Chicago - Thanksgiving trip to Chicago

Spending a week (next week) off with the significant other in Chicago.

Will be staying at the Peninsula and dining one night at Spiaggia.

Planning to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Looking for other dining and activity recommendations, please! Thanks! :)

Spending a week (next week) off with the significant other in Chicago.

Will be staying at the Peninsula and dining one night at Spiaggia.

Planning to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Looking for other dining and activity recommendations, please! Thanks! :)

I find that Chicago Architecture Foundation tours are always fun: http://caf.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=698.

Theater and performing arts options are plentiful, too, although hard to recommend anything in particular not knowing your preferences.

Ice skating at the Millennium Park, followed by a meal at Park Grill next door: http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html/parkevents/

Soviet Art Experience is a unique, year-long expo of works by artists from the Soviet Union: http://www.sovietartsexperience.org/

Vermilion restaurant for a fusion of (spicy) South Indian and Latin cuisines: http://www.thevermilionrestaurant.com/.

Christkindlmarket Chicago (next to Daley Plaza, http://www.christkindlmarket.com/) - Chicago's version of German Christmas markets. Also, see Marshall Field's (err...Macy's) storefront on State Street for some kitschy displays.

Enjoy!

Coco Pazzo is a fine little Italian place we like quite a bit. Two locations -- we've only been to the one by Northwestern. Rosebud is usually recommended, but i find it a bit touristy...Coco Pazzo does not have that vibe to me.

If you like live blues, try Buddy Guy's over by the Chicago Hilton.

For Chicago deep dish, the main ones you'll hear about are Gino's East, and Giordano's. My clients (locals) all prefer Lou Malnotti's.

Also try Al's (Italian Beef). cash only.

almost forgot -- really good steak place/italian = Petterino's in the theater district #24 urban spoon...

shedd's is a pretty nice aquarium and if the weather is nice Millenium Park/art institute.

It'l be crazy crowded for Tgiving weekend...but you'll have a great time. chicago is a really fun town.

There are tons of great restaurants within walking distance of the Penninsula. If you haven't already, you may want to check out the Chicago board on www.chowhound.com for some ideas.

Have a great time!

Spending a week (next week) off with the significant other in Chicago.

Will be staying at the Peninsula and dining one night at Spiaggia.

Planning to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Looking for other dining and activity recommendations, please! Thanks! :)

Good thin crust pizza at Pizano's, a couple blocks away on State. Deep dish at Lou Malnati's, Gino's East or Uno's _ all walkable or a short cab ride.

If you like champagne, Pops for Champagne, also on State - by the glass or more by the bottle and excellent small plates - easy to make a dinner. Great crab croquettes (like small crabcakes). It's pricey but really good.

Great Italian at Osteria via Stato (also on State) - go for the Italian dinner party. Everything is always seasoned to perfection. Had quinoa for the first time there - couldn't imagine that it would be good and it was fab-u-lous.

Heaven on Seven (Cajun) is always fun. Gotta have the gumbo.

Owner's son also has a place nearby, The Purple Pig.

Did you know they decorate the zoo with Christmas lights for the animals? :)

If you are a fan of science museums, then I highly recommend a visit to one of the best, if not the best, science museums around, the Museum of Science and Industry:

http://www.msichicago.org/

It has an operating coal mine exhibit, large model train display, the Pioneer Zephyr, and numerous other fascinating exhibits. I highly recommend it.

If you are a fan of science museums, then I highly recommend a visit to one of the best, if not the best, science museums around, the Museum of Science and Industry:

http://www.msichicago.org/

It has an operating coal mine exhibit, large model train display, the Pioneer Zephyr, and numerous other fascinating exhibits. I highly recommend it.

One of the very best museums of its type in the world; I have been a member since 1998.

Has now a nice exhibit on Dr. Seuss, including some original drawings. Saw it Sunday.

For more science in Chicago, the planetarium, the aquarium, and the Field Museum (great chocolate exhibit going on, and a new gallery just opened). You won't regret seeing any of them.

the Field Museum (great chocolate exhibit going on, and a new gallery just opened). You won't regret seeing any of them.

Which reminds me - the op doesn't say anything about kids, but Sue, "the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered," not to mention the shrunken heads will thrill any kid (and most adults). :)

If you are a fan of science museums, then I highly recommend a visit to one of the best, if not the best, science museums around, the Museum of Science and Industry:

http://www.msichicago.org/

It has an operating coal mine exhibit, large model train display, the Pioneer Zephyr, and numerous other fascinating exhibits. I highly recommend it.

It also currently has a human on exhibit, for at least a few more days. http://www.msichicago.org/matm

It also currently has a human on exhibit, for at least a few more days. http://www.msichicago.org/matm

Yes, my son met him Sunday and got picture/video. Seems like a very nice fellow.

Today is his 30th day.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/efsefs/museum.jpg

Vermilion restaurant for a fusion of (spicy) South Indian and Latin cuisines: http://www.thevermilionrestaurant.com/.Great suggestions overall legalalien, I do have to take exception with Vermilion, our dining group felt that the overwhelming flavors were Indian, so not a 50/50 mix of Indian Latin as billed. We also felt that the flavors were ones we could taste for FAR less $ at other Indian restaurants. We were bummed as we all were excited at the prospect of those two cuisines married.

Currently writing to you from Chicago!

Happy to report that dinner at Spiaggia was incredible. We had the tasting menu, which was fabulous.

Up early today, planning our day's itinerary.

Would like to look at nice Chicago neighborhoods so I can consider purchasing property. I've been told that Hyde Park and Kenwood are pleasant areas... anybody have an idea?

Thanks :)

Would like to look at nice Chicago neighborhoods so I can consider purchasing property. I've been told that Hyde Park and Kenwood are pleasant areas... anybody have an idea?

Thanks :)

Honestly, your question is too vague to get a useful answer. Care to share any additional details that might help us give you a useful response?
* Price range
* Size of the property
* Single-family home, townhouse or condo?
* Looking for a city feel or more of a neighborhood?
* Do you have kids? Are schools important?
* Are you looking for any particular neighborhood demographics?
* Are you looking for an easy commute to downtown, ORD, MDW or elsewhere?
* What kinds of neighborhood amenities are you interested in?

Currently writing to you from Chicago!

Happy to report that dinner at Spiaggia was incredible. We had the tasting menu, which was fabulous.

Up early today, planning our day's itinerary.

Would like to look at nice Chicago neighborhoods so I can consider purchasing property. I've been told that Hyde Park and Kenwood are pleasant areas... anybody have an idea?

Thanks :)

Unless you'll be affiliated with the university or other work in that area, I would steer clear. The areas are nice, but an island in any number of ways and pretty distant from everything else. I'm sure others will disagree, but IMHO the West Loop, South Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, West Loop, River North and any number of other north side areas are better for entertainment, restaurants and culture in general.

anybody have an idea?



The answer is "Streeterville."

The answer is "Streeterville."

See, and that's why the request is pointless without additional details. I have a lot of friends who love living in Streeterville, but it's a place I'd never choose to live in. Jammed with tourists, high-rise canyons, not an easy area to drive in, loud (particularly in the whole medical complex area, but really any of the streets that are lined with high rises) etc. But what's right for me isn't right for you and vice versa.

Currently writing to you from Chicago!

Happy to report that dinner at Spiaggia was incredible. We had the tasting menu, which was fabulous.

Up early today, planning our day's itinerary.

Would like to look at nice Chicago neighborhoods so I can consider purchasing property. I've been told that Hyde Park and Kenwood are pleasant areas... anybody have an idea?

Thanks :)

You are looking to move here?

Answer depends a lot on where you'd be working.

I lived in Hyde Park for 7 years 1994-2001. Would NOT live there with kids. Few playmates, the schools suck, housing stock is mostly old/drafty, expensive if you want a garage/yard, street bums and break-ins to deal with, etc. Was nice being close to downtown and for the wife to walk to work at U of C.

We now live 50 minutes south of the city by commuter train right to Millennium Park. There is widespread prejudice against "the South Side." Consequently there are some serious property bargains to be had around here. In Homewood you can buy a decent house for a few years' rent of a condo downtown. And the public schools are good enough you won't feel like a child abuser if you utilize them.

Not much in the way of restaurants/activities down here, though. I think ILuvParis would be bored out of his mind.

And it's a long way from ORD, though MDW is an easy 25-30 minutes' drive in non-rush-hour.

it's a place I'd never choose to live in. Jammed with tourists, high-rise canyons, not an easy area to drive in, loud (particularly in the whole medical complex area, but really any of the streets that are lined with high rises) etc. But what's right for me isn't right for you and vice versa.

Indeed...some folks love not owning a car.

* Price range
* Size of the property
* Single-family home, townhouse or condo?
* Looking for a city feel or more of a neighborhood?
* Do you have kids? Are schools important?
* Are you looking for any particular neighborhood demographics?
* Are you looking for an easy commute to downtown, ORD, MDW or elsewhere?
* What kinds of neighborhood amenities are you interested in?

Just me and significant other. No kids that live with us.

Don't really have a budget. Space doesn't have to be excessively large, just wallspace for my art.

Appreciate a good view, we ate at R.J. Grunt's today and liked the Lincoln Park West (?) area.

Have a car but also enjoy restaurants and bars within walking distance.

I do travel quite a bit so proximity to ORD would be nice but not required.

Indeed...some folks love not owning a car.

And I would love to be one of those people! Instead I own a car & a parking space that are fully paid off, but just haven't bitten the bullet to sell the former & rent out the latter! I only drive 3-4K a year.

Indeed...some folks love not owning a car.

And I would love to be one of those people! Instead I own a car & a parking space that are fully paid off, but just haven't bitten the bullet to sell the former & rent out the latter! I only drive 3-4K a year.

I live in a condo off Michigan Avenue which was built in the mid 70's. The Board didn't have the sense to buy one of the parking floors in the commercial area, so we are hostage to the whims of the garage operator. After paying over $300/month for self-parking, I decided to get rid of the car many years ago (I too was driving <3000 miles per year).

Great decision on my part. Don't miss it one bit. (And thank you to all the FlyerTalkers who have given me rides to FT lunches and dinners. ^)

You learn to get along without a car in Chicago.

I live in a condo off Michigan Avenue which was built in the mid 70's. The Board didn't have the sense to buy one of the parking floors in the commercial area, so we are hostage to the whims of the garage operator. After paying over $300/month for self-parking, I decided to get rid of the car many years ago (I too was driving <3000 miles per year).

Great decision on my part. Don't miss it one bit. (And thank you to all the FlyerTalkers who have given me rides to FT lunches and dinners. ^)

You learn to get along without a car in Chicago.

I've done the math & realize that I could take a lot of cab rides, rent cars frequent and get more exercise)if I just bit the bullet, dumped the car & rented out the parking space. I'd go from $1500 to $2000 in annual expense to $2400+ in revenue.

But it's the little things that are slowing me down from making the change...I have a convertible that would be harder to sell in the winter, it has some body damage from an idiot who backed into me while I was parked at Jewel & the fled the scene, etc., etc. I lived in the city from 1992-2000 without a car, so I know I can do it, but it's still a tough decision to make.

I've done the math & realize that I could take a lot of cab rides, rent cars frequent and get more exercise)if I just bit the bullet, dumped the car & rented out the parking space. I'd go from $1500 to $2000 in annual expense to $2400+ in revenue.

But it's the little things that are slowing me down from making the change...I have a convertible that would be harder to sell in the winter, it has some body damage from an idiot who backed into me while I was parked at Jewel & the fled the scene, etc., etc. I lived in the city from 1992-2000 without a car, so I know I can do it, but it's still a tough decision to make.

I agree. I could easily get around without a car. And I take the L pretty often, especially to the Loop and airport. But now that you can actually park on the streets since people who work can't feed quarters into a meter a couple times a day and hog all the parking, I probably drive more. And in the winter, it's quite welcome. I also have a convertible and one of the great joys of the city is putting the top down on a beautiful summer day and driving LSD.