Road Trip
We're headed on a road trip to Chicago and Indiana (near Notre Dame) in a few weeks to visit family. Any recommendations of places to go? I've only explored a tiny bit of Chicago (mainly Armitage Avenue) and would love any tips. It will be interesting to see how this road trip compares with last time. I love the extremes of the city life vs. the very rural (even Amish lifestyle) and the quiet vs. the loud. It is going to be a fabulous trip.
(images from here)
28 comments:
Hi, I'm planning the same road trip to visit friends and family!
There is a very cool list of Chicago Picks" over at Orange Beautiful.
I'll be visiting the places on Picks #5, here's the link http://www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/post.php?post_id=1152
Have Fun!
Malliling.
Hey welcome to my home town!
southport corridor for good shopping (and insaely good frozen yogurt and handmade italian ice's at anthony's)
t.
nowcraving.blogspot.com
I was just there this past weekend. Definitely go to Millenium Park and head to Sears (now Willis) Tower and step out on the ledge. Michigan Ave has a lot of shopping, but I found most of the stores to be shops I could find back home, so I would try to find hidden jewels. We also visited Navy Pier which I thought was a huge tourist trap. It's pretty much a long pier that serves carnival food, but it might be fun with kids!
while i definitely agree that navy pier is a tourist trap, the view from the ferris wheel is really neat. especially at night. i also love the boat tour that the chicago architecture society puts on. one of the best things i've ever done in the city.
Sounds like a wonderful trip is in store for you! I was there last month visiting my boyfriend and I'm still not too familiar with the layout of the city but I HAVE to recommend that you stop by Giordano's for deep-dish pizza-it's to die for!!
You'll love the store 'SCOUT' in Andersonville. Very cool vintage items for the home.
Best mexican food I've ever had (and I live in Arizona) was at Fronterra Grill, downtown on Clark Street. Cutest little store is "Posh" on State Street. You'll adore both - promise. Have fun! Don't forget some Garretts popcorn (not my fav' but husband loves it).
If you have time for it, dinner at Avec is a nice little treat. The restaurant is tiny, and they don't take reservations, but you can always order a bottle of wine and relax outside (they have wine barrel cocktail tables and umbrellas set up on the sidewalk) until your table is ready.
-Rachael @ littlebits
Andersonville is another fun place with some AWESOME eats: Hopleaf Bar at 5148 N. Clark St. for mussels and beer, M. Henry at 5707 N. Clark for brunch, and Taste of Lebanon at 1509 W Foster Ave. for lentil soup and felafel. If the line/queue isn't too long, the sweets from the Sweedish Bakery at 5348 North Clark Street are yummy too.
If you go to no other bar, go to The Violet hour. Just south of the Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection on Damen (Also just south of the Damen Blue Line Stop), there is a yellow light, a graffitied wall and a small door handle. Pull it, go inside and have the most incredible drinks of your life. Make sure you sit at the bar and If you can get Michael as your bartender, even better.
I noticed that someone mentioned Southport Corridor, if you are in the mood for brunching (practically Chicago's favorite pastime), Ann Sather is known for their spectacular Cinnamon Rolls and Southport Grocery has great pancakes. You can take the Brown line to Southport and it's right there.
Also, the Bourgeois Pig on Fullerton has great sandwiches and a fantastic ambiance. Jerry's on Division has good sandwiches too and a fantastic Beer menu. If you're in the mood for an incredible dinner, try Uncommon Ground on Grace. Hands down, the best meal I've had yet in Chicago.
(I guess I went a little overboard on the recommendations. I really love this city!)
Do the Architecture Tour (leaves from Navy Pier). It's actually a really cool tour- especially if you like architecture.
Chicago...Born, raised and still here...
If you love art, then it is imperative that you visit The Art Institute. If you prefer contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art is also a good choice.
I would recommend Cafe Iberico on Lasalle, it has the best tapas and most lively atmosphere. Also, walking around the city, make sure you peek into the Water tower that survived the Chicago Fire, it is a free photo gallery. Also walk west towards, the Newberry Library and take a break in Washington Square park for a spot of people watching.
For some independent store shopping, check out the Wicker Park neighborhood. Renegade Handmade, 1924 W. Division, features many popular artisans that are on Etsy.. I would recommend a snack at Letizia’s Natural Bakery 2144 West Division St., and a beer at Boundary, also on Division. There are so many wonderful, independent shops, too many to list...
I would not go to Navy pier, or into any of the stores on Michigan, as they are mostly chain stores. But the walk up along Michigan is spectacular, as is the walk along the river by Wacker drive. You can catch a City River Taxi nearby and it is just a couple dollars and it will be like a river cruise.
As for Deep Dish Pizza, Giordano's is good, but some prefer Lou Malnati's ;)
I hope this helps.
before i travel to a new city i always check at design sponge to see if they have a city guide:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/10/chicago-design-guide.html
I agree, Posh is great. And the stretch of Division, in wicker park between Milwaukee & Damen is a must, must do (renegade handmade, which was previously mentioned, is in this hood, and it has oodles of phenomenal neighbors.) Andersonville has great vintage stores, I highly recommend the trek north for a visit. And I won't even try to single out a good restaurant, the city is simply overflowing with them. Just avoid anything near Michigan avenue, and that applies to both shopping AND food. Enjoy your trip!
Lou Malnati's for pizza, for sure!!! Their deep dish rocks! Portillos if you are wanting a a nice burger, beef, polish or hot dog with some cheese fries...yum! I am from Chi and already dreaming of what I will have next weekend when I visit the parents...
oh gosh, been living here for a year and love it! recs:
- Sweet Mandy B's (bestest cutest cupcakes ever)
- Paper Doll on Division
- Bongo Room order this:
Veggie Croissant Sandwich, Iced Mocha and share the Banana Nestle Crunch Pancake
- Smoke Daddy
- and of course, walk Milwaukee St. (lenny & me is a must) FO SHO
Go to Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana off of Route 30. It has really good breakfast. If you're in Chicago definitely go visit the Museum of Science and Industry. It has always been a favorite of mine. I'm planning on going this coming weekend. (dood maybe we'd run into eachother.) And Clark St. has some really cool shops and cafes go check that out to. Have a great trip. (chevontiffany@yahoo.com)
Renegade Handmade on Damen & Division!
Southport Grocer on Southport & Addison - right near anthropologie for brunch!
Intelligentsia Coffee either downtown or on Broadway.
If you are vegan or vegetarian check out Alice & Friends, Chicago Diner, The Handlebar, and/or Flying Saucer!
Have fun!
oooh the deep-dish pizza is so delicious!
Check out the ELIZA travel guide to chicago!! Have fun!
x
http://www.elizamagazine.com/article.php?ID=97
I am planning for the same trip. Your blog help me in my planning. Thanks for this.
Rita
Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step
You should check out Lulu's at the Belle Kaye for amazing vintage clothing and jewelry. Blake on Chicago Avenue has top end designers and Hejfina on Milwaukee in Wicker Park carries hard to find brands such as band of Outsiders and Isabel Marant.
Also, check out the Modern Wing at the Art Institute--it feels as though you are in another city all together.
Have a blast !
If you like Spanish Tapas, I would HIGHLY recommend Cafe Babareeba. It is the best tapas restaurant I've ever been to!! And make sure you walk around Notre Dame's campus if you can, it's awesome!
You should definitely check out the super sweet shop Paper Doll (paperdollchicago.com)
you're going on a road trip to IN? omg i live there! come visit me!!!
I fourth (or so) the recommendation for Southport Grocery (right next door to Anthro). Their menu is online--it's a darling little place and kid-friendly while still serving fabulous lunch food. Their menu is online.
Post a Comment
I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas, thanks for reading!