The National - Roll Call - Are you READY!!??

pdub1819

So this weekend, I purchased my flight, my hotel, my ticket to get into the National, and my ticket to the Cubs/Dodgers game.

Here's the back story:

My wife's birthday is August 1st. I planned on using my miles for United to fly to Chicago. Which, ultimately, I did...but not after a United rep tells me that I have to use up double the amount of miles (50,000 instead of 25,000 per ticket) because there are no more seats available at the lower price. After speaking with a supervisor, I will be cancelling my credit card with United. I guess being a loyal constumer for 10 years doesn't mean much nowadays.
We will be flying on a red eye on her birthday, she is not happy that we are going to Chicago for her birthday so that I can attend the National. I will be buttering her up with a "spa day" while me and my buddy are geeking out all day Friday at the show. I'm also going to be giving her spending money to enjoy the magnificant mile. We are staying at the Sheraton on the Chicago river, that way she can shop with her girlfriend all day Friday without having to be the ones who have to taxi/EL all day.
Anyone have ideas for a nice restaurant for a double date? My wife is into reality TV shows and wants to try RPM, HUB 51, or something like that.

To continue with the birthday theme for my wife, I have purchased 4 tickets to the Cubs/Dodgers game. Coming from LA, it's a nice coincidence that the Dodgers are in town. (Even though I'm an Angel fan!) Wife likes baseball, not just on her birthday weekend...so we will be doing the architecture boat tour and hitting up Navy Pier as well.

As of right now, we have no plans for Sunday, but I'm thinking of checking out the Sears/Willis tower and doing other touristy stuff. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Where should we eat lunch before the Cubs game? Any iconic places by the stadium?

Any other ideas of what to do while we are there?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Paul

leathtech

Take a walk around Grant Park, start at the art institute and end up down the lake by Solider Field/The Field Museum/Shedd Aquarium.

pdub1819

Thank you. I'm looking forward to this trip! This will be my first time, anyone else going for the first time?

epatmythes

Lunch before the game... probably your best bet to eat in relative peace would be Yak-zies and get a massive pizza!

If you want to eat the most iconic place by Wrigley... go to the Cubby Bear, but get their early if you want to eat sitting down.

Mullin's or Barleycorn are also good pre-game eating options right in the heart of Wrigleyville.

Probstein123

we took a double booth this year...looking forward

mccardguy1

If you wife likes reality television shows and maybe follows the various food shows she might want to try the Rick Bayless restaurants that are attached to each other.

http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/

He has three restaurants all right next to each other:

Frontera Grill
Topolobampo
XOCO

XOCO is more of a "fast food" restaurant if that is even possible with his food so I would not suggest going there for dinner. There other two would be a great dining experience but it does get busy and there is usually a bot of a wait. It is suggested that you make reservations a good deal in advance at Topo and I dont believe Frontera accepts them.

You can also go to Harry Carray's as they are a terrific steak house and a place where many celebrities and sports people hang out. I am quite sure you will see many of these signers at the national enjoying a dinner at Harry's that night. That might not be the best place to go with you wife as she will already be ticked she had to go to Chicago for "your sports stuff" as my wife puts it but hey, its a great place to go for dinner.

http://www.harrycarays.com/

The architecture cruise is great but you might want to consider a cruise at night which is spectacular in my opinion. I have done both and would far and away recommend the night time tour. After the boat tour you can catch a late dinner at one of the places I mentioned or a place of your choice.

http://www.wendellaboats.com/experience/chicagosunsettour.aspx

Since I am bored I figure I will give you a few more ideas.

Before a Cubs game you could check out Leona's pizza. A very nice neighborhood pizza place that does not feature Chicago style deep dish. They have it....but you dont have to order it! They are only a few blocks away from Wrigley and you will have zero safety issues walking to the park from here. Their Lakeview restaurant is on Sheffield Ave which is the street that, when home runs leave Wrigley over the right field wall they land on Sheffield.

http://leonas.com/

I also happen to like Chicago Grinder Company which is located a mile or two away from Wrigley on Clark St...which is also the street that runs in front of Wrigley. The location of this restaurant is directly across the street from where the St. Valentines Day Massacre occurred in 1929 and was a turning point in Chicago's mob wars. At the Grinder Company I suggest the pizza pot pie!! Man, I can taste that now!!

http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/menu.htm

There is also tons of other great places around the park and very few bad choices. The neighborhood is safe so feel free to wander around a bit.

I used to work at Wrigley and always loved the life around there on game day. There are also a ton of things to do downtown and whatever you do you cannot go wrong. If you have any questions pm me. I am sure others will chime in with their picks as well.

pdub1819

<< <i>If you wife likes reality television shows and maybe follows the various food shows she might want to try the Rick Bayless restaurants that are attached to each other.

http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/

He has three restaurants all right next to each other:

Frontera Grill
Topolobampo
XOCO

XOCO is more of a "fast food" restaurant if that is even possible with his food so I would not suggest going there for dinner. There other two would be a great dining experience but it does get busy and there is usually a bot of a wait. It is suggested that you make reservations a good deal in advance at Topo and I dont believe Frontera accepts them.

You can also go to Harry Carray's as they are a terrific steak house and a place where many celebrities and sports people hang out. I am quite sure you will see many of these signers at the national enjoying a dinner at Harry's that night. That might not be the best place to go with you wife as she will already be ticked she had to go to Chicago for "your sports stuff" as my wife puts it but hey, its a great place to go for dinner.

http://www.harrycarays.com/

The architecture cruise is great but you might want to consider a cruise at night which is spectacular in my opinion. I have done both and would far and away recommend the night time tour. After the boat tour you can catch a late dinner at one of the places I mentioned or a place of your choice.

http://www.wendellaboats.com/experience/chicagosunsettour.aspx

Since I am bored I figure I will give you a few more ideas.

Before a Cubs game you could check out Leona's pizza. A very nice neighborhood pizza place that does not feature Chicago style deep dish. They have it....but you dont have to order it! They are only a few blocks away from Wrigley and you will have zero safety issues walking to the park from here. Their Lakeview restaurant is on Sheffield Ave which is the street that, when home runs leave Wrigley over the right field wall they land on Sheffield.

http://leonas.com/

I also happen to like Chicago Grinder Company which is located a mile or two away from Wrigley on Clark St...which is also the street that runs in front of Wrigley. The location of this restaurant is directly across the street from where the St. Valentines Day Massacre occurred in 1929 and was a turning point in Chicago's mob wars. At the Grinder Company I suggest the pizza pot pie!! Man, I can taste that now!!

http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/menu.htm

There is also tons of other great places around the park and very few bad choices. The neighborhood is safe so feel free to wander around a bit.

I used to work at Wrigley and always loved the life around there on game day. There are also a ton of things to do downtown and whatever you do you cannot go wrong. If you have any questions pm me. I am sure others will chime in with their picks as well. >>



Thanks for all the great ideas. I think we might have enough time to do the day archetectural boat tour and the night night one as well. Might have to bring some beverages on the night tour!

burke23

I got the wife to agree to a family trip to Chicago over the national. I have on day I will get to attend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)...does the day of the week(end) matter if i am not getting autos? One day won't be enough, but its the best I could do - ha.

basketballcollector

I can't wait !!!

mccardguy1

<< <i>I got the wife to agree to a family trip to Chicago over the national. I have on day I will get to attend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)...does the day of the week(end) matter if i am not getting autos? One day won't be enough, but its the best I could do - ha. >>



I guess it depends on what you are going for that depends on what day to attend. if you are looking for some items that might be tougher to find you would need to get there on opening day. Otherwise I would say Friday or Saturday would be the best. I have been to at least 10 National shows and have always gone on Saturday as I don't look for the tough to find cards. I just try and fill sets. Sunday's usually suck because many of the dealers leave early so you get a bit cheated. I have gone both Saturday and Sunday and found great deals as dealers are packing up on the last day of the show but overall, you don't see much of the show on that day. I would say if you only have one day to go make it Friday or Saturday.