Frommer's^® Irreverent Guide to Chicago, 5th Edition

by Elizabeth Canning Blackwell

• ISBN13: 9780764573040
• ISBN10: 0764573047
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-01
• Publisher: Frommers

Summary

Looking for a travel guide that goes where other guides fear to tread? One that rides roughshod over ad-copy puffery to smartly deliver the real scoop on a destination's sites and attractions? One that dares to be honest, hip, and fun? Look no more. Frommer's Irreverent Travel Guides are wickedly irreverent, unabashedly honest, and downright hilarious, and provide an insider's perspective on which attractions are overrated tourist traps and which are the secret gems that locals love. You'll get the lowdown on restaurants, lodging, and shopping, and even find out what the locals think of you. "Like being taken around by a savvy local," said the New York Times. "Hipper and savvier than other guides," concurred Diversion magazine. Never shy about confronting the issues, the Irreverents are guides to real travel in the real world.Chi-town has never seemed as vibrantly alive as it does in the pages of Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Chicago, a book that tells the story of the real Chicago, from an insider's standpoint. With its muscular past and its bustling present, Chicago is a workable city of serendipitous surprises: the glorious vastness of Lake Michigan, the smooth jazz vibe, and the self-effacing Midwestern sensibility--it may be more Big Easy than the Big Easy. In Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Chicago you get the straight scoop on all the places the locals love.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	1	(6)
Maps
Map 1 Chicago & Neighborhoods	6	(1)
YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW	7	(5)
Why do they call Chicago the Second City?	7	(1)
Why do they call it the Windy City?	7	(1)
What is "the Loop"?	8	(1)
So why does the Loop seem so empty in the winter?	8	(1)
What's so magnificent about the Magnificent Mile?	8	(1)
Does size really matter?	9	(1)
Chicago in the movies, part1-downtown	9	(1)
Does Chicago really have more Polish people than anywhere save Warsaw?	9	(1)
How can I sound like a real Chicagoan?	10	(1)
Is Michael Jordan still a Chicago icon?	10	(1)
Well, I brought my car-now where am I going to park it?	10	(1)
Where can I hear music for free?	10	(1)
Can I go to the opera and the symphony when I'm in town?	11	(1)
What if I gotta go?	11	(1)
1 ACCOMMODATIONS	12	(32)
Basic Stuff	16	(2)
Winning the Reservations Game	17	(1)
Is There a Right Address?	18	(1)
The Lowdown	18
Big bucks de luxe	18	(1)
Chicago classics	19	(1)
A home away from home	20	(1)
Best views	20	(1)
Chicago in the movies, part 2-the neighborhoods	21	(1)
Gold Coasters	21	(1)
New kids on the block	22	(1)
If everyone else stays on Michigan Avenue, I don't want to	22	(1)
Style and substance	23	(1)
Lobbies to die for	23	(1)
Family values	24	(1)
For lovers and those who want to be	24	(1)
Suite deals	25	(1)
Mega-hotels for conventioneers	25	(1)
Taking care of business	26	(1)
Gym dandies	27	(1)
Cheap sleeps	27	(1)
Oh so near O'Hare	28
Maps
Map 2 Chicago Accommodations	14	(15)
Map 3 Magnificent Mile & River North Accommodations	29	(1)
Map 4 The Loop Accommodations	30	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of places to stay, with vital statistics	31	(13)
2 DINING	44	(40)
Basic Stuff	48	(1)
Getting the Right Table	48	(1)
The Lowdown	48
Institutions	48	(1)
See-and-be-scenes	49	(2)
A Spot of Tea	50	(1)
Deals on meals under $25	51	(1)
Steak your life on it	51	(1)
Discovering What's New	52	(1)
Decor to die jar	52	(1)
Ethnic eating	53	(1)
If al fresco's your style	54	(1)
We never close-well, almost never	54	(1)
Pizza Classics	55	(1)
Chicago's Pizza	55	(1)
The Italian battalion	56	(1)
French toast	56	(1)
6 Days a Week	57	(1)
Isn't it romantic?	57	(1)
Eating solo	58	(1)
Noshing between galleries	58	(1)
Near Mag Mile shopping	58	(1)
Hot Dogs	59	(1)
Morning glories	59	(1)
Absolutely fabulous	60	(1)
Kitchens Up Close	61	(1)
Neighborhood favorites	61	(1)
Off the eaten track	61	(1)
Chicago Treats	62	(1)
The children's hour	62	(1)
Healthful eating	63	(1)
Near the theaters	63
Maps
Map 5 Chicago Dining	46	(18)
Map 6 Magnificent Mile & River North Dining	64	(1)
Map 7 The Loop Dining	65	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of places to dine, with vital statistics	66	(18)
3 DIVERSIONS	84	(46)
Basic Stuff	88	(1)
Getting your Bearings	88	(1)
The Lowdown	89
Must-sees	89	(1)
Special moments	90	(1)
Only in Chicago	90	(1)
Get yer cheap art here!	91	(1)
Prowling the Gold Coast	91	(1)
Oprah in Person	92	(1)
Museumscapes	92	(2)
Museum Free Days	93	(1)
Ethnic museums	94	(1)
The City's Architecture	95	(1)
The wonders of science	95	(2)
Talk is cheap	97	(1)
Kid pleasers	97	(1)
Art al fresco	98	(1)
Cruising the zoos	98	(1)
Strolling around Old Town	99	(1)
Insider Tips for Touring the Art Institute	100	(1)
Gallery hopping	100	(1)
T.G.I.F. in River North	101	(1)
Mayhem on the trading floors	102	(1)
One good read deserves another	102	(1)
Cool views	103	(1)
Photo Op	104	(1)
Tried-and-true views	104	(1)
Architectural masterpieces	104	(2)
Master Builders: Sullivan, Wright & Mies	105	(1)
Six buildings that scream "Chicago"	106	(1)
Architecturally significant and they scream "Chicago"	106	(1)
The Wright stuff	107	(1)
Home sweet historic home	108	(1)
Blasts from the past	109	(1)
Lincoln Parking	109	(1)
Sky Train: Chicago's El	110	(1)
Its a small world	110	(1)
Up-and-comers	111	(1)
You bowl me over	112	(1)
School daze	113	(1)
The best views in Lake View	114	(1)
Rock Around the World	115	(1)
Overhyped experiences	115	(1)
Tour time	116	(1)
Off the beaten track	117
Maps
Map 8 Chicago Diversions	86	(32)
Map 9 Magnificent Mile Diversions	118	(1)
Map 10 The Loop Diversions	119	(1)
Map 11 Hyde Park Diversions	120	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of diversions, with vital statistics	121	(9)
4 GETTING OUTSIDE	130	(12)
The Lowdown	132	(10)
Parks	132	(2)
A Few Good Men in Lincoln Park	134	(1)
Mittless soft-ball	134	(1)
Playing pick-up	134	(1)
Hitting the beaches	135	(1)
Ahoy there	136	(1)
Can you canoe?	136	(1)
Sightseeing afloat	136	(1)
Pedal pushers	137	(1)
Out on a swim	138	(1)
Par for the course	138	(1)
The tennis racket	139	(1)
Rollerblade runner	139	(1)
What's nice on ice	139	(1)
Run for your life	140	(1)
The wind's beneath my wings	140	(1)
You sleigh me!	140	(1)
Read all about it	141	(1)
5 SHOPPING	142	(30)
Basic Stuff	146	(3)
Target Zones	146	(1)
Vertical Malls	147	(1)
Money Matters	148	(1)
Lunch on the Mag Mile	149	(1)
Hours of Business	149	(1)
Sales Tax	149	(1)
The Lowdown	149
Landmarks	149	(1)
For pampered service	150	(1)
Accessorize	150	(1)
Auction Action	151	(1)
Shopping scenes	151	(1)
For foot fetishists	151	(1)
For men with Cary Grant complexes	152	(1)
For men who would rather resemble Lou Reed	152	(1)
Shopping bags to show off	152	(1)
Fashion forward	153	(1)
Key notes	153	(1)
Kid stuff, part one	154	(1)
Kid stuff; part two	154	(1)
Book nooks	154	(1)
Used but not abused books	154	(1)
For decorating divas	155	(1)
Furnishing touches	155	(1)
The sporting life	155	(1)
The vintage vantage point	156	(1)
Damen Avenue-the other Michigan Avenue	156	(1)
Why go to New York?	156	(1)
Labels for less	157	(1)
When you need a sugar fix	157	(1)
Help for wanderlust	157
Maps
Map 12 Chicago Shopping	144	(14)
Map 13 Magnificent Mile Shopping	158	(1)
Map 14 The Loop Shopping	159	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of places to shop, with vital statistics	160	(12)
6 NIGHTLIFE	172	(24)
Basic Stuff	176	(1)
Sources	176	(1)
Liquor Laws and Drinking Hours	177	(1)
The Lowdown	177
Where grown-ups can be grown-ups	177	(1)
Calling all slackers	177	(1)
Dance fever	178	(1)
Where not to hear the blues	179	(1)
Places to hear live rock	179	(1)
Places to hear live blues	180	(1)
Places to hear live jazz	180	(1)
Sports and suds	181	(1)
Where the boys and girls are	181	(1)
Hotel hotspots in the Loop	182	(1)
Neighborhood spots down-town and near North Side	182	(1)
Neighborhood spots in Lincoln Park/Old Town	183	(1)
Neighborhood spots in Lake View/Wrigleyville	183	(1)
Neighborhood spots on the South Side	184	(1)
For something a bit different	184	(1)
For people who wouldn't be caught dead drinking a Bud	184
Maps
Map 15 Chicago Nightlife	174	(11)
Map 16 Magnificent Mile & River North Nightlife	185	(1)
Map 17 The Loop Nightlife	186	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of nightspots, with vital statistics	187	(9)
7 ENTERTAINMENT	196	(26)
Basic Stuff	200	(2)
Sources	200	(1)
Getting Tickets	201	(1)
The Lowdown	202
The theater establishment	202	(1)
The new generation	203	(1)
On the fringes	204	(1)
Classical sounds	205	(1)
Chicago in the movies, part 3-The Suburbs	206	(1)
What's opera, doc?	206	(1)
Men in tights	206	(1)
In concert	207	(2)
Comedy tonight	209	(1)
The spoken word	209	(1)
Da sports	210
Maps
Map 18 Chicago Entertainment	198	(14)
Map 19 The Loop Entertainment	212	(1)
The Index An A to Z list of venues, with vital statistics	213	(9)
HOTLINES & OTHER BASICS	222	(16)
Airports	223	(1)
Airport transport to downtown	223	(1)
Babysitters	224	(1)
Buses	224	(1)
Business Hours	225	(1)
Car rental	225	(1)
Chicago Office of Tourism	225	(1)
The Best Chicago Websites	226	(1)
Chicago Park District	226	(1)
Chicago Transit Authority CTA	226	(1)
Children's Emergency Services	226	(1)
Convention centers	226	(1)
Dentists	226	(1)
Doctors	227	(1)
El	227	(1)
Emergencies	227	(1)
Events hotlines	227	(1)
Festivals and special events	227	(2)
Finding an address	229	(1)
Gay guys and lesbians	230	(1)
Hearing-impaired services	231	(1)
Hospitals	231	(1)
Internet Access	231	(1)
Laundry	231	(1)
Liquor laws and drinking hours	231	(1)
Newspapers and magazines	232	(1)
Parking	232	(1)
Museums for Less	233	(1)
Pharmacies	233	(1)
Post Of ice	233	(1)
Pro sports	233	(1)
Radio stations	234	(1)
Restrooms	234	(1)
Safety	234	(1)
Subways	235	(1)
Taxes	235	(1)
Ticket to Ride	235	(1)
Taxis	236	(1)
Time Zone	236	(1)
Trains	236	(1)
Travelers with disabilities	236	(1)
TV stations	236	(1)
Visitor information	237	(1)
Weather	237	(1)
Chicago's Average Temperatures & Precipitation	237	(1)
GENERAL INDEX	238
Accommodations Index	243	(1)
Restaurant Index	243