Chicago help / recommendations please

[MichelleS]

We are starting our Route 66 road trip in Chicago and wondered if there are any must sees ,restaurants and tours anyone would recommend
Thank you

[Twinkletoes47]

Hi, only 16 days to go - we are nearer 70 before our road trip 😀

What have you decided to do in Chicago and where are you staying?

We're at the Warwick Allerton and the highlights for me are likely to be Lou's Diner, the start of Route 66 sign and a boat tour to take in the skyscrapers!

I bet you're getting excited

[BigPetesWife]

Wild berry Pancakes and cafe for breakfast. Is an amazing place to eat. Use jet lag to your advantage and get there early as you can’t book and there will be a wait for tables later on in service. We got a go Chicago card and managed to squeeze in a lot of the attractions over a long weekend.

[MichelleS]

Hi, we are booked to stay at Trump International Hotel for 3 nights, (spent a bit more for this as its my DH birthday) we have booked to go on a Chicago Night Crimes Tour, and a Hop on off bus, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and also looking to go to the following places for food, The Cheesecake Factory, The Signature Lounge at the 96th, Lou Mitchell's, Public House, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, and following BigPetesWife advice will try Wildberry Pancakes as well..

[Dave9LPG]

Agree with Wildberry Pancakes. If you're jet lagged get up early & head to the bean/cloudgate before breakfast as its really close. We were the only people there when we did this.

[Hmr89]

Visited Chicago last November and loved it!
Definitely recommend the Shoreline Sightseeing architecture boat tour. Really interesting and a great way to get your bearings.
The observation deck at the John Hancock building was also a highlight: stunning views, especially at night.
We went to Lou Malnati's for proper Chicago style deep dish pizza which was great but very filling!
Have a fab trip

[MichelleS]

Weather not looking to good for Chicago though 😊

[Wismgari]

Originally Posted by BigPetesWife

Wild berry Pancakes and cafe for breakfast. Is an amazing place to eat. Use jet lag to your advantage and get there early as you can’t book and there will be a wait for tables later on in service. We got a go Chicago card and managed to squeeze in a lot of the attractions over a long weekend.

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Definitely Wildberry! They were amazing pancakes and flavoured lemonades. We got there about 7.45am and it wasn't that busy.

Millennium Park is lovely (even in the snow/ cold weather we were there for in March) - The giant bean is a classic and there are lots of other nice sculptures etc. too. We went up to the bar at the top of the John Hancock building - it is free to go up, you just pay for your (overpriced) drinks/ any food you want (we just had drinks) and you get gorgeous views over the city, without having to pay for the expensive lookout towers! The doughnut vault is a great doughnut shop, but go early because they sell out! I had a strawberry glazed old fashioned from there and it was the best doughnut I have ever eaten!

[toffeeman0]

I did the same trip 4 years ago and second the Architectural cruise tip it is fantastic.
The journey out of Chicago on 66 is very confusing heading towards Joliet.Some good stops on the way to St Louis are Willmington for the Gemini spaceman giant and Tall Paul in Atlanta Illinois.
Pontiac is another historic town,
Also Springfield the home of Abraham Lincoln.
Make sure you go up the Arch in St Louis as well.

[MichelleS]

Thank you for the replies.