Comments on: What NOT to do in Chicago http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/ travel culture worldwide Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Madeleine http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-8763 Madeleine Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:40:36 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-8763 Great recommendations! I just have one more: NAVY PIER should be avoided at all costs. Great recommendations! I just have one more: NAVY PIER should be avoided at all costs.

]]> By: Matt K. http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-6275 Matt K. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:19:24 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-6275 Oh yeah, and NOT visiting the Navy Pier Billygoat Tavern should be on this list. Immediately followed by hanging out at the "real" Billygoat on the bottom level of Michigan Avenue. It's definitely one of my favorite memories from my last visit, but not for those without a fondness for slightly dingy, old-school bar & grills. Oh yeah, and NOT visiting the Navy Pier Billygoat Tavern should be on this list. Immediately followed by hanging out at the “real” Billygoat on the bottom level of Michigan Avenue. It’s definitely one of my favorite memories from my last visit, but not for those without a fondness for slightly dingy, old-school bar & grills.

]]> By: Matt K. http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-6274 Matt K. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:11:58 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-6274 I've done none of the "don't"s and two of the "do's" so far, thanks to my resident girlfirend. The Signature Room is definitely an amazing view on par with any cityscape you can see, and the river tours are a great way to take a completely different, somewhat removed look at the city. Floating on a boat really takes you away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets and touristy spots. Come to think of it, the Signature Room has a similar distanced vibe that I really enjoyed. It's nice to take an objective look from the outside in a new place before becoming part of the action down on the pavement. I’ve done none of the “don’t”s and two of the “do’s” so far, thanks to my resident girlfirend. The Signature Room is definitely an amazing view on par with any cityscape you can see, and the river tours are a great way to take a completely different, somewhat removed look at the city. Floating on a boat really takes you away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets and touristy spots.

Come to think of it, the Signature Room has a similar distanced vibe that I really enjoyed. It’s nice to take an objective look from the outside in a new place before becoming part of the action down on the pavement.

]]> By: Kevin Evans http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-5166 Kevin Evans Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:28:03 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-5166 I've got a 'don't' Don't swim in Lake Michigan, even when it's summer.... I looked out of my hotel room one sunny September afternoon to see women and children splashing about in the lake. I had just arrived in Chicago and had some time to kill so I decided to follow suit. Hey, I thought, if mother's and kids are doing it, it can't be that bad. Wrong. Lake Michigan is *freezing*. I had barely got up to my thighs (I was scared to go any deeper ;-) ) before I bolted out of there. Luckily Mother's happy hour had just started....what a nice place to warm up. I’ve got a ‘don’t’

Don’t swim in Lake Michigan, even when it’s summer….

I looked out of my hotel room one sunny September afternoon to see women and children splashing about in the lake. I had just arrived in Chicago and had some time to kill so I decided to follow suit. Hey, I thought, if mother’s and kids are doing it, it can’t be that bad.

Wrong. Lake Michigan is *freezing*. I had barely got up to my thighs (I was scared to go any deeper ;-) ) before I bolted out of there. Luckily Mother’s happy hour had just started….what a nice place to warm up.

]]> By: Kevin Engle http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4919 Kevin Engle Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:42:34 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4919 I actually just got home from Chicago. Portillos is what EVERY Chicagoan I talk to at college recommends for chicago style hot dogs (I'm going to a IL state school). Granted I bet Hot Doug's isn't nearly as well known with the students here. It is probably both cheaper and less crowded. I'll have to try it next time I'm up there. For pizza I was always told to hit Gino's East rather than Uno or Due. Though hey, I'm sure they are all pretty darn good =) I actually just got home from Chicago.

Portillos is what EVERY Chicagoan I talk to at college recommends for chicago style hot dogs (I’m going to a IL state school). Granted I bet Hot Doug’s isn’t nearly as well known with the students here. It is probably both cheaper and less crowded. I’ll have to try it next time I’m up there.

For pizza I was always told to hit Gino’s East rather than Uno or Due.

Though hey, I’m sure they are all pretty darn good =)

]]> By: Evan Thoreau http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4831 Evan Thoreau Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:23:21 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4831 Peter J, Wiener's Circle is a hoot for the novelty of it - the employees swear and taunt you while you order - but their dogs are just run-of-the-mill, nothing like the quality at Hot Doug's. Peter non-J, I see your point. I try to steer people away from the lines at Uno's because most people don't know there's a shorter wait option right next door. As we all know, some things are simple worth the wait and Hot Doug's is one of them. Yes, the wait is long... but if you have the time, it's something you must experience. Just make sure you order enough to make the effort worth it! Thanks for the feedback all! -eth Peter J, Wiener’s Circle is a hoot for the novelty of it – the employees swear and taunt you while you order – but their dogs are just run-of-the-mill, nothing like the quality at Hot Doug’s.

Peter non-J, I see your point. I try to steer people away from the lines at Uno’s because most people don’t know there’s a shorter wait option right next door. As we all know, some things are simple worth the wait and Hot Doug’s is one of them. Yes, the wait is long… but if you have the time, it’s something you must experience. Just make sure you order enough to make the effort worth it!

Thanks for the feedback all!

-eth

]]> By: Peter http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4860 Peter Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:48:46 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4860 Great article, but I do have to raise my eyebrow to the Hot Doug's recommendation only because you try to stray people away from lines and if you go to Hot Doug's at the wrong time, you'll be in line for an hour or two. Great article, but I do have to raise my eyebrow to the Hot Doug’s recommendation only because you try to stray people away from lines and if you go to Hot Doug’s at the wrong time, you’ll be in line for an hour or two.

]]> By: Peter J http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4834 Peter J Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:01:23 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4834 Hot Doug's looks awesome, do you recommend the Weiner's Circle as well?? Hot Doug’s looks awesome, do you recommend the Weiner’s Circle as well??

]]> By: Adam Roy http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4809 Adam Roy Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:15:27 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4809 You know it! Hit up Oak Street Beach in summer. You won't be disappointed, I promise. You know it! Hit up Oak Street Beach in summer. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

]]> By: Adam Roy http://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-chicago/#comment-4967 Adam Roy Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:13:37 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=7384#comment-4967 Right on all counts (especially about the name change)! Two things I would add - if you want to see Chicago's architecture, there is (or was, don't know if it still exists) a free train tour, where you go around on the L with a guide and see the buildings. You can get more information and tickets at the Chicago Cultural Center (a good sight to see in itself). The second tip: if you're going to go see blues, Kingston Mines is always a good choice: http://www.kingstonmines.com/ (though as a northsider, I may be biased). Right on all counts (especially about the name change)! Two things I would add – if you want to see Chicago’s architecture, there is (or was, don’t know if it still exists) a free train tour, where you go around on the L with a guide and see the buildings. You can get more information and tickets at the Chicago Cultural Center (a good sight to see in itself).

The second tip: if you’re going to go see blues, Kingston Mines is always a good choice: http://www.kingstonmines.com/ (though as a northsider, I may be biased).

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