Favorite Chicago destination?

[Neo]

So what's your favorite Chicago destination?

My favorite is the gogeous lakefront and probably more specifically the area known as Navy Pier. You can see the entire Chicago skyline from the end of Navy Pier (1 mile out into Lake Michigan). It's a good place to just sit on a bench and watch people pass, the boats ride the waves and the birds fly around.

[Allan]

You want me to pick a single favorite destination in the city? Haha....I don't think I can do that. There are so many fun things to see and do in Chicago....

Sears Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier, the Field Museum...I could go on and on. Chicago is an awesome city - there's so much to do. I just wish I could go there more.

[Skymissile162]

Hey, everyone, sorry for my absence. I recently joined the Planet X Committee. This, along with work and managing my own site, leaves me with little time for other stuff. So, schedule permitting, I'll bop on by occassionally to see what's new.

Now, as far as favorite destinations in Chicago is concerned, anything up high works for me. I like the Sears Tower's skydeck and JHC's open air skywalk. Being into baseball, I also like Wrigley's Field a lot. Pizzeria Due is also constantly on my list of favorite attractions. Other than that, I just like to hang out and take it all in. As Allen said, there's many fun things to see and/or due in Chicago. It's virtually impossible to do everything you want during a one week visit there.

[monsoon]

[HowardL]

There's a really nice area immediately north of Navy Pier where you can go if the crowds start to get on your nerves. It's actually the Jardine Water Filtration plant. Sounds nasty, but it's not. It parallels Navy Pier and there is a park and a promenade that look back across the water and Ohio Street beach toward Lake Shore Drive.

At night in the summer time it is the best because you can hear the city, but it's slightly muffled and the buildings all reflect in the water. It's a good after dinner date spot.

Here's a little picture with Navy Pier to the side.

[Neo]

It's a good after dinner date spot.

Can you imagine telling your date... "Honey, I'm going to take you out to a nice dinner and afterwards we'll catch a cab and head over to the water filtration plant."

[Allan]

Can you imagine telling your date... "Honey, I'm going to take you out to a nice dinner and afterwards we'll catch a cab and head over to the water filtration plant."

LOL.

I didn't even know about the water filtration plant, although I have spent many afternoons at Navy Pier. Maybe I'll check it out when I go to Chicago next time.

[HowardL]

Ok, Ok, I know it sounds just awful, but it is really very nice. It's not like there is the hum of rotors and pumps filling the air. It's nice because it is so serence, yet so close to, but not on the beaten path. It's just that most people don't even know it's there.

And it's not the stinky water. It's just the water that comes in from those gigantic intake cribs out in the Lake. It gets spritzed with a little flouride, they pull the fish out and then it gets pressurized to shoot it up to the top of Hancock.

Anyway, so maybe I wouldn't make such a great tour guide but it is a really great place to take a quiet walk, pause every so often to look at the city and the water. Let me see if I can find a picture taken from out there.

I swear. It's really wonderful. It just has an image problem.

[Neo]

Here is a pic of the water filtration plant I took for you guys!

[wolfdawg54]

That is a little iffy. I am not sure that I would take my date there.

[josita]

My favorite Chicago destination!

The neighborhoods - by far. Downtown is amazing, but no one lives there. If you want to experience true Chicago culture -- go to where the people live.

[Urbanrailfan]

The neighborhoods - by far. Downtown is amazing, but no one lives there. If you want to experience true Chicago culture -- go to where the people live.

No one lives in downtown? What the HELL? I thought there were supposed to be some 60,000 in downtown and more in the LOOP.

[Neo]

There are TONS of people that live downtown. But *maybe* he meant literal downtown, inside the CTA loop which in fact is mostly business district. There are a few colleges in that area with student residents, most of the population in the general downtown area live north of the river where I lived in a section called Gold Coast and more northwards towards Lincoln Park and beyond...all of that is mostly residential. I lived at State and Superior and there were mostly residential towers around me so yes, there are a LOT of people that live downtown. Chicago is very vibrant inside of downtown at night, moreso north of the river than south of the river though there is activity between say State and Michigan south of the river.

[Neo]

Sorry for the ugliness of this...it's the best I could do without spending all day on it. Here are the population numbers in Chicago by community. First # is rank, then the community name, then the population in 2000, then the population in 1990 and finally the growth rate between 1990 and 2000.

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/census/communities...munitysize.html

1 Austin

including Galewood, The Island 117,527 114,079 3,448 3%

2 Lake View

including Wrigleyville 94,817 91,031 3,786 4.2%

3 South Lawndale

including Little Village 91,071 81,155 9,916 12.2%

4 West Town

including East Village, Noble Square, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park 87,435 87,703 -268 -0.3%

5 Logan Square

including Bucktown 82,715 82,605 110 0.1%

6 Belmont Cragin

including Brickyard, Hanson Park 78,144 56,787 21,357 37.6%

7 West Ridge

including Nortown, Peterson Park, Rosehill, West Rogers Park 73,199 65,374 7,825 12%

8 Near North Side

including Cabrini-Green, Dearborn Pkwy, Gold Coast, Goose Island, Old Town, River North, River West, State Pkwy, Streeterville 72,811 62,842 9,969 15.9%

9 Humboldt Park 65,836 67,573 -1,737 -2.6%

10 Portage Park 65,340 56,513 8,827 15.6%

11 Lincoln Park

including DePaul, Old Town Triangle, Park West, Ranch Triangle, Sheffield Neighbors, Wrightwood Neighbors 64,320 61,092 3,228 5.3%

12 Uptown

including Buena Park, Sheridan Park 63,551 63,839 -288 -0.5%

13 Rogers Park

including Loyola 63,484 60,378 3,106 5.1%

14 Edgewater

including Andersonville, Edgewater Glen, Epic, Lakewood/Balmoral 62,198 60,703 1,495 2.5%

15 South Shore

including Jackson Park Highlands 61,556 61,517 39 0.1%

16 Chicago Lawn

including Lithuanian Plaza, Marquette Park 61,412 51,243 10,169 19.8%

17 Irving Park

including Kilbourn Park, Old Irving Park, The Villa 58,643 50,159 8,484 16.9%

18 Albany Park

including Mayfair, North Mayfair, Ravenswood Manor 57,655 49,501 8,154 16.5%

19 Auburn Gresham 55,928 59,808 -3,880 -6.5%

20 Roseland

including Fernwood, Princeton Park 52,723 56,493 -3,770 -6.7%

21 New City

including Back of the Yards, Canaryville 51,721 53,226 -1,505 -2.8%

22 Near West Side

including Columbus Circle, Medical Center, Tri-Taylor, University Village 46,419 46,197 222 0.5%

23 West Englewood 45,282 52,772 -7,490 -14.2%

24 Brighton Park 44,912 32,207 12,705 39.5%

25 Lincoln Square

including Bowmanville, Budlong Woods, Ravenswood, Ravenswood Gardens 44,574 44,891 -317 -0.7%

26 Lower West Side

including Heart of Chicago, Pilsen 44,031 45,654 -1,623 -3.6%

27 Avondale 43,083 35,579 7,504 21.1%

28 Dunning

including Belmont Heights, Belmont Terrace, Irving Woods, Schorsch Village 42,164 36,957 5,207 14.1%

29 North Lawndale

including Lawndale 41,768 47,296 -5,528 -11.7%

30 Englewood

including Hamilton Park 40,222 48,434 -8,212 -17%

31 Ashburn

including Ashburn Estates, Beverly View, Crestline, Parkview, Scottsdale, Wrightwood 39,584 37,092 2,492 6.7%

32 Gage Park 39,193 26,957 12,236 45.4%

33 Greater Grand Crossing

including Park Manor 38,619 38,644 -25 -0.1%

34 South Chicago 38,596 40,776 -2,180 -5.4%

35 Norwood Park

including Old Norwood, Oriole Park, Union Ridge 37,452 37,530 -78 -0.2%

36 Chatham

including West Chesterfield 37,275 36,779 496 1.4%

37 West Pullman 36,649 39,846 -3,197 -8%

38 Garfield Ridge

including Le Claire Courts, Sleepy Hollow, Vittum Park 36,101 33,948 2,153 6.3%

39 Bridgeport 33,694 29,877 3,817 12.8%

40 North Center

including Roscoe Village, St. Ben's 31,895 33,010 -1,115 -3.4%

41 Hyde Park 29,920 28,630 1,290 4.5%

42 Washington Heights

including Brainerd, Longwood Manor 29,843 32,114 -2,271 -7.1%

43 West Lawn

including Ford City 29,235 23,402 5,833 24.9%

44 Grand Boulevard 28,006 35,897 -7,891 -22%

45 Woodlawn 27,086 27,473 -387 -1.4%

46 Hermosa

including Belmont Gardens, Kelvyn Park 26,908 23,131 3,777 16.3%

47 Douglas

including Bronzeville, Groveland Park, Lake Meadows, Prairie Shores, South Commons 26,470 30,652 -4,182 -13.6%

48 Jefferson Park

including Gladstone Park 25,859 23,649 2,210 9.4%

49 Morgan Park

including Beverly Woods, Kennedy Park, West Morgan Park 25,226 26,740 -1,514 -5.7%

50 East Side 23,653 20,450 3,203 15.7%

51 West Garfield Park 23,019 24,095 -1,076 -4.5%

52 Clearing

including Chrysler Village 22,331 21,490 841 3.9%

53 Beverly

including West Beverly 21,992 22,385 -393 -1.8%

54 East Garfield Park

including Fifth City 20,881 24,030 -3,149 -13.1%

55 Mount Greenwood 18,820 19,179 -359 -1.9%

56 North Park

including Hollywood Park, Pulaski Park 18,514 16,236 2,278 14%

57 Kenwood 18,363 18,178 185 1%

58 Forest Glen

including Edgebrook, Middle Edgebrook, Sauganash, Wildwood 18,165 17,655 510 2.9%

59 South Deering

including Jeffrey Manor 16,990 17,755 -765 -4.3%

60 Loop

including Printer's Row 16,388 11,954 4,434 37.1%

61 Calumet Heights

including Pill Hill 15,974 17,453 -1,479 -8.5%

62 McKinley Park 15,962 13,297 2,665 20%

63 West Elsdon 15,921 12,266 3,655 29.8%

64 Washington Park 14,146 19,425 -5,279 -27.2%

65 Montclare 12,646 10,573 2,073 19.6%

66 Archer Heights 12,644 9,227 3,417 37%

67 O'Hare

including Forest View 12,173 11,381 792 7%

68 Armour Square

including Chinatown, Wentworth Gardens 12,032 10,801 1,231 11.4%

69 Edison Park 11,259 11,426 -167 -1.5%

70 Avalon Park

including Marynook, Stony Island Park 11,147 11,711 -564 -4.8%

71 Riverdale

including Altgeld Gardens, Eden Green, Golden Gate 9,809 10,821 -1,012 -9.4%

72 Hegewisch 9,781 10,136 -355 -3.5%

73 Near South Side

including Dearborn Park, South Loop 9,509 6,828 2,681 39.3%

74 Pullman 8,921 9,344 -423 -4.5%

75 Oakland 6,110 8,197 -2,087 -25.5%

76 Fuller Park 3,420 4,364 -944 -21.6%

77 Burnside 3,294 3,314 -20 -0.6%

[monsoon]

[josita]

There are TONS of people that live downtown. But *maybe* he meant literal downtown, inside the CTA loop which in fact is mostly business district.

Oh yeah.. sorry about the confusion, but the downtown I was referring to was the Loop - financial/business district, where few people actually live (unless you of course you count the homeless individuals that live there year round).

The Loop to me is the ACTUAL loop -- the one that the elevated defines.

And incidently, that "he" is actually a she.

[Neo]

Ah ok! Sorry for the confusion and for calling you a "he"

[BigCity]

My favorite Chicago destination of all time is no longer there. Riverview. Best amusement park ever. The only amusement park around today that can approximate the Riverview experience is Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh. I guess I can get unpopular real quick, but I don't think cities of today are as vital or exciting as they once were. Chicago is no exception, in many ways it is one of the best examples of that theory. Still, my favorite Chicago destinations of today are the museums. Particularly the Art Institute and the Museum of Science and Industry. Chicago's cultural institutions are better than they ever were and truly world class in every way.

[GR Jackson]

I remember an old jazz club that me and my friends used to go to, I think it was called the Velvet Lounge, and it was run by a jazz musician. He would play a set and then get behind the bar and serve you drinks, he made a very good gin and tonic. I think it was over by chinatown. Does anyone know if that is still open and operating. It was really cool, like stepping back in time.

[tamias6]

To me going to Chicago is like a kid stepping into a candy shop. Its just too overwhelming for me to pick a favorite destination. So I'm going to say the entire city is my favorite Chicago destination. However if it came down to it I would say the business loop and the museums.

[FromCityToRural]

Hmm...I love the John Hancock observatory. It's not quite as tall as the Sears Tower, but it's a lot less crowded.

Pizzeria Uno/Due (practically around the corner from each other). GREAT food, and if you get there in winter, pair it with the Sam Adams Winter Ale.

West Suburban Oak Park...the area around Frank Lloyd Wright's house (south of Chicago Ave.) is one of the most beautiful suburban settings I've ever seen. Massive old-growth oak trees lining the street along with a good dose of FLW-designed houses make it a unique place. I haven't been north of Chicago Ave., so I don't know what it's like up there, though. Take the Green Line El train out to the Oak Park stop and walk north to Chicago Ave.

Promontory Point on Lake Michigan @ 55th st. is a great place to see the city's skyline.

Bucktown and Wicker Park are my favourite places to be. Blue line El Train bound for O'Hare goes through the heart of it. They're becoming yuppified, but they're still neat, bustling urban communities with lots to do, see, and even buy. It's spreading out to Logan Square, too.

Any trip on the El trains. Interesting and unexpected views combined with peoplewatching that's second to none.

Ed Debevic's Short Order DeLuxe: a cheapish diner with snooty staff and a 50's theme. You have to have eaten there to understand.

Take a drive on Lake Shore Drive. It's an interesting way to see Chicagoland's lakefront.

The magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue starting from the north shore of the Chicago River) is another place to catch some fantastic peoplewatching. Just south of the Chicago River is Chipotle. If you haven't been to one of these, it's the most filling place ever for $5. I always tank myself up there after a long day walking around Chicago.

I'm sure I'll think of some more, if I do I'll post them.

[GR Jackson]

I always liked to walk on the lakefront by the museums, and then head up to see Buckingham fountain. You can walk along the lakefront from the aquarium all the way to Navy pier, it is a nice thing to do in summer.

[joeDowntown]

Just went to Chicago this weekend and I have to say Millenium Park is by far one of the coolest urban parks I've ever been to. Tons of people playing, hanging out and enjoying the night. Nothing special was going on and there were hundreds, if not thousands of people milling around and taking in the sights. The Grand lawn (part of the Pritzker Pavillion) was my favorite. Not only is the Gehry designed amphitheatre spectacular, you could tell people treated it like their front lawn. Playing catch, running around, sitting in lawn chairs (?).

Here are a few shots:

Pritzker Pavillion (notice Blue Cross / Blue Shield with some impromptu signage):

Cloud Sculpture:

Crown Fountain:

[Allison Slater]

Mine would have to be Vision Nightclub. That place is just awesome.

As well as the intersection of Michigan & The River. I could spend hours there.

And lastly, the top of the Hancock. Just beautiful.

[roningreensboro]

My favorite destinations would have to be The Green Mill cocktail bar. They have some the greatest jazz there plus the bar is very authentic. Next would be Rush Street in Old town at dinner time, the atmosphere, people, and artchitecture is great in that section of town. Then there is Michigan ave, and Millienium Park.