What are some Chicagoans recommendations for things to do in the Chi?|104108

We are staying in the Chinatown Hotel. We are looking for inexpensive activities to do during our 4 day stay. Also looking for opinions on living in Hyde Park, Fuller Park, West Loop, and Back of the Yards. Thanks Chicago.

Depends on when you_re staying here. If you_re coming here soon, it_ll still be a little cold, so you_ll probably want to do indoor stuff like the museums (which have free days ... call first), Navy Pier, etc.. You can walk through Water Tower Place, look at the stores and slowly start to feel really poor (just kidding). Don_t know if you like to go out and party but the Metromix website has a list of bars with drink specials ($5 martinis, cheap beers and mixed drinks, etc.) Check out
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/barsa��
and click on the little calendar thing on the right side called _bars and clubs deals_ and they_ll show the cheap bars. There are also a million little restaurants in the city with good, cheap eats. Pick up a copy of Time Out Chicago magazine when you get here. It lists bars, clubs, gallery openings, cheap plays, cheap restaurants, etc. It_s a pretty handy compilation.

As far as living in the neighborhoods you mentioned, they_re all pretty decent. West Loop might be kinda pricy, though. But Back of the Yards is a new, developing neighborhood with lots of rehabs. And all along South Halsted street from about 35th St. north to Jackson is being rehabbed. Lots of new art galleries, lofts, shops etc. The entire neighborhood around the University of Illinois-Chicago has been remade. It_s a little pricey too, but you might want to look into it. Hyde Park is a traditional old diverse neighborhood that close to the lake and the Museum of Science and Industry. You might be able to find some cheap place there though. You should probably look into a few other place. There are other neighborhoods besides those that are nice and have cheap rent. Not sure how much you want to spend, though...

good luck

Yeah, you can do all that, and, then, go to a Cubs game.

metromix.com
cityofchicago.com
chicagomagazine.com
chicagoreader.com
pioneerpressonline.com
newcity.com

Sunday go to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs demolish the White Sox. The have a beer at the Goose Island Brewery taproom a block down N. Clarke.

try one of our famous pizzas at UNO_s or Lou Milnotti_s . Navy Pier boat ride . millinum park (free). Walk down Michigan Avenue Mag Mile Near North side. Visit water tower (both of them).

Fishing for carp in the Calumet River

Free stuff to do while in Chicago...Lincoln Park, Dearborn _ Division area LOTS of things to do and inexpensive as well. But you have to eat at 5 Faces on Division and Dearborn. It_s a whole in the wall place with hot dogs, burgers, fries, pizza puffs and cigarettes if you need them.

Please just go to 5 Faces. You won_t regret it.