Chicago, IL + Add a trip

To each his own

Pizzaeria Uno wins my award for rudest service ever, so they are definitley out of the running. Their nationwide success is due to aggressive marketing, not to good food.

Local chains are different, though. Lou Malnati's and Giordano's both are successful locally because of consistently good food.

The one to skip is Leona's.

Encased meats, my friend...

You simply cannot visit Chicago without sampling the sausage wonderfulness that is Hot Doug's. Different game sausages make the menu, along with fantastic toppings and, of course, those delicious fries in duck fat (available Friday and Saturdays).

Go to Wrigley Field; See the Cubs

Even if you don't like baseball -- nothing beats a summer day at Wrigley Field, when the weather is right. TIP: good seats are always re-released day-of-game and are often available via Web the night before or at the box office morning of.

Go to B.L.U.E.S. during the week for uncrowded music

B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted is an intimate blues club that gets jammed on the weekends, but is pleasantly uncrowded on during the week. Go on a Wednesday and you can sit at the bar, drink a beer, and shake hands with the band as they walk to the stage for their next set.

Buddy Guy's Legends

One of the best blues clubs in a blues town. Good food, good music, good vibes. Comfortable and friendly.

Cheezborger, cheezborger

The ultimate newspaper bar: Billy Goat was Mike Royko's hangout for years, and the place is a monument to the mythology of Chicago in the 20th Century. You won't find Billy Goat at street level -- it's downstairs in the bowels of the city where it belongs. Awful cheezborgers and fries, decent beer. I always go there.

Fly into Midway

If at all possible, fly into Midway International Airport instead of O'Hare. Many larger cities (especially those served by AirTran, Southwest, Delta, etc.) have direct flights to Midway, and you can avoid many of the horrible delays associated with O'Hare.

Plus, if you are going into the city, the Orange Line on the CTA is a straight shot into the Loop (about a 30 minute ride).

Best veggie

Chicago Diner in Wrigleyville

Best veggie pub-food

Handlebar, Wicker Park /Bucktown area

Great Jazz at Andy's

If you prefer jazz over blues, try Andy's on Hubbard. Get there early, especially on Saturday nights, as it gets crowded.

Uno's is a pain to go to, but it is WORTH IT... or go to Pequods

There is a reason Unos always has a long wait - the deep dish pizza is amazing. if you have patience- go to Unos or Due. If not, hit up Pequod's. Their deep dish is almost as good- and their thin crust peperoni is the only peperoni pizza i will eat in the city. hands down.

Architectural Boat Cruise

Chicago's an amazing city for architecture, and the best way to see it during good weather is by boat along the Chicago River. Many are offered. I've taken this firm's before, and it did not disappoint.

Chicago

The Chicago Cultural Center is one of Chicago's less well-known gems. Originally the main branch of the library, it was rehabbed after the opening of the Harold Washington Library and now serves as a center for a wide variety of arts and culture, almost all of which is presented free of charge. There is music every weekday at lunch, there are two galleries of art with exhibits that change fairly frequently, and there are often other concerts. And beyond all of that, it's a fabulously beautiful building, including a huge Tiffany dome in Preston Bradley Hall.

Cubs game Map of Illinois

The Green Mill for jazz

Rent a bike or take a tour with Bike and Roll Chicago. Visit the Millennium Park location for the tours. There are 8 other locations to rent bikes around the city: Navy Pier, North Ave Beach, DuSable Museum, Riverwalk, Adler Planetarium, Foster Beach, Oak St Beach, and Ohio St Beach.

Ride the Brown Line around The Loop. It's the cheapest tourist attraction in that part of the city (one of the best IMO) and tends to be a hit with first-time visitors. Plus it costs, like, $2.

Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago offers unique guided bicycle tours of Chicago which are appropriate for all ages and fitness levele. The tour guides are fun, cool, and full of tons of interesting information. The tours offered include the very popular 'Lakefront Neighborhoods' Tour, 'City Lights at Night' Tour, 'Bike Obama' Tour, and Bobby's' 'Tike Hike' - Kid's Edition.

The most wonderful part about Bobby's Bike Hike is they are locally owned (not part of a huge national chain) and they have a non-profit element. Bike on Chicago, and Bike on Bobby's Bike Hike!

If only the Art Institute of Washington (where I teach) was this amazing!

Even if you you are passing through and can't enter during business hours, the grounds are quite nice too.

My friend is a painter here. There are a number of studios rented to artists, group exhibition spaces, and a number of things going on. Very cool interior design of the space, with cool art in the galleries. Very worth checking out.

Go there on a Wednesday open board game night! It's a weekly free event where you can hang out and play any of their demo games (there's well over 300 games). You can also host your birthday party there at no charge.

Chicago without sampling the sausage wonderfulness

There is music every weekday at lunch, there are two galleries of art with exhibits that change fairly frequently, and there are often other concerts. And beyond all of that, it's a fabulously beautiful building, including a huge Tiffany dome in Preston Bradley Hall.

Originally the main branch of the library, it was rehabbed after the opening of the Harold Washington Library and now serves as a center for a wide variety of arts and culture, almost all of which is presented free of charge. There is music every weekday at lunch, there are two galleries of art with exhibits that change fairly frequently, and there are often other concerts.

There is a Buckingham Palace also which is a famous haunting place.

I was very much inspired by the Architectural Tour a few summers ago. Basically, it's a boat ride through the city with lots of information about the history and architecture. They'll also explain why Chicago is nicknamed "The Windy City".

Also, check out the "Bean" and Millennium Park if you get a chance.

There you can try very interesting experiences! But only one day is not enough to see everything.

Well, I love Millenium Park...

Join one of Chicago Detours walking tours. They are great. They have an "indoor" tour for bad wheather days as well.

It's a great museum totally recommended. Be sure to check the days where it's free if you want to save some bucks.