10 things I love about Chicago

For those who where in the Lounge last night, some of whom want to "pull out of Chicago".  Here are some really good reasons why I love Chicago.

1. The Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue (this is probably my first 10 reasons because of the art that is there --1. American Gothic, by Grant Wood 2. The Haystacks (they have 5 of them) by Monet 3. Afternoon on the Island of Grand Jatte, by Georges Seurat 4. Paris Street, Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte 5 Interrupted Reading by Camille Carot 6. Improvisation #30 ( the first non representational painting) by Kandinski 7. At the Moulin Rouge by Toulouse-Lautrec 8 Two Sisters by Renoir 9. The Child's Bath by Mary Cassatt 10. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper 11. Woman by Gaston Lachaise 12. The Assumption of the Virgin by El Greco 13. Melancholia 1 by Durer 14,Ballet at the Paris Opera by Degas 14. Two Women's Torsos by willem de Kooning ...ok I went on a bit, but its not even scratching the surface.

2. Michigan Avenue aka, The Magnificent Mile

3. Watertower and Pump House - the only surviving structures in that area of town destroyed by the Chicago Fire...the Fire left a "blank canvas" for architects to come to Chicago and give it.....

4. The Chicago Skyline.  Skyscrapers were invented and perfected in Chicago.

5. daCubs, da Bulls, da Bears

6. The Conrad-Hilton Hotel - a Grand Hotel in the classical sense.

7. The Jewish Museum

8. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

9. The Second City

10. Tiffany Glass Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center (former library)

11. Shedd Aquarium

12. Carson's Ribs - Hawkeye sent for them they are so legendary

OK, thats more than 10, but there are plenty of reasons to go and enjoy Chicago, my favorite American City!!!

All this talk about Chicago folks being great drivers has me gasping for air due to uncontrollable laughter at the folly of such an idea.

The Bean sucks.

But Chicago IS, overall, teh_awsum.  I wouldn't want to live anywhere else (except Canada).

the bean didn't suck for me

is there a button that you're supposed to press for that?

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

the bean didn't suck for me

is there a button that you're supposed to press for that?

 Hee hee!  :-)

I'm just not a fan of it at all. 

Original Post by yachtracer1977:

All this talk about Chicago folks being great drivers has me gasping for air due to uncontrollable laughter at the folly of such an idea.

The Bean sucks.

But Chicago IS, overall, teh_awsum.  I wouldn't want to live anywhere else (except Canada).

 I'm sure you are!!!! My friends who live there think the driving is hell, but compared to the yahoos in East Tennessee, its a cake walk, and no shotguns, confederates, hairpin turns, and -steep -hill-hairpin turns-with-a-tractor-trail er in-front-and-tailgaiting-in-back-of-you!!!&nb sp; Wahhh!

I was in Chicago two weeks ago for a 5 day "vacation" (read: mother-in-law's family reunion) so here was my impression.

We stay'd in Evanston, but spent a lot of time downtown off Lakeshore Dr. The museum is nice, especially the dinosaur exhibit. The kids museum down at Navy Pier was really fun for the girls once we got off the first floor which was really lame.

Soldier field is impressive, the planetarium is meh, and the shopping is shopping. The zoo was good by most standards (but I'm spoiled b/c we're pass holders to the San Diego zoo)

Bums everywhere and the weather stinks, but seeing the foliage change was nice. I couldn't believe how many "workers" there are just standing around.

We took Cicero down to North and took North across to the city of Elmhurst. You guys have some impressive ghettos and I live near Los Angeles, I know ghettos.

Chicagoans can't drive for ****. Please note that lanes are only suggestions in countries like Egypt. Tapping your horn is NOT the same thing as a turn signal, though I suppose I shouldn't complain considering the majority use nothing to signal. Oh yes, and for the love of jeebus why the hell does every other numb nut in that city just randomnly and inexplicably stop in the middle of a lane?

I'm not a big beer and pizza guy, don't get me wrong I like it, but my inner foodie was dissappointed by the culinary offerings. Though we did have a good mediteranean dinner, sadly I can't remember the restaurant off the top of my head.

The southbound view from LakeShore Dr. as you approach and pass the downtown is lovely: Big city on the right, lake and greenery to the left and those lovely trees "in bloom" in the middle. I especially liked the drive up to the museum.

All in all, it's not to shabby, but definitely not for me. I do have to say I'll miss Evanston 1st Liquors... the owner loves wine and it's always nice to buy from someone that truly loves the stuff.

Not in order of my liking, just the top 10 things that came to mind.  I'm an Illinois girl born and bred (LaSalle county) and spent many, many weekends in Chicago as well as lots of summers when visiting friends in Lake Forest, Elmhurst and Villa Park.

1. Navy Pier
2. Venetian Night
3. shopping at Water Tower place
4. The Museum of Science and Industry
5. crusin' down LSD
6. Oak Street Beach
7. Buckingham fountain at night
8. the Art Institute
9. the Picasso in Daley plaza
10. Ed Debevic's

Iggy, don't tell me you passed up the chance for an authentic Chicago style hot dog. Please don't tell me that. Please.

Was not impressed.

Does that mean you ate one?

Indeed, poppy seed bun n' all.

Did you get all the toppings? Including the hot pepper?

If we're going to mention food then you cannot forget the famous Maxwell Street Polishes!!!

Hmm, let's see...Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Village, Greektown, Boystown, Wrigleyville, Rush Street...just to name a few of our unique neighborhoods.

Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Sears Tower, John Hancock, The State of Illinois building, The Wrigley Building, The Picasso at the Daley Center, the main Chicago Library right off State Street, State Street, the entire lakefront but mostly Belmont Harbor, North Ave Beach, Oak Street Beach.  Someone above said cruisin' LSD...don't forget to cruise Lower Wacker!! 

And of course shout outs to our burbs!!!  The Little Red Schoolhouse (one of the oldest schools in the state and is located in the middle of a nature walk.  Our many forest preserves and bike routes that span in and around the entire city, Brookfield Zoo, The Morten Arboretum, The Chocolate Festival, The Car Museum, many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings/houses and his Museum....just to name a few things our burbs offer too.

Edit:  Oh yeah, and let us not forget that one can truly experience all 4 seasons!!

Being a native of Chicago, I have a few others to add:

Mustard's Last Stand (While not within city limit's of Chicago, definitely one of the best dogs in the area), Al's Italian Beef, Lou Malnatis, Gino's East.

Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Division St. bars, Oz Park, The Smurfett Stone building (the fabulous building with the diamond shaped roof at the corner of Randolph and Michigan), The Oriental Theater, The Cadillac Palace Theater, The Goodman, The Lasalle Bank Theater (formerly The Shubert Theater), Marina Towers (the two sprial residential buildings off the river), The House of Blues, Water Tower Place, The Tribune Building.

The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium, The Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, The United Center, US Cellular Park (formerly, but always remembered as, Comisky Park), Wrigley Field...

I could go on forever, but i'll spare all of you :)

Original Post by dreporto:

US Cellular Park (formerly, but always remembered as, Comisky Park),

 Ditto!!!

Best hot dog places ever! 

Superdawg Drive-In

Gene & Judes

Lou Malnati's is good, but GIORDANO's is where it's at :)

My mommy knows to have a pizza night when I come home to visit!

Original Post by katydid22:

Lou Malnati's is good, but GIORDANO's is where it's at :)

 

My mommy knows to have a pizza night when I come home to visit!

 hmmm last time I was in Chicago I had the best pizza, but for the life of me I could not remember the name of the place and I think that might be it!!

*writes it down*

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

 

I would also like to give a shout out to the DRIVERS in Chicago who I feel are the most courteous drivers in any large city in the world.

In less you're a cyclist who rides in my part of town

Clearly I am the best thing about Chicago

Its home........ Home is good.

bump