Chicago?

I’m in town for basically a one-day impromptu dalliance. (Of course it’s going to be 100 today.) Any tips? Hoping tonight’s Cubs game doesn’t get rained out. I did some digging but couldn’t find the old on the road thread (didn’t we have one?) or anything Chicago-centric.

 

Wrigleyville.

 

If you've never been to Chicago: (in order) the architecture boat tour, a Cubs game, the Art Institute (this jumps to 2 if it's a free day), Sears Tower, Navy Pier, the bars, the beaches,

 

Navy Pier was nice. Also very touristy. Of course, I’m from Boston and we have Quincy Market, who am I to judge.

I tried going to a game — tonight looks like it ain’t happening — so I’m hopping around Wrigleyville bars. Hoping to find some local spots a few blocks away...

 

Portillos

 

Cornbread crust deep dish pizza, wow.

 

A deep dish pizza. Also, Lincoln Park Zoo is very nice and free.

 

If Cubs aren’t in the cards, catch a show at Second City.

 

This is a thing? Oh my.

 

Too late for your visit perhaps but a great deep dish spot for out-of-towners is The Art of Pizza on Ashland. You can order by the slice so you don’t have to worry about waste or carrying around leftovers. (And the pie is damn good.)

 

Just walk up and down Michigan and State -- from Wacker south about a mile. You'll get the big city vibe. If you can take the Purple Train north to Wrigley, do it.

 

If my Fitbit is to be believed, I walked more than 10 miles yesterday. I didn’t realize how walkable a city it was. Started through Grant and Millennial parks, continued up the lake, went to Navy Pier, walked to the Red Line, got to Wrigley, walked around the ballpark quite a bit, hit up a few bars in Wrigleyville. I did deep dish at what appeared to be a touristy spot (Pizano’s) on Sunday. It was my first time in the city and not cursing while flying through O’Hare or Midway. I’ll be back.