Chicago fans, I need your help

[Dave Platt]

Hello all.
As I'm a newbie to these boards I thought I'd say hello.
I live in London and have been an Arsenal season Ticket holder in the East Upper for 12 years now.
But I have a question for all you Chicago Gooners about your city. I am going on a US sports trip next year to see some Hockey and Baseball and as Chicago has both sports in their city, Chicago is one of the possible destinations for me.
What is the city like?
Where would be a good place to stay (between Wrigley and Union Centre)?
What else is there to do there?
How safe is it to travel alone at night? (game back to hotel etc.)
Thanks in advance.

[sarabella]

Welcome to the boards, Dave! I used to live in Chicago, so I'll answer these questions. I'm sure others will chime in with their responses once they get their lazy bums out of bed. :D

The city itself is beautiful -- it's a nice balance between beautiful, modern architecture and nature (lots of parks and the lake). The best place to stay is downtown, preferably on Michigan Avenue if you have the cash. Hotels in that area can be quite pricey, but you can find deals on hotels.com or something similar.

Wrigley Field is an experience in itself. It's a "neighborhood" park, so there aren't really any hotels nearby. Again, downtown would be better to stay anyway. You can take public transportation from downtown straight to the park -- the Red Line el train drops you off right outside the park. Obviously, if you're going to a game, you won't be traveling alone. There will be hundreds of other drunks crowding the train with you. Wrigleyville is, generally, a safe neighborhood anyway though. Just use regular city common sense.

I'll let someone else handle the hockey area -- I never made it to a game, mostly because I cannot stomach seeing the Blackhawks (I'm a St. Louis Blues fan).

As for other things to do, it depends on what you're interested. You must visit the Art Institute of Chicago and I highly recommend the Shedd Aquarium. Both are fabulous. There are tons of other museums in the downtown area -- Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, etc. Also, depending on when you go, you can probably find some kind of outdoor music festival or a good show at a smaller venue. Again, it just depends on what you're interested in.

Hope this gives you a start.

sara

[Bighorn]

Hello all.
As I'm a newbie to these boards I thought I'd say hello.
I live in London and have been an Arsenal season Ticket holder in the East Upper for 12 years now.
But I have a question for all you Chicago Gooners about your city. I am going on a US sports trip next year to see some Hockey and Baseball and as Chicago has both sports in their city, Chicago is one of the possible destinations for me.

Welcome Dave, stick around a while. This place is a lot more fun when the season gets rolling.

What is the city like?

Chicago is a big city with friendly people. In contrast to some other big cities you don't need a car to get around (LA) and it's not very intimidating. The winter is cold, the summer is hot and spring and autumn last about 2 weeks each.

Good hockey tickets will be easy to come by, baseball ones are a bit more difficult - although some of us might be able to help you with that a bit. If you plan to hit both sports, you'll probably be coming is April or early May. It's still quite a bit chilly here then - especially for baseball.

Where would be a good place to stay (between Wrigley and Union Centre)?

Anyplace really. Michigan Ave. is the main tourist destination but you could stay about anywhere downtown and get around just fine.


What else is there to do there?

Well, what do you like to do? We have a great art museum, aquarium, planetarium, shopping, eating and DRINKING too. There is a place called Navy Pier that is quite popular with tourist although I have no idea why. It's over priced shops, poor quality restaurants and a ferris wheel. It is by the lake though, so that is nice.

How safe is it to travel alone at night? (game back to hotel etc.)

This isn't a huge issue. If you are near the basketball/hockey arena I wouldn't go asking the locals to change a $100 bill or anything. If you stick with the crowd and don't linger by yourself things will be fine. The neighborhood around Wrigley is not a problem at all.

If The Arsenal are playing, you can meet us at The Globe Pub on Irving Park Road. We'll buy you a few pints but they can't start serving until 7 am. :D

[Dave Platt]

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes I would be going in April as it is the only times both sports crossover seasons.
Would love to catch an Arsenal game whilst in town. Just how popular is the Premier league in Chicago, is it mostly British people that would sit in a bar at 7am ( :eek: ) and watch a game or do the locals follow the sport?
Also which to see, Cubs or White Sox game? I know Wrigley field has a lot of history and have a lot of day games but the White Sox are a better team are they not? Is there a lot of rivaly on the city between the 2 clubs?
Can't be anyway as bad as the Arsenal Sp**rs can it? :D

[Bighorn]

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes I would be going in April as it is the only times both sports crossover seasons.
Would love to catch an Arsenal game whilst in town. Just how popular is the Premier league in Chicago, is it mostly British people that would sit in a bar at 7am ( :eek: ) and watch a game or do the locals follow the sport?
Also which to see, Cubs or White Sox game? I know Wrigley field has a lot of history and have a lot of day games but the White Sox are a better team are they not? Is there a lot of rivaly on the city between the 2 clubs?
Can't be anyway as bad as the Arsenal Sp**rs can it? :D

Most of us are locals but some are Brits who've moved here. Yes, we do get up as early as 6 am every weekend to watch our beloved Arsenal. They are not many of us - about a dozen or so here but we are passionate and knowledgeable.

I vote Cubs, but that's me. Detlef, Bluto and others will suggest that the Sox are a better choice. To be honest, for the quality of the team right now - they'd be correct. But its not all about winning now is it? Why not do both and decide for yourself? One last thing to help you decide - their ballpark is like Ashburton Grove (big and corporate) - ours is like Highbury (100% old school). :D

And no - it's not like Arsenal v. Spurs, but they do have quite an inferiority complex on the south side and despise us because of it. Most Cubs fans root for the Sox as long as we aren't playing them.

[Bluto11]

And no - it's not like Arsenal v. Spurs, but they do have quite an inferiority complex on the south side and despise us because of it. Most Cubs fans root for the Sox as long as we aren't playing them.



HA!

[Bighorn]

HA!

HA! yourself....you southside wanker who lives on the northside!
Go live at 35 and Shields if you like the sox so much. :p :D

[Bluto11]

Go to both Wrigley and Comiskey.

Wrigley is one of the best parks in the majors, if not the best. The setting of it and the crowds walking around outside of it remind me of Highbury. Right now, playing wise, the Sox are a much better team. Wrigley Field is sold out every game. Lots of people go there just to be seen and to get drunk and could care less about baseball.

7 AM at the Globe is a mixed bunch. English people and Americans.

[Bluto11]

HA! yourself....you southside wanker who lives on the northside!
Go live at 35 and Shields if you like the sox so much. :p :D
maybe I will!!

and i'm laughing at your assumption that most Cubs fans root for the Sox when the Cubs and Sox aren't playing. I know lots of Cubs fans, and they do not root for the White Sox

[Zivheads]

Also which to see, Cubs or White Sox game? I know Wrigley field has a lot of history and have a lot of day games but the White Sox are a better team are they not? Is there a lot of rivaly on the city between the 2 clubs?
Can't be anyway as bad as the Arsenal Sp**rs can it? :D

There is no contest - go to a Cubs game. Wrigley Field is a temple, a shrine to Baseball. If you are coming to the U.S. to see one baseball game, 75% of non-biased baseball fans would tell you to go to Wrigley Field (the other 25% would probably say Fenway Park in Boston). The White Sox are the best team in baseball this year, but the Cubs aren't a bad team, as they are in Wild Card chase (they're trying to earn the fourth and final playoff spot). Also, since you're coming next April, it will be a whole new season, and teams change fairly drastically in between seasons, so there is no guarantee that the White Sox will be this good next year.

I really can't stress how much you need to go to Wrigley instead of US Cellular field. I don't know that much about English football stadiums, but I would think that Wrigley is like the Highbury or Old Trafford of the United States. There are few experiences like watching a baseball game at Wrigley Field, and if you come to Chicago to watch a baseball game, you need to have that experience.

[Bighorn]

maybe I will!!

and i'm laughing at your assumption that most Cubs fans root for the Sox when the Cubs and Sox aren't playing. I know lots of Cubs fans, and they do not root for the White Sox

Well, I won't hijack this thread with baseball talk but the Cubs fans I know are baseball fans and not just panty waisted partying drunks. And for what it is worth, I really really dislike those people.

The reputation of Cub fans is well deserved. Having said that, the ones that I know do know the game really well (most of us keep score) only have a few beers during the game...and do root for the sox to do well as long as it's not at our expense.

[Bluto11]

Well, I won't hijack this thread with baseball talk but the Cubs fans I know are baseball fans and not just panty waisted partying drunks. And for what it is worth, I really really dislike those people.

The reputation of Cub fans is well deserved. Having said that, the ones that I know do know the game really well (most of us keep score) only have a few beers during the game...and do root for the sox to do well as long as it's not at our expense.
thumbs up. I like knowledgeable baseball fans.


if it worked out he could go to a Cubs game in the afternoon, hop on the red line and be on the South Side for a night game!!

and I think we should warn him that the weather in Chicago in the spring is anything but normal, so if you decide to come out pack for anythign from 30 F to 70 F

[Bighorn]

one more thing while I am thinking about it Dave.

under no circumstances should you enter a tavern called "The Cubby Bear" if you find yourself at Wrigley Field. It's a cesspool of humanity and will suck your wallet dry faster than a 2 dollar whore. The place has no character and is solely there for out of towners and suburbanites with no morals or taste.

[leepyswetr]

thumbs up. I like knowledgeable baseball fans.


if it worked out he could go to a Cubs game in the afternoon, hop on the red line and be on the South Side for a night game!!
Next you're going to have him attacking umpires.

[leepyswetr]

As for hockey, the Wolves play in suburban Rosemont, but you can catch the blue line and a taxi from the station.

[Bluto11]

Next you're going to have him attacking umpires.
and thats a problem?? :p


you going to be at The Globe on sunday?

[Dave Platt]

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Looks like I may try and do both Cubs and Sox if I can. How would I be able to obtain tickets for Cubs games, will a tout (scalper) be the best way? To be honest it is the best way for those without a ticket for the Arse to get into the Home of Football.

[Bighorn]

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Looks like I may try and do both Cubs and Sox if I can. How would I be able to obtain tickets for Cubs games, will a tout (scalper) be the best way? To be honest it is the best way for those without a ticket for the Arse to get into thr Home of Football.


I doubt that would be the best way to do it. When you've made your plans, send me a pm and I will give you some guidance. Might even have a spare or two for you.

[Rick B]

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Looks like I may try and do both Cubs and Sox if I can. How would I be able to obtain tickets for Cubs games, will a tout (scalper) be the best way? To be honest it is the best way for those without a ticket for the Arse to get into thr Home of Football.


Actually as you will find out and as the Chicago lot will testify, there is an Americn Arsenal supporters group which helps fans from the US and Canada go to the games, I do all the tickets so these guy's don't have to go to touts. I am sure you will find (as I did) that they are a friendly bunch, try and go to the Globe for a pint with them. I went in March this year and had a great time. You will see an Arsenal flag there along with other stuff I took over. I am sure they can offer some good advice and help with getting tickets for the stuff you want to see.

[Bluto11]

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Looks like I may try and do both Cubs and Sox if I can. How would I be able to obtain tickets for Cubs games, will a tout (scalper) be the best way? To be honest it is the best way for those without a ticket for the Arse to get into thr Home of Football.
I can help with Sox tickets, but it is never really a problem to get them anyway!