I'm taking my new bride to Chicago in late November (19-22) for a long weekend.

We are staying at the Silversmith Hotel on "jewelry row" (IIRC).

What are the "must do's", the "must eats", the "must tours", and the "must smoke here" places in that area? I'd be one block from Michigan Ave and one block from Millenium park.

So far, all i know is that I want to take a souble secker bus ride and also want to hit a couple art museums.

I know there are 1,000,000 things to do in Chicago... but I just want opinions to maximize my trip!


- Bobby
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A chicago must do:

Get tasered/tased by Tom (Icehog3) :-)
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:-)


:-):-):-)
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I will warm 'er up. :-)
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Never met the guy but I'd like to see a youtube video of you fist fighting him? :-):-):-)

Ok, the taser will do. :-)
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Seeing blue man group at night is really fun. Otherwise during the day the aquarium and museums are nice to hit, or navy pier. As far as food goes some of the chicago area guys can be of more help
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Must smoke here is easy - either in a B&M, or out on the street, away from any doorway. :-)

As far as B&Ms, you'll be close to Iwan Ries
http://www.iwanries.com/
Keep in mind they are closed Sunday, as is most of the stuff in that neighborhood (it's really weird).

As far as art museums, the Art Institute is pretty cool. You could spend a lot of time there.

If I had to choose two restaurants for dinner in Chicago they would probably be North Pond and Dorado (get the Duck Nachos). Neither is close to your hotel, so you'd need to drive, cab, or el.
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You must go to Ditka's resaurant. Chicago---->Da Bears---->Ditka---->Ditka's Restaurant. It's simple.

The waterfront is great too, they have a nice fair right on the water.

If you go to Ditka's, ask if they have my sunglasses still. I lost them there about 4 years ago and I've missed them ever since.

BTW...Chicago is my favorite city in America.
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Harry Carey's restaurant, Hard Rock, and John Hancock building for the view.
All within walking distance from Michigan Ave.
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John Hancock building was a good stop. Lots of city facts on the top floor.
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For seafood I would recommend Hugo's Frog Bar.

http://www.hugosfrogbar.com/

Pizza, my personal fave is Giordano's.

http://www.giordanos.com/

If you have access to a car (or maybe even the train), Cigar King is a great B&M.

http://www.cigarking.com/catalog/dir/section/15
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You can walk out into a little glass box on the sears tower now....unless it is closed down???? That seems pretty awesome
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Daytime - Museums, tours, sporting events
Nightime - Bars, B&M's, sporting events
Food - find a non-chain restuarant to enjoy. There are plenty. Get some dawgs from a local store and real deep dish from Giordanos. Get some Chicago popcorn from Nuts on Clarke (Half cheddar/half caramel).
B&M - Get one of the locals to meet you at one. There are plenty in whatever area you want.
Stay away from the magnificent mile if you want to keep your money. Your financee may go crazy at watertower place (8 floor mall)
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thanks gents, keep em coming!!
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bump for B&M suggestions??
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umm...


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+1 for Iwan Ries

IMO, the best Italian in Chicago.---- http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/
The have a great wine list to say the least. There are 3 restaurants that make up the Italian Village, all in the same building, go to the original Village which is upstairs. Here is more of a visual- http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/video.php

Capital Grille has great steaks. I think they are on N. St. Clair, just off Michigan ave.
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If you were to ask a Floridian what it is you can do in mid to late November in Chicago, specially a Floridian who has had the opportunity to go there many, many times, there is only one answer he can give you:

FREEZE YOUR A$$ OFF!!!:-)

However, I would do Giordano's Deep Dish Pizza as Tom suggested.
As others have also said, the Hancock building is cool to go up to.
For me, it would be all about food. That city has awesome food to be had anywhere you turn to.
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I wanna see that video too:-)
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If you were going the weekend prior, I'd recommend going to see Skillet at the House of Blues like me.
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