Spending 1st Anni in Chicago- Suggestions?

woodsandminkin

Hello Ladies! I will be spending my 1st anniversary in Chicago this coming June and I was hoping you all could help me with some suggestions of things to do. We will only be spending 1-2 nights in the area, so we will be trying to cram what we can into our trip. We are sports buffs, so we were definitely going to try to check out Wrigley Field. I am looking for suggestions on places to eat and tours. This will be our first trip to Chicago, so any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

hz80408

Are you open to which wknd you come?  Are you intersted in food, museums, sports, etc? 

There are tours of Wrigley field on non-home game days for $25/pp; or would you rather go to a game?

ncwenze

  chicago is amazing in the summer. i would recommend doing an architectural boat tour on the river. they're usually an hour long, and its a GREAT way to see the city, so beautiful.
 
   also recommend going up to the signature room at the top of the hancock for a drink. its probably the best view of the city. (you have to pay to go to the observation deck, but the restaurant/lounge is one floor above, and has free admission). it's where fiance and i had our first date (just a tip, if you go for a drink about an hour before closing you will get a window seat no problem)

hz80408

Shoot; my post was eaten.

Would you prefer to see Wrigley in action (ie a game)? or do you just want to see the outside?  On non-home game days, they offer tours of Wrigly for $25/person.  It's about an hour long and takes you through some of the history. Plus you get to go into the press box and locker rooms.

I agree with Architectural tour and Signature Room (restaraunt0 or Lounge (bar)!

Are yyou interested in visiting museums? or what else do you like?

ncwenze

 i didnt know you could take a tour of wrigley...im a sox fan but that's still pretty cool

parrothead84

I also highly recommend the architectural boat tour!

Another fun bar with awesome views is the Roof at the Wit Hotel. It's outdoors so on a nice night it's great.

There are also bike rentals if that interests you. You could use them to check out other neighborhoods other than downtown, like the lakefront in Lincoln Park or Oak Street Beach.

Lincoln Park Zoo is also fun during the summer and free!

hz80408

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_spending-1st-anni-chicago-suggestions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:c0858f8e-ce3b-45bf-b784-0dc8a0d91c59Post:722ffa0b-7707-455b-9542-806f7ff4e8c0">Re: Spending 1st Anni in Chicago- Suggestions?</a>:
[QUOTE] i didnt know you could take a tour of wrigley...im a sox fan but that's still pretty cool
Posted by ncwenze[/QUOTE]

It is!

mbody

* Go to a Cubs game- have a pre or post game food/drink at a bar or two on Clark St. (Right outside Wrigley)

Free
Lincoln Park Zoo
North Avenue Beach- grab a snack/drink at Castaways.
Millenium Park and the "Bean"

Day activities
Navy Pier (boat ride on Lake Michigan, ferris wheel)
Architectual Tour
Segway Tour (My friends and I have really want to do this- they just look so fun)
Museums
Shedd Aquarium

Night Activites
Howl at the Moon- piano bar. I love it.
Second City- stand up comedy.

june22twelve

keep an eye out on groupon....they always have really awesome deals in the city. especially on hotels....there is one on there now i believe for the crowne plaza. i know hard rock hotel has a deal on sniqueaway.com too. but you can always find deals on food places and some tours as well. it never hurts to save a dollar here and there

i hope you enjoy the city! and happy early one year anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!

KatWAG

Gejas Cafe is very romantic for dinner and they always have groupons.

woodsandminkin

Thanks! You all have been so helpful. We are def going to do an architecture tour. HZ, we would LOVE to see Wrigley in action, however, there are no home games while we are there, and according to the tour schedule, they aren't running tours either. Have any of your toured Soldier Field? Just wondering if it is worthwhile- as we are both sports fans, like I said, I thought that might be interesting too. Will definitely try some of the bars with views as well and keep an eye out on Groupon. 

Just FYI, I ended up finding a great deal through Yuupon for Embassy Suites in case any of you are looking for hotel deals. 

Thanks again!

flobear100

If you guys are foodies, there are TONS of amazing restaurants. Depending on your budget and the type of food you like, here are some suggestions that our "famous" chefs have:

Rick Bayless
Topolabamba
Frontera Grill
Xoco

Stephanie Izard
Girl and the Goat

Grant Achatz
Alinea
NEXT

Tony Montuano
Spiaggia

Dale Levitski 
Sprout

Graham Elliot
Grahamwich
Graham Elliot (yes he has a restaurant named after himself)


There are tons more amazing restaurants, here are some of the famous ones:
MOTO
Gibsons
The Pump Room
The Berghoff
Gene & Georgetti’s

Plus many more...but you may need reservations for most of these guys!