Chicago vacation in December (weather, time, delayed)

[chirack]

Originally Posted by Drover

The Cubby Bear? Seriously?

In terms of what? Kinda confused about your response.

[Avengerfire]

[808Jen]

Thanks, chirack! I will certainly be ordering pizza for Giordano's as you are not the only to suggest this place. I'm such a pizza lover but haven't been exposed to much other than Pizza Hut or Boston's.

We're definitely checking out the Museum of Science and Industry so I'll check out the ice cream shop you mentioned. Might hit up Greek town, probably skip China Town since we have one here.

Will check out those pecan rolls, I've never had one before so I won't have anything to compare it to. LOL.

We're not really into the night life scene, we're in our 20s but act like we're in our 50s. Although we may go out one evening with friends driving from Missouri.

Kinda bummed that the Architectural tour doesn't operate when we'll be there. But I guess that gives us a reason to come back during a different season.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by chirack

There are a lot of places to eat. One must do might be Giordano's pizza. There is probably one in delivery range to that hotel. Both deep dish and thin crust are good. Don't get anything other than pizza there, for their other offerings are not as good.

One fun thing to do if you are in the museum of science and industry is have an ice cream at the ice cream shop in the ""Yesterday's Main Street" exhibit. The ice cream used to be better, but still it is fun pit stop if you happen to go to this place(i.e. I wouldn't go there for the ice cream).

If you want to leave the downtown area for a bit you could venture to Greek town. It is an area just outside of downtown located on Halsted street between Randolph and Van Buren and has several Greek restaurants as well as a Giordano's .

If you are in the lake view area(the part of town with the most gay nightlife), I kinda like a place called Nookies located at 3334 N. Halsted (note this area is very far north of the Greek town area). Most of the cities gay night life is located around Belmont and Halsted street.

Other near by streets with night life are Broadway and Clark. The red line can get you into this area. There isn't anything special about nookies other than it is a nice pit stop another good pit stop in the area is Ann sather(there are a couple on the north side but the one most in this area is at 909 W. Belmont). Ann sathers likes to be known for it's pecan rolls, but honestly while they are not bad or bad tasting, I have had better.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by 808Jen

Kinda bummed that the Architectural tour doesn't operate when we'll be there. But I guess that gives us a reason to come back during a different season.

Thanks again!

Try Chicago Architecture Foundation - 312.922.3432 they seem to have tours in december.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chirack

Try Chicago Architecture Foundation - 312.922.3432 they seem to have tours in december.

Not boat tours.Their boats tours end at the end of November and do not start again until May.

CAF Tours

[chirack]

Ah they wanted a boat tour...nah trust me the last place you want to be by in winter is by the lake. The wind off the lake can be brutal.

[tijlover]

Well, the three of us ended up staying at Baymont Suites in Glenview with two dbls and a rollaway for $74. Great breakfast in the morning. No complaints whatsoever.

Drove to the Park and Pay lot every day at the end of the Yellow line on Dempster, $4 a day, then nonstop to Howard station, and had no problem getting back at night. Since we love riding trains, we ventured to the far end of the Red Line to Dan Ryan & 95th, and another day to Midway. Wish we had had more time to ride every train line radiating outward from the Loop to the very end of each line. But I'll leave that for future trips.

Would like to stay in the Loop next time but I looked high and low for a hotel/motel with balconies, and not a place that's going to charge a huge surcharge for having one. Don't they build hotels anymore with balconies?
I'm a smoker and I hate smoking in my room, or taking the elevator down to the street each time to smoke, so a balcony would be perfect. I wish there was an online hotel sight that featured hotels/motels with balconies.

Compared Gino's East with Giordano's and I'm still hooked on Gino's, from previous visits back in the 70's and 80's.

I loved the Milennium Park minus the Frank Gehry outdoor arena. I have never liked his architecture, anywhere. Too bad they couldn't have gotten Calatrava to design it, like the Milwaukee Art Museum structure I saw in Milwaukee. Which proves you don't need to put up a huge structure to gain notice from tourists. This smaller structure has become quite a focal point for Milwaukee. And what will tourists recall most, the Calatrava structure in Milwaukee or the upcoming Calatrava-designed Spire in Chicago?

Being at the Sears Tower Observation deck one day, I tried to imagine it upon completion, and as much as I love tall buildings, I really think they should downsize it about 400 feet. But that's just my opinion.

Again, thanks for all the info and am looking forward to returning and many more train rides.

[MidwestYoungCouple]

Chet's post is dead on. I agree 100%.

If the Hyatt at McCormick’s is not in your price range, consider the South Loop hotel. (http://www.chicagosouthloophotel.com/). You will have to catch a cab to Soldier Field. Depending on the weather during the day of the game, this cab ride can be under 15 minutes to much longer. Also, there is a Bed and Breakfast in the South loop which is a 10 minute walk to Soldier Field. (Wheeler Home Page). I would recommend staying downtown or in the South Loop. Hotel rates should be priced lower in December. There is NO reason to stay in Elk Grove; Hazel Crest, Waukegan or Bridgeview. They are VERY FAR from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. You will have to take the Metro trains into the City, NOT the EL trains. Your CTA pass does not apply. If you do decide to stay this far away, this map may be useful.
Metra Map (http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/_jcr_content/download/file.res/metrasystemmap.pdf) or Metra Schedules (http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map.html)



Dressing Appropriate for the weather and the game is VERY IMPORANT. You do not want to run the risk of getting hypothermia and frost bitten. Dressing in Layers is key! Soldier's Field is not a covered stadium. People tailgate and sit through the game for hours in the frigid cold.

Since the weather is variable (snow, sleet, horrid winds) your flights into and out of Chicago could be delayed or cancelled to and from either Midway or O'Hare airports. You need to be aware of this risk.

Other helpful sites for your visit -
Chicago Events and Activities: http://chicago.metromix.com/
Welcome to Explore Chicago | The City of Chicago's Official Tourism Site
Chicago Public Transportation:[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]http://www.rtachicago.com/
Dress to Survive a Freezing Cold Chicago Winter: http://chicagoweekendfun.com/2007/11/05/how-to-dress-to-survive-a-freezing-ice-cold-snowy-chicago-winter-or-blizzard/
(Print quickly to read…there might be some errors with the webpage).

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by 808Jen

...will be visiting Chicago (to see the Bears Vs. Packers game, 12/13/09) 12/09/09 - 12/15/09...

Looks like you will be in town soon. You will make it just in time for the beginning of snow and cold! Bring your warmest clothing because fall is conclusively over. We are going to have 3 snow storms come through this week.

Hopefully you will not have to go through any flight delays on the way here.

Let us know if we can help you further.

I wish the Bears were playing better this year. But hopefully they can beat the snot out of the Packers anyway...

[jwaiter]

^^and feb and march too.