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Mariotti's Photo Scuffle?
When we got this negative back from our photo processor of choice, we were struck by how much it reminded us of some sort of touristy, family vacation photo from yesteryear. Appropriate, given the increasingly warmer weather and, with it, the arrival of tourist season. While we're all for strangers getting to experience this great city we call home, we can occasionally find ourselves cursing the throngs of families walking down Michigan Avenue six people across, forcing us to walk at a turtle's pace.
Next month, one of our good friends will be visiting the city for the first time, and we'll be trying our hardest to avoid typical tourist behavior. On that note, we're a bit stumped as to what we ought to show her while she's in town. Is it worth it to hit up the typical amusements, or would off the beaten path adventures be better? Where do you take your [fun, twentysomething] out-of-towners?
Focus is a weekly photography feature showcasing photographs by a staff member, Olivia Leigh, that illustrate different aspects, areas or events in the city.
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My friends from out of town tell me they enjoy exploring the neighborhoods much more than doing touristy stuff. I have friends coming in to town from Texas in late June, and we're probably going to hit a street festival, eat some Ethiopian food, see a show at Shuba's or Empty Bottle or go to the Green Mill. We'll probably take them to Carol's one night. Might even drive them out to the dunes, if the weather is right.
I don't dislike tourists, but I do loathe tourist behavior, i.e. it's all about shopping. So when my friends come into town we try to do as many free activities as possible: zoo, conservatories, parks, free concerts, bike riding, people watching, museum, etc. Leave the credit cards at home
Stop by the Maxwell St Market on a sunday morning. Not what it used to be, but still a fun, non touristy thing to do while recovering from a sat night hangover.
I second the Green Mill. Distinctly Chicago and off the beaten path...
Finkl Iron works at night. It's a great 30-40 minute stop (maybe more if you bring beers)to watch the fire and brimstone before it shuts down.
For a first time visitor, I'd at least swing them by Millenium Park for a bit. Its beautiful and a great way to showcase the city. Then, head back to the neighborhoods for lunch, cocktails, etc. Visitors are always impressed with Lake View, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, etc. If its nice, go to a ball game.
I don't dislike tourists, but I do loathe tourist behavior, i.e. it's all about shopping.
Don't forget walking side-by-side down the sidewalks at an 80-year-old-with-a-walker's pace.
Do you tourist haters return the favor and never leave the city to go elsewhere? I doubt anyone is so worldly they can visit every city in the world without a map, or would skip famous attractions beacause OH MY GOD there is a family of four there as well!
I can just see people the world over saying "look at the aging hipster wannabe from Chicago, they are clueless as to the ways of our culture!"
Also, Green Mill is one of the most famous attractions in the city, is in every tourist guidebook, and is located off the Red Line in the middle of the northside. Hardly off the beaten path.
MARGIE'S + ARTURO's (not necessarily in that order)
The architectural boat tour is a good one, but after that, get the hell out of downtown and into one of the lesser trafficked neighborhoods. Wicker Park/Bucktown is nice. I've also had good luck with wandering around Andersonville and reveling in its Swedish roots.
My out-of-town friends like to eat at Penny's, because it's yummy, it's cheap, and they get see/hear the rumble of The El.
I second Margie's and Millennium Park.
Also, Superdawg. It's far out, but it's a one-of-a-kind.
we can occasionally find ourselves cursing the throngs of families walking down Michigan Avenue six people across, forcing us to walk at a turtle's pace.
I don't see how this changes much during non-tourist season ...
I always take people to Millennium Park, only because there's nothing like it. Then to the lake for the same reason, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, then into LP or Lakeview. That's all we usually have time for, unfortunately. But they always leave with a great impression of the city and its people.
Oh, yeah, and of course I take them for a ride on the El, and to the iO Theater if possible.
rent some bikes and ride up the lake from downtown to andersonville, hit up the most delicious sushi in the city at tanoshii (on clark st. just south of bryn mawr), then ride back down through the park and grab a few beers at the goat. that's a good day 1. and tell sushi mike i said hi.
mmmmm....tacos and a milkshake. my favorite food combination.
Yes wicker park and bucktown are great place to be seen. But if you want to get off the beaten path and see things you never thought you would ever see then head down to Pullman. It's a living tribute to social unrest. You can visit the Company Town Homes, listen for the chants where union riots broke out 100 years ago, view how race and religion has changed neighborhoods, feel the spirits that walked down old Champlain ave to their factory jobs. Have the special at calumet fisheries (not in pullman but close enough), Smell the air as it smelled during a time when industry was king. and if your personal politics will allow you to buy yourself something to commemorate your visit then there is a great antique shop called Dig it Pullman that is worth a stop.
Tourists should get out to the neighborhoods. No debate about that.
That said, for all of you who says "get out of downtown," I hope you realize that for many tourists--at least from the Middle West--Chicago represents one of the few times to see really big buildings and a real urban downtown, at least of this size. Many people I know from this area are more likely to visit Chicago than, say, NYC. So, don't downplay the importance of visting our huge downtown.
As well, for all those who act superior to tourists who visit Chicago, I would love to see how you react when visiting other cities, especially those overseas. I've probably seen you on one of my trips--the slow-walking, slack-jawed, out-of-place Americans being awed, along with the other tourists, at such sights as Notre Dame, the Kremlin/Red Square, the remaining scraps of the Berlin Wall, the mosque in Delhi, Gaudi's museum in Barcelona, Amsterdam canals, etc, etc.
In other words, get over yourself. You really are not that cool.
I just had a friend in town visiting, and I was going to take her to see the Neo-futurists' production TMLMTBGB after wading through the crowd at nearby Hopleaf.
And this is pretty touristy, and a little pricey, but I really enjoyed the Frank Lloyd Wright studio tour in Oak Park.
I work at a tourist attraction here in Chicago and I can say, on authority, that they are a pain in the butt. That being said, I think the last statistic I read said that one out of eight jobs in Chicago is supported by tourism in the city. So we should be happy that so many people want to come - it helps people who aren't tourists make a living here.
And for reals, in terms of complaining: As long as you stay off the Mag Mile/State Street, it shouldn't be too horrible.
When I have friends in from out of town, I like to take them to Millenium Park to see the Bean and Pritzker, to walk around WP and Bucktown, maybe an architecture tour... I also think a walk around Hyde Park can be nice, as can a stroll down by the lake, especially in the summer when everyone is out and about.
Well said vise77.
it's not chicago -- but i love taking visiting friends to sprecher brewery in milwaukee.
When Nelson Algren was escorting Simone de Beauvoir around town, he took her to the county lock-up (and ended up in bed with her "consoling" her).
My cousin comes here every year from Paris (she's been an expat for 38 years, so not a native anymore). I always take her somewhere totally "uncool" to shake off her Parisian snobbery--usually to audience-participation stuff like Neo-Futurists and any sing-along shows that might be in town. But no visit here is complete this year without a look at Body Worlds. Touristy or popular places are very cool, which is why people go to them. A look at the Rookery is a must, too. I also like the tiny art museum on Loyola's Lake Shore campus. Not many people know about it, but it's great.
+1 to Vise 77
Also, as a former Las Vegan, I'll take "Shop till you drop, walk real slow tourists" over "Constantly partying and groping jerkwads with their company's expense account". Tourists visiting Chicago tend not to look at the city as a personal toilet/playground where the citizens (female citizens especially) exist solely for their amusement.
And for sheer comedic value, you can't beat Weiner's Circle on a weekend night. You're guaranteed to be called a "bitch" or "cracker" at least three times and on a good night, watch a fight break out between drunk Lincoln Park chads. Good times.
Green Mill may indeed be listed in all of the travel guides, but I would still argue it's off the beaten path (especially being located so far from downtown and in a developing neighborhood)...
I've taken more than a few "native" Chicagoans, who previously knew nothing of its history or existence, to the Green Mill for their first time over the last couple years alone...
A person is frequently a stranger in his/her own country. Green Mill is world famous (yes, world) for being the home of the first poetry slams.
I know it may be cliche and surprising not a frequent on the list but the signature lounge is always a hit. It may be pricey, but it is cheaper than the observation deck and as a long time resident, I never get sick of seeing the city lit up at night and I am actually proud to watch so many "tourist" marvel at the beauty of the city lit up. This one never seems to disappoint and I always consider it a treat for myself as well. Since she's a female, make sure she uses the bathroom in there for the best view.
i'm with vice. i had some friends from nyc here and we just HAD to do the whole walk from n. michigan all the way down to millenium park. it's so utterly gorgeous. further, missing downtown chicago is like going to new york and saying that you're not interested in seeing manhattan. i mean, it's the heart of the city and really is just amazing.
we totally did as many neigborhoods as we could after that (discounting the northside. wicker park bucktown has so much to do it was hard to get up that way)and we hit all the great restaurants around the neigb. bin 36 wine cafe, lula, bongo room and even kuma's korner, swank franks and arturos (good mexican is not to be had in nyc apparently) and don't forget margies! (we even went out to superdawgs on the way back to o'hare).
all in all a blast but you know, doing the tourist thing at first can acclimate visitors to the city and is important in emphasizing how beautiful the city really is.
anyway
as an aside though, there's way more things to do food wise on the northside (lakeview all the way to devon ave) so next time they come it's northside or bust!
I almost forgot, my all time, hands down favorite thing about the city is summer weekend festivals in the neighborhoods.
I went out of my way to go all the ones I could this year, and they're all fun (except for JeffFest. Sort of "blah").
If it's next month, we got Cinco De Mayo in Little Village, Looptopia, and German Maifest in Lincoln Square. Plum cake and steins of cheap beer! Huzzah!
And Wicker Park Summerfest, Northalsted Days, Taste of Greece, and Ghana Fest aren't to be missed either.
there's supposed to be a big sculpture exhibit by french artist niki de saint phalle at the garfield park conservatory this summer starting may 1. big, colorful sculptures that you can touch, climb on, etc. jump on the green line and get away from the crowds and show your visitors that there is life outside the usual tourist traps. oh, and that going to the west side ain't scary! garfield is an oasis! hop to it!
Everytime I leave this city's friendly confines, I become a tourist...spending money, walking slowly, taking pictures and simply enjoying the sights and sounds of an unfamiliar place. We owe it to people visiting our town to steer them away from American Girl Place, H&M, and Grand Luxe Cafe if we can. The Green Mill is great but don't overlook the fabulous neighborhood surrounding it! Have some pho. Enjoy some duck! Treat them to a round-trip ride on the Brown Line and have some Korean BBQ on Lawrence. Check out Columbia College's "Manifest" for free entertainment and then head south to Pilsen for tacos and beer and, yes, shopping! Take them on a self-guided architectural tour (downloaded to your iPod). Buy dinner for them at YOUR favorite BYOB. Walk through Graceland. Check out a free lecture at The Cultural Center. Get a dog at the Weiner's Circle. And, by all means, take a photo in front of The Bean. Why? BECAUSE THEY'RE TOURISTS and that's what you do! Who doesn't have a picture of themselves in front of the Eiffel Tower or standing, gape-mouthed, at the Grand Canyon? ENJOY IT!