Sightseeing
Sears Tower - tallest
building in the United States. It's across the street from Tim's office. If you visit the
Sears Tower wave to Tim.
John Hancock
Building - in the heart of the Michigan Avenue shopping area with arguably better
views from their observation deck than the Sears Tower. Restaurant and Bar on the 95th
floor.
Art Institute - in the
Chicago Loop, near the lake. One of the best art collections in the world. Debbie loves
their impressionist collection.
Buckingham
Fountain - just south (walking distance) of the Art Institute. It's the big fountain
seen in the Married with Children intro. From the loop it's a pretty walk through Grant
Park to get to the fountain.
Field
Museum of Natural History / Shedd Aquarium / Adler Planetarium - these 3 are all located on
the new museum campus meaning power museum-goers can visit all 3 in one day.
Museum of Science and
Industry - a little further south of downtown but worth the trip if you have a car. A
great place to bring kids, lots of hands-on exhibits.
Navy Pier / Children's Museum - boat ride,
restaurants, shopping, Navy Pier is a one stop tourist destination. It also has a cool
ferris wheel which provides pretty views of the city and lake. We hear the museum is good.
Lincoln Park Zoo - a free zoo
in the heart of the city (north of downtown). Walking distance from the lake shore and
North Avenue Beach. The zoo is surrounded by a large park, perfect for strolling or
picnicing.
Brookfield Zoo - an
underrated gem of a zoo. They have an excellent variety of animals including a dolphin
house and a walk through tropical rain forest habitat. Tim worked here one summer, say
"hi" to the snow leopard for him.
Sports
Comiskey Park
(White Sox) - Chicago's 2nd best baseball stadium is home to its best team
(says Tim). Seriously, it's a fun place to watch a game with outstanding food choices.
Wrigley Field (Cubs)
- The finest baseball stadium in the world. You'll be seeing a big league game in the
middle of a neighborhood - apartments line the streets across from the outfield. A great
way to spend a summer afternoon in Chicago whether you like baseball or not.
Restaurants
Cy's Chop
House - Debbie and Tim's favorite local steak joint.
Cy's Crab House
- What if your family doesn't like steak? What if they like crabs?
Centro Ristorante - Deb's favorite Italian restaurant.
710 N. Wells St., 312/988-7775
Café Iberico - Our
favorite tapas restaurant. Save room for dessert(s).
Goose Island -
A fine brew pub, excellent food as well.
Flat Top Grill - Create
your own stir-fry. All you can eat.
Wishbone
- Southern food with a healthy twist. Great if you're in the mood for comfort food.
3300 N. Lincoln Ave, 773/549-4105
Connie's Pizza - Tim's
favorite pizza place in Chicago. You can easily pair this with a White Sox game (we do).
Giordano's - a great place for
Chicago style (deep dish) pizza.
Portillo's - if you want
Chicago hot dogs or Italian beef sandwiches this is the place.
Superdawg
- another great hot dog joint. It's a real throwback to the 50's, they have carhop
service. 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773/736-0660
Zephyr - mediocre food, outstanding ice cream creations.
1777 W. Wilson Ave. 773/728-6070
Shopping
Michigan
Avenue - also called the Magnificent Mile, this avenue is lined with all the shopping
you need. Some of the stores on Michigan Avenue are: Bloomingdale's, Tiffany's, FAO
Schwartz, Crate & Barrel, The Gap, the Sony store, Virgin Megastore (music, DVDs),
Border's, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Niketown, Disney Store, American Girl Place, and
Nordstrom's.
Water Tower Place - a
7-story mall at the North end of Michigan Avenue. Marshall Field's and Lord & Taylor
are the anchor stores here. Lots of other great stores too. There's also a cool restaurant
called Foodlife on the lowest level. You can get any kind of food you'd like.
Entertainment
Movie
Theatres - We've included a link to Metromix.com, they'll have all the information you
need if you want to see a movie.
Bars and Clubs -
Chicago has every type of drinking establishment from the corner bar to dance clubs to a
martini lounge. Since tastes can be so varied we've included a link to Metromix.com
which will help you get the lowdown if you're looking for a place to go.
Restaurants
Maggiano's - very good
Italian food, monstrous portions.
Ram Brewery
- guess who picked this one? Tim never met a brew pub he didn't like. Debbie HIGHLY
recommends the bread pudding!
Sweet Tomatoes - all you can eat salad, soup, bread, pasta, and
dessert. Sweet Tomatoes just came to us from California (Debbie used to eat there when she
lived there). 1951 E. McConner Parkway 847/619-1271
Stir Crazy
- create your own stir fry, with other prepared dishes on the menu too. Very good food.
Debbie could eat here every day.
Rain Forest
Café - pretty good food in a very cool rainforest atmosphere. A big hit with kids.
John's
Garage - a great diner with a good salad bar too.
Portillo's - as we previously
mentioned, this is a great place for Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
Shopping
Woodfield Mall - it's
a very, very, very fine mall. Anchor stores are Marshall Field's, Nordstrom's, JC
Penney's, and Sears. Lots of other great stores and restaurants.
Ikea - great home
furnishings at amazingly low prices. How do they do it? You put it together your damn
self! Seriously, lots of cool stuff here.
The Great Indoors -
cool home redecorating store. A fun place to shop and get ideas.
Expo
- very much like The Great Indoors
Tower Records -
Tim had to let everyone know where the nearest CD store is. Has magazines and books too.
If you find him here the day of the wedding point him back in the direction of the hotel.
Entertainment
Movie
Theatres - We've included a link to Metromix.com, they'll have all the information you
need if you want to see a movie.
Bars and Clubs -
We're not too familiar with the bar scene in the suburbs, better to direct you to
Metromix.com.
Mini
Golf - Tim and I love a good game of mini-golf. If you do too, read this article
Tim found on Metromix.com all about the most fun mini-golf places in Chicagoland.
