Things to do in Chicago in December?

[pete6032]

The Willis Tower and the Signature Room 95th Floor Lounge are a couple things on my radar.

Just go to one or the other, you don't need to see both. I've been to both, the skydeck is super cheesy tourist feeling. The signature lounge actually has some elegance to it, and you can sit and enjoy the view instead of feeling like being an animal herded in an out as quickly as possible at the skydeck.

There's also the museums nearby, as well as the Christmas lights at the zoo (are these any good?)

Check out the Christmaskindle market and get some mulled wine and christmas gifts. Also check out the Art Institute, Chicago Cultural Center, and Chicago Architecture Foundation. May also be interested in Museum of Science and Industry or Field museum or Shedd Aquarium.

What about a vehicle? I have the option to either drive there, or I can take a greyhound to the airport and just cab everywhere. Or as smack said get the city pass.

You won't want a car, its too expensive to park. If you are at the airport, you can get downtown on the El for $5 in about 30 minutes. Each El ride is $2.50 per swipe (airport swipe is the only exception at $5). If you need to go somewhere that's away from public transit you can easily catch a cab or try Uber or Lyft app, its very popular here.

 

[mcurphy]

Check out the Joffrey Ballet:The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater! It is very close to Millennium Park. I took my family last year and it was absolutely fantastic! I believe the shows start on Dec. 5th this year and they continue up until a few days after Christmas.

 

[gorcorps]

laugh at the bears fans

 

[smackababy]

Thanks for all the responses so far.

We'll be at the Thompson, for exact location ideas. Will definitely be checking out the eatery around there. I heard Giordano's pizza from a few people so I might have to put that on the list.

The Willis Tower and the Signature Room 95th Floor Lounge are a couple things on my radar. Will be checking out the nightlife for sure; I heard rumors of some sort of underground bar tour thing?

There's also the museums nearby, as well as the Christmas lights at the zoo (are these any good?)

What about a vehicle? I have the option to either drive there, or I can take a greyhound to the airport and just cab everywhere. Or as smack said get the city pass.

Giordano's is pretty much a chain pizza place in my eyes.

As far as a car goes: most hotels downtown have parking, but it is expensive (like $30 a night) and anywhere you go will require additional parking there. There isn't a place in the city you can't get to via train or bus and you don't have to deal with parking or traffic.

There is a ton of great food in Chicago that are worth hitting up. Two of my favorite places are Roka Akor and Sunda.

You might also check out some stuff like the House of Blues (they have a concert every night, IIRC) and see if they have something interesting. That venue is pretty nice.

 

[Chapbass]

I live there and work pretty close to Millenium. If anyone wants to meet up, drop me a message!

I like giordiano's but yeah peaquods is awesome, so is Art of Pizza.

Burgers, Kumas is decent but Owen & Engine is where its at.

Second City, ioTheatre, Green Mill, BLUES, are some decent places to do things. Museums are great (field museum, science and industry, shedd, adler, etc).

Also plenty of breweries/brewpubs and liquor bars if thats what you're into. Revolution, Lagunitas (brand new huge distribution facility), chicago distillery, goose island, scofflaw, etc.

 

[chin311]

what a bunch of babies! The wife & I are flying up on X-mas day for a week. We are from FL so we enjoy the cold.

 

[BurnItDwn]

You could go ice fishing or snowmobiling in much of Lake County. There are pretty extensive trails in Lake county and McHenry County, though not nearly as nice as most of Wisconsin.

Go cross country skiing along trails or forest preserves or state parks.

go 4 wheeling/ATVing In ATV parks...

Go paintballing ... December is best for paintballing!

 

[Fritzo]

I thought that till I lived in Manhattan

Manhattan is good, but 10x the price. Chicago has a good price/value quotient to it for being a big city.

 

[Fritzo]

Its up to you. But I generally take the L from the Airport.

But if you do get a car, be sure to check with your hotel about what parking will cost.

Uno

DON'T get a car. It will ruin your whole trip. Use public transit or cabs...they're everywhere.

 

[Fritzo]

Giordano's is pretty much a chain pizza place in my eyes.

YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!!!!



They're privately owned, but so popular they opened chains everywhere. Their sausage (pronounced sah-sage), onion, and pepper deep dish with that flaky butter crust at the Michigan Ave. location is the original and best place to go. It's crowed beyond belief everyday though. Might give Lou Malnati's a try though. Supposed to be one of the best pizzas in the world.

 

[TridenT]

Oh, oh, I have one. You can get your flight delayed indefinitely and then cancelled. Yaaaay!

 

[Chapbass]

YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!!!!



They're privately owned, but so popular they opened chains everywhere. Their sausage (pronounced sah-sage), onion, and pepper deep dish with that flaky butter crust at the Michigan Ave. location is the original and best place to go. It's crowed beyond belief everyday though. Might give Lou Malnati's a try though. Supposed to be one of the best pizzas in the world.

Pass on Lous. I'm definitely in the minority here, but Lous is garbage. fritzo, we should meet up for some pizza!

 

[smackababy]

Pass on Lous. I'm definitely in the minority here, but Lous is garbage. fritzo, we should meet up for some pizza!

Lou's is certainly worse than Giordano's, but both are pretty below average IMO.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're downtown and have a good windbreaker jacket, I'd just take the train. The few times I've been downtown, the train has served me well. The only time I needed other transportation was when I was stayiing out in Schaumburg for a conference.

Downtown is similar to NYC....trains are fine...cabs are fine (unless it's raining, then you can't find one)

You can scope out the train maps and find some cool bars within walking distance of the stops.

There are tons of dive bars in Wrigleyville... I always like walking up Division and stopping in wherever looks interesting. I was fortunate enough to have some other Sys Admins with me a few times from meetings up there.
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Wrigleyville+Bars&find_loc=Chicago,+IL

About 8 years ago I was up there mid-December. It was in the 20s and 30s....rained a few days. The wind and cold weather was definitely rough, but my hotel was fortunately only a block and a half from the office building I needed to be in.

That time of year, just plan out a few good stops for Chicago dogs and deep dish (35 minute bake time...don't show up hungry...show up just before you get hungry)

 

[K1052]

Pequods is waaay better than Giordano's.

this times one million

 

[Booty]

I think Chicago pizza is totally over-rated as well, but if you're around here you might as well try some and see for yourself.

Maybe check out a blues club if you're into it?

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/the-9-best-blues-music-clubs-in-chicago

Actually, you could probably just use that site in general as a decent resource for suggestions while you're in town.

 

[Midwayman]

Looks like Pequods burns their pizza, wtf? Any Ginos, lous, and giordanos are the big 3 in Chicago. Pizza is kinda religion here though. Gino's is my fav because of the cornbread crust.

 

[Chapbass]

I think Chicago pizza is totally over-rated as well, but if you're around here you might as well try some and see for yourself.

Maybe check out a blues club if you're into it?

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/the-9-best-blues-music-clubs-in-chicago

Actually, you could probably just use that site in general as a decent resource for suggestions while you're in town.

Out of this list: BLUES, Kingston Mines, and Legends are my favorites. HOB Back porch sometimes has decent stuff. As I mentioned above, also Green Mill for jazz. The Whistler isn't too bad either, depending on the night.

Depending on the age of OP, theres also various arcade bars like Emporium (x2, one in Wicker one in Logan), Headquarters Beercade, Logan Arcade, etc. Emporium in Wicker, specifically, is pretty hopping most times. cool vibe.

 

[Fritzo]

Looks like Pequods burns their pizza, wtf? Any Ginos, lous, and giordanos are the big 3 in Chicago. Pizza is kinda religion here though. Gino's is my fav because of the cornbread crust.

The dough scorch means you have Italians that know what they're going The ovens are hot or brick fired and they're roasting the pizza instead of baking it (the way God intended).

 

[Chapbass]

Looks like Pequods burns their pizza, wtf? Any Ginos, lous, and giordanos are the big 3 in Chicago. Pizza is kinda religion here though. Gino's is my fav because of the cornbread crust.

Yeah, but its solid. Give it a try. Also Exquecher in the loop. Not to mention the dozens of mom and pop shops that do amazing pizza. The only one I won't do is Burt's, because they're pretty rude about how busy they are.

 

[K1052]

Looks like Pequods burns their pizza, wtf? Any Ginos, lous, and giordanos are the big 3 in Chicago. Pizza is kinda religion here though. Gino's is my fav because of the cornbread crust.

That's the carmelization of the crust...better known as the gateway to taste bud heaven.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Manhattan is good, but 10x the price. Chicago has a good price/value quotient to it for being a big city.

Chicago also has 10x the friendliness of Manhattan in my experience.

 

[K1052]

Thanks for all the responses so far.

We'll be at the Thompson, for exact location ideas. Will definitely be checking out the eatery around there. I heard Giordano's pizza from a few people so I might have to put that on the list.

The Willis Tower and the Signature Room 95th Floor Lounge are a couple things on my radar. Will be checking out the nightlife for sure; I heard rumors of some sort of underground bar tour thing?

There's also the museums nearby, as well as the Christmas lights at the zoo (are these any good?)

What about a vehicle? I have the option to either drive there, or I can take a greyhound to the airport and just cab everywhere. Or as smack said get the city pass.

Most of the restaurants around the Thompson aren't that great with a few notable exceptions. Original Pancake House, Table 52, Chicago Q, come to mind. Gibson's food is ok but it's kind of a scene...not unusual to see celebs. Most of the rest around there is either chain or high end chain food. Most of the better dining will be in River North, the West Loop, or various ethnic areas depending what you're looking for. For pizza it's Pequod's (my personal favorite) or Art of Pizza. Giordano's, Malnati's, and Gino's are tourist traps.

Go to the Signature room. Drink beer (their mixed drinks are beyond terrible).

Bars depends entirely on what kind of bar you want. Sports, piano, mixology, lounge, club, etc.

Do not drive in the city. Uber + cabs/CTA + walking.

 

[SKORPI0]

http://www.jacksonportpolarbearclub.com/ :awe:

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Do yourself a favor, and when you're looking for the willis tower, call it the Sears Tower. That will get you a bonus from the locals.
"Do you know the best way to get to the Sears Tower?"

Trust me, I'm a native.