Save the Date for Chicago ANA Convention August 14-16 2009

[leapyrtwins]

Here's a link to tea @ The Drake

 http://www.hiltonebusiness.com/projects/dining.thedrakehotel.com/palmcourt/palmcourt_intro.html

If you click on the "Afternoon Tea" link you'll find more details.

Jan

[Kaybo]

WOW!!  Y'all have been busy!!  Can't wait to check it all out!!

k

[leapyrtwins]

Well, K, you asked - so we delivered   

[Kaybo]

Does that mean that if I ask for anything else, you'll deliver that too??  I REALLY need a new car...not want, but NEED!!

K

[leapyrtwins]

Um, I have a dented blue van I could give you, but that's about it   

I'd much rather be driving a Jaguar, but got to feed my kids and put a roof over their heads.

[Kate B]

            We did Ed Debevics and our girls thought that was so neat as they were young at the time. 
                                                             Cheryl R

Cheryl,
My kids loved it too! The waiters and waitresses are "rude" to you in a kidding way, such as throwing the straws at you, their tone of voice (to hurry up), call ya gramps or make fun of your age, tell you their name and to stop bothering them as they are busy! 

It is a 1950's menu (meatloaf and such) and the food is average, but it's not the food people go there for.  Every hour the waitstaff gets on the counter and dances:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZuKAFrBCQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9V2XWj-JJo

http://featuredfoods.com/a-store/eds_p3a.pdf

Kids love it.

[Kate B]

With this list, you need a week extra! I've tried to include many "free" events or things unique to Chicago. Of course we have the chains too such as Cheesecake Factory et al...  and a few  of those are also included below..Enjoy!  We are known for our skyscrapers (Sears, John Hancock, Aon Building, Wrigley Building et al)   If you have a favorite place in Chicago, send it this way and I'll modify the list.

Neighborhoods:
Hyde Park (President Obama's neighborhood)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park,_Chicago
Gold Coast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Chicago
Magnificent Mile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_Mile

Architectural Boat Tours (You will get a great feel for Chicago by taking this tour)
Wendella Boats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7zxQuU_9Y
http://www.wendellaboats.com/chicago.htm  ($22.00 adults, $20.00 children) (You will see the famous landmarks on this cruise including the Merchandise Mart (formerly owned by the Kennedy family), The Trump Tower, The Sears Tower, The Opera House and many more)
Chicago's First Lady
http://www.cruisechicago.com/ 
Walking Tours: 
http://www.architecture.org/

Twice Weekly Fireworks at Navy Pier (free) Memorial Day through Labor Day
Saturday, August 15 show is at 10:15 p.m.
http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html

Grant Park Music Festival (free) and ends on August 15
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/

Chicago's Buckingham Fountain (free) in Grant Park
http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/buckingham_fountain.cfm

The Air & Water Show  free---but you also won't be able to avoid this one:-)
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/chicago_air___water.html
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/events/mose/history_of_the_chicago1.html

Shopping
Mag Mile http://www.themagnificentmile.com/
Heshey Store  http://www.hersheys.com/discover/chicago.asp
American Girl Store  http://www.americangirl.com/stores/
WaterTower http://www.shopwatertower.com/html/index7.asp
Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg, IL--need a car)  Chicago area's largest shopping mall with over 300 shops, stores and restaurants.  Jan and Kate spent many weekends and many dollars there in their youth 
http://www.shopwoodfield.com/

Lisa Lill Studios (only in a few cities) make a custom handbag
http://www.1154lill.com/home/

Museums: (You also almost need a day for each museum)
Art Institute (New Modern Wing opens this May--just in time) which also has a delightful outside garden cafe
Also visit the 68 miniature Thorne Rooms (dollhouse like interiors from late 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s.)
http://www.artic.edu/aic/
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) http://www.mcachicago.org/
Adler Planetarium  http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
Field Museum  http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium  http://www.sheddaquarium.org/
Museum of Science and Industry http://www.msichicago.org/

The Garfield Park Conservatory  http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/shows.htm
http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/index.html

Lincoln Park Zoo  (free every day) http://www.lpzoo.org/

Millenium Park (many free events)
http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/Default.aspx
http://www.millenniumpark.org/generalinformation/

Chicago is also known for food:
Deep Dish Pizza
Gino's East http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/c-GinoAns_East.shtml?E+scstore+ginos
Lou Malnati's Pizza http://cityvoter.com/lou-malnati-s-pizzaria-958-w-wrightwood-ave-lincoln-park-chicago-il-60614/loc/18207
Uno's Pizzeria http://www.unos.com/
Pizzeria Due http://cityvoter.com/pizzeria-due-619-n-wabash-ave-chicago-il-60611/loc/81590
Giordanos  http://www.giordanos.com/locations.php
Hotdogs and Beef
The Chicago Hotdog (it will never have ketchup)  http://www.portillos.com/portillos/
Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers http://www.portillos.com/portillos/
Sushi:
Sushi Samba
http://www.sushisamba.com/index.cfm/id/10/id2/28.html
Japonais
http://www.japonaischicago.com/
Rush Street Restaurants
Gibsons Steakhouse http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Hugos Frog Bar (Seafood) http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/seafood/hugos-frog-bar-rush-and-division/136137/content
Greek Islands (http://www.greekislands.net/).

Ed Debevics 1950's menu known for "rude" waitstaff (purposeful) with hourly dance routines on the counter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9V2XWj-JJo
http://featuredfoods.com/a-store/eds_p3a.pdf

Hard Rock Cafe

HighTea at the Drake
http://www.hiltonebusiness.com/projects/dining.thedrakehotel.com/palmcourt/palmcourt_intro.html

Theatre
In addition to Broadway productions you might check out the Looking Glass Theatre (David Schwimmer from Friends is associated with this one)
http://lookingglasstheatre.org/content/
Blue Man Group   http://www.blueman.com/about  http://www.blueman.com/tickets/chicago
Broadway tickets (some theaters have same day reduced pricing)
http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/
Second City (comedy--SNL products came from this troupe including John Belushi)
http://www.secondcity.com/?id=theatres/chicago

Chicago Cubs  http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc
Chicago White Sox http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

House of Blues Edwin McCain is the headliner on August 15 http://www.houseofblues.com/tickets/eventdetail.php?eventid=57222
Also known for its Sunday Gospel Brunch 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/gospelbrunch.asp

Nightlife
Lounge with a city view:The Signature Room at the top of the Hancock
http://www.signatureroom.com/
 
Pubbyhttp://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/41814298/chicago_il/mcfadden_s_restaurant_and_saloon.html

Howl at the Moon (gregarious dueling pianos--lots of whole room audience participation)
http://www.howlatthemoon.com/

Buddy Guys Legends (blues club)
http://www.buddyguys.com/
Outside of New Orleans, Chicago is known for jazz and blues
http://www.10best.com/Chicago,IL/Nightlife/Jazz_&_Blues_Clubs/

Clubby:
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/seafood/tavern-on-rush-rush-and-division/137048/content
http://www.huntclubchicago.com/
 
Super Club Level
Enclave http://www.enclavechicago.com/

Lounge with Club Atmosphere
The Martini Ranch http://www.martiniranch.com/

Chocolate Bars (yes...really)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/91822/best_chocolate_cafes_and_bars_in_chicago.html
Also one at the upscale Peninsula Hotel on Friday evenings
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/restaurant/chocolate-bar-at-the-river-north/144839/content

Worship Listed because of notoriety
Holy Name Cathedral http://www.holynamecathedral.org/menu.htm
Bahaii Temple for North American Worship (need a car for this one) http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple  1 of 7 temples in the world (also a beautiful drive down Sheridan Rd)
Willow Creek Church in South Barrington (need a car) http://www.willowcreek.com/

Lake Shore Drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGQO7A0otOs
run, walk, or drive along this Lake Michigan geographical masterpiece
From the Drake you are steps away.

The list has been updated to reflect recent additions and a few more

[sgerrard]

I would add one of Chicago's classic Greek restaurants, such as the Greek Islands (http://www.greekislands.net/).

At least back when I used to go, you got recent immigrant waiters who can't speak English very well; lots of Oopah with the saganaki; useless explanations of the menu such as "roast lamb roast, braised lamb braised;" just enough rudeness and chaos to make you feel comfortable and right at home; wine that tastes like pine tar (retsina) and liquor that tastes like licorice (Ouzo), and some really good sea bass. Yum.

Steve

[Kate B]

Steve,

I was waiting for your input as a former "Chicagoan".  Done! I'll add it to the evergrowing travel book:-)  Thanks for suggesting it.

Kate

[leapyrtwins]

Kate -

thanks for the extensive list.

I was going to mention the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues because I've heard it's absolutely fabulous and I've been dying to go.  But I'll be brunching at the symposium, so I'll have to do the gospel thing another time.

Jan

[CHD63]

Kate .....

Thanks for the great list of "things to do in Chicago."  The last time we were there was 10 years ago and many of these things are new (to us anyway) ideas.  We hope to be there early in the day the day before the Symposium starts to do some sightseeing.  Must save time to meet all of you wonderful people!!

Clarice

[Kate B]

Kate .....

Thanks for the great list of "things to do in Chicago."  The last time we were there was 10 years ago and many of these things are new (to us anyway) ideas.  We hope to be there early in the day the day before the Symposium starts to do some sightseeing.  Must save time to meet all of you wonderful people!!

Clarice

Your welcome Clarice.  There is a months worth of things on that list, so it will be hard to select.   Good thing you are able to get there a day ahead of time.  See you in August.

Kate

[saralynn143]

Did Marci ever post where she found her hotel deal? I looked back but could not find anything.

Sara

[Kaybo]

I don' think so - I would PM her...

K

[Kate B]

Did Marci ever post where she found her hotel deal? I looked back but could not find anything.

Sara

Sara,

I don't remember Marci posting the bargain she found yet either.

There are hotel sites that offer cheap rates...just make sure you are in the Gold Coast as that is where the Drake is. Do not choose O'Hare, Museum Campus, Schaumburg, or Loop et al... They will be too far for commuting purposes. For example, it is about one and a half miles down Michigan Avenue and over the river from the Art Institute or Millenium Park to the Drake. It is a  "L" train (blue line) ride from O'Hare.

Hotwire has cheap rates, but they do not tell you the name of the hotel until after you book and then you are committed. They just tell you the general location.

Expedia and other travel sites show the hotels.  Here is a link to Expedia's map of where the Drake is located.http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=15092/crti=1/hotel-location-map

The Drake also has a map if you search their site.http://www.thedrakehotel.com/explore_chicago.html  At the Drake there is a three day cancellation policy. You can cancel your reservation before August 10th with no costs to you.  If you are remotely thinking about it, reserve the room. They will require a credit card number to hold the room, but it is not processed.  Remember to ask for the Acoustic Neuroma Association rate of $199.00 even if they try to sell you the suite for $79.00 more.