Chicago, what's there to do?

Ohjay · 07-08-2012, 07:41 AM

I'm slowly beginning to plan a trip to Chicago this coming fall and I'd love some tips of things to see, do and experience.

So what's there to do in Chicago? I'll be there for a week(roughly) and so far the only plan I have is to visit Buddy Guy's place.
So, hit me up with other good blues & jazz joints, maybe some music stores, good and/or interesting restaurants... heck anything you can think of.

As a small side-note, I'll also be visting the Twin Cities for a few days and if you got any recommendations for that they're appreciated as well.

acstorfer · 07-08-2012, 08:08 AM

I was there once and it was one of the funnest places I ever visited. It seemed like every bar had blues bands. I was at a dive of a bar and they had a GREAT band. Also, had the best rodichio (?, I don't know how it's spelled. It's that thing in Spanish restaurants where they come out with skewers of meat, like every kind of meat and they keep loading you up until you explode) I ever had.

You'll have a great time!

D-POLAND · 07-08-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohjay

I'm slowly beginning to plan a trip to Chicago this coming fall and I'd love some tips of things to see, do and experience.

So what's there to do in Chicago? I'll be there for a week(roughly) and so far the only plan I have is to visit Buddy Guy's place.
So, hit me up with other good blues & jazz joints, maybe some music stores, good and/or interesting restaurants... heck anything you can think of.

As a small side-note, I'll also be visting the Twin Cities for a few days and if you got any recommendations for that they're appreciated as well.

if you will be driving around chicago make sure you have lots of change$$ they have way to many toll stops/booths, way to many!!

for me it would be lake MICHIGAN and the shoreline!

Eric Smith · 07-08-2012, 08:31 AM

You need to head east to this quaint little city called Gary. It's tons of fun.

But seriously, you have to go to Chicago Music Exchange. As far as the night life goes, I don't really do that, but there are tons of places to catch music and such.

If you just want some fun places to hit, there is Giordano's Pizza, The Hard Rock Cafe, Navy Pier, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, Cubs, White Sox, Lincoln Park Zoo (free), Water Tower Place, the list could go on and on.

jeffjr464 · 07-08-2012, 11:08 AM

dont forget the house of blues and the navy pier

Rankelson · 07-08-2012, 11:14 AM

Take some Running shoes

to out run the hustlers

Fred61 · 07-08-2012, 11:15 AM

Yup, definitely go to Chicago Music Exchange, but there's tons of cool music shops. Midwest Buy and Sell seems like a lame pawn shop at first, but there's a ton of cool stuff in there. Make'n'Music is another.

Definitely hit up some smaller mexican food joints, it's always amazing.

Skintaster · 07-08-2012, 11:24 AM

There are lots of great clubs and music venues depending on your taste in music. Chicago's a very fun town.

Kashmir · 07-08-2012, 11:29 AM

Buddy Guy's!

GuitarToneFreak · 07-08-2012, 12:39 PM

I went when I was much younger, I don't remember a ton - but a few things stick out as being really fun.

Pete's Pizza

Lincoln Park

Navy Pier

Sears (Willis, yuck!) Tower

Museum of Science and Industry

Six Flags Great America

Have fun, man! It's a great city

Chicago John · 07-08-2012, 01:25 PM

The original post is almost 2 years old

Kashmir · 07-08-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

The original post is almost 2 years old

The poster was so bored he never had anything to say after going there. Or ... everyone else was so bored with the subject matter that they didn't reply.

Ohjay · 07-08-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

The original post is almost 2 years old

Er.. no but OP is a 2 year old member(no, I'm not 2 years old

)

Some goods tips so far, keep 'em coming

Ohjay · 07-08-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skintaster

There are lots of great clubs and music venues depending on your taste in music. Chicago's a very fun town.

My preference is blues and early blues rock. But anything goes really, you gotta get your musical influences from all over the musical map imho

PraXis · 07-08-2012, 03:30 PM

Great town, just need to learn about the places to avoid.

D-POLAND · 07-08-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohjay

My preference is blues and early blues rock. But anything goes really, you gotta get your musical influences from all over the musical map imho

2120 south michigan ave. and CHESS RECORDS! home of CHICAGO BLUES !

Chicago John · 07-08-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohjay

Er.. no but OP is a 2 year old member(no, I'm not 2 years old

)

Some goods tips so far, keep 'em coming

Haha, I was looking at your join date, sorry

Ohjay, check out a free newspaper called "The Reader" when you arrive. You can get if free and it's available on many corners, bookstores, and restaurants. It has all of the acts that are in town as well as other entertainment such as plays and movies. There's all kinds of good food all over the place, especially on Taylor Street if you like Italian, and lots of small pizza joints all over the place. PM me, I could tell you more if you're interested.

Ohjay · 07-08-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PraXis

Great town, just need to learn about the places to avoid.

Which places are that?
I heard something about one side of the river being worse than the other...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

Haha, I was looking at your join date, sorry

Ohjay, check out a free newspaper called "The Reader" when you arrive. You can get if free and it's available on many corners, bookstores, and restaurants. It has all of the acts that are in town as well as other entertainment such as plays and movies. There's all kinds of good food all over the place, especially on Taylor Street if you like Italian, and lots of small pizza joints all over the place. PM me, I could tell you more if you're interested.

I'll make sure to pick up a copy of the Reader, sounds like a great way to find stuff to do.
I'll send you a PM when I haven't been drinking so you can tell me all your secrets...

Ehm, about Chicago that is

Fred61 · 07-09-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

The original post is almost 2 years old

Are you high?

thickey1983 · 07-19-2012, 05:17 PM

Slam Poetry on Sundays at the Green Mill. Even if you're not into poetry you won't regret going, slams are always entertaining. Plus they have music like every night. Be aware, everything in Chicago is overpriced, especially drinks.

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

Used to be one of Al Capone's old hang out joints. (my great grandmother once went on a date with Capone, ha wonder if it was here).

Malikon · 07-19-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohjay

Which places are that?
I heard something about one side of the river being worse than the other...

Stay out of the South side and the West side.

seriously.

Hairless_Ape · 07-19-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohjay

So what's there to do in Chicago?

You ever been mugged?

Comanche · 07-19-2012, 07:28 PM

Have a deep pizza at Gino's East.

Caoimhin · 07-19-2012, 07:41 PM

There's this really cool place called Reggie Rock Club but I'm not sure if there's much blues and jazz music there but there's another little bar attached it called Reggie Rock Joint I think and they might have something for you.

thickey1983 · 07-20-2012, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

Stay out of the South side and the West side.

seriously.

Ha, yeah, depending on where in the city you are the neighborhoods change in the blink of an eye. One block you're fine, and the next block you're not so welcome. But you'll notice right away if you happened to have stumbled into a neighborhood where you don't belong. Also, if you're in a neighborhood that has these (I think they're cameras, with the blue and red lights on top and the Chi Police logo) on every block, there's a good chance it's not the best (see attachment).

In short, be smart and be aware of your surroundings; it's got good parts and bad parts, like pretty much every other city in the world.

FennRx · 07-20-2012, 11:32 PM

getting shot seems to be the hot thing to do in Chicago this summer.

Ohjay · 07-22-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thickey1983

Slam Poetry on Sundays at the Green Mill. Even if you're not into poetry you won't regret going, slams are always entertaining. Plus they have music like every night. Be aware, everything in Chicago is overpriced, especially drinks.

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

Used to be one of Al Capone's old hang out joints. (my great grandmother once went on a date with Capone, ha wonder if it was here).

Good stuff!
I'm not sure about finding stuff overpriced though, not compared to Europe and Sweden in particular

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

Stay out of the South side and the West side.

seriously.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairless_Ape

You ever been mugged?

Isn't that what the 2nd amendment is for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR88

There's this really cool place called Reggie Rock Club but I'm not sure if there's much blues and jazz music there but there's another little bar attached it called Reggie Rock Joint I think and they might have something for you.

Rock always works, thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

espdeangibson · 07-23-2012, 05:47 AM

When you head up to twin cities, Stop by Dave's guitar shop in Lacrosse WI.

Malikon · 07-23-2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR88

There's this really cool place called Reggie Rock Club but I'm not sure if there's much blues and jazz music there but there's another little bar attached it called Reggie Rock Joint I think and they might have something for you.

Fun club, good sound system.

The restaurant side of the club (I think) plays jazz sometimes.

Not sure,...I play on the Rock side.

ptate · 07-23-2012, 06:20 AM

Don't know about anything else, but I'd like to go see Malikon's clown collection......

07-08-2012, 07:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ohjay Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 706 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Chicago, what's there to do? I'm slowly beginning to plan a trip to Chicago this coming fall and I'd love some tips of things to see, do and experience. So what's there to do in Chicago? I'll be there for a week(roughly) and so far the only plan I have is to visit Buddy Guy's place. So, hit me up with other good blues & jazz joints, maybe some music stores, good and/or interesting restaurants... heck anything you can think of. As a small side-note, I'll also be visting the Twin Cities for a few days and if you got any recommendations for that they're appreciated as well. __________________ Aria Pro II aficionado

07-08-2012, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
acstorfer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Florida Posts: 9,383 Thanks: 163 Thanked 230 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? I was there once and it was one of the funnest places I ever visited. It seemed like every bar had blues bands. I was at a dive of a bar and they had a GREAT band. Also, had the best rodichio (?, I don't know how it's spelled. It's that thing in Spanish restaurants where they come out with skewers of meat, like every kind of meat and they keep loading you up until you explode) I ever had. You'll have a great time! Malikon likes this. __________________ Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you just cost him a six pack a day!

07-08-2012, 08:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Eric Smith Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Right where I am Posts: 5,579 Thanks: 70 Thanked 27 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? You need to head east to this quaint little city called Gary. It's tons of fun. But seriously, you have to go to Chicago Music Exchange. As far as the night life goes, I don't really do that, but there are tons of places to catch music and such. If you just want some fun places to hit, there is Giordano's Pizza, The Hard Rock Cafe, Navy Pier, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, Cubs, White Sox, Lincoln Park Zoo (free), Water Tower Place, the list could go on and on. Malikon and espdeangibson like this. __________________ The blues is easy to play, but it's hard to feel. ~ Jimi Hendrix Misuse of the word literally makes me figuratively insane. ~as seen on tee shirt

07-08-2012, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
jeffjr464 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: london ontario Posts: 182 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? dont forget the house of blues and the navy pier

07-08-2012, 11:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rankelson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wales Posts: 2,941 Thanks: 124 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Take some Running shoes to out run the hustlers D-POLAND likes this.

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07-08-2012, 11:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
Fred61 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,744 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Yup, definitely go to Chicago Music Exchange, but there's tons of cool music shops. Midwest Buy and Sell seems like a lame pawn shop at first, but there's a ton of cool stuff in there. Make'n'Music is another. Definitely hit up some smaller mexican food joints, it's always amazing. Drew224 and Malikon like this.

07-08-2012, 11:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Skintaster Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 18,226 Thanks: 1,214 Thanked 1,105 Times in 343 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? There are lots of great clubs and music venues depending on your taste in music. Chicago's a very fun town. __________________ 2010 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro (Gold top) 2008 Gibson Les Paul Studio (Alpine white) 1989 Ibanez RG 550 1978 Ibanez Iceman 1983 Kramer Pacer Imperial 1983 Kramer Baretta 1984 Kramer Baretta 1985 Kramer Baretta 1987 Kramer Baretta 2009 Charvel So-Cal Pro Mod 1986 Charvel Model 2

07-08-2012, 11:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kashmir Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Traditional New England Posts: 4,628 Thanks: 108 Thanked 195 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Buddy Guy's! Sakamoto likes this.

07-08-2012, 12:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
GuitarToneFreak Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 6,584 Thanks: 132 Thanked 259 Times in 95 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? I went when I was much younger, I don't remember a ton - but a few things stick out as being really fun. Pete's Pizza Lincoln Park Navy Pier Sears (Willis, yuck!) Tower Museum of Science and Industry Six Flags Great America Have fun, man! It's a great city Byron999 likes this.

07-08-2012, 01:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chicago John Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 83 Thanked 24 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? The original post is almost 2 years old __________________ "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." Mark Twain

07-08-2012, 03:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
PraXis V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Planet X Posts: 19,282 Thanks: 352 Thanked 311 Times in 122 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Great town, just need to learn about the places to avoid. __________________ Hank Johnson (D-GA): "My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize."

07-19-2012, 05:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
thickey1983 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 91 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Slam Poetry on Sundays at the Green Mill. Even if you're not into poetry you won't regret going, slams are always entertaining. Plus they have music like every night. Be aware, everything in Chicago is overpriced, especially drinks. Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Used to be one of Al Capone's old hang out joints. (my great grandmother once went on a date with Capone, ha wonder if it was here).

07-19-2012, 07:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
Comanche Bedroom Hack Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,321 Thanks: 5 Thanked 60 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Have a deep pizza at Gino's East. Phil-E the G-Shizzle likes this. __________________ Beer, meat, fire.

07-19-2012, 07:41 PM	#24 (permalink)
Caoimhin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5,079 Thanks: 16 Thanked 61 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? There's this really cool place called Reggie Rock Club but I'm not sure if there's much blues and jazz music there but there's another little bar attached it called Reggie Rock Joint I think and they might have something for you. Ohjay likes this.

07-20-2012, 11:32 PM	#26 (permalink)
FennRx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 10,478 Thanks: 77 Thanked 127 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? getting shot seems to be the hot thing to do in Chicago this summer. __________________ Up-wing Extremist

07-23-2012, 05:47 AM	#28 (permalink)
espdeangibson Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: wisconsin Posts: 159 Thanks: 38 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? When you head up to twin cities, Stop by Dave's guitar shop in Lacrosse WI. PapaSquash, Ohjay and TheWelder like this. __________________

07-23-2012, 06:20 AM	#30 (permalink)
ptate V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,620 Thanks: 122 Thanked 256 Times in 72 Posts	Re: Chicago, what's there to do? Don't know about anything else, but I'd like to go see Malikon's clown collection...... __________________ - www.facebook.com/MississippiRelic -

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