Chicago!

[Fig Neutron]

La Pasadita.  Three Chicago Locations:

1132 N. Ashland
1140 N. Ashland
   and, um,
1141 N. Ashland

[henry]

san jose  - 32nd halstead

[Andy]

I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.

[Matt]

The Wendella architecture boat tour is kinda cheesy but you get to ride a boat up and down the river, which goes right through the city. It's only $20, takes an hour, and they point out all the famous buildings and give some historical context.

Just make sure Dave Matthews isn't in town first!

[dania]

You have to visit Lincoln Park Conservatory, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and the Nature Museum if you go anywhere near the lakefront.  They are pure treasure!  Also free and open to the public.  The Garfield Park Conservatory is neat too, but it doesn't have that old-world onion-bulb glass roof that gives the Lincoln Park Conseratory its character: 

p.s. having a bike is very key to enjoying these places easier.  There is almost never any parking by the lakefront. 

[Fig Neutron]

The Wendella architecture boat tour is kinda cheesy but you get to ride a boat up and down the river, which goes right through the city. It's only $20, takes an hour, and they point out all the famous buildings and give some historical context.

Just make sure Dave Matthews isn't in town first!

Ah, memories! 

[henry]

I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.

in the united states or just that far north in chicago?

[Fig Neutron]

I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.

in the united states or just that far north in chicago?

Andy's just being silly.  But I would like to hear which one of the three Chicago La Pasadita locations people like best.

[Fig Neutron]

All those places you named are pretty solid bets.

I know you're into comics, so check out Quimby's, Chicago Comics and Brainstorm. I hear the museums are all pretty good if you're into that kind of boring shit.

What kind of stuff are you looking to do? Shop, touristy stuff, restaurants?

I second Chicago Comics (screw Graham Crackers I mentioned earlier--it's downtown, but nothing compared to Chicago Comics).  I just spent over an hour in there, amazed by all the cool stuff (lot's of indies).

Quimby's great too.  You'll want to hit both areas anyway:

1) Chicago:  Belmont stop on Red Line (then go East, North on Clark).  In what I call the 'Bong District.'  Has The Alley and all them 'funky' little shops.  'Uncle Fun' is a neat novelty store a bit West (1338 W Belmont).

2) Quimby's:  Wicker Park (already mentioned):  Damen stop on Blue Line (then go North, East on North Ave.)

3) As dania mentioned, the Conservatory.  Also, the (free) Lincoln Park Zoo is right there as well.

If you can't make that one, the Garfield Conservatory (also free) is a lot easier to get to from the Loop:  Green Line eastbound to Conservatory stop.

[Dorvid Barnas]

I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.

Taco Burrito Palace  - 2450 something N. Halsted. 
Get a chorizo burrito and a 32 oz. horchata!

[dania]

the Garfield Conservatory (also free) is a lot easier to get to from the Loop:  Green Line WESTbound to Conservatory stop.

An easy mistake, eastbound would go straight into the Sea of Michigan. 

Which reminds me, don't forget your swimsuit! 

[Spalding]

Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.

[noise.light]

Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.

Delicious and cheap falafel is available at Oasis.  It's the falafel stand at the back of a jewelry store.  The Real Deal.

It's at 17 S Wabash Ave between Madison and Washington.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/oasis-cafe-chicago


If you have as much as an hour to spend, I would order a pizza from Pizano's.  I don't remember the exact history but the people that started the original Pizzeria Uno own this sweet little spot in the Loop.  It takes about an hour for them to cook a deep dish pie so make sure that you've got the time to spend.  And even if you're on your own, then order a small and be grateful for the leftovers later on.

http://www.pizanoschicago.com/loop.html

61 E. Madison between Wabash and Michigan Ave.

[henry]

Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.

american dog is on washington and wabash.  beef & brandy is on state and jackson.  intelligentsia is a coffee place in the monadnock building.  it's an interesting building. 

[noise.light]

Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.

american dog is on washington and wabash.  beef & brandy is on state and jackson.  intelligentsia is a coffee place in the monadnock building.  it's an interesting building. 

There's also an Intelligentsia coffee house on Randolph just West of Michigan Avenue.  Their toasted sandwiches are pretty good.  Intelligentsia is a local coffee shop.