Chicago Travel Forum

Hi
I'm going to Chicago for my first time this weekend. Have couple questions:
Can anyone suggest me good, local restaurants? I want try to stay away from any touristic rest.
And... any suggestions on activities or places that I MUST see. Anything, that make me say " I can't leave without seeing or doing this", besides Art Museum Millenium Park, John Hanckok and Navy Pier.
thank you

There are thousands of restaurants in Chicago, ranging from hot dog stands to $250 event dining restaurants, it would help to give us an idea of how much you want to spend and what kind of cuisine you are looking for.

Must sees are different for everyone, my personal must see list would include the Art Institute (free on Thurs/Fri evenings), Millennium Park, the view from the Hancock's signature lounge, a stop by the Cultural Center not only for the tourism center but also for the interior Tiffany domes, a boat ride on either the Lake or the River, a bike ride along the lakefront if the weather is nice, a show at Second City and a stop by Garrett's to get some of their caramel or cheese popcorn. Most locals would not have Navy Pier on the list although there is a nice free stained glass museum there and many of the boat rides leave from there. There's also a great Chinese acrobat show there in the summer called Cirque Shanghai, you may be able to get tickets from Hot Tix.

The Blues Fest is this weekend in Grant Park
http://www.chicagofestivals.net/category/city-of-chicago-festivals/blues-festival

Hmmm.. well there is SO much to do! Start at the Cultural Center at Randolph and Michigan Avenue. The have so many "to do" ideas there as well as coupons,
and the building itself is beautiful. Mosaic tile, sweeping staircases.
This was the original Library downtown. You can probably get an idea for a play here, Chicago is a great place to see a play... and there are some great hot tix.

An architectural boat tour on the Chicago River would be fun. Then there's the ethnic foods ~ Chinatown, little Italy, Greektown. Heaven on 7 at the South Wells street location is a real "local" spot. It's just around the corner from the Cultural Center, Louisiana type food, gumbo, Green River, etc.

How about a walk thru Lincoln Park Zoo? Grab a burger at Grunts.. IF you want fancy do a High Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel. Four SEasons is in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood so you can take in some shops on Oak Street.
Want to see where Oprah tapes her shows? Head west of the city for a tour of a neighborhood transformed by "O". Cute little restaurants and her retail store for O items.

You can always catch a boat ride on Navy Pier if you want a different view of they city~ have fun~

I don't think they have the coupon books at the tourism offices anymore but there are a lot of great deals if you check this website and print them out in advance.

http://www.chicagoofficeoftourism.org/chicagocoupons/

They do have info. on good deals, anyone visiting the City should check in here first. :)

We were in Chicago the end of April and found a restaurant HUGO'S FROG BAR which was a fish house but one of their speciality was frog legs and were not prepared like french provencal so if you enjoy that then this place is a must. And not very touristy. Pizzeria Uno has good deep dish pizza but looked all looked like tourists. Check www.menupages.com and click on Chicago for exact address and menu of many restaurants.

If you have time the El will get you (and very safely) to Oak Park to see great FLWright architecture.

It is a lovely city so enjoy it.

Losham

Three museums I'd add to the above suggestions:
the Museum of Contemporary Art--http://www.mcachicago.org
the Adler Plaetarium:--http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
the Shedd Aquarium--http://www.shedd.com/

and a restaurant: Heaven on Seven--http://www.heavenonseven.com/wabash.html

If you like BBQ ribs, I definitely recommend Twin Anchors. One of my favorite restaurants in the city. It's actually been featured in a couple movies (Return to Me, The Dark Knight), but has still managed to stay off the tourist track and it's always filled with locals.

http://www.twinanchorsribs.com/

If you want to try Chicago-style pizza, go for Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. Uno's is definitely a tourist thing.