Chicago, That Toddling Town

So once again a question for Lil Miss LL. She is heading to Chicago to see a performance by Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin. She bought tickets without really thinking this through. Concert is at the House of Blues. She going by herself and looking for things to do in Chicago. Knows no one and thinks it'll be a great adventure (for 36 hours!).

Where should she go , what should she see, where should she eat (she's a vegetarian, BTW)?. Not a kid but she's MY kid so I thought the MOLminds could offer some advice. Anyone know anyone going to the show? Not likely..

These are usually good

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/travel/26hours.html?_r=0

Chicago isn't exactly the town for veggies (or at least I'm totally blind to it), but the West Loop is filled with some amazing restaurants that have veggie dishes, and is hopping at night. Great noodle joint a few blocks away from the HOB on Hubbard called the Slurping Turtle is a great option. Where is she staying

Vowelguy. She said that there is a hotel attached or next to the venue so that way she doesn't have to wander around late at nigh

Westin is across the street. Forget what's next door. Anyhoo, the area is fine. Vermilion is a good fusion-y place a few blocks away with a veggie menu. Chicago Diner and Green Zebra just came in from the folks at work. Neither are walkingclose but worth a cab ride.

One spot that I always stop at for a few minutes is the edifice to the Tribune Tower on Michigan Avenue. When the paper's somewhat maniacal owner, Col. Robert McCormick, built the Gothic wedding-cake type building, he wanted to imbue it with historical significance.

He did this literally, by embedding pieces of stone and other materials from historical sites in the building's base, including at least one from every state. Since then, others have been added, including pieces of the Berlin Wall and World Trade Center.

Start the day with a stroll through Millennium Park:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html

Walk north on Michigan Ave. until you hit the river. Stop for an architectural boat tour:

https://www.wendellaboats.com/

After the boat tour, continue up Michigan Ave and do some window shopping while strolling the Magnificent Mile.

Stop at the Hancock Building for a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor.

The boat ride up the River and out to the lake is nice! Chicago Cut Steakhouse overlooks the Chicago River and has marvelous steak. Go a little early and you'll have the whole restaurant all to yourself, if you like.

Then, after she has marveled at the steak and the restaurant, she can go look for a vegetarian place to eat.

Go to Chicago for vegetables? At least try deep-dish pizza.

Pick up a copy of the Chicago Reader for listings and take a walking tour. Find a deep dish pizza or perhaps a vegan deep dish pizza.Take an architecture cruise. Hit the Art Institute. You can find good veg at Chicago Diner or (farther north) at Blind Faith Cafe.

PetuniaBird said:
Start the day with a stroll through Millennium Park:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html
Walk north on Michigan Ave. until you hit the river. Stop for an architectural boat tour:

https://www.wendellaboats.com/
After the boat tour, continue up Michigan Ave and do some window shopping while strolling the Magnifcent Mile.
Stop at the Hancock Building for a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor.

I love the Bean. Plus the Art Institute is right there (and a lovely garden adjacent). I can stare at Seurat for hours.

Lots of veg options on the Indian lunch buffet at Gaylord's. It is walking distance from the Hancock Building. I miss this place:

http://gaylordil.com/

Lots of great ideas here ('cept the steak one of course..so much for attention to details!) Anyway, this thread has really helped her make up her mind to go.. She will be there from about 11 am to 4 pm the next day with the concert at 7 that evening. Any and all ideas are really really welcome and helpful Thanks in advance

Nancy for Suz

Sorry about the steak suggestion. Just a red-blooded Chicago born kid here, blue-collar worker-type. My bad.

Can definitely recommend the architectural boat tour; dress in layers -- I remember alternating between being too warm and freezing depending on whether we were in or out of sunlight.

Also the Art Institute, for sure. And maybe a trip out to Hyde Park to see the impressive University of Chicago campus?

Chicago has wonderful Mexican restaurants throughout the whole city (something we sorely lack in the northeast) from the mom-and-pop taquerias to the high-end Frontera Grill up the street from HOB. I was veg when I lived there and Mexican food was one of my staples. Yelp and go forth!

Absolutely yes to Art Institute and architectural walking or boat tour. She should keep in mind that the bus can be an option for transport--she could walk over to Michigan Ave and take the 151 down to AI, for example. El train from O'Hare could be an option, not sure how close that will take her to the hotel.

Also it can be VERY cold even in October-November esp for walking around. Remember to take into account the wind not just absolute temp.

Questions from LIlMissLL

Can you ask Petunia bird how long I should allocate for a Millennium park stroll?

Also thoughts on the Navy pier (from the group as a whole)

As always, thanks

An hour outside. Navy Pier is a tourist trap.

Agree on Navy Pier. Do something real.

if she's looking for another show after the HoB, there's Kingston Mines: http://www.kingstonmines.com/

and I'd echo the suggestion for the Art Institute:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBBOMLURSGA

If interested in architecture, nearby Oak Park is Frank Lloyd Wright central.

Agree re: Navy Pier--thumbs down! Love the idea of Kingston Mines--isn't Lil Miss a 20-something...more likely to run into that crowd at Kingston Mines in the heart of Lincoln Park.

I liked Filene's Basement, especially if you need warm scarves and gloves, fast. The line at the Art Museum was prohibitively long.

She probably needs no more than 60 - 90 minutes to cover Millennium Park. Skip the Signature Lounge if it is cloudy, but on a clear day the view is fabulous and more civilized than the Willis/Sears Tower

Yes to Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S. and Legends.

Just there last weekend for a wedding. The Architecture boat tour was fantastic, great guide. Did the park and the Bean. Also the Willis tower, stepping out over Chicago. Gave the pizza another try, yuck. That's all we had time for on Friday. I'm not a vegetarian, just tend to eat that way and had no problem with dinner.

springgreen2 said:
I liked Filene's Basement, especially if you need warm scarves and gloves, fast. The line at the Art Museum was prohibitively long.

They're long gone.

Oh, sorry. Was thinking of Boston!