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Message
re: Recs for Chicago trip
Posted on 3/5/26 at 6:43 pm to LSU Fallguy
Posted on 3/5/26 at 6:43 pm to LSU Fallguy
quote:
Following and appreciate all this information as well, we plan to go towards the middle/end of June for about 4-5 days in Chicago (River North), Cubs game, drinking and eating around the area, then Amtrak to Milwaukee for about 4 days, Brewers game and eating drinking, Summerfest for a day then Amtrak back to Chicago for a day then fly back out of O'Hare.
From everything is read we should be able to use public transportation for everything except the Amtrak. Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown, Redline to Wrigley Field, area is safe and walkable.
Blue Line from ORD, yes, and you'll get off at Clark/Lake if your hotel is in River North. Important to know: When you get off the train, exit towards Lake and Thompson Center. There are signs going the other way (towards Wells) that tell you not to bring luggage up there. Somehow, people fail to read this and I see it every day when I go to work. The walkthrough turnstiles on the Wells side are not always open and you won't be able to fit luggage through the caged turnstile.
If you're eating and drinking around Chicago, highly recommend you read my Chicago guide thread. I linked it on first page, but has almost anything you need, including neighborhoods to visit. Wrigley is a great time and Wrigleyville is generally pretty fun during the season. It's lost a lot of its charm, though. Has completely turned into a small version of Nashville.
Sounds like you'll be in Milwaukee, as well, for a few days. I've said it before, but it might be the best bar and tavern city in the country. If you like bloodies, check out Wicked Hop and Sobelmans. For neighborhoods, make it a point to go to Bay View, Lower East Side, Third Ward / Walker's Point, and Brewery District. Between Brewers game, exploring neighborhoods, and Summerfest, you'll be pretty well covered.
This post was edited on 3/5/26 at 6:44 pm
2
Posted on 3/6/26 at 12:03 pm to LSU Fallguy
quote:
Following and appreciate all this information as well, we plan to go towards the middle/end of June for about 4-5 days in Chicago (River North), Cubs game, drinking and eating around the area, then Amtrak to Milwaukee for about 4 days, Brewers game and eating drinking, Summerfest for a day then Amtrak back to Chicago for a day then fly back out of O'Hare.
From everything is read we should be able to use public transportation for everything except the Amtrak. Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown, Redline to Wrigley Field, area is safe and walkable.
That's a great trip. You'll like the stadium and tailgate experience at Miller Park (it'll always be Miller to me). Definitely tailgate at the park for that game.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 12:09 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Wrigley is a great time and Wrigleyville is generally pretty fun during the season. It's lost a lot of its charm, though. Has completely turned into a small version of Nashville.
Sheffields (start here for the great beer list), Sluggers, Bernie's, Murphy's FTW. Keep it old school
Posted on 3/6/26 at 4:06 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Blue Line from ORD, yes, and you'll get off at Clark/Lake if your hotel is in River North. Important to know: When you get off the train, exit towards Lake and Thompson Center. There are signs going the other way (towards Wells) that tell you not to bring luggage up there. Somehow, people fail to read this and I see it every day when I go to work. The walkthrough turnstiles on the Wells side are not always open and you won't be able to fit luggage through the caged turnstile.
If you're eating and drinking around Chicago, highly recommend you read my Chicago guide thread. I linked it on first page, but has almost anything you need, including neighborhoods to visit. Wrigley is a great time and Wrigleyville is generally pretty fun during the season. It's lost a lot of its charm, though. Has completely turned into a small version of Nashville.
Sounds like you'll be in Milwaukee, as well, for a few days. I've said it before, but it might be the best bar and tavern city in the country. If you like bloodies, check out Wicked Hop and Sobelmans. For neighborhoods, make it a point to go to Bay View, Lower East Side, Third Ward / Walker's Point, and Brewery District. Between Brewers game, exploring neighborhoods, and Summerfest, you'll be pretty well covered.
Hoops and Chucktown, Thanks for all this great information, plan to each have a medium size suitcase, and staying InterContinental Chicago, can we walk that or should we take bus/uber?
I did read the Chicago Guide thread entirely, that is how I decided on where to stay, what to do and using public transport. a friend mentioned to me about Amtrak to Milwaukee so that is how we plan to get there. Staying E. Michigan and N. Milwaukee, and i heard that if you are drinking at a local establishment, they have busses or some transportation to "Miller Park"
Love Bloodies, and Beers, will start at Sheffields and make our way around.
Thanks again for your help. If you are around and want to drink a beer lets do it.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 10:55 pm to LSU Fallguy
quote:
and staying InterContinental Chicago, can we walk that or should we take bus/uber?
All about your tolerance for walking medium-sized suitcases, I guess. It's not a difficult walk from Clark/Lake. Just make sure you exit on the side of the platform mentioned in my last post. I'd probably just do it.
quote:
a friend mentioned to me about Amtrak to Milwaukee so that is how we plan to get there. Staying E. Michigan and N. Milwaukee, and i heard that if you are drinking at a local establishment, they have busses or some transportation to "Miller Park"
Yes, Amtrak from Union Station to the Intermodal in Milwaukee is incredibly easy and affordable. I do it multiple times each year. Milwaukee fricking rocks.
quote:
Love Bloodies, and Beers, will start at Sheffields and make our way around.
In my opinion, Chicago is trash when it comes to bloodies. Best I've had is Reno in Logan, but save that appetite for MKE. I dream about MKE bloodies every weekend
Sheffield's is great. Take Red Line to Belmont if that's your first stop.
quote:
If you are around and want to drink a beer let's do it
We do our best not to leave Chicago in the summertime. There's no place I'd rather be. We live through and tolerate winter (this one has sucked) to get to that.
This post was edited on 3/6/26 at 10:56 pm
Posted on 3/6/26 at 11:06 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Sheffields (start here for the great beer list), Sluggers, Bernie's, Murphy's FTW. Keep it old school
Lol I get it but Wrigley has objectively turned into a smaller version of Nashville. Hattie B's was the final nail. Baseball season will always be nostalgic but most of the city hates Wrigleyville otherwise these days.
This post was edited on 3/6/26 at 11:07 pm
Posted on 3/9/26 at 1:56 pm to LSU Fallguy
quote:
Hoops and Chucktown, Thanks for all this great information
Sure thing. Hoops is more your guy though, as I moved away to Charleston 3 years ago (after 20 years on the North side in Chicago...Lakeview neighborhood).
You should definitely hit the bars in Milwaukee but the scene in the parking lots at Miller for Brewers gams is epic and there aren't any bars around there. My move would be to get a disposable cooler, pack it with beers/mixies and some sandwiches, get an uber to the stadium and walk around drinking it in literally and figuratively. You'll likely meet some folks when you tell them it's your first time as Wisconsin people are about as friendly as they come. Ditch the cooler at game time and head in...the Mobile Tailgate (tm)
This post was edited on 3/9/26 at 1:57 pm
Posted on 3/10/26 at 3:19 pm to Chucktown_Badger
all great help on planning this trip,
1. do the bars in downtown Milwaukee have any type of shuttle/bus that runs from their establishment to the Brewers game or is Uber best choice? will bring a throw away cooler and socialize with the locals.
2. Walking isn't crowded so luggage in tow to the hotel is no problem.
3. Any chance either stadiums sell out? buy tickets ahead of time or at the gate?
4.Hoops if you are around Chicago downtown and care to grab a cold beverage, would be a pleasure to buy you one and get first hand knowledge on the area, We are not party animals as I am close to retirement age.
5. We are in Fernandina FL. just above Jacksonville, if either of you get around this area reach out, will return the favor. I have couple friends that own some establishments we could eat and drink at (not free) but good places.
1. do the bars in downtown Milwaukee have any type of shuttle/bus that runs from their establishment to the Brewers game or is Uber best choice? will bring a throw away cooler and socialize with the locals.
2. Walking isn't crowded so luggage in tow to the hotel is no problem.
3. Any chance either stadiums sell out? buy tickets ahead of time or at the gate?
4.Hoops if you are around Chicago downtown and care to grab a cold beverage, would be a pleasure to buy you one and get first hand knowledge on the area, We are not party animals as I am close to retirement age.
5. We are in Fernandina FL. just above Jacksonville, if either of you get around this area reach out, will return the favor. I have couple friends that own some establishments we could eat and drink at (not free) but good places.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:36 pm to LSU Fallguy
quote:
1. do the bars in downtown Milwaukee have any type of shuttle/bus that runs from their establishment to the Brewers game or is Uber best choice? will bring a throw away cooler and socialize with the locals.
AI search recap says yes:
quote:
Multiple bars on or near N Water St in Milwaukee offer free, popular shuttles to American Family Field for Brewers games, typically starting 2 hours before the first pitch and running continuously. Top options include Milwaukee Brat House, Who's on Third, and Jack's American Pub.
Water St is one of the bar areas. Third Ward is another good one.
quote:
3. Any chance either stadiums sell out? buy tickets ahead of time or at the gate?
Weekend games in Chicago with nice weather will not have a lot of tickets available. I honestly didn't know anyone walks up to the window and buys tickets on game day anymore
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:02 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Thank you for all yalls ideas. Been very informative. It appears it will be cold as all get out compared to what im used to this weekend.
We are staying at weston Chicago river north.
Im not going to market with her. Crazy question, what are some bars and hot dog joints do you recommend during my free time?
We are staying at weston Chicago river north.
Im not going to market with her. Crazy question, what are some bars and hot dog joints do you recommend during my free time?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 5:12 pm to MsandLa
quote:
Crazy question, what are some bars and hot dog joints do you recommend during my free time?
Best hot dog spots will not be in River North or The Loop. Wolfy's and Superdawg top the list in Chicago proper, but going to be a bit out of your range. I've come to really enjoy Bangers & Lace's Chicago dog. Plus, it's just a great bar. Pretty easy go on the Blue Line from Clark/Lake - Less than 10 minutes on the train.
ETA: Also, wait, did I read you'll be in Chicago... this weekend?
Holy shite. The city celebrates St. Paddy's on Saturday. It's going to be an absolute shitshow with traffic, crowded bars, river dying, etc.This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 5:14 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 6:35 pm to MsandLa
quote:
this weekend.
Woah! I had missed that you're going this weekend and I've been following this thread.
Getting caught up in the sea of drunk parade goers is not fun, but try to catch a view the river in some capacity. They dye it green this weekend!
You can't miss at least getting a glimpse of how big they do St. Patrick's Day in Chicago IMO, but yeah the types of things you mentioned preferring (casual food, day drinking in bars, etc.) will be the same things drunk parade goers will be doing if you are in that vicinity on Saturday. That may be fun to you, or may be your nightmare. Lol.
EDIT: Ah yes, I see you've been warned. I did this 2 years ago totally by coincidence as well. Thankfully I realized it several weeks before our trip and kinda just embraced it. We make meal reservations as far in advance as possible for trips like Chicago anyway, so it wasn't too bad beyond awful traffic and walking around the parade area hoards of people on Saturday (which we did on purpose knowing what we were getting into).
This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 6:48 pm
Posted on 3/12/26 at 5:57 pm to LouisianaLady
We will miss that. Fly out of new orleans at 0600 Sunday morning. Coming back Wednesday night.
Glad im missing that on Saturday.
Glad im missing that on Saturday.
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