Heading to Chicago - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

oxygen · 03-14-2007, 10:03 AM

Hey, I'm heading to Chicago tomorrow to catch some NCAA basketball action and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on places to go like restaurants, bars, lounges during the little down time that we'll have. We're staying on the Magnificient Mile so I know there's a bunch of shopping around there and there's the usual sights like the Sears Tower.

Are there any restaurants or pubs around the United Centre to check out? Saturday is St Patrick's day so we're pretty excited about that. We're going to hit up some Irish pubs, but does anyone know of any good clubs to hit? Also, do you know if there's smoking allowed in their bars/lounges?

Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

HelloHockeyFans · 03-14-2007, 10:12 AM

Oh man, I haven't been before but I've heard that Chicago has the best food in the US. This doesn't help you, but make sure you eat as often as you can!

OilersBaby · 03-14-2007, 10:39 AM

Actually, in my opinion, SF has the best food in the US, but Chicago is definately a close second.

So you'll be close to lake Michigan and Navy Pier..definately go to Navy Pier...there are lots of shops, restaurants and stuff in that area, it will be super fun! The Nightlife is great in that area.....I think the Cubs play close by (my lil sis just moved to the area and 5 of the cubs live in her building).

Im jealous you're goin to the NCAA games there..If UK Wildcats end up playing in Sacramento, I know I'm going to be there

Bill Bumface · 03-14-2007, 11:09 AM

The Navy Pier will still probably be pretty dead this time of year, but its worth walking to the end just to see the view from there. If you have to pick, go up the John Han instead of Sears Tower. Ride the el around the loop. Check out the aquarium if you are into aquariums, then you can see Soldier Field too. As for the United Center, there is nothing worth seeing around there. Its just the slowly reforming ghetto.

Here are a couple of pictures I snapped on my trip there this January:

IMG]http://members.shaw.ca/donomite/1.JPG[/IMG]

DuffMan · 03-14-2007, 11:11 AM

Rush street

Bill Bumface · 03-14-2007, 11:12 AM

More:

Frank the Tank · 03-14-2007, 11:19 AM

Not sure if you are into art like I am, but the Art Institute of Chicago is world class.

jam26 · 03-14-2007, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the thread - I was going to post one myself. Heading there next Saturday to catch the Flames game on Sunday. Will be driving home to Toronto from Louisville and figured it was practically on the way when I saw the Flames were visiting Chicago!

What are some of these world famous restaurants? Is Chicago Deep Dish pizza better than the crap they sell under that name in Calgary?

Sharpen 'Em · 03-14-2007, 11:35 AM

Try Harry Caray's restaurant. I went there and was really impressed with the food.

snappyk · 03-14-2007, 12:28 PM

I'd hit the Miracle Mile. Downtown is pretty cool just the buildings themselves are something else. The museum downtown is supposed to be quite the place to go to, I never did make it there while I was down there. Payton's bar is nice and there is another restraunt down there that is an old fire hall that is supposed to be great. All I got to eat was crappy hotel food.

Bill Bumface · 03-14-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jam26

Thanks for the thread - I was going to post one myself. Heading there next Saturday to catch the Flames game on Sunday. Will be driving home to Toronto from Louisville and figured it was practically on the way when I saw the Flames were visiting Chicago!

What are some of these world famous restaurants? Is Chicago Deep Dish pizza better than the crap they sell under that name in Calgary?

The deep dish we have here isn't deep dish. The stuff there is really good. I went to one of the famous steakhouse's but I'm not doing so well at trying to remember the name. I'm fairly sure it was Morton's. It was expensive, but I found out why when I got a piece of meat the size of my ass. The thing could have fed 3 people no problem and there was no way I could finish it.

RougeUnderoos · 03-14-2007, 12:55 PM

Hey Hulkrogan, what is that fortress-looking thing? The third picture down.

Burninator · 03-14-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Hey Hulkrogan, what is that fortress-looking thing? The third picture down.

A White Castle

Bill Bumface · 03-14-2007, 01:03 PM

Thats the Chicago Pumping Station which is across the street from the Water Tower, the only 2 structures still standing that were there before the great fire in the 1870's.

EDIT: yes its a White Castle franchise

RougeUnderoos · 03-14-2007, 01:09 PM

Thanks. That's a crazy looking pumping station.

Bill Bumface · 03-14-2007, 01:11 PM

It looked really cool. Its some kind of museum inside now, but unfortunately I got there too late and never had the chance to go in and check it out. These really stand out though, not the kind of thing you expect to find in a giant midwestern city, nor any city in the US.

eazyduzzit · 03-14-2007, 01:17 PM

Visit good old Conrad Black... I heard hes in town.

Incinerator · 03-14-2007, 02:43 PM

Sweet I was gonna start this thread sometime this week, I'll be there for the Flames game too

Flames in 07 · 03-14-2007, 05:56 PM

I leave for Chicago tomorrow as well, going to the ball games on Friday.

Best bar in the city is Big Bar at the Hyatt on E Wacker.

As for the United Center, the neighbourhood is a hole. Get in, watch the games, and disappear quickly. If you haven't been to a ESPNzone, I'd do that, if your into shopping at all, Michigan Ave north of the river is about the best there is.

Yes you can smoke indoors there ... could as of last November anyway.

oxygen · 03-14-2007, 06:12 PM

Thanks for all the info! There's a couple suggestions that I'm going to try to fit in. There's so little time with Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday occupied.

Flames in 07, what time is your flight out tomorrow?

We're trying to find a place to eat or grab some drinks in between the 2 Friday sessions