"I'd like to thank Chicago for single-handedly keeping the following American big-city traditions alive: smoking, drinking during the day, eating terrible food, congeniality and breasts. It's noble work you're doing, Chicago. We're all proud of you." - Bill Simmons
Dear family, friends, and plus ones:
In order to make your stay in Chicago a more enjoyable one, we’ve compiled a variety of lists that might prove useful over the next couple of days. Should you find yourself with some time on your hands and looking for something to do, or you’ve got a hankering for some food, we’ve got you covered. The “things to do” list will take you all over the city. However, the restaurants I’ve chosen are pretty close to the hotel (while some are walkable, others are very short cab rides away). If you’re feeling adventurous and would like to wander farther away from the hotel to eat, be sure to ask for some other recommendations.
Things To Do?
North Avenue Beach – Spend a morning relaxing on the beach (just a short ride from the hotel) before dancing all night. The North Ave. Beach boasts great views of downtown in addition to its awesome people watching potential. Bathing beauties, families, and raving lunatics all converge to make this one of the most unique beaches you will ever see. If you’re feeling bold, try to get in on one of the beach volleyball games going on, but a word of caution, they take their v-ball very seriously.
The Lakefront Trail – Don’t feel like sitting on the beach? Rent a bike and ride along the lakefront trail. You get all the benefits of going to the beach (looking at attractive people, being amused by lunatics, watching intense games of beach v-ball) while also getting in a workout. If interested, there are bike rentals all along the lakefront trail. One rental place is at North Ave Beach (312-729-1000312-729-1000 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting). If biking isn’t your thing and you’d like to get a jog in, the lakefront trail is definitely the way to go. Just think of it as a giant Rockland Lake, but the hillbillies riding bikes on the trail will be from Milwaukee, not Congers. And they’ll be riding these enormous four person tourist bikes that look like manual powered golf carts that take up the whole trail and get in your way while you’re trying to work out.
Shedd Aquarium , The Field Museum, Soldier Field – If you choose to rent a bike and ride it along the lakefront trail, you can ride south past downtown to reach these three locations sitting next to each other on Lake Michigan. The Shedd is a great aquarium and the Field Museum is a poor man’s Museum of Natural History (that’s a little harsh. It’s actually a great museum. I just didn’t think you’d understand what I meant if I wrote it’s a middle class man’s Museum of Natural History).
Architecture Boat Tour – Make your way to Navy Pier (really it’s the only reason to go to Navy Pier. In fact, other than going to catch this tour, avoid Navy Pier at all costs unless your idea of a good time is eating at a Bubba Gump’s next to a hillbilly family from Wisconsin wearing matching Badger sweat suits that are soaked through due to their short ride on their four person bike) and sign up for a boat cruise through downtown. Among other things, you’ll learn how Chicago got its name and how engineers altered the Chicago River so we could send our pollution downstream to St. Louis. Ultimately this pleasant cruise proves to be educational, interesting, and a good way to see the city.
The Art Institute – Another great museum that I can only describe by comparing it to a comparable one in New York. I’m not sure if this shows my bias, my lack of creative writing skills, or both. At any rate, it boasts a vast and impressive collection that is on par with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Taste of Randolph Street Festival – Chicago in the summer means one thing: street festivals and lots of them. After being stuck inside for months, people flock to the streets to commune and enjoy the nice weather. Each neighborhood has its own festival, and this weekend the West Loop will be hosting its big outdoor party. The West Loop has some great eating options, so there promises to be some pretty good street food vendors, hip bands, and shopping to be done at this particular festival.
Lincoln Park Zoo - It's close to the hotel and it's free!
Free Workout in Millennium Park – Worried about all the calories you are going to put on at the wedding? Start your Saturday with a free workout in downtown’s Millennium Park. Yoga at 8, Pilates at 9, and something called Zumba at 10.
Places To Eat?
Thursday/Friday Evening Dinner:
DMK Burger Bar (2954 N. Sheffield) – You can’t walk twenty feet without stumbling over a new burger bar that has just opened. But this one stands out. I’ve tried pretty much everything on the menu, and you can’t go wrong with any of the burgers. Also be sure to sample their craft cocktails.
Riccardo Trattoria (2119 N. Clark) – This intimate place serves outstanding Italian good.
Tango Sur (3763 N. Southport Ave) – A very good Argentinian BYOB steak place.
Crisp (2940 N. Broadway) – Awesome chicken wings, Korean style. Very quick and casual eating.
Wishbone (3300 N. Lincoln Ave) – Excellent Soul food, good for both dinner and brunch.
Icosium Kafe (2433 N. Clark St.)/La Creperie (2845 N. Clark St) – How did two Crepe places within walking distance of each other both make this list? They both got good recommendations, so check them out if you have a craving for crepes. Icosium is a BYOB.
Café BaBaReeba (2024 N. Halsted St.) – Spanish Tapas restaurant good for big raucous groups due to its festive atmosphere. Reservations are probably needed on a busy weekend night though. Also good for brunch.
Saturday Morning Brunch:
Frances’ Restaurant and Deli (2552 N. Clark) – A Jewish deli with that is accommodating to families and big groups. They enormous sandwiches and receive high praise for their brunch fare.
Wishbone (3300 N. Lincoln Ave) – One of Lori’s favorite places for brunch. They make pretty good Soul and Cajun/Creole food.
Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap (1970 N. Lincoln Ave) – Famous for good comfort food and big Bloody Marys that nurture you back to health after a long night out the previous evening.
Café BaBaReeba (2024 N. Halsted St.) – Spanish tapas bar with excellent Sangria, good food, and festive atmosphere. Good for brunch and dinner.
Orange (2413 N. Clark St) – Good breakfast food but more importantly a vast array of fresh squeezed juices for mimosa flights, greyhounds, and screwdrivers.
Time to kill after the ceremony?
All of the following places are on Lincoln Ave. To get to Lincoln Ave, turn left when you exit the church and walk roughly two blocks. Then turn left to go north on Lincoln.
Merz Apothecary (4716 N. Lincoln Ave.) – Visit Lori’s store! Celebrating its 135th anniversary, Merz Apothecary is Chicago's premier destination for holistic and homeopathic wellness. They also offer an unparalleled selection of natural health and beauty products from around the world.
Huttenbar (4721 N. Lincoln Ave.) – Enjoyed the German beer you were drinking at the rehearsal dinner? Have fond memories of sipping on a particular German brew on a beautiful summer day in the Astoria Beer Garden? Well, this place has just about any German beer you can think of. Ask the beautiful, tattooed bartender about her experiences as a professional Roller Derby player. She might put you in a head lock for doing so, but at least you’ll have an entertaining story to tell at the cocktail hour.
The Grafton (4530 N. Lincoln Ave.) – Take a break from all the German-themed restaurants and beers that have inexplicably come to characterize this weekend, and have a delicious pint of Guinness at this cozy and relaxing Irish bar. If you like spoiling your dinner like I do, order the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. You will love the soft pretzel roll it comes on. For the rest of your life you will be upset that the pathetic sandwich you’re eating isn’t on a pretzel roll from the Grafton.
Latitude Kitchen and Cocktails (4500 N. Lincoln Ave) – Enjoy one of Latitudes many microbrews on their pleasant outdoor patio.
Other establishments with outdoor seating on Lincoln Ave: The Daily Bar and Grill, Bad Dog Tavern, Starbucks, Potbelly’s Sandwich Company (no alcohol), Costello’s Sandwiches (no alcohol).
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