Chicago on a Budget

New Year's at the Grand Ball Room & Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday & Saturday evening (9-ish) all summer long; St Patrick’s Day Parade; Lincoln Park Zoo; Farmers Markets; Buckingham Fountain the rose gardens & free festivals in Grant Park; riding bikes & rollerblading / rollerskating along the lakefront path ~ Grant Park to Lincoln Park ; riding the CTA el trains & trolleys; shopping on State Street & Michigan Ave.; architecture; river & lakefront boat tours: exploring the suburbs via METRA commuter trains.

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From the outside Cardozo's looks like a "hole in the wall" restaurant and after transcending the narrow staircase down to the restaurant you will see that’s exactly what is it.
Typically packed full of local business people during lunch time, and later on in the afternoon the same gather at the bar for cocktails.

The pasta is great. I can't decide weather the veal tortellini smothered in rich white cream sauce or the chicken tortellini in a tomato cheese sauce is my favorite, both are exceptional and served in generous portions which can easily be shared or brought home in a doggie bag for later.

Another of my favorites is the linguini with shrimp and broccoli with a white wine sauce. They also have daily specials, and the service is fast and friendly!

Just stay away from the sandwiches and other entrees, not nearly as good - stick with the pasta and you can't go wrong.

This is one of my favorites and a truly unique pizza place. Start with the Mediterranean bread--a nice BIG, thin, crispy sheet sprinkled with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese--and then get the pizza pot pie. There are only two choices--meat or mushroom--and both are full of savory sauce and cheese. Quite unique and delish!

Brother Jimmy's is now Blue Iguana North and a lot more civilized.

Great daily specials (all days except Fridays)
Tuesdays = $1.00 half-pound burgers & $5.00 martinis.
Sundays = $2.00 domestic bottles and free halftime buffet (delish BBQ fare). Call for all the details… Lots of TVs, including big-screen TVs. Unfortunately, the stuff hanging over the bar tends to obstruct the view, so choose your seat wisely…

Nice city zoo, lots of aminals, not too big so you can easily see it all in a few hours. The farm at the zoo is a lot of fun for the kids.

The zoo’s site

The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Tuesday is free day (all days are $6-$10 recommended donation so you can pay only $1)

Chicago Children’s Museum
Navy Pier, 312-527-1000
($6-$10) FREE on Thursday evenings 5pm - 8pm

The Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
FREE on Mondays and Tuesdays, September 15 – December 23
See T. Rex Sue and lots of other exhibits

Museum of Science and Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Coal mine, the U-505 Submarine, Human Body Slices and lots of other interesting exhibits
($5 - $12.50) Free on Mondays and Tuesdays from September 15 through November 25, Thanksgiving Day, November 27, Christmas Eve, December 24