Here are 5 recommendations from a native Chicagoan on where to get great food in Chicago. I’ve brought dozens of friends and family members to these restaurants and they’ve never been disappointed. Enjoy!

Giordanos

Talk about deep!

If you want to get a great slice of Chicago style deep dish pizza, Giordanos is the place to go! Made from the freshest ingredients, two slices of this cheesy monster will leave you stuffed for hours. For those over 21, you can enjoy it with a Goose Island beer, brewed right in Chicago! This restaurant is my friends’ favorite pizzeria in Chicago, but is a close second to the next suggestion below.

Lou Malnatis

Another great pizza

When rating Chicago style pizzerias, some claim that Lou Malnatis should be number 1, and it really depends on the person. Their pizzas are also made with the finest ingredients, and if you want a meat topping, I highly suggest adding Italian sausage. Although not as thick as Giordanos, you certainly won’t be disappointed with your meal at Lou Malnatis. If you’re staying for a few days, try a slice from both pizzerias!

Gene and Judes

Fries, onion, pickles and more!

I honestly believe (and many Chicagoans agree) that Gene and Judes has the best Chicago style hot dogs, hands down! Their Vienna beef hot dogs come with all the fixings of Chicago style hot dog: yellow mustard, sweet relish, tomato slices, chopped onion, hot peppers, pickle spear, and celery salt. Don’t dare ask for ketchup unless you want to be yelled and laughed at! Their fresh cut fries are delicious as well, just make sure that when you get ketchup, you say it’s for the fries.

Ditika’s

A great place for steak

The legendary coach of “da Bears” has started a chain of steak houses in select cities, with one being in Chicago of course. The steaks at Ditka’s are massive and I am yet to hear anyone say something negative about Ditka’s. If the line is very long, Morton’s steakhouse originated in Chicago as well and is a good backup.

Portillos

"The" Italian beef sandwich

Portillos is an excellent place to go for lunch and they have something to satisfy everyone! Along with hot dogs and burgers, they have an amazing Italian beef sandwich. To add to their massive menu, they also have great salads and a pasta station. Many believe that their fries are the best you’ll find anywhere! You have to leave room for their famous chocolate cake for dessert!

This post was written by  Adam, who encourages travelers from all over the world to make at least one visit to his hometown of Chicago. He helps international travelers find the adapters from travelproducts.com they’ll need for their trip. He also helps fashionistas find the trendy shades they’ll need for walking around the town.

images by: stephee, A Gude, hcic, Marshall Astor, hubsterdisney  and selva

The history behind the tradition

The tradition began as somewhat of an accident. In 1961 a plumber showed up at the Plumbers Hall wearing white overalls that were stained an Irish green. The cause of the stain was a dye used to detect leaks into the river.

Steve Bailey, who was head of the local plumbers union at the time suggested that they dye the river green for St. Patrick’s Day. After discussing the idea with the port director and they decided to follow through with the idea and dye the Chicago River green through private funding.

Workers dying the river green. The dye starts as an orange powder but turns green once its dissolved.

In 1962 they dyed the river green for the first using a 100 pounds of dye. It may not sound like much for a river but it resulted in the river turning green for an entire week!  After a couple of years of experimentation they were able to settle on the right amount to only turn the river green for one day.

Today the event remains privately funded and the dye used to turn the Chicago River green is environmentally friendly. Unlike the original oil based dye, which was used until 1966, the current dye is vegetable based ensuring that the water quality of the river is unaffected.

Get the best views of the river

This year the river will be turned green starting at 10 am on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th 2012).

For the best views of the river, head down towards the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The area also has several attractions such as the London Guarantee Building,  the Wrigley Building and the Heald Square Monument.

We recommend you arrive early for the best seats and then enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade which begins at the corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo then continues North to Monroe.

Be sure to download the mTrip Chicago Travel Guide to navigate your way through Chicago.

images by: multisanti, michellemarie and Hans (lumilux.org)

Hit the shops on the Magnificent Mile

An epic strip of tarmac that dissects the heart of the city, Michigan Avenue is Chicago’s key artery, spearing far north and south of the centre on both sides of the Chicago River.

But its most revered section is the stretch that forges directly north of the river – an area generally referred to as the Magnificent Mile (a title it has worn since the 1940s). Here is one of the planet’s most wallet-troubling retail zones, home to some 460 stores, 275 restaurants and 50 hotels – as well as several grand malls. Just about every major commercial player is here, including the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales.
It is a place where you could easily blow the budget – although if you look up from your spending, you should also notice a couple of the city’s icons. The Chicago Water Tower is a pointed pile, dating back to 1869, now used as a tourist information office. And the John Hancock Center, 1127ft tall, is the perfect place to relax over a cocktail once you’ve visited every shop on the Mile – its 94th floor Observatory bar offers tremendous views.

Feast on fine food

Chicago comes equipped with near-endless possibilities for eating and drinking – and not just on the Magnificent Mile. True, you can find myriad culinary options in The Loop (the core of Chicago, just below the river). And if pizza is your thing, you will never starve, but the hunt for dinner is also a chance to venture into more peripheral areas. Chinatown, south of the centre is, unsurprisingly, an enclave of authentic Chinese cuisine. You can find excellent Indian fare on Devon Avenue in the Rogers Park District, to the north. And Pilsen, on the lower west side of the city, has a marked Mexican influence and restaurants to match. Those seeking to go gourmet should dash to Lincoln Park, north of the centre, where an outstanding (if rarely cheap) array of high-end outlets compete for your custom – among them Alinea and the legendary Charlie Trotter’s. Wicker Park, to the west, is also a mix of the cool and the cosmopolitan, where you can sate your appetite in everything from Ukrainian bakeries to the sushi paradise of Mirai.

Absorb a spot of culture and nature

Chicago is also bursting with culture and beauty – museums and galleries, soft beaches and leafy parks. Chief of these is the Art Institute Of Chicago, a temple of paintbrush genius, where A-list European masters (Van Gogh, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec) share space with the looks-like-the-future works of 20th century American luminaries (including Grant Wood and Edward Hopper). And all of it held in a glorious quasi-palace just south of the river.

Elsewhere, you can indulge your Sunday-supplement side in the heritage of the Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park, or at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen.

And then there are the must-see parts of Chicago that do not hang on a wall. The city is one large film set, and movie buffs can point their cameras at any number of cinematic locations – such as Union Station, which stars so spectacularly in Brian De Palma’s 1987 Prohibition classic The Untouchables, or the Downtown seen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

And don’t forget the city’s sandy playgrounds. Chicago may not have seafront, but it still has beaches – long curves of sand pinned to the edge of Lake Michigan, such as North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach. Find an empty spot here and sit down to wonder at the magic of it all – or do the same in the green lungs of Grant Park and Millennium Park.

Planning to visit the Windy City? Visit the Virgin Atlantic website for the latest deals on flights to Chicago

Download mTrip’s Chicago Travel Guide to get around!

Images by: Tmdean, Mediocre Chocolate, HarshLight, torres21

Hit the beach

Chicago’s beaches – particularly Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach – become the center of the social universe on hot summer days. Families come to play in the sand and surf, while young singles come to work on their tans and mix and mingle under the sun. Admission to most of Chicago’s 15 swimming beaches is free, as is access to the Lakefront Path, a route that winds its way north from downtown and is packed with bikers, walkers, roller-bladers and runners in the summer.

Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country. It’s also the country’s largest free zoo, home to over 1,200 animals. Come early to avoid the crowds (and the midday heat) and see giraffes, hippos, lions, tigers, seals, zebras, penguins, polar bears, and many more. If you come on a Wednesday or Saturday, be sure to swing by the Green City Market, also located in Lincoln Park. You can shop for artisanal breads, cheeses, pastries and treats, or just wander the stalls and snack on free samples.

Party at a neighborhood festival
Chicago’s neighborhood festivals are one of the greatest joys of summer. It seems every weekend you can find another fest with live music, food and drink vendors, artists displays and crafts for sale. From food festivals and art shows to book fairs and cultural festivals, there’s something for everyone. And though you’ll need to spend money if you want to eat, drink or shop in the festival, the admission is often free or on a donation basis.

Schedule museum visits on free days
Throughout the year, many of Chicago’s museums schedule free admission days. The Art Museum is free every Thursday after 5pm, the Museum of Modern Art is free each Tuesday, The Field Museum is free the second Tuesday of every month and the Chicago History Museum is free every Monday. Many other, lesser-know museums offer free admission every day, so when you still want to satisfy your desire for culture but don’t want to bust your budget on admission fees, check out the free options.

Enjoy Chicago’s best view for free
When it comes to sweeping vistas in Chicago, the two most famous options are the John Hancock Building and the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. The latter has vertigo-inducing glass-bottomed ledges you can look down from, for a hefty fee. But at the former, you can skip the observation deck and head up to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor. Drinks are pricey and you’ll need to order one to sit down, but for the same price you’d pay just for the view, you get to enjoy a drink too.

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

Download mTrip’s Chicago Travel Guide

Photos by: bryce_edwards, cincooldesigns, pelican, DoNotLick, DanJBailey, Bernt Rostad

 

 

iTunes Festival London 2011 - July 1-31, London

Featuring 31 consecutive nights of brilliant live music, iTunes Festival will showcase both established and emerging artists. Each performance will be recorded and made available for download on iTunes. Tickets for the iTunes Festival are free but you have to apply for tickets! There will be about 60 artists performing, including Paul Simon, ADELE, Foo Fighters and Duran Duran.

 

 

Berlin Festival 2011 – September 9-10, Berlin

Berlin is a city like no other; especially known for its underground music scene, its definitely a city worth visiting just for its musical influence alone. Berlin Festival takes place just days after Berlin Music Week (September 7-11), making this week one of the best times to visit this vibrant city. Berlin Festival 2011 will feature a Boy George DJ Set, The Drums, Suede, Beirut, Mogwai, Battles, Hercules and Love Affair, Deus, Santigold, A-Trak, Yelle, Diplo and many other unique acts.

 

 

Fête de la Musique – June 21, Paris

Allowing for the expression of all types of music, Fête de la Musique is completely different from most music festivals. It is open to both emerging and professional musicians, and all musicians are asked to perform for free as the event itself is free to the public.

 

 

Make Music New York (MMNY) – June 21, New York

Now in its fifth year, Make Music New York is a unique festival filled to the brim with free concerts, taking place in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City. All taking place on the first day of summer, June 21, MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in over 460 cities across the world. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet but it should be any day now. In past years, the lineup has ranged from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock, all performed on the streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, parks and gardens of New York.

 

 

Pitchfork Music Festival – July 15,16,17, Chicago

This three-day event showcases over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists. It is one of the few music festivals that keeps ticket prices reasonably low. Among the many artists you will see Animal Collective, DJ Shadow, Toro Y Moi, TV on the Radio. Activities include a Record Fair, presented by the Chicago Independent Radio Project, Coterie handmade goods, FLATSTOCK poster show series and Rock for kids.

 

 

Lollapalooza – August 5-7, Chicago

Whereas the Pitchfork festival focuses on independent music, Lollapalooza is a destination for music lovers all over the world. It just so happens that this year is the 20th Anniversary of the Festival and festival-goers can look forward to a full and exciting lineup. Artists include: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, Girl Talk, Kid Cudi and so many more. As always, the festival will take place in historic Grant Park, between the iconic Chicago skyline and the shores of Lake Michigan. FYI – if you have kids 10 and under, they get in free to Lolla when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

 

 

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival – August 12-14, San Francisco

Taking place in San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands invites guests to celebrate not only the best in music, but also food, wine and art. From singer-songwriters to DJs, jazz acts and cutting edge rock bands, all major music movements are celebrated alongside a host of local musicians, food vendors and visual artists representing SF’s vibrant cultural community. This green-conscious event will feature artists like Arcade Fire, Black Keys, The Shins, MGMT, Girl Talk, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Major Lazer, OK GO. Other attractions will include tastes of the Bay Area, many wine offerings, festival market place, and the eco lands area, powered entirely by solar energy.

 

 

Osheaga – July 29th to 31st, Montreal

There’s no better city to enjoy an outdoor music festival than Montreal. The summer is when Montreal shines the most and the energy of the city is always outstanding, especially during the outdoor festivals. There are no shortage of them in Montreal and Osheaga is one stellar festival not to be missed. Last years addition with Arcade Fire performing during the fireworks was spectacular. Osheaga acts this year include The Tragically Hip, Cypress hill, Eminem, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Kid Cudie, City & Colour, Broken Social Scene, Lupe Fiasco, Bright Eyes, Ratatat, Bran Van 3000, Crystal Castles, MSYRKRFT, The Joy Formidable, Sam Roberts Band, Jamie xx, Manchester Ochestra, Malajube and a host of other amazing bands. And don’t miss out on Osheaga in the City, which features acts outside the days of the festival. The lineup will be announced in the coming month.

 

 

Glastonbury Festival – June 22 to 26th, Glastonbury

The lineup is endless and Glastonbury’s following is so large that they are already sold out of tickets. If you were planning to attend, we hope you already grabbed your tickets. The festival began the day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 and so marked one of the best festivals. In 2011, this festival is still going strong and with so many stages, we couldn’t possibly list all the bands. Some stellar acts include U2, Coldplay, Paul Simon, Queens of the Stone Age, The Naked & Famous, The Streets, Lykke Li, Wu Tang Clan, Beyonce and so many more that my eyes are watering looking at the lineup.

 

 

Sonar – June 16-18, Barcelona

Taking place in Barcelona, Sonar will be showcasing famous artists and DJ’s like M.I.A., Underworld, Janelle Monae, Steve Aoki and many more. To add to the already full lineup, there will be some interesting showcases by Ninja Tune, BBC Radio and others.

 

And one extra…Piknic Electronik – WEEKLY, Montreal and soon Barcelona!

This unique weekly event helps you get the most out Montreal’s summer weather, while enjoying an incomparable view of the city and quality electronic music. They highlight the many talents of both the local and international electronic scenes, featuring classic acts as well as audacious newcomers. The Barcelona version appears to be next on their list of cities!

What music festivals will you be attending this summer? Add yours to the comments.

Download a city guide to get you around during festival season!

Image sources: Anirudh Koul, stevenboegborn, tom-jenkins, tkaravou, toombsday, jaywei80, Jason Bryant for Glastonbury Festival, SPACEBAR.ca [Simon], scannerfm_flickr, zenra, bumpershine, tammylo

In fact, Cinco de Mayo is really only celebrated in one place in Mexico – the state of Puebla. The holiday commemorates the date when the Mexican army defeated the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. On this date, you’ll find festivals of food, music, and dancing throughout Puebla, but not much elsewhere in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is almost a bigger deal in the US, where people use the holiday as an excuse to eat their favorite Mexican food, drink margaritas and don a sombrero.

If you want to join the fun closer to home, here are the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the US:

Chicago
Chicago’s southside neighborhood of Pilsen is home to a large Latino population, and hosts a free parade every year. The many Mexican restaurants (some of which are BYOB, so you can save money on your Dos Equis or Tecate) also host Cinco de Mayo parties.

New York City
New York seems to have a party for just about everything, so it’s no surprise the city gets down for Cinco de May as well. You’ll find a Cinco de Mayo party at nearly every Mexican restaurant and there’s a weekend parade near Central Park.

San Marco, Texas
The San Marco Cinco de Mayo party includes a parade and a Miss Cinco de Mayo (and Little Miss Cinco) pageant plus music and dancing, tons of food and menudo (a type of Mexican soup) cooking contest.

Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to the biggest Cinco de Mayo street fair. Head to Broadway in downtown L.A. or to the historic Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles at Olvera Street for traditional dances, music, and kids’ activities.

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

Photo by maveric2003, sbctb, Paul Lowry

For starters, avoid the opening rush. Instead of lining up at 4am, look for stores that offer midnight-madness sales. Often, less people are aware that these sales are happening (since they only occur at certain stores) so you may get the same great deals with a lot less hassle (plus, you should be wide awake following your post-tryptophan afternoon nap). By skipping the opening bell you may forego some door-buster deals, but you’ll also avoid a lot of stress (and chances are you can do without the crappy printer they’re giving away for free).

You can also make your life a lot easier by being discerning when it comes to choosing which stores you will visit. This pertains not only to the chains you decide to patronize, but the area you frequent. High-end shopping centers in heavily populated areas are likely to receive the lion’s share of visitors, as are big-name retailers like Best Buy, Apple stores, and large outlet malls. So consider giving your consumer dollars to local businesses that offer the same items. Call ahead of time to see if they’re willing to price match the chain stores and you may be able to get the same low prices with a lot less stress.

Finally, you can get more done by employing some help. You’ve no doubt heard of people paying others to hold their place in line (outside a store) starting at 2 or 3am so they can show up just before the doors open and avoid a wait. However, this is probably a waste of funds that could be put to better use on sale items. Instead, ask some friends or relatives to come along. You can bring a thermos full of coffee and camp out in front of a store, then spread out once you get inside to get all of your shopping done quickly (before the lines get too long).

Of course, there’s always online shopping to consider. With Cyber Monday following fast on the heels of Black Friday, you can opt to avoid physical shopping altogether. And even though many companies designate Monday for the beginning of their biggest online sales, some of them actually post lower prices starting on Friday to boost sales and get the jump on their competition. So if you really want to make the most of the biggest shopping day of the year, do a little research ahead of time to find out who’s offering what and how you can save a lot with the least amount of hassle.

If you need help navigating your way around the city while shopping, download one of mTrip’s US iPhone Travel Guides.

~ Sarah Danielson writes for RAC Breakdown offering the best in breakdown cover and car insurance guides.

Drop-in on a Parade

Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the universal Thanksgiving Day traditions. Kids always marvel at the massive balloons that portray their favorite cartoon characters and the acts from popular television shows. While the parade looks fun on television, attending could become a cherished family memory. While the kids might love seeing the Spiderman balloon now, the parade’s magic will last forever.

So, let the grandparents entertain their friends this year and take off for New York.

If New York still seems to out of reach, then consider taking in a parade at a closer or more affordable location. Chicago has a holiday parade on Thanksgiving morning that offers a show to rival the more famous Macy’s event. The parade is an unforgiveable experience featuring giant marching bands, inflatables, dancers and more.

Look at Off the Beaten Track Locations

Vacationers often target iconic locations that come with outrageous price tags. Rather than splurge on New York or Paris, travelers might find plenty of big city fun, friendly accommodations, and great deals in mid-sized cities that often get overlooked.

San Francisco has enough squares and boulevards to rival Paris. The Thanksgiving trip to San Francisco can be a chance to break away from the norm. Instead of the traditional turkey, consider dining out in some of the exotic city restaurants and pubs to enjoy a lobster (instead of a turkey) just for a change.

If dinner is not the most important part of the holiday for you and you are looking for some special events, consider going to Washington to witness the famous Presidential Turkey Pardon ceremony where the President formally pardons a turkey and spares it from ending up on the Thanksgiving table.

Volunteer for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the best time to volunteer to help the homeless. Every city has plenty of charitable organizations that need volunteers to prepare and serve the food. If you’d like to help, here are some organizations to contact:

• Washington: SOME (So Others May Eat)
• Chicago: The Night Ministry
• New York: godslovewedeliver.org
• San Francisco: Glide Memorial

Travel affordably:

Thanksgiving should be enjoyed. Ignore conventions and start a new tradition of having fun.

Is the trip too expensive? Consider:

• Web-based budgeting programs
• Emergency loans
• Saving tips

to help you on the road to enjoying your trip memories.

This is a guest post by Annie

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