Chicago for the week of July 4th - opinions needed (1 Viewer)

[TripItUp]

My wife and I are staying a week in Chicago partially to visit her brother's family that lives in a northern suburb.

We are staying at a Westin Near Gold Coast...both of us lived in the city over a decade ago so we know our way around but don't know the latest and greatest in terms of food and entertainment. We are going to a Cubs game on the 5th and going to a suburb party on the 4th, other than that we are free (we don't have kids)

Any pro tips in terms of things to do and places to eat?

 

[Chadstroma]

My wife and I are staying a week in Chicago partially to visit her brother's family that lives in a northern suburb.

We are staying at a Westin Near Gold Coast...both of us lived in the city over a decade ago so we know our way around but don't know the latest and greatest in terms of food and entertainment. We are going to a Cubs game on the 5th and going to a suburb party on the 4th, other than that we are free (we don't have kids)

Any pro tips in terms of things to do and places to eat?

I can't help... I avoid going towards the city whenever possible. Good luck, enjoy the trip and be safe!

 

[IvanKaramazov]

We're heading there in late July. When we lived in central Indiana, we probably visited Chicago 2-3 times per year, but we haven't been back in over a decade, so we're really looking forward to it. We're taking the new Borealis Amtrak line that runs between Minneapolis and Chicago. TBH, that was what prompted this particular trip.

Our plans are to do the Field Museum, aquarium, and probably the planetarium, not necessarily on the same day. We want to go to Gino's East (yeah, I know) one night and hit a comedy club (looking for suggestions) some other night.

Otherwise, I am all ears. We're staying at the Palmer House, so I'm especially interested in any restaurants or entertainment venues that might be nearby, but Uber is fine too. Thanks for starting this thread. (Edit: My wife is not down for steakhouses or anything with a prix fixe menu, and divorce is off the table, but I'm sure there are good Italian places.)

 

[Chadstroma]

We're heading there in late July. When we lived in central Indiana, we probably visited Chicago 2-3 times per year, but we haven't been back in over a decade, so we're really looking forward to it. We're taking the new Borealis Amtrak line that runs between Minneapolis and Chicago. TBH, that was what prompted this particular trip.

Our plans are to do the Field Museum, aquarium, and probably the planetarium, not necessarily on the same day. We want to go to Gino's East (yeah, I know) one night and hit a comedy club (looking for suggestions) some other night.

Otherwise, I am all ears. We're staying at the Palmer House, so I'm especially interested in any restaurants or entertainment venues that might be nearby, but Uber is fine too. Thanks for starting this thread. (Edit: My wife is not down for steakhouses or anything with a prix fixe menu, and divorce is off the table, but I'm sure there are good Italian places.)

Prob the only thing that would tempt me to go into the city at this point.

 

[Galileo]

I will be heading to Chicago with the Mrs. towards the end of July as well. I was looking through a couple of older threads and there is some relevant info still to be gleaned from them that you guys may find helpful. Towards the end of the thread in this first link I was planning a Chicago trip, but that trip never happened as it was cancelled due to COVID...

Chicago - Help GM & 2/5 of His Kids do Chicago

When: Arrive Chicago Union Station via Amtrak on Thurs. July 5th at 10:30am, Departing Sat. July 7th at High Noon. Who: GM, Mrs. GM II, 15 year old & 13 year old. Leaving the twins and their sister with members of the Detroit Mafia for sensitivity training. Why: Because I've never been...

forums.footballguys.com

More tidbits here...

Chicago guys

Mrs is traveling to Chicago for work next week. a bayless restaurant is high for her. what are your top 5 must tries (all tiers welcome)?

forums.footballguys.com

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Go to that German meat shop

 

[bcat01]

I would not go to Navy Pier for fireworks. To many people. We did that a few years ago and everything was great until there was a stampede. From what we learned someone yelled gun and set off fireworks. We were further away and people started screaming. All I saw was a sea of people parting like a vehicle was driving through them and coming toward us. I grabbed my wife and got to the rail against the water prepared to jump if we had to. Everyone was on the ground and officers were running with there rifles trying to find a shooter. When we finally started heading to the hotel we saw some teens that were stabbed with blood everywhere. We did not find out until the next day that there was no shooter.

 

[Snoopy]

Saturday in the Park, I think it was the 4th of July by Chicago.

 

[urbanhack]

Pequod’s for Chicago style pizza over everywhere else.

Revolution Brewing and Half Acre for craft beer.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Interesting for me...are Bayless restaurants that legit? I've seen his YouTube videos and it seems as if he's pretty authentic and very immersed in Mexican food culture, especially Oaxacan. but does that really translate to his restaurants?

 

[urbanhack]

Interesting for me...are Bayless restaurants that legit? I've seen his YouTube videos and it seems as if he's pretty authentic and very immersed in Mexican food culture, especially Oaxacan. but does that really translate to his restaurants?

Yes...it's really good food and his places are well run.

 

[Pipes]

Make sure you ask for Catsup (Ketchup) for your hotdog.

 

[Drunken knight]

Interesting for me...are Bayless restaurants that legit? I've seen his YouTube videos and it seems as if he's pretty authentic and very immersed in Mexican food culture, especially Oaxacan. but does that really translate to his restaurants?

check out his travel food shows (Mexico: one plate at a time) and his involvement on Top Chef Masters. I am tremendously impressed with his approach to his craft.

Michelin chef
beat:
Michael chiarello
roy yamaguchi
tim love
hubert keller
wylie dufresne
graham elliot
elizebeth faulkner
ludovicc lefebvre
rick moonen
art smith
jonathan waxman

 

[Ilov80s]

Interesting for me...are Bayless restaurants that legit? I've seen his YouTube videos and it seems as if he's pretty authentic and very immersed in Mexican food culture, especially Oaxacan. but does that really translate to his restaurants?

Yes...it's really good food and his places are well run.

Agreed. Not life changing but really good food.

 

[Ilov80s]

Interesting for me...are Bayless restaurants that legit? I've seen his YouTube videos and it seems as if he's pretty authentic and very immersed in Mexican food culture, especially Oaxacan. but does that really translate to his restaurants?

check out his travel food shows (Mexico: one plate at a time) and his involvement on Top Chef Masters. I am tremendously impressed with his approach to his craft.

Michelin chef
beat:
Michael chiarello
roy yamaguchi
tim love
hubert keller
wylie dufresne
graham elliot
elizebeth faulkner
ludovicc lefebvre
rick moonen
art smith
jonathan waxman

15 years ago Graham Elliot’s place was amazing. He was cooking in the back and we got invited to take a tour of the kitchen with him. It was so clean and beautifully maintained. Since then he’s become a bit of a celeb chef so not sure the quality and it seems unlikely he’s actually back there working much anymore

 

[Ilov80s]

Kasama is the best food I’ve had in Chicago but since it got a Michelin star and was featured on The Bear, it’s likely gotten crazy busy.

 

[SWC]

i end up in chicago every year for a big basketball tournament at the mccormick center i cannot believe how much marijuana is being smoked when i drive between there in my hotel sometimes the smoke is still hot when it comes in my window and it feels like the 1970s all over again i have nothing against it one way or the other it is just sort of a culture shock versus where i live now just 75 miles to the north take that to the bank bromigos

 

[urbanhack]

Sync up with local vibe and hit a festival…

The Ultimate Chicago Summer Guide 2024: 120+ Fests, Fairs And More Fun

Block Club rounded up major events happening around Chicago from May through September.

blockclubchicago.org

 

[Eephus]

Check whether any of the free summer concerts at the Millennium Park bandshell strike your fancy. The Frank Gehry designed amphitheater is worth a look on its own.

 

[FairWarning]

Chicago isn’t having holiday fireworks this year.

 

[Fantasy_Freak]

i end up in chicago every year for a big basketball tournament at the mccormick center i cannot believe how much marijuana is being smoked when i drive between there in my hotel sometimes the smoke is still hot when it comes in my window and it feels like the 1970s all over again i have nothing against it one way or the other it is just sort of a culture shock versus where i live now just 75 miles to the north take that to the bank bromigos

Shoot man, you must be my neighbor, I live 75 miles north of Chicago as well.

On to the topic, you could do what every other Chicagoan does during a holiday weekend, head north to Wisconsin (Lake Geneva, Door County, Dells, or Northwoods).

 

[SWC]

i end up in chicago every year for a big basketball tournament at the mccormick center i cannot believe how much marijuana is being smoked when i drive between there in my hotel sometimes the smoke is still hot when it comes in my window and it feels like the 1970s all over again i have nothing against it one way or the other it is just sort of a culture shock versus where i live now just 75 miles to the north take that to the bank bromigos

Shoot man, you must be my neighbor, I live 75 miles north of Chicago as well.

On to the topic, you could do what every other Chicagoan does during a holiday weekend, head north to Wisconsin (Lake Geneva, Door County, Dells, or Northwoods).

i end up in appleton most sundays for basektball until about 3 pm and we call it the chicago speedway heading south on the way home and 51 from minocqua on down is even worse take that to the bank bromigos

 

[Eephus]

i end up in appleton most sundays for basektball until about 3 pm and we call it the chicago speedway heading south on the way home and 51 from minocqua on down is even worse take that to the bank bromigos

FIBs amirite?

 

[SWC]

i end up in appleton most sundays for basektball until about 3 pm and we call it the chicago speedway heading south on the way home and 51 from minocqua on down is even worse take that to the bank bromigos

FIBs amirite?

fibs and fibtabs for sure take that to the bank brohan

 

[FairWarning]

i end up in chicago every year for a big basketball tournament at the mccormick center i cannot believe how much marijuana is being smoked when i drive between there in my hotel sometimes the smoke is still hot when it comes in my window and it feels like the 1970s all over again i have nothing against it one way or the other it is just sort of a culture shock versus where i live now just 75 miles to the north take that to the bank bromigos

Shoot man, you must be my neighbor, I live 75 miles north of Chicago as well.

On to the topic, you could do what every other Chicagoan does during a holiday weekend, head north to Wisconsin (Lake Geneva, Door County, Dells, or Northwoods).

Trust me, they go to Michigan also. Downtown Chicago is probably the midway point between the two.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

We're heading there in late July. When we lived in central Indiana, we probably visited Chicago 2-3 times per year, but we haven't been back in over a decade, so we're really looking forward to it. We're taking the new Borealis Amtrak line that runs between Minneapolis and Chicago. TBH, that was what prompted this particular trip.

Our plans are to do the Field Museum, aquarium, and probably the planetarium, not necessarily on the same day. We want to go to Gino's East (yeah, I know) one night and hit a comedy club (looking for suggestions) some other night.

Otherwise, I am all ears. We're staying at the Palmer House, so I'm especially interested in any restaurants or entertainment venues that might be nearby, but Uber is fine too. Thanks for starting this thread. (Edit: My wife is not down for steakhouses or anything with a prix fixe menu, and divorce is off the table, but I'm sure there are good Italian places.)

Palmer House is nice and affordable. You're right across the street from the CIBC Theater and right in the middle of the loop theater district so if that's your thing you should check schedules for the CIBC, Goodman, Nederlander, Cadillac Palace, Chicago Theater and a few others right in that area to see what's playing while you are there. We stayed at Palmer House twice to see Hamilton at CIBC and at least one other time. We're going to the Harry Potter/Cursed Child later this year at the Nederlander and will probably stay there again. Tons of great food options are walkable.

 

[Galileo]

Kasama is the best food I’ve had in Chicago but since it got a Michelin star and was featured on The Bear, it’s likely gotten crazy busy.

Just visited their website and it looks like the kitchen closes at 2 pm. But then it says there is dinner service Thu-Sun. Is the dinner only the special "tasting menu" @$275? Or is there an actual dinner menu that isn't on the website?

 

[Ilov80s]

Kasama is the best food I’ve had in Chicago but since it got a Michelin star and was featured on The Bear, it’s likely gotten crazy busy.

Just visited their website and it looks like the kitchen closes at 2 pm. But then it says there is dinner service Thu-Sun. Is the dinner only the special "tasting menu" @$275? Or is there an actual dinner menu that isn't on the website?

I’ve only ever gotten breakfast or late lunch. That’s kind of their thing. Don’t know about dinner.