Spare Time Fun

Chef Bobby · 04-16-2009, 02:35 PM

What are your plans for after hours each day?
We stayed busy last year by seeing "Wicked" the play. It was great! The last night we saw a musical comedy play about Chicago during the gangster days. That place is walking distance from the Chicago hilton.
We went to the top of a 94 story building. Forgot the name of it. Like looking out the window of an airplane. We walked through the park across Michigan Ave and stuck our toes into Lake Michigan. We walked downtown Michigan Ave with about a million other tourist. When the shopping started, I took the bus back.

Flamingo · 04-17-2009, 09:27 AM

Sounds like you had a wonderful time....

DessertDivaFL · 05-26-2009, 03:37 PM

I will be rooming with 3 directors from my cluster. I am not a director so I think I will be doing some things on my own - alone. Boo Hoo! I heard the best Chicago Pizza is on Michigan Ave. Anyone know about the pizza?

coriatc · 05-26-2009, 03:45 PM

The best two pizza places in Chicago are Gino's East and Lou Malnati's ... neither are on Michigan, though...

I encourage you to go to Harry Caray's for dinner, if you get a chance... GREAT food!

raebates · 05-26-2009, 03:57 PM

If you're tired you can always stay in the room, order Chicago style pizza to be delivered, and watch an in-room movie in your jammies.

Jolie_Paradoxe · 05-26-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef Bobby

What are your plans for after hours each day?
We stayed busy last year by seeing "Wicked" the play. It was great! The last night we saw a musical comedy play about Chicago during the gangster days. That place is walking distance from the Chicago hilton.
We went to the top of a 94 story building. Forgot the name of it. Like looking out the window of an airplane. We walked through the park across Michigan Ave and stuck our toes into Lake Michigan. We walked downtown Michigan Ave with about a million other tourist. When the shopping started, I took the bus back.

If you do remember the name of the theater, please share! Thanks!

DessertDivaFL · 05-26-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raebates

If you're tired you can always stay in the room, order Chicago style pizza to be delivered, and watch an in-room movie in your jammies.

That is when pizza tastes the best!

susanr613 · 05-26-2009, 10:23 PM

The building Chef Bobby referred to is the Hancock Building. They have a fancy and expensive restaurant on the 95th floor, but they also have a bar one floor above with the same gorgeous views. I reccommend going there for a drink or dessert at sunset. It is just spectacular.

Jersey Boys, which is about Frankie Valli, is playing if you want to go to the theater. I have heard it's really good.

If you are from a smaller town, I also recommend just walking down Michigan Avenue in the evening, and stopping where you please. We really make the most of the warm weather, so the streets are hopping even after the work/shopping day is over. You'd start with the lake/Millenium Park on your right.

If you do want to crash in your room, definitely order Ginos East or Lou Malnatis, and/or go to Garrett Popcorn and order a bag of mixed cheese/caramel/butter popcorn.

Have a great time!

Jolie_Paradoxe · 05-26-2009, 10:40 PM

Thanks for the great tips Susan! Looking forward to soaking in Chicago. = )

PamperChefCarol · 05-26-2009, 11:37 PM

If anyone is staying over in Wave 3 thru Sunday, we are staying over and planning on doing something Saturday night. All are welcome, but we do get pretty silly at times!!

DebbieJ · 05-26-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coriatc

The best two pizza places in Chicago are Gino's East and Lou Malnati's ... neither are on Michigan, though...

WRONG! Giordano's and Eduardo's are the best.

ChefBeckyD · 05-27-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieJ

WRONG! Giordano's and Eduardo's are the best.

LOL - the never-ending Chicago Pizza war picks up steam again!

(I like Lou Malnati's and Giordano's, myself.

)

cookn' katie · 06-04-2009, 11:44 AM

Anyone coming in early~ Navy Pier has free fireworks every Wed and Saturday night at dusk!

DessertDivaFL · 06-04-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookn' katie

Anyone coming in early~ Navy Pier has free fireworks every Wed and Saturday night at dusk!

Yes, me and 3 others from my cluster are flying in on Wednesday. This is good to know! Thanks!

chefcaroline · 06-23-2009, 03:04 PM

Navy Pier has fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights. It's an easy walk from the Sheraton.

For those who haven't been there before... Walk out the door and down the street right in front and turn right. It's straight down the road from there.

There is a nice stained glass exhibit there also.

raebates · 06-23-2009, 04:37 PM

We're thinking of taking a boat tour. We'll decide once we're there.

straitfan · 06-23-2009, 04:46 PM

We found a coupon for a BOGO on the boat tour last year. It was AWESOME! I'll have to try and find the name of the line we used.

raebates · 06-23-2009, 05:11 PM

Thanks! That would be great.

soccermama · 06-23-2009, 11:52 PM

The first year I went to Chicago, a friend of mine came with us, too. Our whole group did the "Hop on Hop Off bus tour", and me and my friend took the enthnic loop of the tour, and went to see Little Italy, Greek Town, etc..... it's a really cool bus tour, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has not done it.

Oh, my friend and I also went up in the Hancock Building in the evening! Totally cool views!!!!! It's a must see, also.

lacychef · 06-24-2009, 09:59 AM

We did a boat tour last year, & I thought it was the best thing we've done so far! I don't remember which line.....it started close to the Sheraton though. If leaving from the Sheraton, walk over the bridge, then down the stairs & it was right there. Only about $20-25 too. It went up the river & then out onto the lake for a bit. We loved it.
Also, the Shed Aquarium was awesome, Sears Tower is cool, Navy Pier is fun to walk around. My group has done something different each year. The Weber Grill is good food, as well as The Grand Lux restaurant. We liked Giordano's.

04-16-2009, 02:35 PM	#1
Chef Bobby Location: Prairieville, LA Posts: 798 Best Show: $980 Experience: 3 # of Shows: 56 My Mood:	Spare Time Fun What are your plans for after hours each day? We stayed busy last year by seeing "Wicked" the play. It was great! The last night we saw a musical comedy play about Chicago during the gangster days. That place is walking distance from the Chicago hilton. We went to the top of a 94 story building. Forgot the name of it. Like looking out the window of an airplane. We walked through the park across Michigan Ave and stuck our toes into Lake Michigan. We walked downtown Michigan Ave with about a million other tourist. When the shopping started, I took the bus back.

04-17-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
Flamingo Location: Upper Eastern Shore, Maryland Posts: 935 Best Show: $1830+ Experience: 4+ # of Shows: 194 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun Sounds like you had a wonderful time....

05-26-2009, 03:37 PM	#3
DessertDivaFL Location: SW FL Posts: 1,076 Best Show: 1,150 Experience: 1+ # of Shows: 60+ My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun I will be rooming with 3 directors from my cluster. I am not a director so I think I will be doing some things on my own - alone. Boo Hoo! I heard the best Chicago Pizza is on Michigan Ave. Anyone know about the pizza?

05-26-2009, 03:45 PM	#4
coriatc Location: Medina, OH Posts: 223 Best Show: Experience: 1+ # of Shows:	Re: Spare Time Fun The best two pizza places in Chicago are Gino's East and Lou Malnati's ... neither are on Michigan, though... I encourage you to go to Harry Caray's for dinner, if you get a chance... GREAT food!

05-26-2009, 03:57 PM	#5
raebates Location: Denver, IN Posts: 14,227 Best Show: $1,779 Experience: 5 # of Shows: 350 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun If you're tired you can always stay in the room, order Chicago style pizza to be delivered, and watch an in-room movie in your jammies.

05-26-2009, 10:23 PM	#8
susanr613 Location: Streamwood IL Posts: 1,884 Best Show: 1600 Experience: 1 # of Shows: 74 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun The building Chef Bobby referred to is the Hancock Building. They have a fancy and expensive restaurant on the 95th floor, but they also have a bar one floor above with the same gorgeous views. I reccommend going there for a drink or dessert at sunset. It is just spectacular. Jersey Boys, which is about Frankie Valli, is playing if you want to go to the theater. I have heard it's really good. If you are from a smaller town, I also recommend just walking down Michigan Avenue in the evening, and stopping where you please. We really make the most of the warm weather, so the streets are hopping even after the work/shopping day is over. You'd start with the lake/Millenium Park on your right. If you do want to crash in your room, definitely order Ginos East or Lou Malnatis, and/or go to Garrett Popcorn and order a bag of mixed cheese/caramel/butter popcorn. Have a great time!

05-26-2009, 10:40 PM	#9
Jolie_Paradoxe Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,236 Best Show: 1658.2 Experience: 8m # of Shows: 35 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun Thanks for the great tips Susan! Looking forward to soaking in Chicago. = )

05-26-2009, 11:37 PM	#10
PamperChefCarol Location: Michigan Posts: 1,050 Best Show: 1245 Experience: 2 # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun If anyone is staying over in Wave 3 thru Sunday, we are staying over and planning on doing something Saturday night. All are welcome, but we do get pretty silly at times!!

06-04-2009, 11:44 AM	#13
cookn' katie Location: Oxford, IA Posts: 234 Best Show: 1436 Experience: 4 # of Shows: 200	Re: Spare Time Fun Anyone coming in early~ Navy Pier has free fireworks every Wed and Saturday night at dusk!

06-23-2009, 03:04 PM	#15
chefcaroline Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 111 Best Show: 1160 Experience: 10 # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun Navy Pier has fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights. It's an easy walk from the Sheraton. For those who haven't been there before... Walk out the door and down the street right in front and turn right. It's straight down the road from there. There is a nice stained glass exhibit there also.

06-23-2009, 04:37 PM	#16
raebates Location: Denver, IN Posts: 14,227 Best Show: $1,779 Experience: 5 # of Shows: 350 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun We're thinking of taking a boat tour. We'll decide once we're there.

06-23-2009, 04:46 PM	#17
straitfan Location: Sterling, KS Posts: 1,197 Best Show: $1252 Experience: 3 # of Shows: 53 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun We found a coupon for a BOGO on the boat tour last year. It was AWESOME! I'll have to try and find the name of the line we used.

06-23-2009, 05:11 PM	#18
raebates Location: Denver, IN Posts: 14,227 Best Show: $1,779 Experience: 5 # of Shows: 350 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun Thanks! That would be great.

06-23-2009, 11:52 PM	#19
soccermama Location: Washington Posts: 594 Best Show: 2092 Experience: 2 # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun The first year I went to Chicago, a friend of mine came with us, too. Our whole group did the "Hop on Hop Off bus tour", and me and my friend took the enthnic loop of the tour, and went to see Little Italy, Greek Town, etc..... it's a really cool bus tour, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has not done it. Oh, my friend and I also went up in the Hancock Building in the evening! Totally cool views!!!!! It's a must see, also.

06-24-2009, 09:59 AM	#20
lacychef Location: Kansas Posts: 5,936 Best Show: 2002. Experience: 6 # of Shows: 315 My Mood:	Re: Spare Time Fun We did a boat tour last year, & I thought it was the best thing we've done so far! I don't remember which line.....it started close to the Sheraton though. If leaving from the Sheraton, walk over the bridge, then down the stairs & it was right there. Only about $20-25 too. It went up the river & then out onto the lake for a bit. We loved it. Also, the Shed Aquarium was awesome, Sears Tower is cool, Navy Pier is fun to walk around. My group has done something different each year. The Weber Grill is good food, as well as The Grand Lux restaurant. We liked Giordano's.

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