After this weekend’s race on the beach with the breeze, it’s back north to the Windy City. Everyone who loves Chicago has a reason why. So why? What is there to do in Chicago? Leave your favorite spot here and I’ll post it in Travel Log.
| More blogs from this member | |
| Go to this member's profile | Email to friend |
If you already have a NASCAR.COM account or ID, you can log in to the Community now!
If you do not have a NASCAR.COM account or ID, please register with NASCAR.COM now so you can join the Community and create your profile! It's free!
All External sites will open in a new browser window. NASCAR.COM does not endorse external sites.
© 2008 NASCAR | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NASCAR.COM is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
Powered by Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.0.5.1/461 Mon Aug 25 20:51:19 UTC 2008
4 Comments
rokketmanfan
Jul 10 2008 11:41
Keep it near the track
I cannot believe some of us would divert race fans so far away from the track. If you are a genuine race fan travelling some distance to come to Chicagoland, the last thing you’re going to want to do is take a train or drive to downtown Chicago. The traffic alone is rediculous (I’ve lived near I-55 in the suburbs all my life). Let alone some horrible neighborhoods you’d have to risk driving through. If you take a train, then you’re left to deal with beggers and theives and gangbangers. Sure downtown has alot to offer, but we’re talking about NASCAR fans. Not necessarily city-folk who enjoy being “tourists”. There is plenty to do and see around Joliet, sure it has it’s bad neighborhoods, but they’re smaller and more contained not like the entire city of Chicago. I’m not bashing the wonderful sightseeing and economic growth that Mayor Daley has laid a path for over the past decade or so, but why travel all that distance if you’re in town to do NASCAR. There is camping near the track. Harrah’s casino and cool nightclubs in downtown Joliet. Cook county and Will county forest preserves for picnicking and hiking. You can easily find lakes and rivers for fishing and even boat rentals all within 25 miles of the track. How about Frisbee-golf in Channahan? Or dinner at the Texas Roadhouse in Tinley Park at the intersection of I-80 and LaGrange? Shopping? There are malls and shops all over, I just can’t see unsuspecting NASCAR fans travelling all-the-way into downtown Chicago on what is already a four-day-event race weekend packed with all types of racing events. The lawn area that stretches along the backside of the grandstands alone is worth spending an afternoon on. Plenty of sponsors have all-day events and attractions there along with the Miller Lite tent. I’ll see you there!!!
DANBARNES
Jul 07 2008 21:35
WHY?...YOU ASK
BECAUSE, THE “WINDY” IN WINDY CITY IS TALKING ABOUT THE POLITCIONS NOT THE WEATHER AND ITS NICE UP THIS WAY RIGHT NOW.
PLUS THE FIRST NIGHT RACE THERE….EVER
ITS NOT TOO FAR FOR ME TO DRIVE TO.
I’M MEETING PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY THERE
- JUST GOTTA FIGURE OUT WHERE TO STAY THE NIGHTS… IS THERE CAMPING STILL AVAILABLE?
chica20586
Jul 02 2008 11:44
Patti's picks from her hometown!!
If tailgating not your thing head straight downtown Chicago, plenty of festivals, and of course the Lake front and shopping.
check out cityofchicago.org for a list of everything going on that weekend.
If your favorte driver didn’t gamble on the race track, head on over to the Casinos located in Joilet before or after the race on Saturday.
www.argosycasinos.com and www.harrahs.com
If you want try Chicago style pizza try :
Giordanos: 3058 W. Caton Farm Rd. Joliet, IL
www.giordanos.com
If you don’t mind the short drive try Lou Malnatis Pizzeria
With 28 locations check them out online to find the closest one on your way to the track.
www.loumalnatis.com
If you are looking for more family sit down style on your way in try:
Cracker Barrel;
1511 Riverboat Cntr.
Joliet, IL 60431 (815) 744-0985
or
the Corner Cafe;
700 Ruby St. Joliet, IL
815-726-1988
Oh yea when you are driving up to the track there are homes along the way and they are decked out with NASCAR flags from everyones favorite drivers and the people sit outside and wave at all the fans coming to party.
Parking is not too bad at this track, last year after the race people stopped there cars and chatted with other drivers.
The layout is spacious and there are tons of things to do just at the racetrack.
There is some construction going on right now on some of the area roads and expressways so just be patient. Downtown Joilet drives like your in the city so pay attention to the signs to the racetrack. And don’t hesistate to stop and ask someone if you get lost, they are more than happy to help out the race fans.
Enjoy Chicago and enjoy Joliet and enjoy our first night race here at Chicagoland!!!
RDOF_Posse
Jun 30 2008 12:42
Posse's picks for the 606
Here are my picks for Chicago, I don’t know anything about Joliet except that a prison is located there.
The best overall:
Grant Park, the lakefront parks east of downtown, Cloud Gate on the AT&T Plaza a.k.a. “The Bean”, the whole Millennium Park Complex. More info
Wendella Boat rides
The tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes a trip through the Chicago Locks that reverse the flow of the Chicago river. Other tours are also available, the Lake & River tour is $23.00 for adults and leaves from the Southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue bridge.
More Info.
The best museum:
The Museum of Science and Industry, the building itself is from the Columbian Exposition, two things not to be missed are the Coal Mine and the captured U-505 German submarine.
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
Museum Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Open every day except Christmas Day
More Info
There are many great restaurants in the city but the quintessential true Chicago experience can be found at 17/west at the Berghoff.
17 W. Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60606
I tend to recommend the German fare but whatever you eat wash it down with a few steins of their signature dark beer and let someone else drive or take the “L” or other public transportation back to where you’re staying.
Lunch hours
Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m
Dinner hours
Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
discount parking for restaurant patrons at Interparking, located at 17 East Adams, less than one city block away.
More info
Pizza
My Pie Pizza – This business has had several locations throughout the years and is now at 2010 N. Damen Ave. in what is called Bucktown. Get the thick crust. 773-394-6900 My wife says they have the best cole slaw in the universe too.
More info
If you want to stay downtown for pizza go to Uno 29 E. Ohio (312) 321-1000 or Due 619 N Wabash Ave (312) 280-5110 , all the other places are poseurs except for maybe Lou Malnati’s which I don’t care for but many swear by.
Oriental
Any of the smaller places in Chinatown, around Cermak Rd. and Wentworth Ave. Take the “L” (Red Line) to the Cermak-Chinatown stop, get off and walk west.
Burgers
Hackney’s (there are other locations too, this is the closest to Joliet)
123rd.& LaGrange Rd.
Palos Park, IL 60464
708-448-8300
I love it on dark rye with a slice of raw onion, order the onion loaf with your drinks.
More info
Breakfast
Walker Bros Original Pancake House (there are other locations too, this is the closest to Joliet)
153 Green Bay Rd.
Wilmette, IL
(847) 251-6000
This is a long way from Joliet but it’s really in a class of its own. The apple pancake is ambrosial but you’ll probably be too full to finish the whole thing.
More Info
Hot Dogs
Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646-3726
Phone: (773) 478-7800
This is on the north side of the city on the corner of Devon & Milwaukee and is my personal favorite.
If you want something closer to Joliet there’s always Portillo’s but they’re more of a chain.
More Info
Portillo’s – Tinley Park, Illinois
15900 S. Harlem Avenue
Tinley Park IL 60477
708-444-1000
Theme: 30’s Prohibition
Italian
Chicago’s version of Little Italy is on Taylor St. The most notable restaurant there is Rosebud. fettuccine Alfredo, caprese salad, veal Francese, homemade cavatelli, chicken Vesuvio, Sinatra abbondanza for two to four people, At Rosebud the homemade noodles make all the difference in meaty, baked lasagna, the pasta portions are big.
1500 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607-4016
Phone: (312) 942-1117
More Info
I also really like The Italian Village, it’s downtown.
71 W Monroe St
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 332-7005
The Village is a casual restaurant located on the second floor. Designed like a small Italian town, some customers get to dine in booths/nooks with such names as La Taverna (The Tavern) and La Banca (the Bank). The restaurant resembles a little Italian town.
More Info
Ribs
The Gale Street Inn
4914 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, Il 60630
Tel: 773.725.1300
Steaks & fish are to be had here too but I’ve never had anything but the ribs, they’re the best in the city that I’ve tasted and they’re my benchmark against which all other ribs are compared. The restaurant is directly across the street from the Jefferson Park “L” stop.
More Info