Polyphonic Catastrophe - Chicago People Tourist Advice

The first thing I think about when visiting new places is the food. Tell him to check out, if he has time, Pizzeria Due for some authentic Chicago-style pizza; either of the two hot-dog vendors on Maxwell Street (which technically aren't on Maxwell St anymore) for kickass Polish sausages; according to Wikipedia, Mr. Beef for true Italian beef; just about any place for a Chicago-style hot dog. I usually hit up Portillo's for hot dogs and Italian beef; they're not 'the original', but it's authentic enough.

Other places include just about any gyro joint, Harold's Chicken Shack, a very nice Greektown, and a decent Koreatown and very small but good Little Saigon (aka Viet-town).

Navy Pier is kinda cool, but becoming a tourist trap. There's the Rock'n Roll McDonald's, which is more of a McD's museum now. Speaking of museums, if that's his thing, there's a whole bunch of them, from the Shedd Aquarium to the Field Museum to the Art Institute. Other touristy things are the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center, which provide pretty cool views of the city.

If he has time to check out the 'burbs, there's Pita Inn, Herm's Palace, Poochie's, all more great places to eat on Dempster Rd in Skokie. Drive up north a bit more for the very splendid Botanic Gardens, though it's probably not as fantastic this time of year. To the northwest, Woodfield Mall remains the biggest mall in the Chicago area.

There's also the whole club and bar scene, but I'm not the guy to ask about that.

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Shopping-wise, it's hard to beat the sights and shops of the Magnificent Mile. Hmm... also to grab some awesome caramel popcorn, try Garrett's popcorn shop, they have several locations in d-town. If I were to recommend one over the other, I'd say have him go to the John Hancock over the Sears Tower. It has a better location and view than the Sears.

Also in downtown, I recommend he try some of the live music at the various jazz and blues bars if he's into that. House of Blues, Sullivan's, Blue Chicago are a few examples. And mention that you can ride on a free trolley around Chicago too, it'll take him thru d-town and is a nice way of becoming familiar to various sights for cheap. But don't get suckered into horse carriages... they're expensive and they smell like piss n' shit.

Outside of downtown... hmm... you could try the Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, or Wicker Park areas for nightlife and fine dining. If he likes beer, refer him to the Goose Island Brewery, one of Chicago's own. If he also has the time, he can visit a couple of the outlet malls outside of Chicago, in the suburbs of Gurnee and Aurora. I also recommend the Belmont/Boystown area, just for the eclectic shops and people there. And I also recommend he drive on Lake Shore Drive to take in the lakefront view.

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