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Talk:Chicago/Near North

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Latest comment: 8 years ago by Gorilla Jones in topic Hotels

Navy Pier edit

I think the Navy Pier deserves to have its own article since there's a lot to do there.

Please see Project:What is an article. Navy Pier wouldn't qualify for an article all by itself. But we definitely need to have more information about Navy Pier, so please plunge forward and keep adding more about Navy Pier to this article. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 00:17, 14 July 2007 (EDT)

Tours edit

Those gangster tours and Old Chicago tours seem to operate from the Near North. Needless to say, I've never been on one and, barring the establishment of a Wikivoyage expense account, never will - but since it's an area of tourist interest, if anyone is aware of one tour being any better than the rest, it probably warrants mention. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 00:12, 12 July 2007 (EDT)

Push for Star edit

Lets see, I think with the following improvements, we can nominate this article for star status:

  • Map update (I'll have this done very soon)
  • Understand section, with some more detailed information about the various neighborhoods
  • Possibly a navy pier map? Would that be useful? As of now, all the navy pier listings are just lumped into "Navy Pier" on the district street map.
  • Some formatting standardization (punctuation in listings comes to mind)
  • Pictures, this article is short of 'em. A shot of the Magnificent Mile would be nice, but I haven't found any that aren't privacy violations. And not necessarily for this article, but IMO we need a good shot of/from the Michigan Ave Bridge.
  • Get out section
  • What is that Chicago River island and does it have anything of interest?
  • A hard think about the listings—it seems like there are near infinite possible listings, we should make sure we haven't missed anything important, and that the listings we are including are all worth keeping. As it stands, the article is quite long for a district article, although I suppose that is appropriate.

Starring this one will be tougher than the other Chicago districts, because it is both more important and more unwieldy, but it will anyway be good practice for the Chicago/Loop. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 00:49, 25 August 2007 (EDT)

I spend a lot of time in the areas covered here, and I don't think it's missing anything that ought to be recommended. Everything that I've ever heard someone speak positively of is here. (Millennium Knickbocker Hotel, Anthropologie, and Rosebud's are the only ones I haven't yet added but have meant to...maybe Grand Lux Cafe...friends give such violently conflicting opinions of Heaven on Seven that I've chosen to omit it, in light of how many Eat options we've provided). There's more that could be added, but all three Eat sections have nine or more, and Drink and both major Buy classes are way past that. I want to make sure we're providing a comprehensive set of recommendations, not simply a comprehensive set of listings.

  • There could be an Understand section about Fort Dearborn, Water Tower, some river chatter, and the birth of the Mag Mile, although the neighborhoods themselves don't deserve much detail - the intro says all there is to say about Streeterville as a neighborhood.
  • Navy Pier is just a long pier, a straight line, one attraction after another - I can't see that it's worth your time to map. There are so many pier maps as soon as you're there, and it's impossible to take a wrong turn into anything other than the lake.
  • Pictures are indeed weak. I've been waiting for a sunny day to bring my camera to work.
  • Not sure where to direct people for Get Out - the Loop is too obvious. Maybe Wicker Park for scruffier shopping.
  • Don't know anything about the river island.
  • Admittedly I am inconsistent with certain details of formatting. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 01:32, 25 August 2007 (EDT)
With the understand section, I was thinking of just fleshing out the existing intro a bit with some more history, and perhaps some information about the Rush St/Division St area? I would direct Near North visitors farther north (like Old Town), I think, since the North Side areas have a lot to do/see, but are less visited than downtown. And do you mind if I go through and standardize the formatting to match what I've done in other district articles? I haven't yet only because I wasn't sure if you preferred a different formatting style. Lastly, all I need to do with the map now is to re-enter the listings, but those listings lists are long and I'd like to feel pretty certain that we've settled on the listings to use. Would you please let me know if/when the listings have settled. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 11:02, 25 August 2007 (EDT)
I have no sentimental attachment to my formatting - it's just the quickest way I get the info in. By all means, reformat. You got the monitor issue sorted out, then? Map away, I will add no more. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 14:11, 25 August 2007 (EDT)
You have achieved a great thing with that map, sir. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 12:25, 26 August 2007 (EDT)
I too am really impressed with your mapmaking! It's really gratifying to see the mapmaking style being used to such good effect, and on a city which was home for 7 years to boot. Thanks! -- (WT-en) Mark 03:12, 28 August 2007 (EDT)
Awww, shucks..  ;) --(WT-en) Peter Talk 21:25, 28 August 2007 (EDT)
Stocked with photos. (I have a couple more, but I assume this is enough.) Walking around today, I wondered if Tribune Tower (which includes a Freedom Museum in the lobby, whatever that is) should be included here. It's covered in the associated itinerary and the skyline guide, but should it be listed here, too? Not sure. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 02:11, 28 August 2007 (EDT)
Sure toss it in and I'll jam it into that map. I think we're about done with this one. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 02:29, 28 August 2007 (EDT)
I hope so. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 03:11, 28 August 2007 (EDT)

Air and Water Show edit

I found a nice photo for this event, taken from North Avenue Beach. But I'm wondering whether this article is where this information belongs. Perhaps we should move it to an events section in the main Chicago article, as you can see the show from multiple districts? Or perhaps Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town would be a better home, since that's where we list North Ave Beach? --Peter 01:27, 14 September 2007 (EDT)

I guess it would have to go in the main article, then since it's easily visible from both areas. The Near North condos are packed with rooftop viewing parties that weekend. (Possibly visible from the Loop and Lakeview, too.) I agree that's a nice photo - I'm not a fan of the air & water show, though, so I wouldn't personally recommend it to anyone with much enthusiasm. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 16:19, 14 September 2007 (EDT)

Restaurants edit

Add ESPN Zone Chicago and Weber Grill to the "Eat" section, please. I don't know the appropriate price range. —The preceding comment was added by (WT-en) 70.232.69.125 (talk • contribs)

Formatting edit

Strange formatting issues afoot. Do images overlap with text on anyone else's display? --(WT-en) Peter Talk 03:29, 27 September 2007 (EDT)

What's more, the star article icon has floated halfway into the article... --(WT-en) Peter Talk 13:32, 27 September 2007 (EDT)
On mine the photo's are OK, the star is over "near north" of the breadcrumbs and I am hearing those voices in my head again. (WT-en) 2old 13:48, 27 September 2007 (EDT)

Listings saturation edit

This article is saturated with listings. While yes the current set of listings may not be perfect, and yes there are other listings that probably should be on here, the article risks bursting at the seams. In particular, the map is already right up against the bursting point. I think we should therefore hold newly added listings to this article at a higher standard than we do elsewhere on Wikivoyage—listings with significant detraction in available reviews should probably not stay in the article.

I bring this up mostly because of the addition of the ESPN Zone chain. Not only is it a national chain, it is one of poor quality food at high prices with spotty service, almost universally recognized as a tourist trap. Plenty of people do enjoy this atmosphere, but it's not hard for a tourist to find a tourist trap, and the establishment is just not in the same value/quality of the other listings on this very crowded page. So I don't think we should recommend it, and I think we should set a precedent of trimming shaky recommendations from the page generally. We do have one major tourist trap in the article (Navy Pier), but that is because it is such a prominent attraction (despite its "trappiness") that to overlook it would seem an important omission. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 16:30, 21 December 2007 (EST)

I'd like to reiterate the point about trimming listings from this page, in particular added listings located near or on the Mag Mile. Unless new listings are properly formatted to a tee, and there is a compelling case made (either on the talk page or within the listing's description), I think they should simply be removed. Personally, I'd be much more amenable to new listings added to River North, River East, and the northwest section of the district, since those areas are not so saturated with listings (River North actually seems a bit dry to me). --(WT-en) Peter Talk 18:57, 11 February 2009 (EST)

Millenium Knickerbocker edit

On their website it sounds like it's going to be under construction through next year, should we note that in the article, as that may affect people's wanting to stay there... I'm asking here first in case Gorilla Fitzgerald knows better – (WT-en) cacahuate talk 14:50, 27 May 2008 (EDT)

Misplaced listing edit

This hotel listing was added to the Chicago article. I'm disinclined to add it here because we have far more than enough mid-range hotel listings already. But it's legit. I was quoted a rate at $265 per night while checking it. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 08:13, 25 September 2008 (EDT)

  • Hotel Indigo, 1244 N. Dearborn Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610, ☏ +1 312-787-4980. Hotel Indigo Chicago is a stylish, intimate boutique hotel in downtown Chicago featuring a unique architectural design, luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, pampering lifestyle amenities and an ideal location near the Magnificent Mile & Navy Pier. 

Chaff edit

Should be separated from the wheat in that very long sleep section. In my opinion we don't need more sleep listings, although we might stand to do a better job of selecting them. In any rate, I'm dumping any and all newly added sleep listings from this point on here, and we can discuss whether to include them, and which currently listed hotels we should replace. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 17:34, 24 March 2009 (EDT)


  • The Westin Chicago River North, 320 North Dearborn Street (Chicago Red Line), ☏ +1 877-866-9216, fax: +1 312-527-2650. Scenic views of the Chicago River and an ideal location just steps from fabulous shopping on Michigan Avenue. Rooms from $239 a night. 

Closed edit

  • Delacosta, 465 E Illinois St, ☏ +1 312 321-8930. Su-Th 5-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-1AM. One of the most exciting new entries in the Chicago dining scene, Delacosta serves Nuevo Latino tapas and ceviche (Peruvian citrus seafood salad) that, frankly, kicks ass. The cool, funky room is enhanced by DJs later at night. It's in the River East Arts Center. $35+. 

Argh. They said they're looking for a new space in the area. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 15:24, 5 September 2009 (EDT)

  • Eppy's Deli, 224 E Ontario St (Chicago Red Line), ☏ +1 312 943-7797. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-7PM. Good, fresh, "over-stuffed" sandwiches with reasonably priced meal deals that make for a full lunch. Eppy revels in Seinfeld "Soup Nazi" comparisons, and the food goes down nicely with the glee taken by the staff as they crush the predatory Subway that moved in right next door. $6-8. 

Windows are papered over. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 00:10, 12 January 2010 (EST)

  • Biznet Internet Cafe, 205 E Ohio St (Grand Red Line), ☏ +1 312 645-0065. M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa-Su 12-7PM. Tucked away on a side street, but only a short distance from Michigan Avenue. $5/hour. 

Public space now closed. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 13:35, 6 September 2010 (EDT)

Moved out of town. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 13:38, 6 September 2010 (EDT)

Website gone, phone diconnected. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 14:05, 6 September 2010 (EDT)

  • Alaska Gallery of Eskimo Art, 104 E Oak St, ☏ +1 312 943-3393. M-F 11AM-3PM, Sa 12:30PM-5PM. Probably one of the better places to buy Inuit Art in the world, with an expert, honest staff and high-quality Inuit carvings for sale. 

Closed, sigh. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 18:32, 12 September 2010 (EDT)

  • Tutto Pronto, 401 E Ontario St, ☏ +1 312 587-7700. M-Th,Su 7AM-10PM, F-Sa 7AM-111PM. It's not right for a place that's this good to be this little known. Tutto Pronto is a gourmet Italian deli with an import store for wine and other niceties, and an ideal lunch spot. They serve panini sandwiches unlike anywhere else that are eyes-watering good every time. $10-18. 

Star nomination edit

Probably the most-touristed area of Chicago, particularly for shopping's sake. We have a ton of Buy listings (which weren't easy to come by on my empty wallet and absent fashion sense) and jam-packed Eat sections as well. I work around here, so I walk past many of these places on a fairly regular basis, meaning that I'm confident the listings are reasonably up-to-date. (And I realize I'm jinxing myself by saying so.) If nothing else, check out the gigantic raft of listings that Peter's map has to contend with. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 03:21, 28 August 2007 (EDT)

  • Support. This was a tough article, but I feel quite confident about it now. Critical feedback is definitely appreciated, though, because this is arguably the most important district article in Chicago—I'd like to see it done perfectly. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 21:42, 28 August 2007 (EDT)
  • Support. Beautiful article. Great pictures, good listings, great map! (WT-en) PerryPlanet 23:04, 29 August 2007 (EDT)
  • Support. You fellows did an great job. Wish I could do as well! (WT-en) 2old 10:28, 1 September 2007 (EDT)

Last call for comments. Please chime in if you haven't already. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 23:50, 10 September 2007 (EDT)

  • Support. Yep, another beauty from the Star factory twins. MoS looks perfect, pictures complement the article, and you even give advice on free internet at the Apple store... seems you've thought of it all – (WT-en) cacahuate talk 00:25, 11 September 2007 (EDT)

The Peninsula edit

For a star article, I think the hotel description of the Peninsula should be improved. To describe it as one of the cities most luxurious, and the recipient of some motoring services award, sounds very much like the thousands of other hotel listings we see posted here by hoteliers themselves. If it really is the most luxurious (whatever that means) perhaps a brief description of what makes it so. --(WT-en) inas 19:23, 22 June 2009 (EDT)

I took a stab at it. Chain hotels, splurge and budget alike, are hard as hell to describe well without it turning into a yelp. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 20:16, 22 June 2009 (EDT)
Better. Certainly reads more like a guide now, rather than a advert. On another note, I wonder how much the presence of Plasma/LCD TV sets in a hotel room is really relevant in 2009. I would have thought the presence of a CRT TV in a Chicago downtown hotel is probably more notable now! --(WT-en) inas 20:29, 22 June 2009 (EDT)

Typo on Image:Near north map.png edit

Kendall College Dining Room (Eat #14) is listed as Kendall Collge Dining Room. (WT-en) Eco84 21:25, 21 January 2010 (EST)

Fixed. --(WT-en) Peter Talk 23:06, 21 January 2010 (EST)

Hotels edit

Latest comment: 8 years ago2 comments1 person in discussion

The Wyndham at 633 N St. Clair is now a Hyatt, and the Comfort Inn at 15 E. Ohio St is now something called The Acme Hotel Company which sounds a bit too Looney Tunes for my comfort. Anyway, I haven't visited either of the hotels in their new versions, so I've removed them for now. Gorilla Jones (talk) 20:38, 9 March 2013 (UTC)Reply

New hotel & hostel replacing the Tokyo Hotel. Gorilla Jones (talk) 19:10, 31 May 2015 (UTC)Reply
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