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Edited: HEATHBAR/Chicago:
Ah, I totally realized I didn?t get back to you and to be honest I don?t remember when you said you?re coming?I think end of March, right?! So, here?s a ton of info, but feel free to ask any specifics or anything closer to your trip:
I?d definitely recommend using Priceline.com for hotels. However, my bro works for Sofitel Hotel (which is a European chain, and a gorgeous hotel). He may be able to get you a discounted rate. I think the discounted room is $125/night. Let me know (PM or FB) if you?re interested. It?s in a good location and is really nice, but using Priceline you should be able to spend less than that. Drake is a lovely hotel and Hotel 71 I've also had friends stay at and like. Most of the hotels downtown are in good locations.
To Do:
If you haven?t been to Navy Pier, or it?s been a while, I?d definitely recommend going there and walking about on the pier to see the skyline or going on a Ferris Wheel ride. Although I swear, it?s like the world slowest ferris wheel and it sometimes freaks me out!
Obviously shopping along Michigan Ave and also State St. They opened a new mall along State St and are even opening a mini-Target (yay!). If you?re interested in discount stores, I love the Nordstrom Rack on State St and they recently opened another near Michigan Ave.
There?s the carriage rides by Michigan Ave that are sweet/romantic too. Visiting Millennium Park is nice and Park Grille right there has good food and isn?t too expensive.
Go up to the 96 flr of the Hancock Bldg to the Signature Lounge for drinks and the view. We?ve ate in the restaurant before, but it costs a pretty penny (I can?t remember if we had one bottle of wine or two, but our bill was around $230). I?ve heard mixed reviews on the food, but we loved our meals.
There are tons of museums and there?s the city pass that gives you access to them (but you can also get admission to each individually). We?ve been to Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry. My fav is def. the Shedd and least fave the Planetarium. I?ve also been to the Art Institute, but it?s been a while.
Bars:
The Roof bar at the Wit Hotel is another ?happening? place and is in a great location/gives great views of the city. On Saturday nights there?s a line if you get there later, although depending on the weather in April, it probably won?t be as crowded.
Hubbard St is really popular for nightlife, especially HUB 51 and Rock-It. I?ve actually never been to Hub, but Rock-It is pretty fun. Whatever hotel you stay at, I?d ask the concierge if they have any free-cover passes. I?ve done this before and it allows you to not only get in free, but skip any lines at some places
We also like bowling at 10 Pin Lounge (it?s next to House of Blues) and is black-light bowling.
Food-wise:
Chicago is famous for their deep dish pizza and there are a lot of popular names, Gino?s East, Giordano?s, Lou Malnati?s (I think I butchered the spelling on a lot of these). DH & I only really like Giordano?s out of those three.
Love to get dessert at Ghiradelhi?s off Michigan ave. They have yummy ice cream/Sundaes and it?s kind of romantic :O)
Quartinos (on State st) is an Italian small-plate/tapas place that is pretty cheap ($7-$10 a plate), but delicious! (We ate there for my b-party and all of the girls loved it).
I also love Bella Luna caf? (on Dearborn and Superior). It?s small, candle-light Italian place. A meal for 2 there w/wine is probably about $60 or so.
For fast-food, definitely love Portillo?s (on Clark st). IMO, they have the best Italian beef (but also hot dogs, burgers, etc). Although like Sara mentioned, Al?s Beef is really good to and they have a few locations downtown.
Another fav. Italian is Carmine?s (on Rush St). Delicious, but a little more pricey!
Sweetwater Tavern on Michigan Ave has great bar-food and is kind of more ?upscale?.
For a nicer dinner, we?ve at a Tavern on the Park and loved it.
Brunch- one of my fav brunch spots downtown is Taven on Rush (on Rush st). Their omelets and blueberry pancakes are delicious! The Original Pancake House (just around the corner from Tavern) is yummy to, but always has a line.
Oh- Dublin?s Bar (on State St) has great bar food as well.
A lot of the restaurants mentioned above are in Gold Coast area (I used the live there, so I?m somewhat biased!). There?s also a little fountain btwn State and Rush and the restaurants that has good Gelato. It?s fun to just sit by the fountain and people watch.
Re: Edited: HEATHBAR/Chicago:
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Ah, and there's a Cubs home game that wknd too (opening wknd). Your DH is from Chicago right?
Or am I totally mixing up people?!
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LOL Hannah,
You have part of it right....Brian is from Chicago but wrong person planning a trip. I wish I was going to Chicago again....LOVEEEE that city. We went last summer though and maybe in 2 years going again.
PS- I love Gino's East Pizza MMMMMMMMMMM
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