6 days vacation in underrated Chicago- People think I am crazy (neighborhood, school)

[ImaloneJill]

Thanks, Drover.

On my way to read it.

[ImaloneJill]

Thank you for that lovely re-cap of your stay. I lol when you mentioned Fado. My husband has met me after work at Fado's when I have been downtown for a nursing seminar. It is the coolest. So is Monk's Pub.

[Drover]

Many don't know this but Fado is actually a chain. So is Rock Bottom.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Drover

Many don't know this but Fado is actually a chain. So is Rock Bottom.

Yep, they're smaller, with fewer locations so they're not as well known nationally, but they are chains.

For those who are curious, for local Chicago alternatives, there's an Irish club actually owned by Irishmen a little north on Clark at Erie called the Kerryman. It's not as pub-like, which is why I called it a club, but it frequently has live music and is quite popular. Garret Ripley's is a block north of The Kerryman, but is more Chicago-style pub-like. I think it is also owned by an actual Irishman.

For local alternatives to Rock Bottom, for beer a lot of people like Goose Island, which is a couple blocks north of the North/Clybourn stop on the Red Line, and not quite as much in the thick of things but is is a brew-pub, or also Piece in Wicker Park on North Avenue near Damen - it's a pizza brewpub.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by emathias

For those who are curious, for local Chicago alternatives, there's an Irish club actually owned by Irishmen a little north on Clark at Erie called the Kerryman.

Chicago has a great, authentic, Irish Pub called Celtic Crossings... Celtic Crossings - River North - Chicago, IL 60610 | Metromix Chicago

It's on Clark just south of Chicago ave, in River North.

[ImaloneJill]

Didn't know that about Fado.
Seriously, great burgers and beer at Monk's Pub on W. Lake in the Loop. Very casual.

[movingsomewhere]

visiting vs. living here are different things. you'll know about the crimes and negativity once you live here and have time to read the news instead of reading your "tourist guide" pamphlet.

Originally Posted by MoItaly

I am spending a week in Chicago from 10/21. Most of people I know here in SoFla asked me if I have famioly//friends or if I am going to some conventions. When I said no, I'm just taking a week off with the wife, they look at me like I am on crack. Vacation in Chicago? In late October?

I am trying to explain them that my idea of vacation is also to discover new places. Best vacation of my life was a week of walking around Manhattan. But I noticed one thing: while people seem to understand a week spent in NY city, they don't just get why one would want to spend a week in Chicago.

It seems to me Chicago is very underrated as a city. Apparently all people know about it is that is "terribly violent and darned cold".
(by the way, here in South Florida people should not talk about violence as I am 120% sure that in proportion to area and inhabitants palm Beach County is worst than Chicago).

I was surprised by how little consideration a big city like Chicago is given and was wondering why. I bought a 3-day Chicago card and did the plan for the first 3 days and I will be super busy trying to see everything.

I still have to talk to someone who does not ask me "and what are you going to in Chicago for 6 full days?".

Let's see: I am going to get my culture fix which sure I can't get in South Florida by visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, the Musuem of Science and Industry and the Musuem of History. And by doing that I will skip on visiting another 20 different museums in the city of Chicago.

I am going to eat in real italian restaurant, not the italian of South Florida where "alfredo sauce" is seen as a great Italian dish. I am going to finally WALK. Instead of driving strip mall to strip mall, I can actually walk and see things and people; ride the EL, the buses.
I am going to take a needed break from the frigging heat and humidity (93 degrees today, 10/8!! are you kidding me) and get some fresh cool air.
I am going to let my wife shop on Magnificent Mile, visit Greektown, Armitage, Gold Coast, take the Shoreline Cruise, stroll around Navy Pier and tto bad that week the Bears are on the road.

And finally I am going to get my music fix with great jazz and blues.

Still, for some weird reasons, people ask me "what the heck are you going to do in Chicago?" .

[King0fthehill]

I took a similar vacation to Chicago recently and loved it! Except for the rainy weather on 10/30

prettyugly.: Chicago, Chi-City

[Igor and sven]

Chicago...nice place to visit, but people sure don't seem to want to live there.

[Avengerfire]

^ Be gone. ^