re: Chicago - End of September recs

its right across from the old location... it just moved into a bigger space last month...

We just did an Architecture boat tour. There is more than one company offering them. We did the one by the Architecture Center, which has a museum just on the south side of the river at Michigan Ave and Wacker. Tickets are sold for the boat tour on the riverwalk just below there. The guides are volunteers and very knowledgeable.

I also did a 90 minute neighborhoods bus tour by them, plus toured their museum. Also good.

If you are near the Architecture Center, check out the Amazon Go store just beside it. Put the Amazon Go app on your phone, log in to your Amazon account. Use the QR code on the app to scan yourself in, grab stuff and walk out. It charges your card. They even have beer, wine and liquor at very reasonable prices, but you have to stop for an ID check on those items.

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Went because we skipped it on past visits and wife wanted to see it. It was what I expected. Crowded as hell with families lined up for crappy food in a food court like setting. A couple of beer gardens with Miller Lite, Blue Moon, and the like, and a Ferris wheel. If you like Six Flags, you’ll love it. I will never willingly return.

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Yeah I'm starting to agree. We typically like to avoid tourist traps like that. Think I am gonna take it off of the itinerary.

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As far as breweries, I have down Revolution, Dryhop and Corridor. Any others?

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As FYI, Corridor and DryHop are same owners. Beer is better at Corridor, but I prefer food at DryHop.

Other breweries in Chicago-proper: Half Acre (Balmoral is the "new" taproom, but Lincoln is the better atmosphere), Goose Island (Fulton Market location for cellar list), Maplewood (personal favorite in Chicago for IPAs), Marz, Forbidden Root (very hit-or-miss), Alarmist, Spiteful, Hopewell, Begyle, Off Color, Moody Tongue, On Tour, Old Irving, Vice District, Haymarket, Lo Rez...

Some of the sought-after beers do not have taprooms and, instead, brew out of other spots. These breweries include Hop Butcher, Phase Three and Saint Errant. Saint Errant will be easier to find in stores, Phase Three hype is starting to wear, and Hop Butcher is still popular as ever.

Doubt you'll get into the suburbs, but MoRE, Mikerphone, Hailstorm, and Noon Whistle are all very popular.

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Swift and Sons (Mon night).

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Good call here. Alongside S&S, my other favorite steakhouses in Chicago are Bavette's and Kinzie.

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looks to be relatively close to the West Point area

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West Point as in... West Loop?

Anyway, Trump is a good place for visitors. You're in River North, so easy walk into The Loop or quick hop on the Red Line to Gold Coast. If going to West Loop, it's a nice walk, otherwise you can walk to Clark/Lake and take the L to Morgan.

Any rec for Sunday am to grab brunch, drinks etc prior to the Bears game? Either around Soldier Field or somewhere near our hotel or between the two?

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Any rec for Sunday am to grab brunch, drinks etc prior to the Bears game? Either around Soldier Field or somewhere near our hotel or between the two?

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South Loop is nice, but only a few bars that are, typically, crowded on gameday. You’re better off grabbing brunch in River North (near Trump). Now, Chicago is a neighborhood-centric city — most good, lively brunch spots will be in other neighborhoods. Probably not doable since you have the Bears game, so here are a couple quick ideas in River North: Brunch, Beacon Tavern, and Sable Kitchen (inside The Palomar),

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I plan to run the Lakefront Trail most mornings and that looks to be easy to get to from the hotel

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Lots of folks run the Riverwalk path in the mornings. It’s right outside your hotel, and I think you can use it to connect to Lakefront.

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I owe you a beer or 2 when we get there, assuming you live there.

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I live in Wicker Park.

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I live in Wicker Park.

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Cool, I'll bump this thread plenty between now and when we leave and get your email. Met up with AbitaFan a couple years ago in Beantown to break bread after he helped me out planning our trip. Good stuff.

I am putting the finishing touches on our plans and wanted to share and get a couple more recs/opinions.

Friday: Arrive 9:20 am, drop bags at Trump Int'l
Fulton Market Area (lunch, beers, etc), Grant Park, Millenium Park (Bean), Buckingham Fountain, Breweries, Dinner (Ema, XOCO, or Purple Pig)

Saturday:
Museum Day - City Pass
Willis Tower - pre dinner drinks
Dinner - Girl and The Goat 10:30

Sunday:
Brunch near hotel (Brunch, Beacon Tavern, or Sable Kitchen)
Bears game - Media Deck Sideline 241
Saints/Dallas game - Frontier - Reservations 8:15

Monday:
Architecture Boat Tour
Wrigleyville
Dinner - Swift and Sons 7:45

Tuesday: Flight out 3:40

To those experienced with the city, do these plans look pretty easily doable?

We were planning to do Wrigleyville on Monday, but may bump that up to Saturday or even Friday (both night games), depending on the current Cubs standings. They are in STL that weekend and it's the last series of the regular season, so there could be playoff implications. What are the best spots in Wrigleyville to get the experience/watch the game if they are on the road?

Any recommendations on which museums are best? Looking at aquarium, art institute and science and industry as being the favorites. Just wondering if we will have time or the want to do anymore than those after fighting the (presumed) crowds on a Saturday.

I'd like to squeeze a few more things into Tuesday am if possible, so if anybody has any ideas please let me know. I'd like to grab a burger from Au Cheval for sure if we haven't by then.

Any public transportation tips? We normally lean toward just using Uber if not walking in a new city, but always looking for the easiest way around.