Wednesday, July 26, 2006

chicago anyone?

the hubby and i are thinking of going to chicago for a long weekend next month for our 5 year anniversary. it's close to home, so we'll be able to drive, which will be nice. however, neither of us have ever really been there for fun. so, i need some info from anyone willing to help. here are the things we're interested in:

1. great hotels at an inexpensive price
2. great restaurants
3. the best of the best stationery and/or gift shops
4. museums and other fun things to do

any suggestions would be great! thanks so much in advance!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret (1383 N. Milwaukee) is fun. Here's the listings:

Front room:
Sundays - Show Tune Sundays with George Howe, 6:00-10:00 p.m. and $3.50 Broadway-inspired drinks

Monday - Open Mic

Wednesday - Whiskey Wednesdays with Chrissy Gardner and Chris Zdarskey
Celebrate mid-week with Davenport's own Chrissy Gardner. With Chris Zdarsky, you'll hear a mix of originals and covers guaranteed to help you forget your troubles. Get your own membership in Chicago's fastest growing, most exclusive club. And while you're at it, have a Miller Lite and shot of whisky for $5. 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Thursday – Josh Paxton. Straight from Big Easy, Josh plays the best in funky New Orleans jazz and blues. $3.50 Hurricanes. 7:30-11;30 p.m

Friday – “Get it Going with Gwen Pippin”, Ease into the evening with Gwen Pippen as she sings and plays all requests. Sit back and enjoy as she plays and sings to all your favorites from the American songbook. 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Saturday – The Nitz and Howe Experience Called "the best party in town" by Cabaret Scenes Magazine, After Dark Award winners Daryl Nitz and George Howe host an evening that is part request, audience participation, and stand-up comedy. Theirs is a "happening" runs the gamut from pop songs to Broadway, standards, jazz and blues. The Experience also features Nitz's dead-on impressions of Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Carol Channing, Eartha Kitt and many more.

Back Room Performances:

Sunday - Nick & Gayle Bisesi Double Bill Show
Gayle Bisesi & The Gb Project – 7:00 p.m. A true jazz soprano, Gayle will feature music from her up-and-coming CD entitled “The Gb Project”. She brings a fresh, inspiring sensitivity and a playful edge to jazz music. www.gaylebisesi.com
The Nick Bisesi Quartet – 8:00 p.m. Nick first made his mark on the New York jazz scene and has been back in Chicago since 2000. He has released two CDs as the leader of his own quartet. The latest CD “Gemini” has garnered rave reviews and is currently playing on over 170 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. www.nickbisesi.com

Thursday - Anna Fermin, front woman for the critically-acclaimed alt-country band Trigger Gospel, returns every Thursday in august for a rare solo run with special guests and themes for each evening. 8:00 p.m. $10 cover

Friday - Every Friday in August Chicagoans Laura Freeman and Tracy Adams perform "The Buddy System: Everyone Pair Up". These "old friends" sing and chat about coffee, bath time, friends with benefits, and the Fightin' Irish during their musical essay on friendship and how it changes over the course of a lifetime. 8:00 p.m., $18 cover.

Saturday - Elvis has not left the building. Patty Elvis, that is. Catch America's most acclaimed female Elvis impersonator every Saturday at Davenport's. You don't want to miss her electric, three-piece band, Elvis-like voice, jump suit, gyrating hips and curling lip in "Queen of Being the King". She has appeared on WGN-TV, Fox, Channel 11 and Mancow in the Morning. She is called "one of the best Elvis Impersonators around".
8:00 p.m., $12 cover.

All back room performances have a two-drink minimum. www.davenportspianobar.com.

AtPlayWithFiber said...

I know there is a Paper Source there!! That would be a stop for me LOL!! :) Have fun!

Lisa said...

I grew up in the burbs of Chicago and it's such a great city... all the museums are fab. Kids love the Shed Aquarium and the Field Museum. I love Garrett's Crispy Corn--there will be a line but it's worth the wait for the caramel and cheese popcorn! Shopping is amazing! Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Well of course King Tut is visiting us at the Field Museum. A Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition is at the Museum of Science and Industry...both wonderful to see. Wicked is playing (Fantastic if you can get tickets.) Love the W hotel...very cool. I'll think of more and e-mail you!

k said...

i have zero suggestions for cheap, cool things in chicago...but i do hope you go...and are able to have a good, cheap, fun time! :)
kel

marie said...

I know that All She Wrote is supposed to be a great stationery store. Have fun! I love Chicago.

AtPlayWithFiber said...

Are you into Japanese toys? I just saw this in the Lucky magazine: Rotofugi, 1953 W Chicago Ave, 312-491-9501

Leslie said...

I'm no expert about Chicago as I've only been there once. . .but you must eat their deep dish pizza. A must!

Leslie said...

Oh, I couldn't remember the name of the restaurant:
Giordano's. It's heavenly! :)

k said...

hotwire.com is supposed to have even better deals on air and/or hotel than travelocity....or so the radio ad said....

for whats it worth. ;)

kel

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