"Chicago's my kind of town," sang Frank Sinatra. Whether you seek culinary delights, cultural enlightenment, sports thrills or outdoor adventures, Chicago satisfies the desires of everyone. Situated along Lake Michigan, Chicago remains a hot destination for tourists from across the United States. Here are a couple of must do activities:
1. High Tea at The Drake Hotel: Tea at The Drake has long been a tradition that such dignitaries as Princess Diana, Hillary Clinton and even Queen Elizabeth have participated in the afternoon ritual. However, it remains quite affordable ($27.50) to the average visitor. This includes tea and a selection of sandwiches, scones, breads and pastries. Honestly, there is enough food for a late lunch or early dinner. Every afternoon a harpist performs to add to the atmosphere and ambiance. While you may be able to walk up and snag a table, reservations are recommended.
2. A baseball game at Wrigley: Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and home to the Chicago Cubs. It's steeped with history, including Babe Ruth's "called shot" when he pointed to the outfield and with his next swing of the bat hit a home run. Two unique features of Wrigley Field are the bleacher and rooftop seats. The bleachers are general admissions tickets and are first-come first-serve seating. The rooftop seats provide a distinctive view of the ballpark from one of the surrounding buildings. Plan ahead when buying tickets to a Cubs game.
3. Second City: One the most famous theatres in Chicago is Second City. It's launched the careers of John Belushi, Bill Murray, Tina Fey and Steve Carell, just to name a few. The theatre offers nightly comedy shows that are smart and original. Tickets are pricier ($25) on Fridays and Saturdays, so if possible make a reservation for during the week A Monday ticket costs just $14. A nice perk is there is no drink minimum at this club.
Perhaps, you'd like to sample some of the food that makes Chicago so famous. Here are a few places to try:
1. Orange: Orange is most famous for their made to order juices. Choose the traditional orange juice and spice it up with lime or pineapple juice. Or take a walk on the wild side and choose from one of their 20 other fruit and vegetable juices. Orange also features a weekly changing flight of pancakes. The themed flights treat restaurant goers to four different types of silver-dollar sized pancakes. Most breakfast dishes are under $10 making this an affordable place to stop.
2. Cafe Iberico: As you're out shopping on Michigan Avenue, head west a few blocks to LaSalle Street and stop in at Cafe Iberico. Here they serve Spanish tapas, which are small savory Spanish dishes, often served as appetizers. Cafe Iberico offers a great opportunity to try many different dishes, but in case you don't like one, it doesn't ruin your meal. The restaurant offers changing weekly specials, but most of the regular menu is under $7. A word of advice, if you're planning a Friday or Saturday dinner at Cafe Iberico go early, as sometimes the wait can be two hours. They do serve great Sangria to help you pass the time.
3. Tsunami: Now, it's time to splurge a little for dinner. Good sushi at a reasonable price is hard to find, but Tsunami offers an outstanding nigiri list with most pieces $3.50 and under. The restaurant also serves an overwhelming amount of sushi rolls from which to choose. Another feature to their menu is a combination of chef's choice sushi and a maki roll. This alone would be enough for one person and is reasonably priced ($26). Tsunami provides a sleek and trendy atmosphere, while providing guests a feeling of comfort as they sit next to the large fireplace.
And if you're on a budget there are plenty of activities that are easy on the pocket:
1. A stroll on Lake Michigan: Chicago has over 25 miles of shoreline and more than 20 beaches for you to enjoy. It's not something you'd expect when visiting a large metropolis like Chicago, but it is a treat! The Chicago Park District tests water daily for harmful bacteria and other dangers, so jump in and splash around. Or if you prefer, lounge on the sand with your favorite book.
2. A drink in the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Tower at sunset: Most tourists head straight for the tour of the Hancock Tower, which costs $15 for adults. For a real treat head to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor about an hour before sunset. All of the martinis at the Signature Lounge are under $15 so for the same price you still have a fabulous view and a nice beverage. Or if you're with a group of friends split a bottle of wine, which is surprisingly affordable with most bottles under $50.
3. A water taxi: A great way to see the city from a different perspective is on a water taxi. It's also a great way to get around the city. Ticket options vary, single rides cost $2 or an all day pass cost $4.