Chicago?

[bettingpython]

As 'tarded as Chicago is, it is a fun place to visit. I recommend taking CTA trains and busses everywhere you go. It's fun to be like the locals. Genos is good stuff. Navy Pier is a little overrated IMHO. The science and industry museum is cool. Unfortunately I had to catch a flight so I didn't get to stay long the day I went. One of my previous employers was based in Chicago so I had to make a few trips up there.

Unfortunately the training center is in Mundelein, so we're having to rent a car to get to and from the city but we'll probably do the trains when we get into the city proper. Depends on what parking is like, if it's anything like NOLA then yeah park the car and ride the trains and buses. The train in from Mundelein takes 2 hours and with our short stay time we don't want to waste too much of it.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Hang out downtown, crash a parade, sing twist and shout

 

[SoonerP226]

I've driven to Chicago a few times, but I never drive around in Chi-town any more than required to get to where I'm going. When I lost count of the police cars with body damage I figured that was not a place I wanted to drive recreationally, so when I get where I'm going/staying, I park and don't get back in the car 'til it's time to go. I've walked all over downtown Chicago, and the worst problems I had were some guy begging for money so he could buy some kind of newspapers to resell and another guy who kept calling me "Chief" and was dead set on shining my boots. (Thanks, but Justin Apache Bays are supposed to look like this.)

I never made it there, but you might look into Navy Pier--and the Field Museum, where you can visit the the Maneaters of Tsavo referenced in The Ghost and the Darkness. (Col. Patterson's book, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, on which the movie is based, is well worth reading, BTW.)

The Magnificent Mile is quite a sight to see, even if you (like me) care neither for crowds nor shopping. Too bad you're going so early in the year; Wrigley Field is a hell of an environment for a ballgame, even if it's freaking cold with the wind blowing in from Lake Michigan and your outerwear consists of jeans, a t-shirt, and a short-sleeve baseball jersey.

Also, Illinois is in the midst of its 180-day countdown to Constitutional carry, and it doesn't sound like they're making much progress on anything that will pass muster with the 7th Circuit...

 

[TedKennedy]

Check out the U-505, and take the tour. Chinatown is awesome - go to Joy Yee Noodle house on Archer - get a fresh fruit smoothie for me! On Sundays there's a Maxwell Street Market - there's a bunch of Mexican cooking tents set up and a flea market. The food is incredible - they make huge corn tortillas right there, with made to order tacos, some of the places have tamales wrapped in banana leaves and.....

 

[TwoForFlinching]

I saw a car at the Ponca Walmart the other day with an "I Miss Chicago" bumper sticker on it...

So I broke a window, stole the radio, and left a note saying "Hope this helps"

 

[indi]

if you like mexican food check out this place Nuevo Leon.

http://www.nuevoleonrestaurant.com/

Its in the Pilsen neighborhood, so keep your gaurd up.

 

[Glocktogo]

I'd say take a day trip to see the Illinois governor's mansion, but I think it's been relocated to Florence, CO.

 

[KOPBET]

If you're looking for some fun, get yourself a conferate skull cap and then go check out Englewood and Washington Park, or maybe take the train to Howard Red Line.

 

[dennishoddy]

There was this awesome restaurant on the airport complex called Bogey's.
The lingerie show at noon, is very impressive! That was a couple of years ago. More recently, lots to see downtown on lakeside. House of blue's is pretty fun in the evening, lots of smaller joints.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

Go see Melvin Taylor at Rosa's Lounge...http://rosaslounge.com/index.cfm