I'm headed on a mom's weekend away with some friends soon to Chicago ... What should we do while we're there? Where is good for dinner (I'm celiac so GF options are appreciated!). Also, the other girls are going on a boat tour one morning but I'm not a fan of water - is there anywhere good to hang out for an hour by the pier (I'm assuming there is only one pier ...)?
Thanks!!
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We also want to go out dancing one night and would appreciate recommendations (we're all in our mid 30's if that matters lol)
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In regards to restaurants. Look up restaurants in the Lettuce Entertain You group (leye.com) as they have their gluten free menus online.
Are they going on an architecture boat tour or a tour around the lake? If it's the architecture one, don't skip it. It's really great, regardless of whether you're a water person or not. Otherwise, you can hang out at Navy Pier while you wait.
Otherwise, there are many museums, shows, shopping etc. to keep you busy. What do you all like to do? Where are you staying? Will you be comfortable navigating the el to head into the neighborhoods? There's usually a street fest or two going on every weekend.
And I can't help with where to go dancing. That's not really my thing
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They're doing an arcatecture tour, I'm really not a fan of boats or water ... Which is why I am choosing to skip it.
Is there much to do at Navy Pier? Coffee shops?
We're staying at the Four Seasons ... And we're up for pretty much anything
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There's not much to do at Navy Pier -- it's very much a tourist trap with overpriced restaurants and trinket shops. It's also pretty self-contained, so there's not much around it. (There is a Starbucks inside that is part of a larger food court.)
Is the architecture boat tour definitely leaving from Navy Pier? The tour I recommend is the one by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (http://www.architecture.org/rivercruise), and that departs from a dock that is near much more interesting stuff. You can go shopping on Michigan Avenue, walk around/people watch at Millennium Park, pop in the Art Institute, etc.
Alternatively, since you'll be staying at the Four Seasons, you could send your friends off on the boat tour and then just head east from the hotel to take a stroll on the lakefront.
You are in a great area for restaurants -- and there are lots more amazing places to eat outside of the downtown area if you're planning to explore other neighborhoods. In the River North neighborhood, which is within walking distance of the hotel, I like Xoco (Mexican/Rick Bayless), GT Fish & Oyster (seafood), Slurping Turtle (ramen/Japanese small plates), Hub 51 and Beatrix. Hubbard Inn and Epic are nice spots for drinks.
Near the Four Seasons is Le Colonial, which is excellent upscale Vietnamese. And you're also near the Hancock, where you can catch one of the best views of the city at night from the ladies' room at the Signature Lounge (where the drinks are kind of overpriced otherwise).
Sorry for the novel! Holler if you need more suggestions and have fun!
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Ditto to what @MsInformation said. Agree on the restaurant recommendations and the Signature Lounge at the Hancock.
All of the lettuce entertain you restaurants are delicious.
The architecture tours are pretty great. If you really don't want to do that, I second shopping on Michigan Ave. Navy Pier is awful - you should not go.
I also think the shopping up in Lincoln Park (Armitage and Halsted) is worth a trip. It's about a $12 cab ride from your hotel. It has more boutiques than Michigan Ave.
I'm not sure what sort of dancing you want to do. If into blues/live music - go to Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park. If you want clubby scene type of place- then you should stick to River North area. (Paris Club or Social 25 or Mercer 113) Also, there are piano bars down near the hotels (a little touristy but that's ok)- like Red Head Piano Bar.
Also, definitely take time to walk along the lake front path. It is beautiful.
Have fun!!
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Thanks ladies! They bought a groupon for the tour so I'm stuck at Navy Pier - hiw is it awful? Like don't hang out there alone awful or super touristy annoying awful?
Thanks for the suggestions for shopping, entertainment and food! Much appreciated
One of the girls is convinced we should eat at Cafe Lux - any good?
@ChitownRo: @MsInformation:@MUI831: thank-you for your help
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@Ginger333: Do you mean the Grand Lux Cafe? It's fine but honestly, it's just like a Cheesecake Factory. I believe they have the same owners. It's a big place with a big menu.
As for Navy Pier. It's not scary awful. There's just not that much to do there. There are a bunch of overpriced vendors and restaurants. It's big enough that you can occupy yourself by walking along the pier and the lake but I would try your best to skip it and meet up with your friends afterwards. What do you mean that you're stuck there since they bought a Groupon? You could just shop along Mich Ave and have them meet you when you're done. Nordstroms is a straight shot down Grand Ave.
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@MUI831: I guess I meant that I feel like I'm stuck there since that's where they're going, but I suppose I could just meet them after lol shopping does sound much more fun!
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@Ginger333: Shop away, my friend!!!!
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Personally I would stay away from the Navy Pier if at all possible. I think if you had kids with you, then it would be worth going.
I agree, if your friends want to start off your night with a cocktail, then start at the signature room on the top of the Hancock building. A bit overpriced, but the views are great.
I would decide early on where you decide to dine to get reservations. All the Lettuce entertain you restaurants are great. If you are foodies, go to the Girl and the goat or the Purple pig. Bavette's is awesome too.
As for dancing, it isn't my cup of tea anymore (its been more than a decade since I've been in the scene). If you aren't looking for the "hippest" place, the Hangge - Up is really fun late night. Red Head piano bar is pretty fun. If you hang out on Hubbard street, there are plenty of bars/restaurants thats pretty fun to hang out.
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@Ginger333: Don't go to Grand Luxe Cafe. Go to Purple Pig. The weather's perfect for it. Quartino is off of Michigan Ave and one of my faves. Pinkberry is just down the street from there. If you guys are feeling up to champagne, there's Pops for Champagne. My new fave hidden downtown bar is Bernard's in the Waldorf Astoria hotel. So awesome. I would hit up rooftop bars with this weather. Also downtown, there's Portillo's. Get a chicken cheese croissant and a chocolate cake shake for me.
For dancing, I would go to some of the bars on Division like Mother's or Hangge Uppe. There's a Howl at the Moon in River North which you wouldn't be far from.
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@cascademom: YES! Quartino's! Oh how I miss Quartino's. It's like Italian tapas but they do have a GF menu as well. And the wine is cheap. Definitely get a reservation.
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@cascademom: Do you know of any rooftop bars that are good offhand?
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Here's a recent list of rooftop bars: http://chicagoist.com/2014/04/16/the_best_rooftop_bars_in_chicago_20.php. A bunch of them are near your hotel, and others (Little Goat, Fountainhead) are definitely worth the cab/train/bus ride.
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@Ginger333: There's a great one on State Street across from Chick Fil A in the hotel. I've been there for drinks and it's been good. I can't think of the name of the hotel.
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