Trip to Chicago

[Globetrotter]

Flying in for the Bears game on Sunday and I need some advise.

Im planning on parking as close to the stadium as possible early in the morning and walking around downtown till a few hours before the game.

Im wondering if this is a reasonable idea..Is the "downtown sightseeing" in walking distance? is there good food and whatnot...

Would appreciate recommedations for showing someone whos never been to Chicago around..Thanks

 

[inactiveuser1]

Bump. C'mon guys who are familiar with the city, help this guy out

 

[Tjodalv]

The majority of the museums are all on the edge of Grant Park (Field Museum, Art Institute, Planetarium, Shed Aquarium) if that's your sort of thing. Soldier Field is also right there, so it's all in the same area. The Russian Tea Time is a pretty damn good restaurant right on Adams (just across Michigan from the Art Institute). There are tons of decent places to eat in the area. Here is a list of places in the loop. Willis (Sears) Tower is about 6 blocks from the park if you'd like to check that out. I'd recommend downloading google earth and looking around on there for places you would want to go.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Any chance you can get more than a few hours to check out the city? If it is your first time in Chicago, I would highly recommend it. There is a lot of stuff within nice walking distance from Soldier, but I am apprehensive to give you a bunch of suggestions given the time constraints. The museums are right there. I would recommend making a loop around Michigan / State (e.g. Roosevelt over to Michigan, North to Wacker, west over to State, then head south again to Roosevelt) and then back down to Soldier if you want to check out some of the downtown area. Depends on how much you want to walk though. So many good places to eat, don't know where to start.

 

[Stapler]

Avoid driving, and try to avoid walking whenever possible. Take cabs, trains, buses or golfcarts depending on your needs, destinations or whims/risk levels.

Always be cognizant of your need to urinate at some point; if you need to go right now, you waited too long and bad times might happen.

Wind.

Did I mention the wind? If you don't know then you have no idea.

Get your ass into Soldier Field as soon as you can, and enjoy it for as long as you can; see and do that first and foremost before you worry about museums and pizza joints.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Walking downtown is awesome. I could do it for hours and hours (weather dependent).

 

[nvanprooyen]

Are you flying in and flying right back out again? I wouldn't even **** with a car if you can avoid it and don't mind walking a little. CTA passes are cheap and you can get relatively close from O'Hare (blue line - pretty sure you need to transfer at the loop) or Midway (orange line) and get pretty close to Soldier Field. I think there may also be a bus that goes to Soldier from the Roosevelt stop, but I am not positive of that. One of the active locals can tell you better.

Edit - Here is CTA info and a map: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/brochures/ctaSystemMapBrochure.pdf

 

[Stapler]

Walking downtown is awesome. I could do it for hours and hours (weather dependent).

Walking downtown during the holiday season is fantastic; the lights, the mood...tough to beat that experience even if the weather is deadly. But this isn't Christmas time in Chicago. **** walking around...let the poor people and dare devils do that shit.

If you are going to Chicago to see the Bears play, focus on that. Get there early, walk through the tailgating (south lot etc.) and get in line for the portajohns like everyone else.

And, if you think you are dressed warmly enough for the best gametime experience; bring extra shit just in case.

Did I mention the wind?

 

[nvanprooyen]

To each his own I guess, I enjoy walking down there even if it's not Christmas. Although I do agree with your comment. If you are just there to see the Bears play and have limited time, do that and do it right. Tailgate like a champion. Go into the game a little early and check out Soldier. Enjoy the shit out of the game. I'm jealous.

 

[nvanprooyen]

And, if you think you are dressed warmly enough for the best gametime experience; bring extra shit just in case.

Did I mention the wind?

And...I think you've been in FL too long I am pretty sure it is still in the 60's during the day up there. Not exactly balls cold yet.

 

[Stapler]

And...I think you've been in FL too long I am pretty sure it is still in the 60's during the day up there. Not exactly balls cold yet.

You might be right there about me living in FL too long, but some folks have never experienced the wind coming off that lake. It's a damp cold that can chill you on a cloudy summer day, never mind mid November.

Brrr...

 

[Globetrotter]

Thanks guys. Im actually from Chicago, but moved away in my early teens so i never got a chance to learn city. My wife is the one who hasnt been there and we'll be there from Friday to Monday.

Plan was to hit a few museums and whatnot on Saturday and then do downtown on Sunday before the game.

Ill be hitting all my favorite places for pizza, italian sausage and beef...But, im mostly concerned with what to do as far as parking and what there is to see around the area of the stadium.

 

[nvanprooyen]

If you go down to the museums on Saturday, you will be able to get a "lay of the land" in advance of the game on Sunday. The Field Museum is literally right next to Soldier.