Ask Joyce

Hi – I have a friend coming in to look at colleges. i would like to take them to Navy pier this Sat June 6th. Can you give me a fun suggestion for dinner and something to do after?

Thank you, Cindy

Hi Cindy – Saturday is a great day to be at Navy Pier. Here are some suggestions for dining and activities at Navy Pier:

Dinner with a view – Riva

Casual dining – Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Capi’s Italian Kitchen, Charlie’s Ale House

Activities at Navy Pier – bicycle rental, boat tours, strolling the boardwalk, the Ferris wheel for photo opps, and fireworks at 1015pm.

Enjoy!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hi Joyce – I will be driving to Chicago for the first time (have always flown) with my two kids. I’ve heard all the horror stories about traffic. Can you point me in the right direction as far as the best time to try and get to downtown? I plan to arrive on Friday July 3. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Scott

Hello Scott – Friday, July 3 will be busy in the city of Chicago. Some things to consider this year when driving in to Chicago that day – Independence Day will be observed, all major businesses and government offices will be closed, the city’s fireworks display will commence after 9pm in Grant Park.

If you are to come in to the city I would highly suggest arriving before 2pm as traffic will get much heavier as people come downtown to hang out, shop, and attend Taste of Chicago before the fireworks. Check with your hotel about the availability of early arrival (some times rooms are ready before the 3pm check in time). If they do not have a room ready when you arrive then you can certainly store your items with the Bellstaff until it is available.

Enjoy your holiday!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce, My daughters graduation is June 5,2009 and I would like to take a collection of people to dinner in downtown Chicago.

I would like a recommendation for a restaurant with great view of the city, good old American fare. Something everyone can find something on the menu and a average entree charge. Nothing over $27 per meal.

Can you help ?

Linda

HI Linda – Congratulations on your daughters graduation! Restaurants with a view can get a little pricey but definitely look into doing a family style meal or a designed menu. This way you have some control over the end result. When working a designed menu, you would speak with the Dining/Catering Manager to choose a couple of salads or appetizers, a couple of entrees and a couple of desserts. They can do special things like imprinting a special welcome or your daughter’s name on the menu.

Since I did not know how many people you are hosting here are a few locations with a view and within your price range:

Riva at Navy Pier

Signature Room at the 95th

Park Grill

Hope this helps.

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce -

Can you help me find some small older (maybe even historical type) church’s in the Chicago area? We are considering coming to Chicago to get married, don’t plan on inviting guests and I would like to use a small old church. The park (as someone else suggested) may just be a little to unpredictable with the weather.

Thanks, Brooke

Hello Brooke – You may want to consider these locations -

Lakeview Presbyterian Church

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL

Best wishes,

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hi Joyce-

I just found your link on metromix.com. Hopefully you can help.

My 26 yr. old cousin (male) is looking for something to do on a first date but with very little funds to spend. He is very shy, so if there is something that can keep them both entertained, great! He is willing to travel anywhere in the city. I know this is very little info but can you still give any ideas/suggestions?

thank you for your time

Alisa Spector

Hello Alisa – Downtown Chicago is full of things to do when on a budget. Here are some suggestions:

DINING:

Gino’s East or Giordano’s

Ed Debevic’s

Elephant & Castle Reagle Beagle

THINGS TO DO:

i.o. Comedy Improv

Museum of Contemporary Art, “Take your time: Olafur Eliasson” until Sep 13, 2009 – Free on Tuesdays

Discounted theater tickets through HOT TIX

Hope this helps!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce,

Riding the train up to Chicago for just a couple days of shopping and museums. What is the best way to travel between museums? cabs..trolley line? Any must sees that you would recommend for a mom and 16 year old daughter?

Thanks, KRM

Hello KRM – To get between the museums you can take a taxi – a $10-$12 dollar ride from shopping on Michigan Avenue. The complimentary trolley system unfortunately discontinued with the exception of the trolley that goes to Navy Pier.

Taking bus transportation is easy and inexpensive – the #146 will take you to the Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium), and the #10 will take you to the Museum of Science and Industry. A taxi to that museum would be about $20.00.

As far as other activities, I would recommend that you go to the Millennium Park, and also look into some of the theater in the area. There are several Broadway shows playing here before touring the country or going to New York.

You can rent a bike or rollderblade and ride along the lake for a Chicagoan thing to do. Look for the location at Navy Pier.

Have fun!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

I have an apartment in the Lakeshore East Complex – - 60601 zip. Looking for parking for a large van: 6’ 8” tall for visitors coming the 19th, 20th, 21st. It can be a cab ride or walk away. Can you help? Most garages are not tall enough so an outdoor lot with 24 hour attendant if possible is ideal.

Also WHAT TO SEE FIRST – - they’ve never been here and have such little time! But parking is the most needed issue. HELP!

Thanks for your help,

Janet Bracken

Hello Janet – The parking lot for Northwestern Hospital at 222 E. Huron has an 8’ clearance. That will be the closest location with an overnight rate of $39.

Start your sightseeing adventure by going to Millennium Park to see “Cloudgate” and stroll the grounds. Also, the Chicago Cultural Center is right across the street. The Chicago History Museum is not far and the Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the last free zoos in the country, is nearby. If they are into architecture, consider a walking tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Also take a look at our Calendar of Events to see what is happening around town.

Have fun being the Tour Guide!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hi Joyce, We are going to be in Chicago April 4 and 5. We want to see the reflecting sphere but don’t know where its at. Also we would like to go to a Slovak or Czech restaurant. Could you help please? Is there anything you could recommend that would be of interest to 2 teenage boys from Slovakia?

Thanks for you help,

Joann

Hello Joann -

You will want to go to Millennium Park where “Cloudgate” is located. You will have some great photo opportunities at the park – the Crown Fountain, the gardens, and the BP Bridge, just to name a few.

The Klas Restaurant, located in Cicero, IL will be the best and closest choice for a Czech restaurant. It will be about 30-45 minutes from downtown, depending on the traffic.

The boys may enjoy going to ESPN Zone for the sports atmosphere and games, the Cultural Center to see the famous Tiffany dome, do some shopping at Macy’s on State Street, and rent some bikes for a ride along the lakefront.

Enjoy the trip!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce,

We are coming to Chicago first of June. We have two kids, 10 yr old boy and 7yr old girl. Our son is into electronics and our little girl wants to visit American Girl Store. We have thought about Field Museum, Shedd’s, Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Museum of Sci & Ind. What other things are good to take kids to in Chicago? We also want to keep the cost down as much as possible. How do you get the best deals on admission. What free things do you suggest for kids that age? How should we plan these activities so we are not going back and forth all over town. Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Beth

Hello Beth – Summer in Chicago! We Chicagoans come out of hibernation and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer. American Girl Place is a fun emporium of all things “American Girl”. Along Michigan Avenue, your son may want to check out the Apple Store and Radio Shack.

Your museum choices are great and you may want to look into the GO Chicago Card. For one price you would gain entry into several attractions. The savings definitely add up. Since June is a busy time in Chicago, free days to the museums are rather limited. According to a schedule I received, the Adler Planetarium is free on June 12, the Museum of Science & Industry is free Jun 1-5 and June 19, and the Field Museum is free on Jun 8. The Chicago History Museum is free on Mondays. Check with your hotel concierge or their websites to confirm.

Millennium Park, where Cloudgate is located, is great for photo opportunities, relaxation and cooling off. Take the Wendella Water Taxi from Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium) to Navy Pier for family activities and fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights. To take advantage of getting around economically, purchase a Chicago Transit Authority Visitor Pass. You can check with the concierge at the Visitor Center at the Cultural Center.

Enjoy your trip!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hi, Last time I was in Chicago I visited a pet shop close to the Mariott Downtown Magnificent mile (walking distance) can you help me with a name of a pet shop in that area please?

Thank you

Linda

Hi Linda – The pet shop you are looking for is Pet Stuff. They have another location north in Lincoln Park and a new location opening soon on the near west side.

Have fun shopping!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hello!

A group of 8 of us is coming to Chicago on Friday 3/13 and staying until Sunday 3/15 at the HILTON SUITES Magnificent Mile (198 E. Delaware Pl). We will NOT be using our vehicle after we get there, until we leave on Sunday. We love riding the “L”... The hotel wants $50 per NIGHT !! for parking.

I am trying to find a parking garage that is close to the hotel that will allow us to park there from Friday around noon, until about noon on Sunday, that would be cheaper than the $100 the hotel will charge us!!

Thank you!!

-Randy Simmons

Hello Randy – Here are a couple of websites – parkinganytime.com or chicagoparkingmap.com that may help you. I would suggest calling the garages near the hotel to double check the rates.

I hope this helps!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce – We are staying at the Hilton Suites with kids so would there be places for young kids to eat at that are close by the hilton.

Becky

Hi Becky – I will take a guess (since there are several Hilton’s in Chicago) that you may mean the Hilton Towers on South Michigan Avenue. If this is the case, then a few of my favorites are The Eleven City Diner, Edwardo’s Pizza, Hackney’s Printers Row.

If you are staying at the Hilton Suites off of North Michigan Avenue, there are several wonderful choices to pick from. The Cheesecake Factory located in the lower level of the John Hancock Building – see your hotel concierge about priority seating. If the weather is nice, go up to the John Hancock Observatory before heading down to the restaurant. the Observatory has a new Cafe Espressions by Lavazza for wonderful coffee and chocolate drinks!

While shopping in Water Tower Place, the Mity Nice Grill has great comfort food items while Foodlife offers an upscale food court with lots of healthy options. Pizza is always a fave so you may want to head a little south and go to Gino’s East just off Michigan Ave.

Hope this helps!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Dear Joyce:

My grandson will be 21 years old at the end of this month…..Looking for a fun place to take him and his family to celebrate this once in a lifetime birthday…..already took him to Tommy Guns Garage for dinner & show, but it was fun…..any suggestions?

Fran

Dear Fran, One of the great things that Chicago has to offer is it’s Jazz and Blues venues. To be part of the energy, and passion that these artists display is both contagious and wondrous. Unfortunately for the evening performances unless the venue serves food and is classified as part restaurant you must be 21 years old to experience it, and some of the best ones do not serve food. What better way to introduce someone as young as your grandson coming of age to this part of the world of music in one of the cities best known for that style of music.

Here are some suggestions for some Blues and Jazz Clubs:

BLUES CLUBS -

Blue Chicago

Blues

Buddy Guy’s Legends

House of Blues

Kingston Mines

JAZZ CLUBS -

Andy’s Jazz Club

The Backroom

Green Mill

Jazz Showcase

Pops for Champagne

Jazz Piano is offered at Carmine’s, Davenport’s, and Red Head Piano Bar.

....Part of the fun is in the research.

All the best,

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Hi Joyce, We are coming to Chicago in May. Main reason to see cubs, but also sightsee. Can you recommend a hotel for about $125 a night in an area that fits that itinerary ?

Thank You!!

Monica

Hello Monica,

May will be busy in Chicago which makes it a great time to visit. The hotel deals are not as prevelant as they are during the slow season, but they are to be found. Do not limit yourself to just one area of the city in order to experience what you want to do because public transportation in Chicago is great and very accessible.

If you want to experience the Cubs and the feel of the neighborhood around the stadium you may want to stay up in Wrigleyville. Go to one of the games, take in the vibe of the area, and still be able to take the CTA Redline and head downtown to enjoy the sights.

Here are a couple of hotel suggestions in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area:

Best Western Hawthorne Terrace

Days Inn Chicago

City Suites Hotel

If you want to experience the opposite you can check on some of the hotels downtown. In this way you can enjoy the sights and museums and then take the redline up to Wrigley and enjoy the game. Also do not forget to check on the wholesalers website’s for deals. Depending on their search engines, Priceline is great for couples and Hotwire for families, but there is also Expedia, Travelocity and Chicago based Hot Rooms and so on.

Remember!! Do not limit yourself to staying in just one area. Use this website to familiarize yourself with our neighborhoods and when you get to your hotel pick up a copy of the Concierge Preferred magazine to keep with you as you explore our Chicago.

All the best

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce

Joyce,

Could you point me in the right direction, or would Concierge Preferred be able to help plan a small wedding in one of Chicago’s public parks, like Millennium Park or Lincoln Park Conservatory, for an out-of-town group?

If so, who would I contact to discuss options with?

Many thanks,

Judy

Hello Judy – You would want to contact the Chicago Park District, Department of Park Services. Take a look at Grant Park and Lincoln Park.

Have a great day!!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce