Chicago

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Long Windy Weekend in Chicago

An April 2006 trip to Chicago by MalervyC

Sear TowersMore Photos

I spent 4 wonderful days in the Windy City in April 2006. I had an absolute blast checking out the sights and getting to know the locals. Chicago is a fun city for everyone.

  • 9 reviews
  • 18 photos

W Chicago City CenterBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Sear Towers
We bought our airfare and hotel through Orbitz and didn't get a bad deal. The W is a chain owned by the Westin, it's also extremely trendy. Once you walk into the lobby you are greeted by fresh flowers and an overload of perfume. There is no real direction to where the check-in desk is. There is an open bar and lots of couches and tables for you to people watch. We checked in thinking we had a king bed, and to be honest, it was barely a queen. The room was rather small, but after all, how often are you in your room? Room service was expensive, add $3.95 for service fee, 9% sales tax and a 19% convenience fee. Hello??? No wonder they can afford all the fresh flowers. The shower was sensational and they give you shampoo and stuff by Bliss which is a very trendy line. Overall I cannot complain about my experience. The people at the hotel were nice and I had a great body pillow to snuggle with. It's ideally located one block away from the Sears Towers.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by MalervyC on April 11, 2006

W Chicago City Center
172 W ADAMS AT LASALLE Chicago, Illinois 60603-3604
1-312-332-1200

Lou Malnati's PizzaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

There's a big thing in Chicago about deep dish pizza. I was told that there is a big rivalry between Lou Malnati's and another chain, which I wrote about in another review. Lou's is a nice place, hot waiters... but to be honest, the pizza was nothing special. It tasted like the deep dish I can get at a local place near my house. I even stretched the extra $0.75 for the butter crust and I didn't taste any butter!! I would suggest skipping this place when you are in Chicago.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by MalervyC on April 11, 2006

Lou Malnati's Pizza
3859 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60623
(773) 762-0800

Giordano's Prudential PlazaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Giordano's Pizza"

One day off of my disappointment in Lou Malnati's, my friend suggested we try Giordanos. There's one practically on every corner in the Loop. The wait was long, but was definitely worth it. Giordano's had the best deep dish pizza I have ever tasted. We had the tropical special—pineapples and Canadian bacon. We also ordered what I like to call the 'Deep Fried Delight'—mozz sticks, zucchini sticks, and fried mushrooms. Everything was great!! Our waitress was not so good—but you can't let one apple spoil the whole bunch. If you are in Chicago, you have to go here for dinner at least one night. The food it to DIE for!!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by MalervyC on April 11, 2006

Giordano's Prudential Plaza
Prudential Plaza 130 Randolph Street Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 616-1200

Garrett Popcorn ShopBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The only reason I went in here is because I have a cousin named Garrett... Okay Okay, I lied. The smell emerging from this place is intoxicating. A 6 ounce bag is $3 and some change. I chose cheese, but the local fave is cheese and caramel mix. It's really fantastic popcorn.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by MalervyC on April 11, 2006

Garrett Popcorn Shop
670 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.944.2630

Finn McCool'sBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Finn McCools"

That's a big glass!
We went to Finn's both on a Friday and Saturday, and let me tell you, this place is bumping. It's across the street from Mother's and She-nannigans. Drinks are good, including the huge beer self-serving glass tank. Music is awesome—come here to dance and see celebrities. We saw Scott Rolen (former Phillies player).
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by MalervyC on April 11, 2006

Finn McCool's
437 North Rush Street Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 222-0101

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Adler Planetarium"

Alder Planetarium
I think we paid $20 bucks to see the show at the planetarium. We selected the basic show that shows the stars and constellations over the Chicago sky. The lighting was really neat, but the seats are rather uncomfortable. Plus someone had a screaming kid in the room...not cool.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by MalervyC on July 7, 2006

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 South Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-7827

Millennium ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Millenium Park
Millennium Park was a few blocks from our hotel. The Big Bean is the first thing you see because it's so big. There is also an amphitheatre for outside concerts. It was a nice place to people-watch and enjoy the city sounds.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by MalervyC on July 7, 2006

Millennium Park
222 N. Columbus Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 861-9503

Sears Tower SkydeckBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Sear Tower Skydeck
The Sears Tower—what a wonderful experience. We wanted to go on a day when it was a little rainy and when we go to the Tower we were told there was 0 visibility. We went the next day around sunset and got some great shots of the city. The line going up the elevators wasn't as boring as say, the Empire State Building...where you have nothing but walls to look at. At the Sears Tower there are pictures, models, historical facts about the Tower and clips of movies that were filmed there. Also...the Sears Tower is the only building in the US to be named the tallest twice...once when it was first built. The title was then taken by the WTC buildings, but when they came down, the Sears Tower was again the tallest building in the US. This was a great trip and I have included some photos.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by MalervyC on July 7, 2006

Sears Tower Skydeck
233 South Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 875-9696

Field MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Field Museum
I'm going to be honest on this one...the Field Museum wasn't my favorite place. I found it a bit boring, I mean how many stuffed birds and bugs can you look at? I think it was placed very conveniently near the Aquarium, Planetarium, and Soldier Field. I would pass on this one...I know it's one of the gems of Chicago, but it was a disappointment for me.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by MalervyC on July 7, 2006

Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-9410

About the Writer

MalervyC
MalervyC
Norristown, Pennsylvania

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.