gameday?


I've only been here a year, but went to a game last year. We bought out tickets ahead of time on seatgeek. Take the red line on the CTA to Addison. By far the easiest and most efficient way to get to Wrigleyville.

Posted by TigerPanzer
Orlando
Member since Sep 2006
9476 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 2:28 pm to
quote:

Best way to get to Wrigley Field area from Mag Mile? Should I buy tickets in advance or will they be available on the streets on gameday?

Take the el from downtown, Chicago Ave., I believe. Buy tickets in advance so you can see the location--and make sure you don't get stuck behind a girder in the stands. Otherwise, you'll be staring at steel for 9 innings. Bring your parka, too.
Posted by Layabout
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2011
11082 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 3:27 pm to
quote:

We've never been before and have no clue what Chicago has to offer so all other thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated



Pick up a copy of The Chicago Reader or view it on-line HERE. It's the best food/entertainment guide for Chicago.
Posted by lsueric25
not in br
Member since Sep 2008
515 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 3:50 pm to
For a Cubs game take the red line (subway) its three blocks away west of Michigan ave. Cabs are expensive but everything on the mile is walk able if your able to do so and weather permitting. Tickets stubhub or the cubs website do it before hand. For food purple pig, and au cheval for great burgers. The navy pier is a must if it's not cold. South side has some of the most cultural diverse areas so wear your flak jacket.
Posted by redfish99
B.R.
Member since Aug 2007
16512 posts
Posted on 1/22/15 at 3:51 pm to
Pick your best weather day and take the Architectural Boar Tour if running . Very cool view of city
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