My partner and I have a short break next week and some credit card points so we decided to go to Chicago since we’ve never been. Totally forgot the DNC is happening at the same time. We’ve already booked flights and hotel and stuff damn it. At least if something funny happens I’ll be there for the history of it.
Any recommendations for things to do/see in Chicago? Also I’m hoping there are some Gaza protests we can join, anyone know of any going on?
As far as I know there is a huge planned protest at the DNC itself. You could probably just try showing up or try looking up Chicagos SJP group and see if they have anything posted.
Keep in mind; getting arrested in another state can be very expensive. You may be required to show up for hearings god knows when, they may declare you a flight risk and deny bail. Idk for sure, but do look up the risks when assessing your arrestability.
Uh finding out what hotels delegates, leadership, talking heads, etc. Of the Democrats are staying at then pulling the fire alarms at like 3-4am the day of the convention.
That or go find some of that famous Chicago pizza.
Do the architecture boat tour. It's probably the best city tour you can get. I would make it a point to check out some of the neighborhoods too depending on where you're staying, if only for the food. Downtown kinda sucks the real action in Chicago is in the various neighborhoods. What sorts of stuff do you like doing?
I’ve heard that tour is dope, we’ll definitely be doing that. I’m curious if Lyfts are going to be super expensive and roads shut down for the event or something, hopefully not too bad. We are staying downtown though so we’ll have to make it out to some neighborhoods. I heard Bucktown is really neat, think we’ll do a day there. We like just general tourist things I guess. Art, historical places, local spots, food etc
I would try to use the trains as much as you can. From downtown you can get to almost every neighborhood by train, it's very easy. The loop is like a circle with all the trains and then they go out to each neighborhood in spokes. It's like 2.50 a ride now I think so definitely cheaper than a Lyft to anywhere especially from downtown.
I have some hyper local suggestions for tonight, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday but I would want to DM you about them because they are so hyper local I'm basically outing exactly where I live to give them haha. But they're all amazing so I want to share them. I guess if anyone is in the Chicagoland area and is curious about some cool shit to do dm me if you're interested in any of these:
My Monday suggestion is a hyper local art/dance festival thing happening tonight.
My Thursday suggestion is a hyper local culture and food festival.
My Friday suggestion is a very weird but very good experimental theater thing. Not that local it's well known enough but still not something a tourist would ever do.
My Saturday suggestion is a free leftist hyper local variety show inside of a historical theater. It's amazing but you are expected to buy drinks.
Anyway if you got questions or need anything while you're here drop me a line.
That is great to know about the trains, thanks for the tip. And just sent you a dm!
Rip
The field museum and the shed aquarium are pretty cool. There's some pier that has amusement stuff. Good luck and don't let the pigs give you any guff.
You think the field museum or the art museum would be better time spent?
Field museum is natural history - bones and rocks and whatnot, while the art museum is art. So what do you want to see? Sue the T-rex is quite a sight!
I bet if you put a little work in you could convince some DNC ghoul to give you their life saving in a shoebox.
Museum of Science and Industry is amazing. But if into historical artifacts, this exhibit (and how it got there and was moved into that space) is especially worth the visit: https://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/u-505-submarine
You could go check out the haymarket square memorial, if you want a bit of labor/activist history!
Solemn Oath in Logan Square is my favorite bar. Super chill, dog friendly, and free pool.
Tons of great food, lots of different cuisines. Don't bother with deep dish unless you want the novelty of it, you're never more than a stones throw from better pizza.
Lots of lefty presence, so you won't need to look hard for that stuff to link up. If you're around on a Saturday morning, I know a cool mutual aid opportunity that I can point you to.
Brain is not good ATM so ill ramble more later
Solemn Oath looks great! Thanks for the rec. And the note about the deep dish, makes sense that’d be a little tourist trappy. We’ll be heading out before then but appreciate the shout
