Chicago

[Pookie_gal]

Hi,

I'm a Londoner visiting Chicago for the 1st time next week. Firstly, do you have any recommendations for me to do/visit? I plan to do a lot of shopping and will def be checking out the malls. :nice:

Any suggestions for nice, but reasonable restaurants would also be appreciated! I'm staying in a hotel in the centre of town.

Secondly, will there be any group meets happening on the Saturday night (the 16th)? Reason being I am looking to check out the bars/clubs/lounges (beats staying in the hotel alone all night!) and would prefer to go with some people rather than by myself. I'm just asking out of interest, 'cos some friendly faces would be better than none! :)

Thanks a lot...

[FrankieY18]

definitely go to michigan avenue

[artsfartsyjanet]

go to chinatown (old and new)... vietnamese town too.... don't know anything about the club scene...

[BigLew]

Go to the BBQ shack on the corner of Chicago and Dearborn, have a slab of ribs and wings - the best wings in the world!

[Pookie_gal]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm really looking forward to it! :)

[TB4000]

Hit Bon Appetito, definitely. And there's a gourmet popcorn place on LaSalle that's become semi famous as of late. I managed to squeeze down there yesterday on my way back from Navy Pier.

[Pookie_gal]

Gourmet popcorn? So what other toppings do they offer apart from salt and sweet?

[mrazntre]

Gourmet popcorn? So what other toppings do they offer apart from salt and sweet?

spicy!!!!

[Pookie_gal]

Thanks for all your tips!

Stayed in the Hilton Chicago, just on South Michigan Ave, which was where the new J-Lo movie, Shall We Dance, was filmed. Also, where The Fugitive and Home Alone II, and the heli-pad is famous for ER scenes.

Spent most of my time going around the stores on North Michigan, and State St. I managed to stock up on Abercrombie (my addiction!) and Victoria's Secret. Popped into the Apple store too, but prices around the same as here. There's also a really good premium outlet mall in Aurora, which is 45 mins drive from downtown Chicago. Now that place has a lot of stores inc. Nike, Adidas, Puma, Coach (my other addiction!), Kate Spade, Gap, Banana Republic etc.

There's also a great popcorn shop (Garrett's - was that the gourmet one you meant?) and of course the Original Cheesecake Factory at the bottom of the Hancock tower.

Took a photo of the Buckingham fountain (our hotel was just opp Grant and Millennium Park), went up John Hancock tower , ate Chicago 3-inch pizza, burgers and steak, went past Hooters (we wanted to go in but apparently, they rarely have a group of women!). Unfortunately, didn't have enough time to head up to Sears Tower or the Art Institute, but we went on a riverboat architecture cruise, which was interesting and informative but b****y freezing! Esp. when they head towards Lake Michigan. Brrrrrr...

But we 'did' go to Buddy Guy's Legends and we met Buddy Guy (also took a pic with him!), then onto some jazz club, then we wanted to go to the original Coyote Ugly bar but it was closed. Actually, we did the nightlife on Monday, which was a quiet night. Ended up at some Irish bar with a group of Texan guys who bought us drinks all night and refused to let us pay.

It's not as vibrant as California or NYC though....so I think I may only head back for shopping and to check out the sights that I didn't manage to see. Am already planning a trip to NYC next spring....;)

All in all, had a very good time! :D