Going to Chicago next week for business- meetings knock off at 5:00.M-Th....never been to Chicago- recommendations on what to do to kill a few hours? Good pace to eat, something to do? Thx.
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Yep, especially if you like toll booths every two miles and really crappy roads…Originally posted by cockgun:
About 20x Columbia in population and 100x better!
Yeah Yeah nailed it. Also, Ditka's is good. You can also check out the Sox if they are in town.Originally posted by yeah,yeah:
Hit Harry Caray's restaurant. The food is surprisingly good, and you could spend all day looking at the memorabilia on the walls and on display. Also, if you are in a pizza mood, the wife and I prefer Giordanni's. Other stuff depends on if you are a party guy or a touristy guy. I'm the latter so the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Sears Tower (with the 360 view), Hancock building, Navy Pier, Wrigley (take the tour...it is fairly cheap), The Cubbie Bear, and Soldier Field were musts for me. We also spent time driving to check out what is left of Al Capone stuff. T
I've lived in both cities -- currently live in suburban Chicago. Cockgun is right -- Chicago is about 20x Columbia in population an 100x better. That's my opinion after living in both places.Originally posted by TriumphCock:
Yep, especially if you like toll booths every two miles and really crappy roadsOriginally posted by cockgun:
About 20x Columbia in population and 100x better!
Oh, and let's not forget the friggin' high taxes, the fantastic projects and the crap winters too .
Yeah, I can see how it's a 100x better than Columbia =
This post was edited on 4/18 11:32 PM by TriumphCock
I am staying at the Warwick hotel. Looks like it is on corner of N Michigan & E Huron.Originally posted by bosoxcock:
This post was edited on 4/18 10:27 PM by bosoxcock
Do not make the mistake and assume that I don't have some basis for my observations… Although I haven't lived there, I have visited and driven through the Chicago metro area a number of times. And the roads suck and the tolls are ridiculous… For the amount of money collected from gas taxes and tolls, I would expect the interstates to not loosen the fillings in my teeth and beat the hell out of my motorcycle and trailer… as I pay $20 to go bouncing along I-90 from the Indiana line to Crystal Lake… and really, isn't having toll booths on an interstate, like, un-American or something?Originally posted by Mr CockStrong:
I've lived in both cities -- currently live in suburban Chicago. Cockgun is right -- Chicago is about 20x Columbia in population an 100x better. That's my opinion after living in both places.
Tolls can be avoided. The roads here are actually a lot better than the roads in Columbia and SC. Yes, there are pot holes as a result of the snow plows and cold winters, but not any more than any other big city. That's a quick, conservative estimate.
High taxes? Sure, but incomes are higher than Columbia's. My net earnings when accounting for taxes put me in a position that is about 30 - 40% better than I was when I lived in Columbia and Charleston.
Sarcasm not withstanding, I could see where Chicago is not for everybody. But, I'd put more weight in the opinion of someone that's lived in both places.
Well said Triumph. Bottom line is we all should aspire to live where our light shines brightest.
For me, Columbia was fun for college but I wouldn't live there now. I live in Chicago and experience the best it has. I don't own a car so there is no traffic for me. I'm a foodie so I appreciate the extremely high level of cuisine offered here and I am not talking about any of the places listed above. I am a huge sports fan and I love the energy here in that regard. Same with cultural activities as I love having the flexibility to be within a 5 min bike ride of the opera, symphony & numerous theaters so I attend when I want. I live right by the lake so I run and bike on the lakefront pretty much daily. The winter - well they have gore-tex for that. With the proper clothing, it isn't a big deal. I bike year-round actually. Think of the weather this way - both places have 2 months when you would prefer not to be outside, South has a superior Spring, Chicago has a superior Fall. That said, if I had to live in a suburb with a car & long train ride into the city, I'd give a strong look at returning to say Charlotte.
Onto the original post - go to Pequod's for pizza. It is head and shoulders above the other options mentioned. Avoid Navy Pier. It is a tourist trap. I'd definitely recommend a Chicago Architectural Walk or even better Architectural Boat Cruise. I've lived here for some number of years and I do the Architectural Walks/Cruises quite frequently. Portillo's in a serviceable option for Chicago hot dogs. Harry Carays on Dearborn (original) is also a place worth going. Eataly is a neat place and is within walking distance. Might be worth cabbing it to the West Loop for Au Cheval for one of the better burgers in town. Consider Kuma's Corner for the best in town but there is going to be a wait.
Check out Metromix Chicago for more "Best of" suggestions.
Ok, Cockgun says what I want out of a place to live......
I have lived in both Chicago and New York and New York is by far the better place to be. There is much more to do in New York and a lot more opportunity there. You should consider moving to New York if you really want to be where there is much more culture and diversity than in Chicago.
I disagree with New York being much nicer than Chicago. I have been to Chicago about 20 times in the last year and to me it is much nicer than New York any day. There are many things I like about Chicago over New York, but it is mainly the people are much nicer than New Yorkers. They are not loud, obnoxious and know it all's like New Yorkers.
As for as restaurants, Del Friscos Double Eagle steakhouse is really great. Gibsons, Eddie V's, Joe Stone Crab are also very good.
Do not make the mistake and assume that I don't have some basis for my observations… Although I haven't lived there, I have visited and driven through the Chicago metro area a number of times. And the roads suck and the tolls are ridiculous… For the amount of money collected from gas taxes and tolls, I would expect the interstates to not loosen the fillings in my teeth and beat the hell out of my motorcycle and trailer… as I pay $20 to go bouncing along I-90 from the Indiana line to Crystal Lake… and really, isn't having toll booths on an interstate, like, un-American or something?
Now, as far as places to go, eat, etc.. It would be expected that such a huge metro area would have the upper hand… Do we need to discuss the winter thing?? I've never heard of anyone moving north to retire… =;-)
What I take exception to with blanket statements such as "Chicago being 100x better" is that it's from one persons perspective and what they may like in a living environment/situation… and yes, if you want a large urban situation with all the entertainment/eating options that it contains, Chicago would be high on the list… But what if you don't like living in large urban areas with all the attendant traffic, crowds, etc.? Is it still "100x better"? For me and from my perspective, no, no it's not… If Cockgun had prefaced his statement with: "for what I want out of a place to live… ", I wouldn't have said a word….
I have enjoyed my time in the area… in the summer…but for me… it's no contest… Nice place to visit… wouldn't want to live there… But to tell the truth… I could dig an Italian Beef right about now…. =
This post was edited on 4/20 9:40 PM by TriumphCock
Go to the Lazy Lobster it is a nice Sports Bar, with great Beer selection,Crab Legs and Wings about a mile from The Bulls arena!! Sexy waitresses also, I went there when I was in Chicago and loved itGoing to Chicago next week for business- meetings knock off at 5:00.M-Th....never been to Chicago- recommendations on what to do to kill a few hours? Good pace to eat, something to do? Thx.
It is a myth that New Yorkers are loud and obnoxious. I have met some of the nicest people I know in New York.
People in Chicago are fine but there is just so much more to do in New York. It is truly a world class city.