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Alright, I will add more to this later, but here is the current plan:
Arrive / Depart
We will arrive in Chicago via Amtrak at approx 9am, Friday, Sept 2 We will leave Chicago via rental car at ? was thinking ~4:30ish
We will return to Chicago via rental car at approx 11am, Monday, Sept 6 We will need to be back at the Amtrak station at approx 8:30pm
Question: How is traffic in chicago in the evenings? When does rush hour start? When would be a good time to head north into Wisconsin?
Inner City Travel Intentions
I plan on not picking up the rental car until we are ready to leave the city, and using a CTA day pass (like $5.75 I think) to travel about the city. Likewise, I plan to drop off the rental car upon entering the city, and again using the CTA day pass to travel about the city.
The main reason I am doing this is to avoid, what I am sure will be, hellish parking (both fees and hassle). Is this a good idea? Would I be better using the rental car to travel about? What is parking like (how easy, how expensive) at my destinations (listed below)?
Destinations Must see: Field Museum of Natural History The Skydeck
Want to see (should I?): Shedd Aquarium Museum of Science and Industry EITHER the Adler Planetarium OR the Art Institute of Chicago
Questions: In your opinion, which of these 5 destinations are Must Sees? In your opinion, which of these 5 destinations should I avoid? Of the destinations that you recommend, how much time would you recommend spending at each? What other destinations should I consider? I am planning on using the Chicago CityPASS, is this a good idea?
Food
The most important part... In your opinion, what are the top three pizza places in Chicago? In your opinion, what are the top three non pizza restaurants in Chicago? (Please, nothing TOO pricey)
Post by chicagorooer on Aug 3, 2011 17:13:18 GMT -5
aruch hour now adys starts at like 3PM until 7PM.. To avoid any delay i would leave before 2Pm or after 7Pm and u should be good for wisconsin
Must see shed hands down Avoid the planetairum
for all of these I suggest about 3 to 4 hours...max..although at the field musuem you could spend all day and still not see it all but that is a good time frame
other destinations...Well millenium park is a must see, then it really depends on what u are into...the NCMF is going down that weekend so that would be lots of fun chicago city pass is a good idea for sure..certainly if u want to hit up all the museuems ect then do it
i'll get to the pizza uno duo lou malnadis (sp) giodonos (sp)
Art Institute, for sure. Wrigley field. Lincoln Park Zoo is free, as are the beaches, by Navy Pier. Walk Millenium park. See a show at Metro or the Riv. Take the L (train) everywhere, its the best way to see Chi. For deep dish, Uno's or Due, downtown. Thin crust, Pat's, Pequods, or Lou Malnati's on North side. Do dive bars & ethnic joints. Traffic/Parking sucks, you'd be better off hopping the L straight from the airport. Enjoy yr self.
Yup, venture North to Wrigleyville & West to Wicker Park. Get out of the Loop (downtown) Schubas has great bands and sound on Belmont. Empty Bottle, on Western, is the best dive rock club. Kuma's is getting rave reviews for their metal band themed burgers. And Hot Doug's is the best sausage shack in the world.
Post by Laggy.RETURNS on Aug 3, 2011 20:18:25 GMT -5
Glad you made this thread. It has helped greatly with my vacation planning for lolla this weekend.
I'm going to definitely check out art institute and millenium park as I'm staying at the congress right next to grant park. And maybe the lincoln park zoo
I won't have much time but any other must do things within walking distance (or short train ride?) Also, whats the best pizza in this area? (other food suggestions are welcomed also)
I would personally recommend skipping Navy Pier. It's really touristy and there's no a whole lot there that's not catered to tourists, except the STAINED GLASS MUSEUM (which a certain ChicoJuarez dragged me to against my will). Once again I'd recommend the Boat Architecture Tour. It was a great way to see the town.
Also, I am not savvy when it comes to public transportation AT ALL, but the Chicago transit system is pretty easy to figure out. Ok, well it was easy for my traveling companions to figure out, I just followed their lead And if you are lost, the people on the trains were nice and helpful. We also purchased the 3 day transit pass, and it was well worth the $12.
I would recommend having a GPS or a map or something on you when you are wandering around. There are two layers of roads (or some weird crap) going on in downtown Chicago. There were escalators and stuff to connect the two layers but it disoriented me. People that live there seem to be used to it, but for little city folk like myself, I was totally confused.
For food: Chico took me to some out-of-the-way place to have pizza and it was excellent. I have a request in to him for the name of this place... I will let you know what it is when he gets back to me. BUT, be sure that you take time for pizza because it takes like 45 mins-hour to cook. That does not include if you have to wait to get into the place! (Also this place had fried goat cheese and it was awesome too)
I'm a total dork and checked out a Chicago Traveler's guide from the public library. It helped me narrow down what I wanted to do/see/eat. I would suggest it!
This is the place where we went for pizza. Very good! No wait to get in and Chico says the pizza is some of the best Chicago-style he's ever had. So there you go.
We visited Chicago last August for a wedding and did a segway tour of Grant Park while we were there. It was awesome. About $70 per person for a 3 hour guided tour.
What I am thinking currently: Friday- We arrive at Union Station around 9am, I think we are going to do the Art Institute first, then go somewhere for a late lunch (I really like the way Exchequer looks), then hit up the Shedd until it closes, then go get our rental car and start the trip to Wisconsin
Monday- I think we will probably try and drop off the rental by 10:00 or so, do an early lunch, then go to the Field Museum until they kick us out. Then maybe walk Milentium Park for an hour, eat dinner somewhere near by, then head back to Union Station.
I still need to research the bus and L routes, but I think I have the idea planned out.
Post by champagne cory on Aug 4, 2011 12:40:04 GMT -5
Are you staying in the city? Chicago's Union Station is not far from any of the hotels downtown, you should cab it instead of renting a car and paying $50+ per day on hotel parking. You really don't need a car here.
Are you staying in the city? Chicago's Union Station is not far from any of the hotels downtown, you should cab it instead of renting a car and paying $50+ per day on hotel parking. You really don't need a car here.
Negative, I am staying outside Milwaukee Wisconsin, and going to PJ20 over the weekend.
Understandable. Someone suggested the John Hancock building to me. It's next door to the Sears/blahblahblah tower so you get the same view but without the price. There's a bar on the very top, so you just have to buy a beverage to hang out up there. (We still never made it.)
Also, you can plan your public transit routes via google maps in Chicago! I don't know how reliable it is but it might be worth it to see how much time it would take to get from place to place.
Understandable. Someone suggested the John Hancock building to me. It's next door to the Sears/blahblahblah tower so you get the same view but without the price. There's a bar on the very top, so you just have to buy a beverage to hang out up there. (We still never made it.)
Also, you can plan your public transit routes via google maps in Chicago! I don't know how reliable it is but it might be worth it to see how much time it would take to get from place to place.
This is awesome information. I had no idea you could do this. Thankee!
Understandable. Someone suggested the John Hancock building to me. It's next door to the Sears/blahblahblah tower so you get the same view but without the price. There's a bar on the very top, so you just have to buy a beverage to hang out up there. (We still never made it.)
Also, you can plan your public transit routes via google maps in Chicago! I don't know how reliable it is but it might be worth it to see how much time it would take to get from place to place.
This is awesome information. I had no idea you could do this. Thankee!
Google maps public transportation directions on my Android saved my life in NYC multiple times.
And Hot Doug's is the best sausage shack in the world.
I always try to enjoy a hot dog Chicago-style while I'm down there. I'm 0-for-3 in my attempts to visit this place.
Once, it was Sunday and they were closed. Once, I had narrowly missed closing time. Most recently, they were open but the line to get in was half a block long.
I got turned onto them years ago when on the way to a QOTSA show, my friend from the area took me to Gene & Jude's. I've since visited Murphy's on Belmont, Wiener's Circle, SuperDog, and a couple other places I can't presently recall. When I was down there in January, I unexpectedly drove past the Vienna Beef plant and blew kisses its way.
I'm curious to know which other places you would recommend for red hots.
And if you are lost, the people on the trains were nice and helpful. We also purchased the 3 day transit pass, and it was well worth the $12.
