Fun spots in Chicago?

[kotrenin]

Uno's is also good for deep dish pizza it is near Rush street. (On the weekends the restaurants get packed with dinners sometimes lining up down the block when the weather is good so go to dinner early and have a snack later.)

Our museums are supposed to be really good too.
   
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
 - www.naturemuseum.org - (773) 755-5100
Adler Planetarium & Museum
 - www.adlerplanetarium.org - (312) 922-7827
The Field Museum
 - www.fieldmuseum.org - (312) 665-7683
Chicago Children's Museum
 - www.chicagochildrensmuseum.or g - (312) 527-1000
Museum of Science & Industry
 - www.msichicago.org - (773) 684-1414
Museum of Contemporary Photography
 - mocp.org - (312) 663-5554
Glessner House Museum
 - www.glessnerhouse.org - (312) 326-1480
Chicago History Museum
www.chicagohistory.org/
The Art Institute of Chicago
www.artic.edu/
Museum of Contemporary Art
www.mcachicago.org/

I agree with JB88, the riverboat architectural tour if the weather is nice gets you out on the lake for a great view (bring the camera on it.)  Personally I think you should stay away from Navy Pier, it can be a bit of a tourist trap.

[Enker]

The Science and Industry Museum was the best museum I have ever been too. And I was 9 when I went. That is how amazing it was.

When we went to Uno, it was a Thursday night, were seated at 7:30ish after an hour wait, waited 45 minutes for our pizza, asked, and it turns out they had forgotten entirely about it. We re-ordered, waited another 45 minutes, and they brought it to our table, under cooked. The center was still cold for frak's sake. Simply because we made a stir about the pizza we ordered 45 minutes ago, and people who came in the restaurant after us had gotten their pizza. After that, we paid for our nibbled on pizza and went down the street to a Chinese restaurant and had a better meal there.

Unless they have seriously changed their ways, I would say skip on Uno. Also, why call yourself a Chicago grill if you have another restaurant in Kansas City?

[Saxman]

Also, why call yourself a Chicago grill if you have another restaurant in Kansas City?

They have them here in St. Louis, too. And they're called "Chicago Grill" because that's where the original opened, and it's the style of food they serve. Sort of like California Pizza Kitchen at the Galleria.

[texasmom]

Thanks guys! My friend will be thrilled to get this suggestion list.

[ghi]

  Any fun spots I should recommend to her?

I-94 around 5-6 pm, lots of fun

[j500ss]

They have them here in St. Louis, too. And they're called "Chicago Grill" because that's where the original opened, and it's the style of food they serve. Sort of like California Pizza Kitchen at the Galleria.

And the UNO, came from the fact that they were the first deep dish pizza joint in Chitown. No, I personally don't care for their pizza either.
  Science and Industry, Field Museum and Shedd are must see if at all possible.  Screw Wrigley, go see the White sox, much nicer ballpark.  Where will she be staying, might have an impact on easier/ best places to go. Reguardless she will not be bored, always lots going on.

[Nwbie]

I-94 around 5-6 pm, lots of fun

(Image removed from quote.)

Even more interesting to be driving south on the Ryan (94) at about 1:30 in the morning, we call it the Indy 500 . . . it is quite an interesting drive...lol

[wrongwayric]

If she's cute and single....my place  I'm only 100 miles away in the country. She could always come out and sit and watch the corn grow and count the tractors going by.

[Thruster]

20 year Texas transplant here.

If you absolutely cannot talk her out of it.....

Depending on what she's in to and where she's staying here's a few I've run across.

B'hai temple. odd people, very cool building. Keep driving and run through Kenilworth. It's like a mid range Preston Hollow, nicest looking neighborhood in the area. Any museum on the lake front. Out west of town is the arboretum, Garfield Park Conservatory, Brookfield Zoo and the horse tracks.

Louise's in Crestwood. Best pizza in the city. Even better than Campisi's. It's key to understand the food in Chicago really sucks. There may be 35 places in the area that do an inspired job. Only 1 or 2 are downtown.  The best steak is a southern name (Ruth's), I stop into Heaven on 7 whenever I can, Fat Willy's for Barbecue, it's worth a try just to see it can be done well in the asphalt jungle.

There are some good looking restaurants here. Most are a real hassle if you drive. The Italian Village upstairs is decent. The Ambassador room is another. Monk's for burgers. Can't recall the rest.

Then you got Blue Man Group, Second City, a few T.V. productions and navy pier which is only good if you're a diehard tourist.

Otherwise it's a decent town to wander. If you stay downtown or up to Lincoln Park it's a pleasant way to see the town.


As far as the Ryan goes...

"I-94 around 5-6 pm, lots of fun"
Heading north as the photo shows is actually pretty quick that time of day.

"Even more interesting to be driving south on the Ryan (94) at about 1:30 in the morning, we call it the Indy 500"
The name commonly used is a bit more colorful but close.

[Sikboy]

Without a doubt, the single most fun spot in all of Chicago, or for that matter, the entire state of Illinois is the RTC.

-Sik

[Nwbie]

"Even more interesting to be driving south on the Ryan (94) at about 1:30 in the morning, we call it the Indy 500"
The name commonly used is a bit more colorful but close.

  - yes I know - but I didn't want to be skuzzified

I second Louise's in Crestwood - you on the southside? - Not many people know about it.

[AKP]

Geno's Pizza (if it is still there).  Used to go there on the weekends when I was at the NTC for A school.  Awesome Pizza!

[Thruster]

"I second Louise's in Crestwood - you on the southside? - Not many people know about it."

We're bout as south side as you can get and still be in the city. Now on the opposite end of town you get Malnotti's which ain't bad but it's no Louise's.

[BlueJ1]

Without a doubt, the single most fun spot in all of Chicago, or for that matter, the entire state of Illinois is the RTC.

-Sik

 

[kotrenin]

As far as the Ryan goes...

"I-94 around 5-6 pm, lots of fun"
Heading north as the photo shows is actually pretty quick that time of day.

Ummm... that picture shows the inbound Kennedy at Ohio.  The Ohio feeder ramp is on the left and the traffic is reversed for the afternoon rush to let the cars into the express lanes.

I was trying to suggest places within walking/cab ride distance to river north and the loop since I don't know what her time constraints are and assumed she was staying there.

By the way some of the restaurants in Greek Town are pretty good as well.