Info on Chi-Town
 

Under sad circumstances (girlfriends father passed away) I am coming to Chicago tomorrow. I know I am going to have to get away from the family obligations for a little while and explore, and was looking for suggestions for things to do. I have never been to Chicago (or the midwest for that matter, as I am true California native).

I am not bringing a bike, but was thinking of bringing my shoes and pedals. Is the weather reasonable enough to bike, or it is past that season? I have had visions of biking along the lake. I have a friend who has a road bike I can borrow, but I don't want to bother bringing all the needed gear if I am not going to use it.

Any suggestion of places to go, things to do, local rides, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to exploring your city!

first off sad to hear about the death in the family. that always sucks!

second, bring some warm weather clothes.

third, go to the top of the hancock tower. it has a really nice view and is a good way to waste some time...lots of time...like during an alleycat

I may not be used to anything so cold as chicago winters but I'd say as its never too cold to ride. If you go to http://www.weather.com and type in the zip code of your destination you can get a pretty good forecast(as far as weather forecasts go).

it's cold, but not unridable. check out the tuesday-night-ride thread, which is now going to be thursday.

also, if you find yourself looking to ride places this weekend, let me know.

I'm sure if you wanted to meet up with us for the ride tomorrow night someone could loan you a bike for the evening.

Also - I am sorry about the loss.

thanks for all the help. I'd love to join you guys tomorrow, but I have family obligations...but maybe tuesday...
I'll definitely have to make it over to the hancock tower though to get some good views.


rvabiker - thanks for the link to weather.com :rolleyes:

i heard the signature room is a really nice place to have dinner. if you go there get a match book cover and let me have it. then maybe i can win something...

Go down to Maxwell Street and get some of those delicious Polish sausages, da bomb?
Sorry about bowing out on the BFMNG, things changed, I sold the Steamroller, and moving back to Mpls in about three hours. Even though that is totally off-topic........ Go White Sox!!!!!!! :D

I made perfectly sure to get some polish sausage from the store before I left chicago. It is not made better outside of Poland. I had a polish girlfriend for 5 years, I developed a taste.

I have yet to find a polish sausage in Chicago that is as good as Detroit's Kowalski brand. I have had some great sausages, but not quite as good.

If you go to the Hancock, I second the Signature Room, it is free to get there (I think it is $8 or $10 to get to the observation room). There drinks are expensive, but if you can handle a girly drink the Sidecar they serve there may be the best in the city.

You want sausage? Get thee to HOT DOUG'S.

YES. I've been thinking about it all week...I think I'm going Saturday for lunch, if anyone's interested. Maybe the line will be shorter due to the cold.

I'm really sorry SR. really. I'm sorry.

hot dougs is like two blocks from my house.

always see people standing outside...i didn't know for what...now i do...

Dude: Wild Boar Sausage W/goat Cheese, Dude.

edit: awww....no all-caps?! But that's my style!

Hot Doug's Tuben: ruben sandwich, in a tube.

Also, on Saturdays: fries fried in duck fat.

Hot Doug's is amazing. I have tried the boar, the alligator, the duck and the ostrich. None has done me wrong.

I thought you were vegetarian. ???

polish girls do taste good

Pescatarian I suppose - I've always eaten seafood.

And when it comes to exotic things such as the meat above, I will always try it once. I don't eat animals because of ethical reasons (though that's some of it), I do it for health and other issues.

If I know that here's an opportunity to eat something different and this might be my one and only time, why not? I also trust Doug to get in fine meats. And that's another thing. I recently (about two weeks ago) had a rare steak. Why? Because the place I had it at prepared it very well, it was organic meat and it was tender and good.

I'll make exceptions but only for the best (as possible).

Nothing cool in Chicago.
Travel an hour and a half to the north for the real exciting. ;)

What do you guys think of the Arlington Heights district?

that's a district?

Arlington Heights is a suburb - not much going on there. It's basically your average American suburb. It is however, close to Mitsuwa, an excellent and varied Japanese supermarket (and food court, book store, travel agent, etc) that used to be called Yaohan - some people who have travelled to Asia might recognize the name.

A few miles further and there's an IKEA.

If those are your things.