Originally Posted by
Visconti
Thanks for the insights so far!
On my initial visits to a city, I generally prefer the following:
1. Love to walk around a city, assuming the area is relatively safe.
2. Interested in visiting Museums and experience the city's history.
3. Would like to attend a Symphony and/or Opera, if in season.
4. Experience some aspects (food and/or culture) that is unique to Chicago.
Of course, would love to check out a game at Wrigley's, but would have to wait to return during baseball season.
Will definitely try all the recommended steakhouses!
1. Walking: Daytime you're fine walking in any neighborhood that a tourist might find him or herself. The Chicago Greeter program offers free drop-in walking tours of the Loop area (only on weekends, last I checked) and have a location on the ground floor of the Cultural Center (Michigan & Randolph). You can also book free private tours with greeters if you have a particular neighborhood or interest.
I'd highly recommend the Chicago Architectural Foundation tours. They offer many using many modes of transportation (walking, bus, boat, etc.).
2. Museums: Whether you're interested in art, history, natural history, science, animals, surgery, you name it, we have them all. Personally, my favs are the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. But all are world class. You'll also get a lot of Chicago history on many of the Chicago Architectural Foundation tours. The Cultural Center is free and open to the public, and often has mini-exhibits.
3. Symphony/Opera: Check out the Chicago Lyric Opera, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. We also have a great selection of theater, ranging from storefront theaters to places that mount Broadway-style musicals. If you check out the Lookingglass, Steppenwolf and Goodman, you'll probably see some familiar names on the list of company members.
4. Food & culture: Chicago has some of the world's top restaurants, and you probably wouldn't be disappointed at either of Rick Bayless's restaurants (Topolombampo and Frontera), Grant Achitz's spots (Next, Alinea and Aviary) or Stephanie Izard's (Girl and the Goat, Little Goat). If your tastes run more toward ethnic spots and holes in the wall, check out the Great Neighborhood Restaurant list on LTHForum.com.
Originally Posted by
jerry a. laska
Bavette's is very good with excellent cocktails. Gibson's is old school but excellent. Chicago Cut, David Burke Primehouse, Gene and Georgetti, Smith & Wollensky, Michael Jordan's, and all the chains are also possibilities.
You might want to read some of the Eater and Chicago Magazine articles.
Two new places that I haven't had an opportunity to try yet are Swift & Sons and Maple & Ash.
We're doing Swift & Sons for my fiance's birthday. I'll try to remember to report back!