Anybody from Chicago here?

[MortenP]

I'm going to a friends wedding in Chicago in July, so I just want to ask if there's anybody from Chicago here, and what to do and see while I'm there?

Any good venues for rock'n'roll-shows for instance?

[Tekky]

Are you going to actually be in the city, or the suburbs?

[MortenP]

Good question, as I'm not sure yet...The wedding will be held at this place: http://www.lehmannmansion.com/, that's all I know for now...

[Tekky]

That's the north/northwest suburbs. That's about 50 miles from the Loop. (Chicago's central business district) Not far from there is Blarney Island which is a bar that floats in the middle of Grass Lake, but they are probably shut down for the season.

How long are you going to be in the area?

[MortenP]

At least a couple of weeks, maybe three - I'll have to look at my finances a bit first, hehe..

[Tekky]

Are you just interested in the nightlife or are you looking to play the tourist role? (not a bad role to play, I still do it myself and I've lived here 9 years)

[MortenP]

I'm hoping to catch a bit of everything, but even that is a "touristy" thing to say, isn't it? Well, isn't Chic the hottest place for blues? I'd like to catch a good blues-gig if possible..

And as always when I travel, I'd like to bring home a guitar or three Any good second-hand guitar stores, or should I try out the pawnshops?

[Tekky]

Blues
If you want Blues, head over this way to the north side to Kingston Mines. http://www.kingstonmines.com/ From what I understand, Paul Gilbert's uncle, Jimmy Kidd plays there. (Paul told me that at NAMM a couple years back) Across the street is also B.L.U.E.S Chicago. It's a little run-down, but from what I understand they have a good blues line-up. And then there's the obligatory touristy Buddy Guy's Legends. Good blues, but it's the first place people go when they're in town for the blues. http://www.buddyguy.com/

Architecture
If you're looking to see some neat architecture in the city of Chicago, head to the Loop. This is the central business district of Chicago. (albeit slowly changing as more and more buildings are converted to condos) Here you'll find the Sears Tower rising above some of the more innovative architectural gems such as:
- the Monadnock building (http://www.monadnockbuilding.com/)
- the State of Illinois Building/Thompson Center (do yourself a big favor and go INSIDE this building for a cool view http://www.state.il.us/cms/jrtc/building.htm)
- the Old Colony building (http://www.chiefengineer.org/article.cfm?seqnum1=525),
- The Chicago Theater (http://www.thechicagotheatre.com/)
- The Marshall Fields building (now Macy's to the chagrin of Chicagoans http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/marshall_fields.html)

Venture a bit outside of the Loop and you'll find:
- Soldier Field (Chicagoans pronounce it as 'Soldiers Field', don't know where the extra 's' comes from http://www.soldierfield.net/default.aspx),
- the construction of the Trump Tower (http://www.trumpchicago.com/),
- the Hancock Tower (currently the 3rd tallest in Chicago http://www.hancock-observatory.com/)
- the Aon Center (the 2nd tallest building in Chicago http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116756),
- Marina City (aka the corn-cobs http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=135094)
- Millennium Park (http://www.millenniumpark.org/)

Artsy-fartsy
- the ever famous Picasso (we never gave it a name because we really don't know what it is) in Daley Plaza in the loop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Picasso here's a tip... look at it from behind, you'll see the image of a woman)
- Calder's Flamingo (http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/...ne/calder.html)
- Chagall's 4 Seasons (http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/...e/chagall.html)
- and the Art institute of Chicago (http://www.artic.edu/)

Nightlife
I'm am a "nort-sider". (translation - I live north of the Loop) I reside in "Wrigleyville", which is the neighborhood that surrounds, you guessed it, Wrigley Field. This area is practically a college town that was too busy drinking and watching losing baseball to bother with building a college. Venture along Clark St near Addison (in front of Wrigley Field itself) and work either way. There are plenty of bars and clubs. There you can try some of Chicago's own beer (Goose Island - http://www.gooseisland.com/AgePage.a...age=/index.asp), you can listen to Raggae bands (http://www.wildharereggae.com/ - http://www.exeduslounge.com/), you can laugh (http://www.iochicago.net/), there are a few music venues (http://www.jamusa.com/Venues/Vic/Concerts.aspx - http://www.metrochicago.com/index.html - http://www.cubbybear.com/wrigleyville/), or you can sit along other Cubs fans and continue to cry about another lost season.

More later... I've got some errands to run...

[RacerX]

What a great place to have a wedding!


Tekky, great posts! If I ever get to your fine city, I'll definitely refer back to this info!

[Alvin_Wilson]

I don't live in Chicago, but I have travelled there for business. I always go to the Riverboat Casino in Elgin, IL. It is just west of Chicago.

[Tekky]

Thanks Ron. I love this city. I jump at the chance to show it off. As a kid growing up in NW Indiana I had always wanted to live here. When I was 19 I tech'd for a band that played the now-defunct Avalon that was located next to the 'L' tracks at Belmont and Sheffield. Nine years ago, I could barely afford it, but I moved here and haven't regretted a moment of it. (well, except for the cold winters)


More Architecture...
One building I always make a point to show is the Tribune Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribune_Tower) it's unique feature is that there are bits and pieces of other famous historic buildings embedded in it's facade. There is even a piece of the World Trade Center there. (I like to think I might have had a hand in that because after 9/11 I e-mailed that very suggestion to the editor)

On the same street (Michigan Avenue - AKA The Magnificent Mile) there are several buildings of architectural notice, besides the aforementioned Hancock Tower there is:
- The Carbine and Carbon Building (now home of the Hard Rock Hotel http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116835)
- The Wrigley Building (across the street from the Tribune Building (http://www.wrigley.com/wrigley/about/about_story_building.asp)
- The Water Tower, one of the only surviving buildings from the Chicago Fire of 1871 and one of the enduring symbols of Chicago determination. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Water_Tower)

If want to get the architecture without the walking, take a Wendella Boat tour (http://www.wendellaboats.com/) the boats travel up and down the Chicago River and out into Lake Michigan while pointing out some of the more famous buildings in Chicago. They are located on Michigan Ave and the Chicago River (Wacker Dr.) Just make sure the Dave Matthews Band isn't in town when you go.

[~K~]

I can tell you that Todds knowledge of Chicago is second to none. When you walk the city with him his passion for where he lives is very apparent ..

[Tekky]

Thanks K!

And now food!!!!

Pizza:
- Pizzeria Uno (I know it's a chain, and it's kind of a touristy place. Go to the original... http://www.unos.com/)
- Pizzeria Due (when Uno's is too busy, walk a block down to the extension of the original.
- Ranallis (this location is up near my neighborhood, damn good pizza! http://www.ranallisonclark.com/)
- Gino's East (like Uno's, touristy, but an original.. www.ginoseast.com, make sure you go to the location across from Ed Debevic's - former Planet Hollywood building)
- Key Pizza (If you happen to find yourself in my old stomping grounds of NW Indiana... Key Pizza is, in my opinion, one of the best pizzas in the world!!! http://national.citysearch.com/profile/3990867/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)

Miscellaneous:
- Portillo's (this one is for Sully, he loves their Italian Beef, if I could freeze on and send it to him, I would. The original is across the street from the Rock 'N Roll McDonalds and the Hard Rock Cafe. http://www.portillos.com/)
- Perry's Deli (this is one of my favorites, my friend Boris owns the joint, they have great sandwiches, be sure to bring your appetiteand turnyour cell phoneo ff http://www.perrysdeli.com/)
- Rock 'N Roll McDonalds (your standard McDonalds but with a Chicago architectural flair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_N_Roll_McDonald's)
- Gibson's Steakhouse (one of my favorite places for steak this is where I took Tom D. and Doc Tama when they came into town. http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/)
- Hugo's Frog Bar (When we can't decide on steak or seafood, we go to Hugo's, it's connected to Gibson's http://www.hugosfrogbar.com/)
- Maggiano's Little Italy (I know it's a chain, but the one on Clark in River North is excellent!! http://www.maggianos.com/)
- Clark St. Dog (My favorite place for when I'm in the mood for hot dogs http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3734957/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)
- The Dark Horse Tap and Grille (I love the burgers at this place. http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/36217573/chicago_il/dark_horse_tap_grill.html)
- The Wiener's Circle (a Chicago institution http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3677757/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)
- SoupBox (think the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld and get rid of the Nazi http://www.thesoupbox.com/)

[MOSHWITZ]

Alot of good stuff there Tekky

I'm REALLY missing home now

MOSH ON
DAVE

[Rich#6]

Don't forget about the great zoos and museums too.
When you are here pickup an illinois entertainer and you can find all kinds of bands playing good and bad.
This is a good sight to check out in case we missed something.
http://chicago.metromix.com/
Eat lots of pizza, we have the best pizza in the world here.