Where to go in Chicago?

[Telemach_1]

Hi everybody. I'm looking forward to visit Chicago from June 1 to June 18. It's my first visit to Chicago and my first trip to the U.S. after my last visit in 1991. I'm excited to visit the Chicago Blues Fest. Other than that I have no fixed plans. So plenty of time to explore this town and area.
Any ideas about the "must see" places, buildings, clubs, events, music shops and other sights?
What about interesting neighborhoods and about those not to go. I'm probably gonna use public transportation most of the time.
I've read about "Chicago Music Exchange". Certaily a shop on my list.
Any pointers and tips are gladly appreciated.

[Omiewise65]

Sears tower , Lake Michigan , Great America , Burger King .

[jmaul]

Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park are all good safe neighborhoods to visit for shopping, people watching, bars and restaurants.

Go to a Giordano's (local pizza chain) and get a Chicago thick crust pizza.

Visit the lakeshore and associated parks and museums.

Chicago has two baseball teams, you could check out a game if interested. The cubs have the more iconic ballpark.

As for the bad areas- if it feels bad, you don't want to be there.

[paulvcarter]

Buddy Guys on south Wabash - WILLIS TOWER observation deck, north of the river fore great food, use yelp or just wander about!

Buddy's has pretty good food, choose a night with a guitarist lead vocal

[Jupiter]

Chicago Music Exchange

[jazztele]

Where are you staying?

[Telemach_1]

Hey, these are good pointers to start with.

[KokoTele]

Where are you staying? I can help you find your way around from the hotel. Shoot me a PM if you don't want to post publicly. I'm waiting for a delivery and just started writing what's below, then realized I wrote a book!


I wouldn't worry too much about the neighborhoods to avoid; you'll find that you have to go out of your way to find them.

I always thought the best thing about Blues Fest weekend was the great music they get in all the clubs around town. Look for Carl Weathersby and Big Time Sarah. They're both based locally and are probably the best show(wo)men in town. Weathersby is one hell of a guitarist, too.

Other clubs to check out:

Kingston Mines & B.L.U.E.S., located a block apart and a short walk from the Red Line train stop. www.kingstonmines.com www.chicagobluesbar.com

Blue Chicago, it's in the most touristy section of town but they put great bands in there when the blues fest is on. Also very convenient to downtown www.bluechicago.com

Buddy Guy's place is new and HUGE for a club, it's located on the near south side of what's known as "The Loop," the main business section of downtown. www.buddyguys.com

Rosa's Lounge: I've never actually been, but it has a great reputation. www.rosaslounge.com

Fitzgerald's Night Club: just outside of town and accessible by cab or bus. They have *great* music here. I just looked and saw that Ronnie Baker Brooks is playing on Friday 6/8.

Jazz Record Mart: Great selection of new & used vinyl & CDs, huge blues section, & knowledgeable staff Located 2 blocks from the shopping district http://www.jazzmart.com/

Signature Lounge: Located on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building, once the tallest building in the world. It's located right near the lake shore, and I think the view is much more spectacular than at the Sears Tower. (You can call it Willis if you want, but I ain't gonna. I'm stubborn and clinging to my childhood with all my might.) Have a drink and relax and enjoy the view. http://www.signatureroom.com/Signature-Lounge/

Museums: Chicago has world-class museums, 3 of which are located within a few blocks of each other on what's known as the "museum campus." It's about a mile south of the blues fest, and there's a bus that goes right there. (Actually, there are several buses that go there.) The natural history museum, planetarium, and aquarium are there. The art museum is a couple of blocks north of the blues fest, and the science museum is a few miles away (a bus goes there as well).

For more "interesting" stuff, take the red line train to Belmont. Stay within a couple of blocks. This was the home of the alternative scene in Chicago, so you'll see plenty of interesting people and little shops. (It's become a little more mainstream in the last decade or so, but not so much as to ruin the flavor.)

Comedy: if you need a night off of music, the comedy scene in Chicago is booming again. Second City does incredible improv/sketch comedy, but you'll need tickets far in advance. There are so many good comedy clubs, I don't see how you can go wrong.

Lakefront: Just take a walk along the lake. It's beautiful, it's relaxing, and it's 10 degrees cooler than when you're in the crowd at the blues fest. There are beaches if you feel like a swim, though the water will still be pretty cold in June.

[AirBagTester]

I've heard Kingston Mines is a great blues club.

[Warm Gums]

Oak Park has a number of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.
It involves a train ride, but is not terribly far.
Can be pricy if you want to go into a number of places, but even walking around is interesting.
The Art Institute is a must see, and if possible you should catch a performance of the CSO
Even if you are not "into" classical music it's a great hall and the brass section is world renown.

[PunkKitty]

KokoTele has some great suggestions.

Avoid Burger King. It's the same everywhere.

If you want real Chicago junk food you want an Italian beef or a combo (Italian beef with Italian sausage). Add hot and sweet peppers. Get one at Portillo's or Al's. Al's has better fries.

Kuma's Corner is a great heavy metal burger bar. Expect a hour or two wait but it's worth it. The burgers are huge.

Look to The Old Town School of Folk Music for great music. There's almost always something going on there.

[Brother Rob]

Buddy Guy's is new?

The Museums are great.

We went to the Chess Records studio a few weeks ago. Not a huge amount of stuff to see, but still cool for anyone into Blues. Call first.

Kingston Mines is a standard.

Navy Pier is a tourist trap, but a good one.

I find it hard to believe that a two hour wait for any burger could be "worth it"

I second the Oak Park experience. Great area and the FLW tour is fun. Lots of other good architecture in the area.

I have heard great things about the city architecture tours and boat tours

[Telemach_1]

Originally Posted by KokoTele

Where are you staying? ..........

I think it's called "Getaway Hostel". Not sure. A friend has made the booking and other than the flight we haven't talked too much about the place. I should ask later this day.

[Telemach_1]

YuTele guys!!! I knew I could count on you. I'm overwhelmed by all this good info. Much better than reading boring tourist guides. I will take my vitamin pills w. me and definitely will follow almost all of your suggestions.

Originally Posted by Brother Rob

....We went to the Chess Records studio a few weeks ago. Not a huge amount of stuff to see, but still cool for anyone into Blues. Call first.
....

Sure will go there. A Tele man's Mekka.

[KokoTele]

Originally Posted by Brother Rob

Buddy Guy's is new?

They moved a block north and opened the new club (I think) 2 years ago. It's huge and like a modern club.

[superbadj]

Lots of great recommendations. I'll add a great sandwich to the list:

Go to XOCO (Rick Bayless's restaurant).

Order the Ahogada.

For dessert get an Aztec hot cocoa. Even if it's hot out.

You can thank me later.

[Brother Rob]

Originally Posted by KokoTele

They moved a block north and opened the new club (I think) 2 years ago. It's huge and like a modern club.

Ah!

It had been over ten years since I'd been to Chicago. When I was there a couple of weeks ago it seemed that Buddy's was in the same place I'd remembered it. Didn't even realize it had moved a couple of blocks!

[slauson slim]

For a budget busting steak dinner, try Gene & Georgetti's.

For music and food, check this out:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/

[bygdaddy]

Giordano's Pizza

[dconeill]

The Field Museum - one of the worlds great museums.