Leisure time in Chicago

BuzzerZen · Post by **BuzzerZen** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:06 pm

After two HSNCTs spent entirely on the sweltering asphalt island of Rosemont, Ill., gazing forlornly at the distant skyline from the hotel window, we're finally going to be staying Sunday night in order to spend time in Chicago on Monday. [Edit: actually, we're instead going to arrive earlier on Friday, which is still good.] We're going to the Art Institute, which will be featuring what looks to be a really cool exhibition on modern typography (this actually excites me; I'm a nerd). What are other teams doing?

wasprsilds · Post by **wasprsilds** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:21 pm

I won't be going to Chicago, but I have gone there for conventions in the past. I would defiently say the #1 place to go would be the Museum of Science and Industry (http://www.msichicago.org/). It's easily one of the best museums I have been to...where else can you tour the inside of a captured German submarine?

If your team is looking for a nice place to eat, the Grand Lux Cafe is amazing. Too bad the HSNCT isn't during the Taste of Chicago.

dyetman89 · Post by **dyetman89** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:39 pm

Stuyvesant wasn't planning on doing much, though we'll probably run off somewhere at the last minute. I'd love to check out the Art Institute myself, probably visit some used bookstores (first thing I do in a new city) and perhaps sniff out a Mexican restaurant superior to that dump in Rosemont. Now that would be a worthwhile expedition.

Lapego1 · Post by **Lapego1** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:39 pm

dyetman89 wrote:...perhaps sniff out a Mexican restaurant superior to that dump in Rosemont. Now that would be a worthwhile expedition.

I don't recommend this. Last year, at least two of our team members got food poisoning at one near the hotel. I don't remember the name, but I think we've introduced a ban on all such restaurants the night before big tournaments.

Djibouti · Post by **Djibouti** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:27 am

Just came back from Chicago (International Bridge Building Contest - anyone else?). The view from atop the Sears Tower is awesome (30+ miles visibility), although I love structures, so that really interested me. Apparently the Field Museum is also something for Chicagoans.

naturalistic phallacy · Tue May 01, 2007 2:22 am

Lapego1 wrote:
dyetman89 wrote:...perhaps sniff out a Mexican restaurant superior to that dump in Rosemont. Now that would be a worthwhile expedition.
I don't recommend this. Last year, at least two of our team members got food poisoning at one near the hotel. I don't remember the name, but I think we've introduced a ban on all such restaurants the night before big tournaments.

I wouldn't recommend it on Friday night, but Saturday would be an good time to wander over South Side (better food than North, in my experience) for some good nosh. Don't judge all places on one experience, but sometimes you do have to be careful. Still, nobody wants to get stuck eating hotel food for three days.

Try Gino's East Pizza or Pizzeria Uno in downtown if you've never had true Chicago deep dish. It's amazing.

e_steinhauser · Post by **e_steinhauser** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:19 am

I'll second the suggestion about the Art Institute. My wife and I spent most of the Friday before the tournament looking around last year, and it was an absolute treat.

Assuming we get the chance, we'll probably hit the Shedd Aquarium this year. Several friends who grew up in the area highly recommended it.

My biggest advice to those coming to the HSNCT who won't have a car -- bring your own snack-type food.

Byko · Post by **Byko** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:41 am

e_steinhauser wrote:Assuming we get the chance, we'll probably hit the Shedd Aquarium this year. Several friends who grew up in the area highly recommended it.

My biggest advice to those coming to the HSNCT who won't have a car -- bring your own snack-type food.

It's been a long time (about 11 years) since I've been to the Shedd Aquarium, but I was definitely highly impressed. I'd also second what everyone has said about the Art Institute--I'd probably enjoy that one even more than I did when I had just started college.

If you don't have a vehicle, your food options are going to be VERY limited and, in large part, very expensive. The hotel will gouge you on every meal they can, so definitely plan ahead for that. Fortunately, we're getting a car this year, so if people are nice to us, we may be willing to help smuggle outside food in.

As for the Mexican restaurant "near the hotel" (seemed like about a mile walk each way), it didn't seem so sketchy to me, and I know Jessie and I didn't get sick from it (nor did anyone from State College or Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet, as I recall).

Matt Weiner · Post by **Matt Weiner** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:43 am

I've stayed in Rosemont several times without a car--you can often take a hotel shuttle back to the airport, where you can get on the Blue Line.

BobGHHS · Post by **BobGHHS** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:17 am

We're flying in Thursday morning instead, so we'll have two days to peruse the city... plus the team said in the event they don't make the playoffs, they didn't want to play consolation rounds, so Sunday could be a possibility... although I would like to get back to watch the National Championship Match(es).

solonqb · Post by **solonqb** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:03 pm

As far a pizza goes, there is a Giordano's at I believe River and Higgins Roads, just down the street from the hotel. I highly recommend it, and will be patronizing it myself.

Also, catching a Second City show when you are in town is awesome. I did it with my high school team my senior year (Saturday night), and it was money well spent.

Tegan · Post by **Tegan** » Thu May 03, 2007 9:08 am

Taco Cabana wrote:As far a pizza goes, there is a Giordano's at I believe River and Higgins Roads, just down the street from the hotel. I highly recommend it, and will be patronizing it myself.

There is also a Ginos East not far from the site ..... though Giordanos is closer. I prefer the patty style sausage deep dish at Ginos, but the salad at Giordanos is my favorite.

For architect freaks .... check out the Chicago River boat tours (they might becalled Wendella or some such) ... they generally leave from the base of the Wrigly Building .... they take you up and down the river, and then through the locks out onto the lake to see one of the best skylines in the world (I think Architectural Digest recently ranked it just behind Hong Kong as #2 on Earth).

STPickrell · Post by **STPickrell** » Thu May 03, 2007 11:55 am

Tegan wrote:the salad at Giordanos is my favorite.

When I think of Chicago cuisine, I simply do not think "salad."

David Riley · Post by **David Riley** » Thu May 03, 2007 2:00 pm

My picks:

Art Institute of Chicago
Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Sheed Aquarium
a Cubs game at Wrigley
a Sox game at "the Joan" (if you must)
Botanical Gardens
any of the smaller not-so-well-known museums
anything at the United Center (out of towners be wary, not the nicest neighborhood in the world)
a concert at the CSO
threatre--check local listings

and Chicago has cuisine for every taste and budget!

JohnAndSlation · Post by **JohnAndSlation** » Thu May 03, 2007 8:27 pm

I agree whole-heartedly with Coach Riley. Wicked is still running, so get tickets! It's definitely worth every penny.

Matt Weiner · Post by **Matt Weiner** » Thu May 03, 2007 8:30 pm

For those interested: there is no home game for either Chicago team on the Thursday before HSNCT. The White Sox are at home through the weekend, then it's the Cubs on Monday.

the return of AHAN · Post by **the return of AHAN** » Thu May 03, 2007 10:17 pm

David Riley wrote:My picks:

Art Institute of Chicago
Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Sheed Aquarium
a Cubs game at Wrigley
a Sox game at "the Joan" (if you must)
Botanical Gardens
any of the smaller not-so-well-known museums
anything at the United Center (out of towners be wary, not the nicest neighborhood in the world)
a concert at the CSO
threatre--check local listings

and Chicago has cuisine for every taste and budget!

If you like classical music, I'd throw in a concert at Ravinia, but the schedule is empty for that weekend.

But the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra shows the next Tuesday & Wednesday sound promising. I'm not a big classical music buff, but a CSO concert on a summer night on the lawn at Ravinia is a night well spent!

http://www.ravinia.org/BuyTickets/large ... &year=2007

hardeecoach · Post by **hardeecoach** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:51 am

We were able to take the El to everything we wanted to see last year. My crew would have stayed in the Art Institute the whole time if we had let them. There wasn't enough time in the Field Museum either. We found a great Irish pub downtown within walking distance of the Field. We dined alfresco and people watched and had a great time. (Hey, the country mice in the city...)
By the way- make sure the kids have their student IDs for discount tickets. If you identify yourself as the teacher of a school group, you get in free at the Field.

David Riley · Post by **David Riley** » Sun May 06, 2007 12:11 pm

Hardee? Is this Peggy, and will you be at Panasonic this year?

hardeecoach · Post by **hardeecoach** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:56 am

Hi David- yes, I'll be at Panasonic and PACE, but we qualified way too late for NAQT so no trip to Chicago for us this year!

Tegan · Post by **Tegan** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:45 am

hardeecoach wrote: By the way- make sure the kids have their student IDs for discount tickets. If you identify yourself as the teacher of a school group, you get in free at the Field.

especially if you are on more limited budgets (At least the kids), I cannot back this suggestion enough .... if you are heading to museums, have the kids bring their IDs ...... teachers especially bring their IDs!!

bigtrain · Post by **bigtrain** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:55 pm

Every year, one way or another I seem to find myself in Flyover Country's greatest city, so I've spent a lot of time in Chicago. For a Washingtonian visiting Chicago I'd suggest you visit:

Millennium Park- The world's premier urban park (that's right, Central Park can kiss its ass).
Sears Tower-Go to the top of America's tallest building (at least for a few more years). You get an unparalleled view of one of the world's greatest skylines.
Navy Pier-I thought it was pretty cool...
Adler Planetarium-If you've never been to Goddard or Hayden this planetarium is pretty cool.
Museum of Science and Industry-I've never been to a museum on this topic so I thought it was extremely interesting. Along with the Art Institute it's Chicago's highlight.
Art Institute-no explanation necessary, obviously a must see.
Robie House- If you're into architecture...
Botanical Gardens- Better than the US Botanical Gardens, but not quite as good as the National Arboretum. Skipable, but visit if you like this kind of thing.
Shedd Aquarium-Possibly as good as the National Aquarium, but once you've seen one aquarium you've seen them all.
Field Museum-Sorry excuse for the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. Worse yet, they have the stones to charge you! Although, the T-Rex in the main hall is cool.

Frank Lloyd Wright said "Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world." Some say they call it the Windy City because it blows. I'm torn, but I come to agree more and more with Wright every time I visit.

Sen. Estes Kefauver (D-TN) · Fri May 11, 2007 5:38 pm

bigtrain wrote:Every year, one way or another I seem to find myself in Flyover Country's greatest city

So you're in Washington D.C. at least once a year?

ktour84 · Post by **ktour84** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:25 pm

Some of my favorite places to go when I'm in Chicago
-Art Institute (Thursday evenings 5-8 are free, but the big spring show Cezanne to Picasso closes tomorrow)
-Bookstores - Borders on Michigan Ave and Powell's in Hyde Park are my favorites
-It is worth walking down Michigan Avenue past the Chicago River for the shopping, with some of the best retail stores in country in a little over a mile. Warning, Chicago sales tax is almost 10%.
-Food-There's something for everyone. Giordano's is excellent, as are the Greektown restaurants. Don't stick to the chains, try and explore local places if you have time, it's worth it. Intelligentsia Coffee on Randolph St a block from Michigan Avenue across from the Art Institute has excellent coffee and tea selection.
-Museum Campus (Shedd, Adler, Field) - kind of pricey if you're paying on your own, but there are school group rates are more reasonable.
-Architecture-Robie House, IBM Building, Auditorium Theatre, Sears Tower, La Salle St. Hidden Frank Lloyd Wright - lobby of Rookery Building on La Salle Street, check out the staircase.

Kelly

DH TTHS · Post by **DH TTHS** » Sat May 12, 2007 1:39 am

Don't go to Wrigley Field. I went there for ASCN two years ago and was almost arrested for public intoxication, this despite the fact that I was stone cold sober.
Needless to say I cursed the Cubs, and now they will not only ever win a World Series, but they will never even get back to the playoffs.

Tegan · Post by **Tegan** » Sat May 12, 2007 4:47 pm

DH TTHS wrote:Don't go to Wrigley Field. I went there for ASCN two years ago and was almost arrested for public intoxication, this despite the fact that I was stone cold sober.
Needless to say I cursed the Cubs, and now they will not only ever win a World Series, but they will never even get back to the playoffs.

Can I get an AMEN!!!

JohnAndSlation · Post by **JohnAndSlation** » Sun May 13, 2007 12:45 am

Tegan wrote:
DH TTHS wrote:Don't go to Wrigley Field. I went there for ASCN two years ago and was almost arrested for public intoxication, this despite the fact that I was stone cold sober.
Needless to say I cursed the Cubs, and now they will not only ever win a World Series, but they will never even get back to the playoffs.
Can I get an AMEN!!!

Pfft! Stupid Sox fan...The Cubs'll have their day...
More on the subject, Wrigley Field is beautiful, but if you want a family-friendly atmosphere, go to Comiskey (NEVER US Cellular).

bigtrain · Post by **bigtrain** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:29 pm

charlieDfromNKC wrote:
bigtrain wrote:Every year, one way or another I seem to find myself in Flyover Country's greatest city
So you're in Washington D.C. at least once a year?

I don't get it.