Chicago

[isabella]

^im sure fav nyo royal buffet...lol

[gnela_21]

^im sure fav nyo royal buffet...lol

Actually sis, we're not a fan of buffets. It's good to have it once in a while, pero not something to go to often. To much sodium!

[isabella]

^ u have idea sis what month cheap ang airfare to chicago after winter?

[gnela_21]

^ I really have no idea sis. We're scheduled to go home in June, however wala pa din kaming tickets until now, the prices are outrageous for June. Try to check orbitz, travelocity, expedia and priceline. Goodluck.

[mooncake and leaves]

Mahal ata talaga June-September kasi summer months ng US. Cheapest month for me so far is May. But that's LA so I dunno for sure. A friend naman is Feb pero hehe winter pa din matuturing saka too soon na. October din ata is ok.

Try niyo na lang din sa agencies to compare.

[gnela_21]

Springtime in Chicago!

[naarnia]

hi Gnela_21...some few question about chicago
What will the temp be like around Nov? Do I need very heavy jackets or layering will do
(ex. thermal - shirt - normal jacket)?
Is it convenient to use the public transport in Chicago? can I survive by just taking trains & buses?
Is Arlington Pl, a good place to stay? like convenient to reach the tourist spots?

Thanks in advance

[gnela_21]

hi naarnia! November is fall weather. Are you coming from Manila? I would suggest bring coats with you if you're not used to cold weather. It may be cold already at the time. I remember that it already snowed first week of December 2009 and 2010. Thanksgiving (last thurs of Nov) is already cold. Brrr!

If you are going around downtown Chicago, public transport is excellent. CTA (both L train and buses goes around the city) and you can check the website for the time of departure. Arlington Heights is on the NW suburbs, you can take the Metra train from there going to downtown Chicago, so commuting will not be hard, it's just a matter of getting to the Metra station from the place you're staying at.

[naarnia]

yay...It's gonna be BBrrr!

Thank you so much Gnela for all the info really appreciate it

Any personal suggestion what would be the places/experiences in Chicago that will not
be in the guide book ? 

[vanity fair]

I'm going to visit Chicago this September.  I usually use the Metra / Cta Trip planner on the internet.  It tells u what bus / train to take.  Very detailed yung directions.

[gnela_21]

Any personal suggestion what would be the places/experiences in Chicago that will not
be in the guide book ? 

If you want to see fall trees in all their glory, I'd suggest visit Morton Arboretum in Lisle and if you love cupcakes, try Molly's and More Cupcakes. Just Google for their respective addresses. If you are keen on visiting the museums/Aquarium, you can get the Chicago Citypass. You get a discounted price to see 5 attractions. When going to either Hancock or Sears/Willis Tower, do it on a weekday. Weekends are mostly busy and you wont get to enjoy it as much.

[naarnia]

thanks vanity fair & gnela...excited to see the fall colors...sana lang maapprove ang leave

[gnela_21]

You're welcome and good luck!

[mooncake and leaves]

^ uy na-try mo na yung taste of chicago (?) is it worth attending? saka tama ba na may days na free ang art institute? i wanna go to chicago!

[gnela_21]

Hi mooncake and leaves!  Yeah, naka-attend na kami sa Taste of Chicago, masaya sya. Although don't expect too much, it's usually for tasting lang. Pero masaya yung atmosphere and then may mga free concerts din sila. The day na pumunta kami, nagplay ang Counting Crows!

May mga free days sa mga museums, although I think para sya sa Illinois residents, check mo dito: http://explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/tourism/Museum_Free_Days.html Pero ang good news, if you have a Bank of America credit card, they have a perk of free museum entrance on all 50 states, check mo here: http://museums.bankofamerica.com/ I think applicable sya on the first weekend of every month. Dito sa Chicago, kasali ang Art Institute and Shedd Aquarium.

[CoolChick]

Any personal suggestion what would be the places/experiences in Chicago that will not
be in the guide book ? 

Add ko lang sa mga suggestions ni Gnela_21 another must visit for me is Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock at night. Go on a clear day so you will see the beautiful city lights while enjoying drinks. And and best view actually is in the ladies room! Lol. Also, since maraming massarap na mga restaurants sa city, definitely go and try as much as you can. Let me know if you want a list of must-go-to restaurants. Medyo kalat kalat kasi sila.

Ok rin ang live music sa Chicago, and well known din sya for Blues. Buddy Guy's Legend's Blues Bar is a good place to go to for live Blues.

Since November is cold, medyo limited na ang mga outdoor activities. You can watch plays and musicals . Check out http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ . Chicago Symphony Orchestra is also good to go to and you also have the Blue Man Group.

Also, visit mga comedy clubs. Yung magaganda like Zanies, Second City, etc. Dito nagstart sina John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, etc.

^ uy na-try mo na yung taste of chicago (?) is it worth attending? saka tama ba na may days na free ang art institute? i wanna go to chicago!

Sis Mooncake, long overdue na ang visit to Chicago!
Taste of Chicago is nice to go to for the experience. But mas-ok actually to go to the different summer festivals in the different Chicago neighborhoods during the summer. Cheaper yung food and meron din mga bands. Yung best to go to is "The World's Biggest Block Party" sponsored by St. Patrick's Church. This year they had Plain White T's and Barenaked Ladies.

Hi sis Gnela!

[gnela_21]

hi Coolchick! Long time no see here in GT! haha

[Jolilei]

Hello, pasali.. Chicago resident here.. Hi gnela_21, dito ka pala tam bay. Nawala ka na sa w@w... Weather is getting cooler now... Kaya Lang malamok hmmmp...

[CoolChick]

^^ Oo nga, long time no see for me. Hahaha! Just missed checking out GT. On topic,   beautiful day in Chicago today! People are taking advantage of the remaining days of summer, puno ang mga beach and daming tao sa patio seating ng mga restaurants sa city.

[gnela_21]

^ hi chick loves orange! ay mali coolchick pala onga, hopefully this weather would last until the last days of summer. nakakalungkot lang kasi mga 7am dumidilim na. :p nag-movie marathon kami nung weekend ni Tops, pinanood namin yung Up in the Air, grabe nakakita nnman ako ng snow. Medyo nadepress ako. haha.

^^ hi Jolilei! i still check the w@w forum, although bihira na ako magreply. haha.