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OT: Need Chicago advice

  • Taking the family to Chicago this Summer. Wife and kids always want to spend a day or two at the beach no matter where we are. Is it worth our time to go to a beach there? If so, which is best? Also, should we stay close to the beach we would go to or stay elsewhere? One last thing; what are best restaurants? Thanks in advance.

    RolandBurris ●

  • I hear Humboldt Park is nice that time of year.

    SCirish843

  • RolandBurris said...

    Taking the family to Chicago this Summer. Wife and kids always want to spend a day or two at the beach no matter where we are. Is it worth our time to go to a beach there? If so, which is best? Also, should we stay close to the beach we would go to or stay elsewhere? One last thing; what are best restaurants? Thanks in advance.

    where to eat is too vague? Chicago is world class food wise, narrow what you're looking for price/type .

    Going out with kids, Ed Debevics is a tradition. Its a 50's diner where waitresses are intentionally rude, often insulting. Kids get a kick out of it. Good for a lunch, a couple dollar cab ride from water.

    Depending on when you are going, summer is full of festivals, be prepared whether its Lolla, Taste of chicago or air/boat things get very busy and you may want a different weekend.

    Chicago beaches are not real kid friendly, mostly young adults. Lots of volleyball, not much swimming. Other coast, where the sand dunes are is much more kid/family friendly.

    Priceline a 4 star boutique hotel in river north/downtown and you will be surprised how good a place you can get for so little. Parking will be $35-40 night though. May consider cabbing/train in

    Twittter: @Game_Cocks21

    yellowfin

  • RolandBurris said...

    Taking the family to Chicago this Summer. Wife and kids always want to spend a day or two at the beach no matter where we are. Is it worth our time to go to a beach there? If so, which is best? Also, should we stay close to the beach we would go to or stay elsewhere? One last thing; what are best restaurants? Thanks in advance.

    Dining is all over the board. You can hit the tourist places like Gino's East (very good) or you can find some nice spots. Food in Chicago is really world-class.

    There are 2 or 3 Embassy Suites downtown that really cater to kids (family).

    Not sure of the age of your kids, but my kids always enjoy The Navy Pier.

    Also, there are some giant trade shows in Chicago in the summer. Neo-Con (I will be there) is probably the 1st week of June...100,000+ people.

    There is a great Children's Museum and my kids love love love Adler Planterarium.

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    tbdbitl

  • Thanks for all the info guys. Much appreciated.

    RolandBurris ●

  • Tbdbitl and yellowfin what are the best steakhouses?

    RolandBurris ●

  • the kids will like the shedd aquarium the most. staying on or near michigan is central to most of what is happening. oak street beach

    dustelli

  • Best advice is don't go

    LScootU

  • LScootU said...

    Best advice is don't go

    Lived in the city for 5 years. With kids I would stay downtown, loop or river north area. Here you are within walking distance of shedd aquarium/museum campus, mag mile shopping for the wife, which is great for the kids as well as parents. Beaches are walking distance too, but beware it can be insanely packed on nice days, mostly young adults drinking.

    Restaurants are, as everyone noted, world class. Every type can be found, you may want to think about budget and if you are looking to placate the kids (Ed debevics) or try a great restaurant.

    It really is one of the best cities in the world, you can find something to do 24/7, but it'll be an expensive trip and massively frustrating for people with no patience

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    BrodieMSU

  • RolandBurris said...

    Tbdbitl and yellowfin what are the best steakhouses?

    Mortons, Gibsons, and Rosebud are pretty good.

    When are you coming exactly? Everything in the city is pretty crowded in the summer.

    North Beach is pretty cool, there are also some nice ones in Evanston. The beach's get pretty crazy though.

    As mentioned, there are hundreds of festivals in the summer in the different neighborhoods. Lots of good food and music.

    Best thing about Chicago is probably the Brew pubs and Pub/Bars type of restuarants.

    Lots of great Beer varieties and such. But I am biased because I have a drinking problem.

    This post was edited by rms02d on 12/27/2012 at 11:38 AM

    rms02d

  • Going in July. Thanks again for help.

    RolandBurris ●

  • The Taste of Chicago is usually in 2nd week of July. Lots of fun for the kids.

    Restaurants are the best in the world. Since your with the kids, i'm sure this won't be the best opportunity to take you wife out to a high end place. People have mentioned Ed Debevics already, i will concur. Childhood favorite, place is hysterical if you have a sense of humor and can take a joke. Good food as well, kid friendly menu.

    Pizza, do not leave without going to Gino's East or Giordano's. Best pizza in the world. Portillo's is the best american style fast food restaurant in chicago and wins awards for their hotdogs.

    The beaches are really nice. Yes lots of volleyball and college kids though. Not saying don't go, but maybe avoid the city beaches and head up north of the city to avoid the masses.

    Chicago has so many places that are great for kids. The Shedd Aquarium is one of the best in the world and tons of fun for kids. The Museum of Science and Industry is a museum design to awe kids with fun interactive stations and experiences. If you want to expose them to art, go to the Art Institute. Millenium park is a great place to walk through and the kids will get a kick out of "The Bean".

    Its a great city, enjoy your trip.

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    beardown2489 ●

  • I'm struggling to hear that people are saying that Chicago has the best eats in the world... are you guys really serious??? Please tell me that you're just making the guy feel better.

    There is no place on earth that has better chefs, restaurants, food, beverage, star ratings, hospitality than New York City and it's not even close. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

    The number 1 French restaurant in the world isn't in Lyon, not in Paris, but in NYC. You want the best of the best, this isn't even REMOTELY close. I've been to every major city in the country and to keep up with the Big Apple, you would have to combine Boston, New Orleans, LA, Seattle, Chicago TOGETHER to even begin to SNIFF at NY for what they have there.

    Trust me, the biggest, best, most aspiring chefs on PLANET EARTH try to dig their heels into Manhattan. Chicago has GREAT food. Love their pub atmospheres, brats and dogs, deep dish pizzas, etc.... but don't even think for a millisecond that it compares to NYC.

    For God's Sake the Food Network is located in new york city!!! LOL!!!

    CoachGomez214

  • RolandBurris said...

    Tbdbitl and yellowfin what are the best steakhouses?

    I really like Gene & Georgetti's... Old School all the way.

    The "chain" type places are good... Morton's, Ruth Cris, Weber Grill (all right downtown). But this place feels like you are at a steakhouse in the TV show Mad Men

    Chicago Steakhouses | Chicago Steakhouse Restaurant | Downtown Chicago Steakhouse | Chicago Steak Restaurant | Steaks in Downtown Chicago

    Gene and Georgetti is the finest Chicago Steakhouse Restaurant operating since 1941. We are the best place to serve you steaks in downtown Chicago. Gene and Georgetti is the Downtown Chicago Steakhouse where Chicago gets its steaks!

    www.geneandgeorgetti.com
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    tbdbitl

  • That being said, lose the fam and hit up Delilahs...

    Make sure you take a cab home. cheers

    CoachGomez214

  • CoachGomez214591 said...

    I'm struggling to hear that people are saying that Chicago has the best eats in the world... are you guys really serious??? Please tell me that you're just making the guy feel better.

    There is no place on earth that has better chefs, restaurants, food, beverage, star ratings, hospitality than New York City and it's not even close. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

    The number 1 French restaurant in the world isn't in Lyon, not in Paris, but in NYC. You want the best of the best, this isn't even REMOTELY close. I've been to every major city in the country and to keep up with the Big Apple, you would have to combine Boston, New Orleans, LA, Seattle, Chicago TOGETHER to even begin to SNIFF at NY for what they have there.

    Trust me, the biggest, best, most aspiring chefs on PLANET EARTH try to dig their heels into Manhattan. Chicago has GREAT food. Love their pub atmospheres, brats and dogs, deep dish pizzas, etc.... but don't even think for a millisecond that it compares to NYC.

    For God's Sake the Food Network is located in new york city!!! LOL!!!

    I travel all the time... All over the world for work. I certainly won't dent that NYC is #1 in terms of chefs and reataurants. But many very large cities have made ground on NYC.

    Chicago has so many great ethnic areas and places to eat.

    Just because you have the most doesn't mean you have ALL best.

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    tbdbitl

  • CoachGomez214591 said...

    That being said, lose the fam and hit up Delilahs...

    Make sure you take a cab home.

    I've never been there on N. Lincoln Ave.whistling

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    tbdbitl

  • dustelli said...

    the kids will like the shedd aquarium the most. staying on or near michigan is central to most of what is happening. oak street beach

    The frickin otter house at the Shedd... man, I could watch those little dudes all day. They crack me up.

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    tbdbitl

  • Got to get the deep dish pizza while you are there. Pizzaria Uno and Giordanos are your stops for that. Gibsons for a great steakhouse. those are the only places I remember from my trip many many years ago.

    The museum of art and natural history museum are great as well.

    signature image signature image signature image

    There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.

    Babikir

  • RolandBurris said...

    Tbdbitl and yellowfin what are the best steakhouses?

    Chicago Chop House is one of my favorite places in the country, Kinsey Chop house is great as well, Gene and Gorgettis as mentioned, problem is these are all prime steakhouses and really not very kid friendly(if they are young)

    Twittter: @Game_Cocks21

    yellowfin

  • yellowfin said...

    Chicago Chop House is one of my favorite places in the country, Kinsey Chop house is great as well, Gene and Gorgettis as mentioned, problem is these are all prime steakhouses and really not very kid friendly(if they are young)

    Kinseys is awesome... but that is true. Unless your kids are at least 14 or 15 (you may be pushing it even then) I would probably go to Weber Grill or even Harry Caray's for a good steak house and not feel like you were out of place.

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    tbdbitl

  • 1 other thing...

    You said July... take your kids (boys, girls, doesn't matter) to Wrigley for a Cubs game. Even if you don't like baseball the place is iconic.

    I lived in Chicago for almost 3 years during the week, opening up a new office for my company. My family lived in Ohio. I came home on the weekends, but after a while they came to Chicago more then I came back to Ohio. We LOVED going there.

    I became a Cubs fan. The place really is special.

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    tbdbitl

  • I appreciate all of you taking the time to type this. Lots of great info. I think I now have plenty to do for 5 or 6 days.

    RolandBurris ●

  • CoachGomez214591 said...

    I'm struggling to hear that people are saying that Chicago has the best eats in the world... are you guys really serious??? Please tell me that you're just making the guy feel better.

    There is no place on earth that has better chefs, restaurants, food, beverage, star ratings, hospitality than New York City and it's not even close. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

    The number 1 French restaurant in the world isn't in Lyon, not in Paris, but in NYC. You want the best of the best, this isn't even REMOTELY close. I've been to every major city in the country and to keep up with the Big Apple, you would have to combine Boston, New Orleans, LA, Seattle, Chicago TOGETHER to even begin to SNIFF at NY for what they have there.

    Trust me, the biggest, best, most aspiring chefs on PLANET EARTH try to dig their heels into Manhattan. Chicago has GREAT food. Love their pub atmospheres, brats and dogs, deep dish pizzas, etc.... but don't even think for a millisecond that it compares to NYC.

    For God's Sake the Food Network is located in new york city!!! LOL!!!

    Easy there, wasn't hating NYC I don't care for the city. It wore on me. It's more the people than the places though. Good food there too, although I will never understand why someone would want New York style pizza instead of deep dish, that's just me though.

    I will say this to be a smartness though... Chicago does have the best restaurant in the world. Alinea named #1 on the world this year.

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    beardown2489 ●

  • Im sorry to hijack your thread Roland, but I was gonna come on here and ask about my trip to Chicago that I just started planning.

    Where is a good place to stay for a few of us, all 22 or 23, so we would be looking for somewhere near a good bar area and where we won't get shot. We plan on going to a White Sox and Cubs game the weekend we are in town, other than that we don't have any plans. Ideas?

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    Hskr4Life23

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