Chicago info wanted

kuvvy

kuvvy

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Ok guys
Wife and I (in UK) have been discussing where to travel to this year, around mid June. We’re considering Chicago but are finding some of the prices very high. Hoping that RFFers in the Windy City can offer advice on the best areas to stay, what to see (and photograph), affordable accommodation, best way to get around and any other tips you can suggest.
Thanks in advance

Paul
 
Here's a link to my book Chicago Calling - full of things to shoot in Chicago. I'd look into Airbnb for places to stay. The trains were fast and easy for me. Some areas you don't want to go - the transit workers at the stations gave me advice on that :) Walking around the Loop, the bridges, and outlying areas are fun to explore. Lots of walking.
 
Central Camera on Wabash is a wonderful store full of old and new stuff. Tamarkin Leica is also in Chicago. There's the Museum of Science and Industry and several other museums. A fun city. Enjoy! Joe
 
Be sure to visit the Art Institute, which takes photography pretty seriously and usually has something nice showing. Tamarkin is the local Leica dealer, but it's also in a gallery district with some excellent shows. The store itself has the RangerFinder Gallery.

Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and all along the lakefront is wonderful in summer. Great for walking or the city bike rental system. Monday evenings there are free concerts at Millennium Park. Summer downtown is crowded and lively, so a great place for street shooting.

We're in the burbs but stay in the Loop a lot and get pretty good deals on Priceline.

John
 
I'd pass on the Navy Pier - unless taking a boat tour - which is good for shooting underneath bridges. And Central Camera was a let down. Old over priced stuff in window - and kind of depressing inside. I did like the old signage above entrance.
 
da Bean is a must. Depends upon what you like. 2nd City and other comedy clubs, blues clubs, Sky deck of the Big Willy (Willis Tower, aka Sears Tower). My son went back (we used to live in a Northern Suburb) about six months ago and found Uber was the best way to get around. AirBnB is great, stay north of Chicago/the loop along an Elevated Subway line (tubes are more in the Loop).

There's a pass you can buy that isn't much of a savings but it helps more than cash with a "Fast Pass" you get moved to the head of the line. I think it works at the aquarium and a few other museums that are all GREAT.

Lots of great architecture that is fun (at least for me) to shoot. Several great pizza places that serve more of a Cheese, Tomato, and you favorite topping casserole. Lou's or Giordano's, try each, we love spinach (one son does not eat pork), but pepperoni is fun too.

M Burger (named after Steve Martin in Pink Panther trying to learn how to pronounce Hamburger) is good but frankly not too many bad places to eat in Chicago proper. Food is a big deal there and they do it well.

B2 (;->
 
kuvvy said:
Ok guys
Wife and I (in UK) have been discussing where to travel to this year, around mid June. We’re considering Chicago but are finding some of the prices very high. Hoping that RFFers in the Windy City can offer advice on the best areas to stay, what to see (and photograph), affordable accommodation, best way to get around and any other tips you can suggest.
Thanks in advance

Paul
Click to expand...

Take the train to Milwaukee and you'll have more fun and it will cost less.
 
Everybody likes different things. While I wouldn't want to live there, Chicago remains one of my all-time favorite cities to visit. (Yes, I've been to Milwaukee, lol.) There is plenty to see, do, eat and photograph in that town. The above suggestion of checking in with the local camera clubs actually sounds like a good idea. I've never used AirBnB but did use booking.com to find lodging for the last few out-of-town trips that I've taken. Even if you don't end up using booking.com to procure lodging, they have other helpful information such as location ratings for all of the hotels which could help you in determining what part of the city you might want to stay in. Good luck with your trip!
 
I also recommend staying in an air b&b. I'd stay in either the Loop (the downtown area with all of the big buildings) if you like continual action and lots of activity, or the Northside (lots of neighborhoods to choose from, from the near-north neighborhoods closer to the Loop, to Lincoln Park and even Lakeview, where Wrigley Field is). If you're into walking, you can literally walk from Wrigley all the way to the Loop. It's probably about 7 miles or so, and is nice stroll for the day, where you can take your time and get to walk through a lot of interesting neighborhoods that have lots to offer. Stay close to the "L" (the elevated train). On the Northside, you can choose either the Red line or the Brown Line. The Brown line is nicer, IMO, and both lines stop relatively close to one another. The Red line is more convenient, though. Both go to the Loop, with the Red line going much further south.

To add to things to do:
- Go to a brewery, of which there are a plethora of just in the city itself. Just do a little research, and you'll most likely find a couple that will interest you.
- Do an architectural tour of the city via a river boat. There are several different companies that run tours. They're relatively inexpensive, and they are fun and informative.
- If you're into cycling, rent a bike and ride along the Lakefront path. Go south, and once you get beyond the Shedd Aquarium, it will be much less crowded. You can ride almost to Indiana, but for a moderate distance ride, I'd recommend riding to Hyde Park, where you could drop in to the Museum of Science and Industry. From the Loop to Hyde Park should only take you about 1 hour (more if you ride slowly), and the path is entirely flat. The only problem may be the wind.
- If you are interested in seeing an old baseball stadium, go see Wrigley Field. Even if you don't see a ball game there (which will most likely be sold out, anyway), you can walk around the outside and get glimpses of the interior (and do lots of people-watching/film-shooting).
- Go to the top of the John Hancock building (just recently named something different) and have a drink at the bar. You go there for the excellent views, nit the bar, but for the cost of a drink, you can hang out and enjoy the view(s) of the city.

Hope you have fun if you come (and I'll be visiting in your home country at that time). Chicago is a great city to visit, especially in the summer.

JP
 
Don't know about stay, but if you want to see a ton of people and hear some good music, plan for Chicago Blues Fest, June 7-9 this year.
 
kuvvy said:
Wife and I (in UK) have been discussing where to travel to this year, around mid June. We’re considering Chicago but are finding some of the prices very high. Hoping that RFFers in the Windy City can offer advice on the best areas to stay, what to see (and photograph), affordable accommodation, best way to get around and any other tips you can suggest.
Click to expand...

I don't live in Chicago but visit frequently, both business and pleasure.

I usually stay at the Hampton Inn on Illinois and Dearborn when on a pleasure trip. It's high, but not outrageous, and the rooms are typical of a Hampton Inn property.

When on business I usually stay at the Hilton Garden at Grand and State. It's higher than the Hampton but not outrageous.

Hope this helps.
 
Good place to stay is the Crowne Plaza West Loop. It is within walking distance of the downtown area, plus it is on the cusp of an area with lots of interesting restaurants and old, now converted, warehouses.
I'll second the Architectural Boat Tour idea - its sounds super touristy, and is IS, but it is also very cool. Even Chicagoans do it every now and then (so they tell me).
Right up Michigan Ave from the Art Institute is the Chicago Athletic assoc. building, now a hotel. There's a bar in there call the Circle Cherry Room. I always end up there...Good food and great cocktails & wine.
 
I love downtown. Very interesting city, and it does get hot and humid in the summer. The south side is where most of the crime is, along w/ the west side. At least I think it was the west side (for sure it's the south side). You'll know the bad areas when you see them. Good music and good food. Not as good as New Orleans, but good all the same. The city is a major hub for Amtrak, so you can catch the train to other cities very easily.

As others said, airbnb can be great if you choose wisely and read all the reviews. Cheaper than a hotel, and you get to meet the locals who can tell you what's the real deal is w/ the food, art and music scene.
 
I say get out to the neighborhoods. Wicker Park and Buck Town and fabulous places to shoot street. I woild avoid the touristy places espcially if you want to get some photogrpahs that don't look like eveyone else's photos.

Lou Malnati's for pizza. Al's on Taylor Street for an Italian beef and cross the street to Mario's after the beef for some Italian ice.

You have to hit Central Camera on Wabash. It is like stepping back in time. Go in and talk to Don if he is there. He is the owner and a wealth of knowledge.

Art Institue is a must and there is usuallyu an interesting exhibit in the photogrpahy gallery down the stairs not long after you enter the main entrance on Mich Ave.
 
Greetings from Chicago.... Recommend the Architecture Boat tour, meat packing district, small China Town, all along the lakefront, shooting from the aquarium back into the city, and night shots also the same area for great skyline at sunset and afterdeck. Rosebuds on Rush Street for good Italian that is priced reasonable..... Have fun. All the ideas suggested here are good. And Central Camera....not many like that place left in the country.
 
I live in Oak Park and that is a great suggestion. As is his home and studio and some say his masterpiece The Unity Temple. Hemingway's birthplace is also in Oak Park.
 
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