What to (really) do in Chicago during the DNC
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A view from the Chicago River. Photo: Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Images
Thousands of politicians, delegates and members of the news media are descending on Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention.
The big picture: Out-of-towners and people hosting visitors might be wondering what to do outside the convention commotion and pop-up parties.
- Though there are plenty of city guides out there, many have the same, predictable ideas for restaurants, museums and tours.
- But here at Axios Chicago, we want anyone visiting our awesome city to have an authentic experience, so we've put together a list of what to do, and what to skip, to give you indispensable advice and knowledge only real Chicagoans will share with you.
Before we start, here is a list of expected speakers, road closings and parties and events happening next week.
Here are our suggestions:
What they'll tell you to do: Take the architecture tour on the Chicago River. Yes, it's great. One of the city's top tourist attractions, it does not disappoint.
What you should do instead: Skip the lines (and the cost) and take the Chicago Water Taxi to Chinatown. Same beautiful skyline without the guided tour. The cost: $10.
What they'll tell you to do: Eat deep-dish pizza. Listen, Chicago is a great pizza town, but Chicagoans love to argue about what kind of pizza town it is.
What you should do: Skip the deep-dish. It will weigh you down for hours and, frankly, won't travel well back to the hotel. Tavern-style is Chicago's favorite. We suggest hitting up Pat's in Lincoln Park or, if it's Tuesday night, hop over to Logan Square for Middle Brow's thin-crust specials.
- What our readers suggest: If you want to get adventurous, Axios Chicago readers suggest Vito & Nick's on the far Southwest Side. It's a haul from downtown, but it's more authentically Chicago than anything in the Loop.
What they'll tell you to do: Walk the Lakefront path. We'll tell you to do the same. It's gorgeous. The only drawback is it gets chaotic with bikers, runners and walkers.
- Word to the wise: Walkers stay to the right.
What you should do: Go walk The 606. The path is Chicago's version of New York's High Line. There's no lake but you get to see Chicago neighborhoods with less traffic.
What they'll tell you to do: Visit The Art Institute. It's one of the best art museums in the country. If you live in Illinois, it's free on Thursday nights.
What you should do: Check out Chicagoan Hector Duarte's murals on two houses at 19th and Wolcott near the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, which you can tour for free and see more of his work.
What they'll tell you to do: Drink Malört.
What you should drink: Anything but Malört.
What they'll tell you to do: Buy a ticket to a show at The Second City, the home of celebrity comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert. They are the best in the country, and well, the prices reflect that.
What you should do: Attend the improv set after the show (every night after the show, except for Fridays). You'll see the best in the business improvise new material, for free.
What they'll tell you to do: Don't put ketchup on your hot dog. Chicago purists say no chunky red sauce on your dogs.
What you should do: Get a hot dog at any hot dog stand and tell them to "drag it through the garden." That will get you every ingredient on a Chicago hot dog.
- Although between us? The best hot dogs come with no condiments, just grilled onions. Onions, onions, onions.
What they'll tell you to do: Go to Navy Pier. It's the No. 1 tourist attraction in the Midwest, and it boasts amazing views of the skyline, plus cool features and rides.
What you should do: Go to Hyde Park and visit Promontory Point. It's arguably a better view of the skyline (albeit farther away), but you get a less commercialized view of the city and a little bit of nature, too.
- Bonus: Walk back into Hyde Park and explore. You may come across the "Obama Kissing Rock."
What they'll tell you to do: Visit the shops and stores along the Mag Mile. This is Chicago's answer to New York's Midtown or LA's Rodeo Drive.
What you should do: For a really great Chicago experience, hit up Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. It's a great mix of vintage, streetwear and independent apparel shops. Start at North Avenue, and work your way down to Division Street.
Plus: Some practical advice for out-of-towners:
- Chicago is a bike-friendly city. Take a Divvy! But don't ride it on the sidewalk. Unless you are 12 years old or younger, you will piss people off. Also, don't throw the bike in the lake.
- Don't mistake Chicago for California. Though pedestrians have the right of way, stopping at crosswalks is a relatively new concept for drivers here. So take caution when stepping out into traffic. If you want to be a real Chicagoan, wave the car past and walk when the traffic is clear.
- Beware of Lower Wacker Drive. Chicago is a great city to see filming locations from iconic movies like "The Dark Knight," but steer clear of visiting the Lower Wacker Drive scenes unless you're with someone who knows the area. It's a maze of streets that is not walkable, and it can take hours to figure out how to get back out.