I've been to Cleveland only once and it was to visit the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. I was favorably impressed! Because I was on a tight schedule, I had no time to spend exploring the rest of the city. I hope to return some time for a more leisurely visit.
Speaking of Midwest, if you are not familiar with Chicago, I think you would find it an equally friendly and beautiful city. Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan is one of the most beautiful downtown city drives ever, even rivaling iconic cities like San Francisco for beauty. Chicago deliberately kept its lakefront totally free from industry, instead preserving it for beauty and recreation - boating, beach, swimming, biking, hiking, fishing - instead of lakeside warehouses for cargo shipping.
Chicago is an extremely friendly city where you can strike up a conversation with a variety of people in a hotel, cafe, restaurant, bar, store, etc., and possibly find things in common. If you're lucky enough to talk to a local resident, it's a pretty sure bet they won't brush you off as an annoying interference in their day.
In case you didn't guess, I'm a Chicago native and it's my favorite city in the world, even though I left years ago after graduating college and moving on with my life elsewhere.
I still love to visit Chicago any time of year and I make it back there for a long weekend about once a year. There's always something new and exciting to do and see in Chicago, My Kind of Town!
And now, as a lifetime Catholic, I'm thrilled that we finally, finally, finally have an American Pope, who just happens to be from Chicago. Even if he cheers for the White Sox and not the Cubs, I will forgive him that little transgression.
The Rock Hall of Fame is definitely something to see and I couldn't believe how many artifacts and other items they include. I'd probably visit it again in the future, but I just love the area we've been hanging out. There is so much to see and experience!
I've visited Chicago several times myself. It has a great vibe.
On one visit, it was for a consulting gig, and the client took me to many posh restaurants and hangouts. He was from there and well-connected to the food and art scene. We also had a big BBQ party on the beach on Lake Shore Drive, hosted by a famous chef. I got to see so much more because of his local knowledge, so I did get a bit spoiled!
My daughter loves Chicago as well. She has a couple of friends who live there and she's interested in possibly moving there in the future.
I quit the Catholic lifestyle a long time ago, though I've been spotted in a pope hat and stohl before. I said 10 Hail Marys, so I think I'm good. LOL! Maybe the real Pope will switch teams. You never know these days!
Hi James, Glad you also like Chicago. My favorite place is anywhere in downtown Chicago, North Michigan Avenue. Very walkable and plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, the Art Institute and other cultural sites. My favorite restaurant is The Berghoff, an iconic German restaurant in the Loop. My favorite junk food is an authentic Chicago Hot Dog. Yes, cap letters because it deserves respect.
Another cool, very casual restaurant is The Billy Goat, which you may or may not be familiar with because of the old SNL "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger" skit. If you don't know the bit, it's probably on YouTube. The Billy Goat is where the tag line came from. It's under Michigan Avenue, just a flight of stairs below the city, and across from the Chicago Tribune's loading docks. A true greasy dive, but you can't beat it for authentic Chicago atmosphere.
For a great view of the city, the John Hancock building on North Michigan Ave. It's the one that's kind of A-shaped. Great observatory on the top floor. Other great city views are from the Sears Tower, which now has another name which true Chicagoans revile. It will always be the Sears Tower if you grew up or lived in the area when it was built as and remained the Sears Tower. Yes, true loyal Chicagoans get a little touchy about the ridiculous name change when another company bought the building years ago. I will not give respect to the other company that did not keep the original name of the building.
Yeah, I had a blast on that one trip. I don't remember all the places my colleague took me, but I do remember that we went to many diverse neighborhoods, as well as some iconic tourist destinations like the Kidney Bean, Sears Tower, and the American Girl store (not for me, my daughter). LOL!
One of the places we ate at was Brazaaz, which I see is closed now. It was my first experience with a Brazilian steakhouse. We also went up to a high-rise building where we smoked some weed while looking out at the whole city. Don't worry, I didn't inhale. 😂
I didn't know about The Billy Goat, but I know that SNL skit well. And I LOVE Chicago Hot Dog. The best there is!
We're not far from it right now and when we leave NEO, we might make a stop in Chicago, so I really appreciate the recommendations. Especially the Berghoff, as I enjoy German food and beer.
Hi James,
I've been to Cleveland only once and it was to visit the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. I was favorably impressed! Because I was on a tight schedule, I had no time to spend exploring the rest of the city. I hope to return some time for a more leisurely visit.
Speaking of Midwest, if you are not familiar with Chicago, I think you would find it an equally friendly and beautiful city. Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan is one of the most beautiful downtown city drives ever, even rivaling iconic cities like San Francisco for beauty. Chicago deliberately kept its lakefront totally free from industry, instead preserving it for beauty and recreation - boating, beach, swimming, biking, hiking, fishing - instead of lakeside warehouses for cargo shipping.
Chicago is an extremely friendly city where you can strike up a conversation with a variety of people in a hotel, cafe, restaurant, bar, store, etc., and possibly find things in common. If you're lucky enough to talk to a local resident, it's a pretty sure bet they won't brush you off as an annoying interference in their day.
In case you didn't guess, I'm a Chicago native and it's my favorite city in the world, even though I left years ago after graduating college and moving on with my life elsewhere.
I still love to visit Chicago any time of year and I make it back there for a long weekend about once a year. There's always something new and exciting to do and see in Chicago, My Kind of Town!
And now, as a lifetime Catholic, I'm thrilled that we finally, finally, finally have an American Pope, who just happens to be from Chicago. Even if he cheers for the White Sox and not the Cubs, I will forgive him that little transgression.
Howdy Elaine!
The Rock Hall of Fame is definitely something to see and I couldn't believe how many artifacts and other items they include. I'd probably visit it again in the future, but I just love the area we've been hanging out. There is so much to see and experience!
I've visited Chicago several times myself. It has a great vibe.
On one visit, it was for a consulting gig, and the client took me to many posh restaurants and hangouts. He was from there and well-connected to the food and art scene. We also had a big BBQ party on the beach on Lake Shore Drive, hosted by a famous chef. I got to see so much more because of his local knowledge, so I did get a bit spoiled!
My daughter loves Chicago as well. She has a couple of friends who live there and she's interested in possibly moving there in the future.
I quit the Catholic lifestyle a long time ago, though I've been spotted in a pope hat and stohl before. I said 10 Hail Marys, so I think I'm good. LOL! Maybe the real Pope will switch teams. You never know these days!
What's your favorite place to visit in Chicago?
Hi James, Glad you also like Chicago. My favorite place is anywhere in downtown Chicago, North Michigan Avenue. Very walkable and plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, the Art Institute and other cultural sites. My favorite restaurant is The Berghoff, an iconic German restaurant in the Loop. My favorite junk food is an authentic Chicago Hot Dog. Yes, cap letters because it deserves respect.
Another cool, very casual restaurant is The Billy Goat, which you may or may not be familiar with because of the old SNL "cheesburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger" skit. If you don't know the bit, it's probably on YouTube. The Billy Goat is where the tag line came from. It's under Michigan Avenue, just a flight of stairs below the city, and across from the Chicago Tribune's loading docks. A true greasy dive, but you can't beat it for authentic Chicago atmosphere.
For a great view of the city, the John Hancock building on North Michigan Ave. It's the one that's kind of A-shaped. Great observatory on the top floor. Other great city views are from the Sears Tower, which now has another name which true Chicagoans revile. It will always be the Sears Tower if you grew up or lived in the area when it was built as and remained the Sears Tower. Yes, true loyal Chicagoans get a little touchy about the ridiculous name change when another company bought the building years ago. I will not give respect to the other company that did not keep the original name of the building.
Yeah, I had a blast on that one trip. I don't remember all the places my colleague took me, but I do remember that we went to many diverse neighborhoods, as well as some iconic tourist destinations like the Kidney Bean, Sears Tower, and the American Girl store (not for me, my daughter). LOL!
One of the places we ate at was Brazaaz, which I see is closed now. It was my first experience with a Brazilian steakhouse. We also went up to a high-rise building where we smoked some weed while looking out at the whole city. Don't worry, I didn't inhale. 😂
I didn't know about The Billy Goat, but I know that SNL skit well. And I LOVE Chicago Hot Dog. The best there is!
We're not far from it right now and when we leave NEO, we might make a stop in Chicago, so I really appreciate the recommendations. Especially the Berghoff, as I enjoy German food and beer.
The Berghoff used to be even better. Years ago they had singing waiters, complete with authentic German attire and instruments.
Cool. I spent a year in South Euclid. It was gorgeous. In the Summertime. Not in -20 degrees.
Wow! You’ve been everywhere. Haha. We passed Euclid the other day. Definitely don’t want to be around in those temps!!! 🥶