Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

So you're coming to Chicago

Squirrel

By Squirrel,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Squirrel Collaborator

Squirrel

Posted
Posted

Welcome to Chicago the crime capital of the US.  Yeah that is what you probably are thinking.  Well get that out of your head. Chicago does have its issues but like any big city it is only certain parts of the city.  Which the areas you will most likely be frequenting are pretty safe. Just be aware of your surroundings and watch out for the homeless. They are going to be your biggest issue.  

 

With that said thought I would pass along some suggestions and info. 

Like I said the homeless up here can be a issue.  You have your professional homeless that sit at the same spot every day.  You either ignore them or give them a dollar your choice. It's the crazy homeless you have to watch out for. These are the ones that will be walking around mumbling to themselves.  You see them on the streets and the El. Best to avoid eye contact and not engage them.  

 

Onto the fun stuff. 

 

 

You will most likely be flying into either ohare airport or if you fly Southwest airlines midway.  I will do ohare first. 

Since this will be a weekend trip you will probably only pack one bag. If this is the case forget take a cab $45 or rideshare $17 from ohare. Your best option is just take the blue line train. 

For $20 you can get a CTA pass for $20 or just buy a pass with a certain dollar amount. This is good for both the train and buses. In the long run it is the cheapest option. Bus fare is $2.50 and you need a pass for the train.  

 

Important *make sure to use the bathroom at the airport* it is a 45 minute ride to the city.

Once you arrive in ohare you will need to follow the signs for baggage claim.  Once in baggage claim look for signs for train to the city. That will be the blue line.  There are kiosk at the train to buy a pass.

 

For midway the orange line train will take you to the city or you cab it. Sorry to say I don't use midway alot so not sure on the fare. 

 

 

It is very difficult to get lost in Chicago.  sure it has alot of tall buildings but after the great fire they made almost all the roads east to west and north to south. You have a big lake to the east and building to the west.  Also at some corners they have compass rose to orintate you. 

If you have a smart phone your life just got easier. Best to save your hotel in the maps.  

If you are staying out by the airport be advised it is a 45 minute train ride to the city. 

Well to the the city. Some important place to remember. 

Chicago is broken up into different areas.

The loop is where most of the business offices are located usually busy during the weekday but very dead at night and on the weekends. Only people you will see is people working or going to the theatres museums and the bears game. 

The there are 4 areas north of the loop River north, Near north Gold Coast and Streeterville. This will be the place you will spend most of your time in it runs from the river North to division street and from lake Michigan to wacker street. These areas has the navy pier Michigan avenue (shopping). Hubert street bars division street bars. With restaurant all around. 

Food can be expensive but there are a few cheap places too.  One thing about Chicago is the food options are plentiful. 

Some of tall are doing the roaring riot tour they have picked some great bars and you will enjoy them.  If didn't both Hubert street and division street have different bars you can check out. 

 

You will want to have a good pair of walking shoes if you are going to explore the city. I have walked 13 miles before in one day just walking around checking it out.  The bus system is also a good option to get around and you can use Uber or Lyft.  

On game day if you are North of the loop the best way to get to Soldier field. You will want to take the red line train or bus. If you are coming from the airport you will need to take the blue then transfer to a bus. 

 

Soldier field is right beside lake Michigan so it is usually 5 to 10 degrees colder than the rest of the city. So make sure to dress accordingly. 

 

Some sites that I would suggest

Millennium Park had the bean

Chicago art institute  you could spend all day there and not see everything.

The architecture river cruise  about a hour and a half boat tour.  

The riverwalk 

Navy Pier

Eataly itilian grocery store with dining very interesting store 

Michigan avenue different shops

There is a area on rush street that has some excellent dining options

Lincoln park zoo.  Free zoo just North of gold coast. 

If you are looking for deep dish pizza I would suggest Pizzanos on state street. Not only is the pizza good but the decor of the place is great. 

Wrigley field is North if the north in Wrigleyville. They have some great bars up there and defiantly a place you need to see.   To get to it from the Loop or river North area.  You will need to take the red line train to Addison. 

 

There are alot more to do i just glossed over some of it.  My biggest suggestion is just walk the city. You will enjoy it. 

 

Forgot dinning.  Make sure to make reservations.  On the weekend places can be crowded.  If you are a breakfast person expect to wait A little bit.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
J.Cage Newbie

J.Cage

Posted
Posted

If you get on the Red Line, don’t go past Sox/35th if you’re not familiar with the city.

Yes, you look like a tourist.

Yes, you look like a target.

Pizza? you’re looking for Giordanos....Deep dish or thin crust. BOTH Chicago staples

Bars? Everywhere. Spin by the House of Blues is a great time. If you want to feel like Capone...the Cherry Room @ Chicago Athletic Association.  

Karaoke? Brando’s Speakeasy

Breakfast? Wildberry by Millennium Park. It will be a 30 minutes wait though.

Also, Gay bars have cheaper drinks. Just saying

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MikeD83 Apprentice

MikeD83

Posted
Posted

Chicago gets a bad rap, but I think it is my favorite big US city. Tons to do, very accessible, relatively friendly people (compared to NYC, Philly, Boston, etc), affordable, and an all around great sports town. Visit if you ever get the chance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rippadonn Grand Master

rippadonn

Posted
Posted

My home town. Making a superb deep dish down here in CLT so I don't miss it as much just miss the fam.

Wrigley field is a MUST. Lived not to far from there as a kid. Went to many Cubs games back then.

As with many Cubs fans, I couldn't care less about the Sox or their 3A team here in Charlotte.

Go Cubs!

Bears are the big brother, Panthers, the team whose birth I witnessed, little brother.

Little brother has what it takes to make a deep run so....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarolinaNCSU Proficient

CarolinaNCSU

Posted
Posted

Stayed in Wrigleyville this summer on Addison St...point blank, Chicago is fuging great. Can't speak to much since I was only there for a few days (and drove), but didn't have a single issue other than needing a few months to actually explore everything.

 

Giordanos, yes.  Chicago dogs and various meats in tube form, yes. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PanthersATL Grand Master

PanthersATL

Posted
Posted

Great post/thread.  We need one of these in a Travel/Road Trip forum for every city (including Charlotte!)  

 

For Chicago, I'll throw in the following (YMMV, of course)

* prepare for the breeze off the lake. I've seen people walking around in shorts+scarves+mittens walking next to folks in full puffy down outfits.  

* There's some great restaurants over in Greektown, and at the Fulton Market area.

* Taking the train from Midway to the Loop is a breeze. Be sure to go to the bathroom before you leave baggage claim -- it feels like it's a 30min walk just to get to the train, let alone the 30-min ride in.  It's definitely a better ride than driving if there's traffic.   If you're doing one-way tickets, try to get your return tickets in advance so you're not queued up with everyone else trying to get tix from the vending machines when you're in a hurry to catch a train

* The Art Institute is worth it. Too bad they don't have Clown Torture on display anymore.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CatTower Newbie

CatTower

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Delhommey said:

People really believe that? Folks, if you've been to training camp, you've been to a city more dangerous that Chicago. 

Lol, sorry but I find it hard to believe that a city of 27,000 is more dangerous than a city of 2.7 million.  Also, take note it's a lot easier to record violent crime in a small city.  There's also less homeless people as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
thefuzz Mentor

thefuzz

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, TNPanther said:

Excellent writeup. Giordano's is like sex on a plate. Wrigleyville is a blast.

Chicago is honestly my favorite city outside ATL and CLT. I've never had a bad time there.

Pied you for Giordano's not the city selections.

You really like Charlotte and Atlanta that much?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...