Chicago

[OneRedArmy]

I'm stopping off in Chicago on way to the West Coast in April for a weekend. Never actually spent much time in the city itself so looking to see if anyone has anything to add to the thread in terms of what to do or see (I'm flying through the AA terminal so the drinks carts in T5 aren't an issue ).

Managed to get a Westin hotel on the north side of the river for $160 per night and it says its 3 blocks from the Loop.

Any idea what the weather will be like at end April?

[Angus]

If you can swing it, I would thoroughly recommend a game at Wrigley Field - I think the baseball season will have started by the end of April - great fun and they have a decent side. Do the Cubs rather than the Sox.

End of April should be pleasant enough.

I also did a Bulls and Blackhawks game this year - enjoyed the hockey - Bulls left me somewhat unimpressed.

[theworm2345]

I'm stopping off in Chicago on way to the West Coast in April for a weekend. Never actually spent much time in the city itself so looking to see if anyone has anything to add to the thread in terms of what to do or see (I'm flying through the AA terminal so the drinks carts in T5 aren't an issue ).

Managed to get a Westin hotel on the north side of the river for $160 per night and it says its 3 blocks from the Loop.

Any idea what the weather will be like at end April?

Weather should be relatively nice, bring a sweater and you'll be fine. The Cubs will likely be around for a game here but Angus is right, the Blackhawks are the best team in Chicago right now (I'm going to the game tonight) and they may be in the playoffs at that point. Wrigley is a great place to go but I'll warn you now, they charge about $6 for a cup of beer. I think everyone comes to see the Bulls thinking they will see something like Michael Jordan but all they get is the horse**** that we call a team right now.

I'd recommend going to Second City, its a comedy place where people like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Carell, etc. all started out though many of the jokes are geared to Chicagoans. Maybe go the Sears Tower as well. If you like biking you can rent a bike and ride along the Lakefront which is pretty popular as well.

[sonofstan]

Doubt if anyone will follow this up, but just in case...... one the most amazing nights of my life happened on a tuesday night this summer at the New Apartment, a bar deep in the south side of Chicago (75th Street); Von Freeman, a sax player - now in his 80s - but looking and sounding 40 years younger with an amazing band, and a queue of young hopefuls waiting to jam into the early hours - the bar itself looks straight out of a Hopper painting, 40s modernist and the crowd is dotted with people who you just know were the coolest thing ever about 50 years ago and have no intention of giving up.

You'd be advised to take a cab or drive and park close, but the bar itself is completely mixed (racially, genderwise, and age- wise) and very friendly. He does most tuesdays and it kicks off about 11 - we left after 1 but there were still people coming in; free in but a two- drink minimum.

(Chicago is amazing for music - and if you're used to paying €30 for a gig in the Village or Whelan's, you'll see the same calibre of band for $10 and you can stay out till the early hours - listings in the Chicago Reader or their edition of Time Out)

[paul_oshea]

Chicago is amazing for music - and if you're used to paying €30 for a gig in the Village or Whelan's, you'll see the same calibre of band for $10 and you can stay out till the early hours - listings in the Chicago Reader or their edition of Time Out

its a great night out full stop!

[theworm2345]

House of Blues is a great place to go as well for jazz and blues music. If your a fan of current stuff Lollapalooza is good as well

[SkStu]

Chicago - one of my favourite cities in the world. Worked there on a J1 a few years back. Had the time of my life.

[theworm2345]

Chicago - one of my favourite cities in the world. Worked there on a J1 a few years back. Had the time of my life.

Where did you work?

[SkStu]

hey worm, i worked for a furniture removal company wayyy outside the city for about a month, then i worked for Americas Dogs (hotdogs and burgers) in Navy Pier before moving to another stall in Navy Pier, Country Kitchen - where i made lemonade and popcorn and stuff for the fat masses!! lol.

Lived on Clark and Diversey, a great part of town. Very close to lakeshore drive. We actually lived in an apartment above a pub called The Galway Bay. Loads of Irish in that part of town.

Would love to live there for longer at some stage. Absolutely fantastic city. Great people.

[theworm2345]

hey worm, i worked for a furniture removal company wayyy outside the city for about a month, then i worked for Americas Dogs (hotdogs and burgers) in Navy Pier before moving to another stall in Navy Pier, Country Kitchen - where i made lemonade and popcorn and stuff for the fat masses!! lol.

Lived on Clark and Diversey, a great part of town. Very close to lakeshore drive. We actually lived in an apartment above a pub called The Galway Bay. Loads of Irish in that part of town.

Would love to live there for longer at some stage. Absolutely fantastic city. Great people.

Ah, OK. I've had America's Dog but never at Navy Pier. Sure I know of Clark and Diversey, about a block away from the driving range/mini golf course, right (and near that weird Elks Club)? As you can probably tell I enjoy talking about Chicago with whoever will talk

[anto1208]

Chicago

Just looking at going to the states and saw flights from shannon to Chicago for about 500 euro.

Has anyone been is it worth going or if im going to the USA am i better off hitting a better spot. is there a reason why its the cheapest location.

[paul_oshea]

it depends what yer into, but if yer going on yer own then im not so sure, if its a group of lads its a definite.

There is a good bit to do there as well, depending on when you go you could get to see a bears game, or sox/cubs game or even hockey game. There is also teh chicago institute of art, which even if you're not into art is worth seeing, plus there are some other museums worth going to as well.

Personally, I love the place, but its horses for coarses as the man says.

btw when did ye see those flights for?

[anto1208]

They are in september from Shannon , thinking of going with the missus just for a week , want some good weather, good food little bit of shopping just something different.

[paul_oshea]

good food deffo, loads of nice eateries, though stay away from the pub/bar food type places cos its all grilled sh1te that ye get sick of after a....day. Having said that Fados is just worth a trip alone for their spicy wings, they have big chickens in chicago.....

Theres some great shops there though with decently-priced clothes, some expensive but good gear, but theres always filenes bargain basement......

There is a great outlet store as well outside in wisconsin well worth a visit, a great tommy store real cheap and some good donna karan for the missus.

Ordinarily I'd say its a better spot for a few lads on a weeks trip, but for what ye want then its definitely got it, though maybe san fran might be more relaxing....

[carrickharp]

Just looking at going to the states and saw flights from shannon to Chicago for about 500 euro.

Has anyone been is it worth going or if im going to the USA am i better off hitting a better spot. is there a reason why its the cheapest location.

Well worth going to I go there almost every year it's well worth it, will be back there in August again (that's if I make the drive from LA!!).