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Old 12-11-2011, 03:38 PM
 
14 posts, read 18,642 times
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Hi everyone. I am planning to visit Chicago in 2 weeks. I am only staying for a few days. I would love to have a recommendation for restaurant choices and activities if I'm staying downtown/the loop. Extra details below about me...

I am single and going by myself. I'm also a 26 year old female. I'm looking for nice restaurants that have filets as a menu choice (for dinner, not picky at lunch) in walking distance or short cab ride from the Hotel Monaco area. I haven't yet planned any activities during the day, but I am open to suggestions if you'd like to share, as well. I like all different kinds of things, like museums (already been to the art museum), ice skating, tourist places, nice bars, etc.

Last edited by spkj24; 12-11-2011 at 03:58 PM..
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Old 12-12-2011, 04:13 PM
 
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The Monaco is in a part of downtown that doesn't have an abundance of dining choices within a short walk. There are some restaurants nearby, but most are a long walk or short cab ride away. For a filet, Monaco is right around the corner from Morton's steakhouse on East Wacker Place. Morton's is a well-known national chain. Other restaurants within a short walk are China Grill, Elephant & Castle (pub food). There's also South Water Kitchen, which is in the Monaco itself. I don't know anything about their menu.

It won't be the same experience as seeing it in the summer, but you should walk through Millennium Park, which a few blocks south of your hotel. Its a section of a larger lake front park that is filled with large works of art and architecture. The Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium are all clustered together about a mile south of where you'll be, if any of those suit your tastes. There's always the observation decks at either the Willis (Sears) Tower or the Hancock Building. There's a bar and restaurant at the top of the Hancock where you could combine your city gazing with a cocktail and/or meal. And the shopping district on Michigan Avenue starts only a few blocks from your hotel.
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Old 12-12-2011, 05:19 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
11,535 posts, read 30,269,957 times
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You have to really work hard to find bad food in Chicago because there is 6000 restaurants competing with each other.

Chicago has ton of fun tours, too!
Fee: Chicago Holiday Lights Tour
Free:Chicago Chocolate Tours - Tours
Fee: Eli's Cheesecake - Tours
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Old 12-12-2011, 05:34 PM
 
Location: Skokiewood
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Within a few blocks of Hotel Monaco (I used to work at Wacker and Columbus) are a bunch of places that the business set usually hit for lunch:

South Water Kitchen

McCormick & Schmick's (seafood)

Morton's

Emerald Loop (Irish Pub)

Elephant & Castle (British Pub)

Pastorale (High-end cheese shop and sandwiches)

Tavern at the Park

Nothing really spectacular though dinner-wise. Lots of decent places a $5 cab ride away, like Sepia, Graham Elliot, C-House, David Burke's Primehouse.

Millenium Park Ice Rink will be open while you're there. You could also take the Green Line L out to the Garfield Park Conservatory, it's free and a great place to get out of the cold and see lots of lush greenery. Chicago Cultural Center usually has daytime events (art exhibitions, music, lectures) on weekdays.
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Old 12-27-2011, 01:37 AM
 
14 posts, read 18,642 times
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Hi thank you so very much for your replies. I will definitely try the cheese shop and ice skating tomorrow. I also want to try elephant and castle. I went to Millers Pub after arriving here at midnight- yum!! Im staying at Hotel Monaco and love it so far! But, really, thank you, I'm going to read through the comments more as I am here to plan. Wednesday, I'm going to chestnut mountain to ski!
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Old 12-27-2011, 07:24 AM
 
Location: CHicago, United States
6,933 posts, read 8,495,383 times
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The Monaco is well-located, very well located to take advantage of some of the best restaurants in Chicago. On foot. In the Winter.

The restaurant possibilities are endless. You can narrow down some possibilities and check back here after looking at these additional web resources:

Chicago Restaurants & Dining | Metromix Chicago

Chicago Restaurant Guide | Find Restaurants and Reviews | Chicago Reader
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Old 12-27-2011, 02:21 PM
 
Location: Chicago, IL
289 posts, read 897,354 times
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Go to Groupon.com and you may be able to eat on the cheap. It will also allow you to narrow your choices. You're pretty lucky because Chicago is unusually non-wintery this week. Have fun.
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Old 12-27-2011, 03:17 PM
 
Location: Chicago
3,925 posts, read 6,839,150 times
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Please try chicago pizza while you are here! Its delicious! 23-M here and some good bars by you are public house, and the witt (expensive rooftop). Hope you have a blast!
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Old 12-27-2011, 03:18 PM
 
Location: Chicago
3,925 posts, read 6,839,150 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spkj24 View Post
Hi thank you so very much for your replies. I will definitely try the cheese shop and ice skating tomorrow. I also want to try elephant and castle. I went to Millers Pub after arriving here at midnight- yum!! Im staying at Hotel Monaco and love it so far! But, really, thank you, I'm going to read through the comments more as I am here to plan. Wednesday, I'm going to chestnut mountain to ski!
Good luck with the weather we have... not much snow I imagine. How are you getting there? Its kind of far! :P
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Old 12-27-2011, 06:44 PM
 
Location: Jefferson City 4 days a week, St. Louis 3 days a week
2,709 posts, read 5,098,363 times
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From what I've heard, Chicago's winter this year is among their most mild on record thus far. People I know up there have been telling me the temperature is incredibly warm by their standards, and that less than 2 inches of snow have fallen so far
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