I've been to Lou Malnati's and Gino's and both were mediocre IMO. It might be that I'm not big on deep dish but I think Zachary's in Berkeley is terrific.

Charlie Trotter's was very good, but I wouldn't put it on the top tier of restaurants I've eaten.

Went to the Art Institute and of course the Hoppers were on loan to the Whitney at the time.

Seems like a great place to live.

Everest is a topnotch restaurant anywhere if you can handle the pretentious and overbearing service. The view at Charlie's is better because Everest really only overlooks a freeway interchange and a semighetto. There's also a very good pretheatre meal which isn't much food but it's all amazing.

Gino's is total garbage and Giordano's only a little better. Chicago pizza is probably the single-most overrated food associated with a particular city and it isn't even necessary since Chicago can legitimately lay claim to the greatest hot dogs on the planet and having somewhere that sells Vienna beef on every corner is nice. Why would anyone want pizza anyways?

It's a total hack place, but I've had good experiences at Harry Caray's.

I second the architecture tour. I don't remember the names of the companies, but you should spring for the more expensive one if you decide to go. The difference is competent tour guides instead of blundering college kids whose mispronunciations will send your head spinning.

The House Theatre Company is a good alternative to the more established groups. Its young and hip but very solid and professional.

-Michael

i'll probably add some more stuff but the first things that come to mind:

-lou malnatis is the best deep dish pizza in the world. most of my friends agree, some don't, but i can't imagine anyone calling it terrible. that being said, the one in schaumburg where i grew up tastes better than the ones i've eaten in the city. a carry-out one just opened one up in wicker park and although i still eat it occasionally, the crust is soggy sometimes and it just isn't that good. go to a sit down place (lincoln park) and enjoy the atmosphere and a cold beer with your pizza.

-if you are 25 or under, go to the bars in lincoln park if you are looking for a wild night. there really aren't any that stand out as they are all pretty much the same.

-japonais and mirai for sushi. i like japonais better because it has a nicer bar, more sushi, and also more hot food. they are owned by the same people, so the signature rolls are the same (get the spicy mono, special zuke, tuna tuna salmon). if you are just in town visiting, i'd probably say go to japonais because it's closer to a lot of the other good stuff in Chicago and it's a little more trendy, you might even run into a celeb. i eat at mirai much more often because it's less hectic and it's only a block away from my place.

-check out second city if you like comedy...no brainer

-if you are looking for an interesting place to grab a drink on a weeknight, check out the violet hour in wicker park. it has a "speakeasy" theme, there is no sign outside and the door is hidden in what looks like a wooden wall. the way to tell if the place is open is to look and see if the yellow light is on on the wall. it's located near north/damen, but google it to get the exact address. the mixed drinks are incredibly strong (and expensive ~$12/per), but are without a doubt the best i've ever had. some of the drinks take 5 or 10 minutes to mix, and aren't really like cocktails i've had in other places. the music is very low, everyone gets a seat, they have a snack menu, and you aren't allowed to use your cellphone inside. great place to take a date after a movie, or something. on weekends its always been too crowded for me to get in.

thats all i got now... chicago is a great city, especially in the summer. can't think of a place i'd rather live june-september.

tc

Any sporting event will be a great time. I'm a Sox fan, but if I had to recommend one Chicago sporting event it would obviously be a Cubs game.

If you are looking for fine dining, Alinea is the best option. Actually it might be the best option in the entire US.

As for bars, it depends what you're looking for. If you are looking for college type bars, hit up Lincoln Park. Rush/Division area has a bunch that are real close to a # of restaurants as well.

Personally, my absolute favorite part of the city is Wells St. in Old Town. I lived here for a year and I'm moving back this summer, just because there is so much to do. Restaurants/bars line the streets and its only a short walk to North Ave Beach. Two of the most popular comedy clubs are located within one block of each other on this street; Second City and Zanies. Old Town has a great vibe and is a great place to live.

<3 Chicago, I'll be here for a long time.

Walk along lake shore drive, catch a cubs game (even if you don't like baseball) go shopping along Michigan Avenue.

i forgot about this one, but gene and georgetti's is a pretty cool place to go if you are visiting. it's an old fashioned steakhouse (they have other stuff too) that sinatra and his crew used to dine at when they came to chicago. the menus are literally the same as they were 50 years ago. everything i've had there has always been good to great, and the atmosphere is really unique.

tc

Hah, that's awesome, I'm moving into the building with Japonais downstairs this July. Never been there but I'm looking forward to it.

Second City--can't believe I didn't mention that. If you go, and you can't get tickets to the main show, the side shows held in the Skybox are great too. Off-topic, I think their show at the Flamingo is one of the best cheap entertainment options in Vegas.

Re: Lincoln Park bars, I've had some good nights at McGee's (Webster & Sheffield), it's a college atmosphere, usually a good time.

What do you guys like for breakfast? I like going to Fox & Obel in Streeterville (Illinois & Fairbanks). It's kind of a Whole Foods-like experience; there's a grocery store with an attached cafe. Unlike WF, you actually go up and order your breakfast (not buffet style). It's pretty straightforward food: pancakes, sausage, bacon, etc... but I really like it.

Wishbone is the immortal nuts for breakfast.

Has anyone been to Green Mill or Hothouse? They are supposed to be very good Jazz venues.

I've never had Due's, but heard it is excellent. Which is it closest to?

Also, legitimate points on Navy Pier - it might be nice to watch the fireworks.

I can't say I disagree here. Wishbone breakfasts are great, and like 2 blocks from my apartment.

I'm a big fan of Julius Meinl or Southport Grocery, which are about 100 feet apart on Southport. Julium Meinl is great when you want coffee and a pastry, or a coffee based drink and a sandwich or some random european egg thing. Southport Grocery does spins on traditional brunch food. (Also, note, I never eat breakfast out, I eat brunch out.) So they've got french toast with ham and gruyere, or bread pudding pancakes, or other stuff like that. Also on Southport (or other locations) for the traditionalists is Anne Sather, which has fantastic cinnamon rolls.

Orange is good, but I've gotten tired of it (and the concept of having oranges in like, everything). But I've heard great things about Bongo Room. I've also really enjoyed the couple of brunches I've had at Sola, on Lincoln, though it's in general fancier than I like my brunch.

Obviously other clutch call for brunch/breakfast is the Map Room, where I think it's free, and there's a great beer selection.

I don't understand the question? Do you mean location of Due to something else or do you mean compare the pizza at Due to another pizza place?

(I'll take this chance to echo that while I have somehow never eaten at unos or due in Chicago, due is supposed to be the right choice because of the crowds that choose to go to uno even though the food is identical and they are less than a block apart.)

Poor use of pronouns on my part... I meant to ask... which other pizza does it taste most similar to?

Is it a really deep pan like giordanos? Sweet sauce?

Wishbone is definitely a top breakfast spot, but if you're on the other side of Clark in Lakeview, Stella's is terrific. Basically a Lake View version of the Chicago Greek diner, and if Stella is in, she makes the hollandaise herself. The extra lemon reminds me of my Yia Yia's cooking.

Some other good, semi-neighborhood places on the near northside: Sola, which has a great, weird mix of asian and american. My wife is from Hawaii and it reminds her of the best food in Honolulu.

Chalkboard, which had a good French menu (outstanding cassoulet, almost as good as mine). Kind of bad service, but still worth stopping in.

Costa's in Greektown. Skip Greek Isles (if they're reopened even. I heard the board of health shut them down). My big picky greek family loves the place.

For a bonus, North Pond is my favorite upscale restaurant in the city. Amazing seasonal menus, beautiful setting in the middle of Lincoln Park, wonderful service, great great great. God that's terrible writing.

Also, I'm semi-ashamed to admit this, but I think Joe's Steak and Stone Crab is my favorite steakhouse in the city.

Things my wife and I have enjoyed as tourists (in no particular order):

1) Cubs game. She hates baseball, but will go to a Cubs game every time we visit. You do not have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the experience.

2) Art Institute -- If you enjoy European artists (especially Impressionists) then the Art Institute is a can't miss.

3) Shedd Aquarium -- One of the top 5 in the country

4) Field Museum -- I liked it, but my wife got bored looking at stuffed animals.

5) MOSI -- We really enjoyed this one. Coal mine, train, sub and baby chicks hatching were all good. There is a bus that runs a route among all the museums.

6) Walking up Michigan Avenue and back on the Lake-- On a nice day, it is a pleasant diversion

7) Navy Pier -- We were not fans, but I don't disagree with the positives mentioned in others posts.

8) We ate at Due and it was good pizza (We still prefer Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge)

9) The view from the Hancock Tower was good.

10) As far as food goes, my wife is picky and sticks to boring chains that meet her pseudo-vegetarian tastes.

We missed the Lincoln Park Zoo. What's the word on that?