Chicago in February
Discussion
I hit the big Four-Oh in February and the other half and I are thinking about celebrating it by spending 4-5 days or so in Chicago, a city that I've always fancied visiting even if I could never explain exactly why...
Apart from it being chuffing cold, does anyone have any hints or tips, dos or do nots? Would love to hear an experienced point of view or two. Things to do, see, places to eat and drink, places to keep warm in etc, we're not too fussy about anything so all ideas will be considered!
Apart from it being chuffing cold, does anyone have any hints or tips, dos or do nots? Would love to hear an experienced point of view or two. Things to do, see, places to eat and drink, places to keep warm in etc, we're not too fussy about anything so all ideas will be considered!
Carshark: February in Chicago is not only at risk of being "chuffing cold", as you put it, but covered in snow!
Do you recall the storm that swept across Lake Michigan a couple of years ago? Cars were abandoned along Lakeside as they simply couldn't get anywhere.
That said, last winter was VERY MILD in Illinois. IIRC, one snow fall of about 6 inches, that's all - and it's difficult to tell what may happen this winter.
I've spent a fair bit of time in the area in the last couple of years as my eldest brother lives a little west of Chicago, and I've customers downtown, and I, like the poster before me, expected a grim place.
I can honestly say Chicago's a GREAT place.... just be very careful if you head to South Chicago, although you're unlikley to see the Sox in Feb!
Do you recall the storm that swept across Lake Michigan a couple of years ago? Cars were abandoned along Lakeside as they simply couldn't get anywhere.
That said, last winter was VERY MILD in Illinois. IIRC, one snow fall of about 6 inches, that's all - and it's difficult to tell what may happen this winter.
I've spent a fair bit of time in the area in the last couple of years as my eldest brother lives a little west of Chicago, and I've customers downtown, and I, like the poster before me, expected a grim place.
I can honestly say Chicago's a GREAT place.... just be very careful if you head to South Chicago, although you're unlikley to see the Sox in Feb!
5potTurbo said:
Carshark: February in Chicago is not only at risk of being "chuffing cold", as you put it, but covered in snow!
REALLY, REALLY chuffing cold.Average max for Feb is 40f, average min is 20f. Not uncommon to see numbers in the - range, too. A fair amount of humidity and a fair amount of wind, too, so it'll feel colder.
I got sent there for business, from Colorado, for thre days, that turned into three weeks. Day four, I went and bought a new coat.
On the other hand, quite an entertaining place, and a lot nicer than you might expect.
I lived in Chicago for 18 months back in the 90's. Great place, but at the risk of sounding like a broken record it really is worth bearing in mind just how ridiculously f
king cold it can get that time of year. On a bad day with the wind whipping in off the lake, walking around outside is basically a non-starter unless you're a masochist or a polar bear. You'll need to keep every inch of your body covered in double layers of thermal gear to even think about popping outside for more than 10 or 15 minutes.
That aside there is loads to do. Check out some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses out in the suburbs like Evanston, Navy Pier, Sears Tower, what's left of the trading floor at the CME, and the lovely old CBT building too. If you were there in summer i'd also say a visit to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game (preferably sat in the bleachers) is a must. The Rush St bar scene is fairly grim in my opinion but probably worth a stroll at least.
king cold it can get that time of year. On a bad day with the wind whipping in off the lake, walking around outside is basically a non-starter unless you're a masochist or a polar bear. You'll need to keep every inch of your body covered in double layers of thermal gear to even think about popping outside for more than 10 or 15 minutes.That aside there is loads to do. Check out some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses out in the suburbs like Evanston, Navy Pier, Sears Tower, what's left of the trading floor at the CME, and the lovely old CBT building too. If you were there in summer i'd also say a visit to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game (preferably sat in the bleachers) is a must. The Rush St bar scene is fairly grim in my opinion but probably worth a stroll at least.
Many thanks chaps, much appreciated 
So, it really is that cold then
We both like to walk so we can get a real feel for wherever we are and to get our bearings, it's sounding like the weather will throw going walkabout into doubt, especially if there's a good chance of snow and ice. May is sounding like a great time of year to be out there, it's not the first time that I've read that, not too hot as to find a day out in a city too exhausting yet pleasant enough to not have to wrap up - sounds ideal, the problem is though I seriously want to be away on the big day.
Definitely want to attend a sporting event, Ice Hockey or Baseball dependent on the season I guess.
So, it really is that cold then
We both like to walk so we can get a real feel for wherever we are and to get our bearings, it's sounding like the weather will throw going walkabout into doubt, especially if there's a good chance of snow and ice. May is sounding like a great time of year to be out there, it's not the first time that I've read that, not too hot as to find a day out in a city too exhausting yet pleasant enough to not have to wrap up - sounds ideal, the problem is though I seriously want to be away on the big day. Definitely want to attend a sporting event, Ice Hockey or Baseball dependent on the season I guess.
Don't chicken-out. The snot-freezing weather and shards of ice crashing down 30 storeys onto the sidewalk characterises Chitown.
To get out of the cold get this:
...here:
These two are also high on the totem for carnivores
Mastro
Lawry's
Pictures speak louder than words (I learned this from 300bhp/ton)
To get out of the cold get this:
...here:
These two are also high on the totem for carnivores
Mastro
Lawry's
Pictures speak louder than words (I learned this from 300bhp/ton)
There is an outstanding steakhouse called 'Capital Grille', which I always recommend to anyone going over there as being the best steak I have ever eaten.
As has been said, it is bitterly cold out so it may be wise to plan ahead and use the 'L' or cabs to get around depending on where you stay. So much to see though and some great sports bars and restaurants on the stretch of Rush and Division street (a colleague and I ended up in 'Shenanigans' last time I was over there and had a great time with some friendly Bulls fans.
As has been said, it is bitterly cold out so it may be wise to plan ahead and use the 'L' or cabs to get around depending on where you stay. So much to see though and some great sports bars and restaurants on the stretch of Rush and Division street (a colleague and I ended up in 'Shenanigans' last time I was over there and had a great time with some friendly Bulls fans.
Spent a lot of time there myself. Various holidays, and lived there twice.
Chuffing cold is right! All the above suggestions are good. If you have a spare $200, then you'll do a lot worse than getting a plane ride around the city. I went back this year to renew my pilot's licence, and took the O/H around. You can still do the downtown loop at about 1000' above the ground.
I have a friend over there who used to be my instructor. I'm sure he'll oblige if you'd like me to ask. He flies out of Chicago Exec airport just north of O'Hare.
These were some I took when I flew around downtown....
Chuffing cold is right! All the above suggestions are good. If you have a spare $200, then you'll do a lot worse than getting a plane ride around the city. I went back this year to renew my pilot's licence, and took the O/H around. You can still do the downtown loop at about 1000' above the ground.
I have a friend over there who used to be my instructor. I'm sure he'll oblige if you'd like me to ask. He flies out of Chicago Exec airport just north of O'Hare.
These were some I took when I flew around downtown....
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