I'm taking a busines trip there in December. I've never been there and I'm taking my wife for her to do some shopping, eat some fine food I'm always hearing about and get in the holiday spirit.
We'd like to stay downtown near all of the above. I have no idea how the city is laid out or where to go.
Any suggestions?

Hilton Towers on Michigan is a nice place to stay

It'll be cold, really cold, and windy. Bring every article of clothing you own ;)

If she likes to shop, Michigan Avenue is THE place for her to be. Really cool Christmas displays, etc. Museums are all really cool as well - Art, Field, Sciense and Industry, the Shedd, etc

Great idea to stay downtown. Fairly straight shot down the Eisenhower from O'Hare to the downtown loop. Won't wander south of the Eisenhower unless you know exactly where you are going. There are a few rough neighborhoods and new rental cars tend to stick out.

YOu may want to skip the rental completely. If you can stay somewhat near your business location, you won't need it. Parking downtown is impossible and expensive. Most good hotels have a shttle to the shopping areas, dinner and theaters are all over the place and within walking distance and caps are everywhere.

When I've gone down, once we park the car at the hotel, it doesn't move till we drive home

Don't forget to visit Cabrini Green and the Robert Taylor homes. A must see for any tourist!

Just kidding. Check out this link:

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Tourism&entityNameEnumValue=41

When I take visitors on tours i take them to these places:

Top of Sears Tower or John Hancock
Navy Pier (Beware - Tourist Trap)
Wendella cruise of the Chicago River

For shopping - State street from Jackson to Randolph. Michigan Avenue from Wacker to Oak Street. Impress your wife and take her on a carraige ride down Michigan Ave. they are usually parked across from Water Tower Place.

For night life, try Rush and Division. Good restaurants and bars.

You do not need a car. If you are healthy and can stand the cold, walking is an option. Otherwise there are cabs or free trolleys.

And watch out for Wisconsin people. They have bad hygeine.

If fine food is what your after try the Chicago Chop House. It's in your neighborhood downtown. The best prime rib anywhere!

http://www.chicagochophouse.com/home.htm

JKP, you worried me for a minute........

Thanks for the tips and sites. There's a German Chistkindlmarket going on and the Winter Wunderfest at the Navy Pier.
Now the big question......Who has the best Chicago style pizza?

BTW, nothing impresses my wife...........Well, maybe if I washed, dried and folded the laundry.

My wife stayed at the Hilton downtown earlier this year, nice place.. Good location too.

If you get a chance check out The Cheesecake Factory. Wife really enjoyed it.

http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm

Rumor has it that the guy who started this hotel was pretty cool and had excellent taste

http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/special/ambeast/history.asp

Now the big question......Who has the best Chicago style pizza?




Only been a few times and not a native Chi guy so those guys might object but I liked (as far as the chains and such) Giordanos and they are downtown off Michigan Ave.

As far as hotels and such, I like the Omni (also right off Michigan) or the Four Seasons, also right in the area but near the end of Michigan ave, away from the Chi loop area. Four Seasons has a good view of the lake if you get up high enough. Last time I was out there I had a corner suite, two roomd, big french doors to bedroom, 4 TV's....ahh...that rocked. When I travel on the company dime I TRAVEL on the COMPANY DIME.......

House of Blues, one spot to check out that was not mentioned. Chop House rocks, definitely do that.

LOTS of stuff on and aroudn the immediate area of MI ave, I absolutely LOVE that city. Very cool place, IMO and just hands SF its arse on a platter.

All I can an am gonna say is Avoid the Pizza..................... :sad:

I go there a couple of times every year on business. I never get a car. I usually catch a cab from O'Hare to my hotel (about $35) and ride the train back to O'Hare (about $2, interesting ride through old neighborhoods, and I wouldn't do it at night).

Our office is on Michigan Ave, and I stay in the Hyatt Regency on Wacker (very nice, good view of the lake) or else the Club Quarters at Wacker & Michigan (very nice but rooms are kind of small, great view of the river and/or lake depending on room location.)

All the restaurants and shopping you could reasonably want are within an easy walk of either hotel. The Hyatt does have an advantage in poor weather in that it sits on top of an underground mall that will take you a couple of blocks in a couple of different directions without actually going outside.

JKP, you worried me for a minute........

Thanks for the tips and sites. There's a German Chistkindlmarket going on and the Winter Wunderfest at the Navy Pier.
Now the big question......Who has the best Chicago style pizza?

BTW, nothing impresses my wife...........Well, maybe if I washed, dried and folded the laundry.
Just look for any Giordanno's. mm mm good. There is a Father & Son off of North Avenue Downtown, which happens to be my favorite, but dont know if youll be anywhere near it. If you do patronize this restaurant. Thin crust cheese/sausage/american bacon. To die for <- and depending on your cholesterol it just might kill you. Jason.

JKP, you worried me for a minute........

Thanks for the tips and sites. There's a German Chistkindlmarket going on and the Winter Wunderfest at the Navy Pier.
Now the big question......Who has the best Chicago style pizza?

BTW, nothing impresses my wife...........Well, maybe if I washed, dried and folded the laundry.

For my money:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/chicago/D31570.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/chicago/D31550.html

http://www.activediner.com/restaurant/homepage.cfm?CID=455734&WRID=98&CBID=

Don't listen to AC Lineman. I think he ate a bad sausage once and has been bad mouthing Chicago pizza for years. I think he like girly thin crust with pineapple and Canadian bacon, or that Wolfgang Puck crap with chicken, root vegetables, and red potatoes.

Wait until Spring and go to Addison St...Wrigley! :thumbsup:
"B" train from O'Hare to Addison stop (get a transfer), up the stairs, across the street and catch the bus. Goes right past the stadium...

Wait until Spring and go to Addison St...Wrigley! :thumbsup:
"B" train from O'Hare to Addison stop (get a transfer), up the stairs, across the street and catch the bus. Goes right past the stadium...

Or you can take the Red Line to the South Side and see the world champs!

Try Pizzeria Uno or Due! That is some good pizza! They have both been around since sometime in the 40's.

i lived in naperville and worked in chicago at cicero and division back in the 80's. it is a SUPER town, i'm sure you will have a great time. there are great restaurants all over but make sure you try one of the italian beefs and a hot dog while you are there too. maybe a stuffed pizza while you are at it. i have eaten at the drake hotel and it is truly awesome but so are those dog and beef joints. museum of nat'l history might be a good stop to walk off some of the food. be careful, wifes purse must be on the floor not on the seat, keep your eyes open and some space between your car and others and like i say you will have a great time. make sure you let us know how it goes.

Try Pizzeria Uno or Due! That is some good pizza! They have both been around since sometime in the 40's.


Uno's and Due's... man you're KILLING me!
In California we just don't get anything like that.
You get done in there and then go get a sausage and a beef sandwich...

Is this heaven or what!?

Uno's and Due's... man you're KILLING me!
In California we just don't get anything like that.
You get done in there and then go get a sausage and a beef sandwich...

Is this heaven or what!?

And wash it down with an Old Style!

Where is the business stuff happening? That will make a big difference in where you should stay. In the city or suburbs?

I work just west of the Loop.

Business is out west in Naperville at Exelon headquarters, but the wife and I are going into the city for a few days afterward. Then I'm taking the train to Pittsburgh to go to Hienz Field on Sunday to see the Steelers beat 'da Bears!

One of the guys I work with said Lou Malnati's is the best pizza. I am a Pizziola and a self-proclaimed Connoisseur of Pizza. Chicago Style, from Chicago is the 'big one' I haven't experienced. Looking forward to it too!

Business is out west in Naperville at Exelon headquarters, but the wife and I are going into the city for a few days afterward. Then I'm taking the train to Pittsburgh to go to Hienz Field on Sunday to see the Steelers beat 'da Bears!

One of the guys I work with said Lou Malnati's is the best pizza. I am a Pizziola and a self-proclaimed Connoisseur of Pizza. Chicago Style, from Chicago is the 'big one' I haven't experienced. Looking forward to it too!

Lou Malnatti's is another excellent choice.

The two times I visited Chicago (Jan and Feb 2004) stayed downtown at the Hard Rock Hotel in the old Carbon & Carbon building. Took the subway from O'Hare and back to O'Hare. Dirt cheap. The companies I was auditing were within walking distance. Temps. the first trip got to -20 below wind chill. I didn't have to cloths for that! I froze my arse off. One item that really worked was a beanie cap. Second trip it was in the 20s - felt like summer compared to the -20 below temps. Mircle Mile was about a mile walk and I didn't venture that far. Did walk down to the Sears Tower. That was an awesome sight! I loved downtown Chicago. Can't wait to go there and check it out some more. The building architecture is fabulous.

I didn't read the whole thing, but I have to say that for a touch of the "God Father" AND DARN GOOD FOOD try Gino's just off Halstead in Harvey north about 6 blocks from I-80!!

Go north from I-80 6 or 7 blocks and turn right about a block or so??????

pdq67

PS., Best baby-backed rib's I ever had!! And the time before last, the Waitress wouldn't serve my a shot of "Oozo" b/c I was wasted! Talk about years ago with the old Firebrick Co. He, He!!