Chicago 'Da' Right Way

Some of the best things to do aren't in many guidebooks.

 Of course you should visit either the John Hancock or Sears Tower, but don't pay the money for the observation deck. Go to the Signature Room bar and restaurant on the second-to-top floor, where you get the same view for the cost of a drink.

Also, if you want true "Chicago" pizza, don't wait in line at the popular downtown places like Uno's or Due's, when there are Lou Malnati's and Ginos East pizzarias all over town (and offer the same food.)

Third of all, take the "L". It is a Chicago classic.  (www.cta.com)

Lastly, if you are in Chicago during football season, go to a Bears game. Chicagoans became famous for their love of sports. A Bears game (especially in the middle of winter) can be a hearty, memorable experience.  (www.chicagobears.com)

A few other suggestions might be to head to some authentic festivals, like the Maxwell Street Market. Maxwell Street is held every Sunday during the summer down on the south side. (Ask any cabbie...they know where it is.) Here, you can get some of the best sausages while you haggle with vendors selling every imaginable item. After you finish there, I would head to 35th St. to catch a Sox game at Comisky Park. (www.maxwellstreetmarket.com  www.whitesox.com)

Quick Tips:

Ask! Chicagoans are usually great about helping give people directions or advice. I don't know why...I guess we are a friendly bunch.
Also, watch "The Blues Brothers" before arriving in Chicago. It has a huge cult following around town. 

Best Way To Get Around:

Public transportation is totally the key in the city. If you need to get in and out of the city, there is no better way then the Metra trains. (www.metrarail.com)

If you need to get around the city, cabs are reasonable, but the "L" is the best. The "L" is the elevated trains, and they run all over the city. If you fly into O'Hare, don't take a cab into downtown. Take the "L" for .50 instead. It will save you a lot. In the suburbs, driving is pretty much your only real option. (www.cta.com)

This is one of the most historic hotels in Chicago. Located on the historic South Michigan Avenue, this is the site where the Democratic National Party stayed in the sixties during the rioting.

The rooms are very nice and there are plenty of good restaurants in the building.   Sign up for a Hilton Honors card (www.hiltonhonors.com) to get their points, but more importantly, to get a 10% discount at the Hilton restaurants.

One of the hotel's main features is the large meeting space. The ballrooms and conference centers bring many businesses into the hotel everyday. The Hilton and Towers is very close to McCormick Place Convention Center.  There is usually a bus that runs to the center.  It is also very close to Soldier Field (home of the Chicago Bears).  Soldier Field is being renovated, and will be completed  in late 2003.

The hotel is also very close to the "L" (Red Line), which will take you up and down State Street for some great shopping, or to the theater district to see a show.  The "L" only costs $1.50 and is very close to the Hilton.

Check out their website at www.chicagohilton.com.

You haven't had a Chicago-style hot dog until you have eaten at The Wiener's Circle (after midnight). This place is one of "character." Open later than most are up, one might say their motif is "Post-Modern Gross." Some have even described the atmosphere of the eatery as "a delightful blend of grease and drunk bum."

"Spirited conversations" abound, either between patrons (usually somewhat spirited themselves) or between random homeless people. (Don't worry... they're cool.) Also, if you look like you don't belong, you don't know what you want, or you order it the wrong way... or, well... almost anything else, you will get yelled at by the staff.

Do the delightful diners stay restrained in the face of such creative employee feedback? Of course not. This place is famous for people yelling and swearing at each other before they take part in the monstrosity that is cheese fries.

So, as a service to those who might be from out of town, or just those not accustomed to such service, I have prepared the Official IgoUgo Wiener's Circle Cheat Sheet (known on the street as OIWCCS).

Instructions: Print out. Fill in blanks. Go to establishment.

Here are two possible conversations (before OIWCCS and after--for comparison).

BEFORE:
Wiener's Circle Staff: Yeah? (waits half a second) Well, what do you want?

Out-of-town guest without OIWCCS: I would like to order one Chicago-style beef hot dog, please. I hear you are famous for your cheese fries. Are they Atkins-friendly? Can I get lite cheese and a Fresca to drink?

Wiener's Circle Staff: Just leave.
Wiener's Circle Staff 2: MAN, GET THE ____ OUT BEFORE I FEED YOU TO THE HOMELESS GUY.

See, that could have been unpleasant. Now, with the OIWCCS, you might actually get food. Watch.

AFTER:
Wiener's Circle Staff: Yeah? (waits half a second) Well, what do you want?
Out-of-town Guest WITH OIWCCS: Give me a dog with everything, fries--smothered, and a coke... now.
Wiener's Circle Staff: You ordering me around?!?
Out-of-town Guest WITH OIWCCS: ____ YEAH, I AM, YOU ___in' ____ of a ____ ______, AND IF YOU WAIT ANY LONGER, I'LL COME BACK THERE MYSELF!

See how easy that is? Soon you will be enjoying your hot, tasty, delectable food in true Chicago fashion.

Don't worry... everyone does it!

This is one of the best, oldest theaters in Chicago. Now, it shows a lot of the old films that have been re-mastered. From its famous sign out front, to its historically preserved interior, it is one of the coolest places to take in a flick.  If you go to the Music Box, get a picture of the front of it, as it has a total cult following.  It's called "Chicago's Year Round Film Festival."

The Music Box Theatre's history is similar to that of other neighborhood movie theaters throughout the city of Chicago with the exception that it was the first small interpretation of a "Movie Palace". It opened on August 22,1929, as an elaborate little brother to the giant downtown film/presentation houses. It featured second-run films after they left the downtown for the neighborhood circuits. In its declining years, it slipped into a sleazy $1.50 grind house policy showing last years films. The last "Hollywood" film to play there was "The Exorcist" in the fall of 1977.

The movies usually play for about a week. Parking is available across the street, but I would take the "L" or the bus.

Check out www.musicboxtheatre.com to see the schedule of movies.

There are many great beaches in Chicago (the entire lakefront is public), but this one is definately the "hottest." Only go to this one if you don't mind looking at some amazing bodies.

The lake front in Chicago is all public, with jogging/biking paths running the whole way. Most of the people at this beach are very much in shape. It also has a great view of Navy Pier.

The easiest access to Oak Street Beach is either along the paths, if you are walking/biking, or on the Michigan Ave. bus, 151. There is a great underpass that goes under Lake Shore Drive and connects the beach. There are also a few restaurants only minutes away, if you need to get out of the sun.

If Oak St. Beach gets crowded or you need a change of venue, you can go north a few blocks to other beaches along the "Outer Drive."

Despite its distance from the city, it is definately the best casino in Chicago (as of 2002). Even though it is a "riverboat," (all Illinois casinos must be built over water due to a stupid state law) this is no boat. It is a huge, immovable barge. You feel just like you are in any fancy Vegas casino. If you are a high roller, it is possible to be rated and possibly comped at Hollywood. Check with the casino on buses to the location from the city. There is a very nice steakhouse, Fairbanks, on the premises with a theater across the street.

The Hancock building is definately a great view of the city and the mag mile, but there are some things most guidebooks don't tell you. The main thing is to skip the entrance fee for the skydeck and go one floor down to The Signature Room. It is a very expenisve restaurant/bar, but has the same remarkable view. You can buy a drink and get the same scenery for less money than the entrance fee. If you are appropriately dressed, this is the way to go.

By the way, an interesting tidbit--the magnificant view continues into the kitchen. At this restaurant, the cooks have a better view than most of the patrons. The entire kitchen is up against glass windows overlooking the whole city.

See www.signatureroom.com for more details and to find out about any updated dress code.