Where to Get the Best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago

When you hear reference to a “Chicago style pizza,” the person is more than likely referring to a deep dish pizza. Deep dish pizza’s have a crust at least three inches high. The crust and thick center serve as a bowl for the tomato sauce and cheese, as well as other ingredients. There are many Chicago pizzerias’ that specialize in this unbelievably decadent pizza. Here are a few places that offer some of the best deep dish pizza’s you will find in Chicago.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Lou Malnati’s Pizzaria -Lou Malnati’s may be the home of the best deep dish pizza in the world. Chicago’s Lou Malnati’s Pizzaria offers multiple locations for your convenience. Recently celebrating 40 years in business, you will find an extensive menu with affordable prices. Pizzas are priced per topping and size from a large down to an individual pizza.

The Art of Pizza -Here you will find a great deep dish pizza along with a full menu of tasty items. If you have not tried a deep dish pizza you will be well pleased with this taste treat. Be sure to bring your appetite.

Pequod’s Pizzaria -These deep dish pizzas are baked in cast iron pans which adds flavor to the tasty crust. With fresh toppings, these pizzas are made to please.

Giordano’s Pizzaria -Giordano’s has yet another world class deep dish pizza, also known as a stuffed pizza. Make sure you allow for plenty of cooking time for these wonderful thick pizzas, they are well worth the wait!

Gino’s East of Chicago -Gino’s legendary golden crust deep dish pizzas are wonderful. Offering delivery, you can have this great treat right in your home or hotel.

Uno Chicago Grill - Uno is the home of the original deep dish pizza that Chicago first enjoyed. Established in the 1940’s it is worth checking out to say that you’ve been there!

 

Top Five Museums to Visit in Chicago

The city of Chicago has many great museums to visit. Whether you are having a day trip or on vacation in the “Windy City,” you will be well pleased with the selection. From the Alder Planetarium to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago has a museum to fit most everyone’s taste. Here are five of the top museums Chicago has to offer.

Top Five Museums in Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago -This museum houses 300,000 works of art. Some of the well known pieces that you will find on display here are American Gothic by Grant Wood and Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. You will find something to interest all age groups and are sure to enjoy your day with the masterpieces.

Museum of Contemporary Art -With a wonderful location on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art is home to one of the finest collection of Contemporary Art that you will find. With a sculpture garden overlooking Lake Michigan, a gift shop and restaurant, you can easily make a day of your visit here.

The Shedd Aquarium -The kids will love this place and so will you. Here you will be awed by some of the most amazing animals on earth and entertained by the Polar Play Zone, Animal Encounters and Reef Diving. This place is so amazing you are sure to love it!

Museum of Science and Industry -With permanent and rotating exhibits you will find endless hours of fun here. Live Science Experiments and the Omnimax Theater make this a place one that you will want to come back to.

Alder Planetarium -Go beyond our world and explore the galaxy. The Adler Planetarium will shed light on what you see in the night sky and where we fit in this big picture. With many exhibits and three theaters you will be awed by what science has to offer us.

Best Toy Stores in Chicago

Chicago Shopping

Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, Chicago has some really great toy stores to offer. If you are seeking a gift, entertainment or inspiration you are sure to find it in the land of toys. From baby dolls to science experiments there is a lot to be uncovered in the toy stores of Chicago. Here are a few of the best toy stores that you will find in there, and no doubt you will have a great time there.

Building Blocks is a locally owned independent toy store. You will find something for all ages here as well as many reputable brands in the toy world. With a great variety you are sure to find something to please and entertain. Arts and crafts, outdoor toys, dolls, trucks, educational toys, books, CD’s and much more make this a really special place.

Cat and Mouse Game Store is a cleverly named spot where you will find entertainment for your family and friends that you will find no where else. With a wide selection of games you will find children’s games, classic games, family games and party games. Puzzles and brainteasers offer more selection for entertainment for all age levels.

Timeless Toy has most any and all items a child or a child at heart could desire. A set of fairy wings, sand toys, a bubble car, what more could be asked for! Games, puzzles, puppets, riding toys and a friendly, knowledgeable staff make this a great place to spend part of your day.

Uncle Fun is a must see, especially for the kid at heart. This is an eclectic store to say the least; giant boxes of Jello, rubber chickens, wigs, masks, and so much more make it that. The theme behind Uncle Fun is helping people have fun no matter what age you find yourself at.

5 Essential Items to Pack on Your Trip to Chicago

Chicago Hotel DealsPreparing for a trip to Chicago may take a little more planning than some places. It’s a good idea to check the upcoming weather and be prepared for every type of weather and the weather in Chicago can be unpredictable. You will definitely want to pack a sweater or sweat shirt and if you are going in winter be prepared to be really cold! There is also a lot of shopping, sightseeing and walking.  Here are a few essential items that you will be glad that you brought along.

Guidebooks - Chicago has a lot to offer the sightseer. Planning out your days with a guidebook and map will ensure you get to see all there is to see and spend your time in Chicago wisely.

Casual clothes - For sightseeing casual clothes are fine; jeans and a t-shirt, slacks and a sweater. You may want to add in something a little dressier if you are planning a nice dinner at one of Chicago’s upscale restaurants.

Good Shoes - There will be plenty of city walking. Bringing along a comfortable pair of walking shoes will make you and your feet very happy.

Bag for Shopping - Chicago has really wonderful shopping to offer and you will be taking home souvenirs. A folding shopping bag to keep in your purse is a great idea and will allow you plenty of space for those new must have items.

Sun Protection - As you walk through the city keep in mind that you will be outdoors a lot. Bringing sunscreen and sunglasses is a good idea to help protect you from the sun while you see the sights that Chicago has to offer.

Pitchfork & Lollapalooza Music Festivals

Chicago is home to two of the biggest annual summer music festivals in the world: Pitchfork & Lollapalooza.

Both festivals are 3 day events held in Chicago parks. The Pitchfork Music Festival is in Union Park and Lollapalooza is in Grant Park (Click Here for hotels near Grant Park.)

And coincidentally (or maybe not?) they both got their start as annual Chicago music festivals in 2005 (Lollapalooza has a history as a touring festival going back to the early 1990s.)

2011 Pitchfork Music Festival

The Pitchfork Music Festival is being held at Union Park July 15th through the 17th this year.

On Friday the 15th the bands/artists include Animal Collective, Battles, Guided By Voices, Thurston Moore, Neko Case, and James Blake.

On Saturday the 16th you can see/hear Fleet Foxes, DJ Shadow, The Dismemberment Plan, Wild Nothing, and No Age.

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Pink Graffiti, Deerhunter, The Radio Dept., TV on the Radio, and Superchunk are among those playing on Sunday the 17th.

This is not a complete list. Go to PitchforkMusicFestival.com for more information (including ticket sales.) And of course if you’re looking for a hotel to stay at while doing the festival thing use Chicago Hotel Deals!

2011 Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza is being held at Grant Park August 5th through the 7th this year.

Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket, Ween, The Cars, Bright Eyes, Arctic Monkeys, Local Natives, OK Go, Cage The Elephant, Ratatat, Crystal Castles, Beirut, The Mountain Goats and Titus Andronicus is just a short list of the many bands/artists taking part in Lollapalooza in 2011.

You can find a complete listing here.

5 Star Luxury Hotels in Chicago

These  are the six luxury hotels in Chicago rated with 5 stars. Click on the hotel’s name or pictures to find the current lowest rates available anywhere online (the Chicago Hotel Deals system searches through over 30 hotel websites simultaneously looking for the very lowest room rates on the internet.)

The Peninsula.

  • Located in the Magnificent Mile – River North neighborhood.
  • Business friendly.
  • Sauna.
  • Indoor swimming pool.
  • Fitness room.
  • Pet friendly.

Peninsula Guest Room   The Peninsula Chicago 

The Ritz-Carlton.

  • Pet friendly.
  • Room service.
  • Valet parking.
  • Jacuzzi.
  • Indoor pool.
  • Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

Ritz Carlton Chicago (Piano in Guest Room)  Two Beds

Trump International Hotel & Tower.

  • High-speed wireless internet available.
  • Steam room.
  • Salon.
  • Bathrobes.
  • Pet friendly.
  • Located along the Chicago River.

Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago  Trump Guest Room

Park Hyatt.

  • Located in central Chicago.
  • Pet friendly.
  • iPod docking stations.
  • City or lake views.
  • 46-inch LCD televisions with premium satellite channel.
  • Multilingual staff.

Park Hyatt 5 Star Luxury Hotel (Chicago)  Park Hyatt

Four Seasons.

  • Mini bar.
  • Room service.
  • Bicycle rental.
  • Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, convenient for Chicago sightseeing.
  • Allergy free rooms available.
  • Dry cleaning service.

Four Seasons Lobby  Four Seasons Hotel (Chicago) Guest Room

Waldorf Astoria.

  • Located near the. Newberry Library, Hancock Tower, and Chicago Water Tower.
  • Pet friendly (dogs & cats only with maximum weight of 30 kg.)
  • Restaurant in the hotel.
  • Spa tub.
  • Banquet facilities.
  • Parking garage.

Waldorf Astoria  Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Pet Friendly Hotels in Chicago

There are 55 pet friendly hotels in Chicago in the Chicago Hotel Deals system (as of this writing, more may be added in the future!)

Below you’ll find some of those 55 pet friendly Chicago hotels listed in a variety of different ways that you may find helpful in making your hotel choice, or you can Click Here and sort the hotel search results by any criteria that you want yourself (be sure to check the “pet friendly” box in the “Refine Your Search” box.)

Least Expensive Pet Friendly Chicago Hotels:

  1. Chicago O’Hare Garden Hotel (near O’Hare Airport.)
  2. Carlton Inn Midway (two miles from Midway Airport.)
  3. Howard Johnson Inn Downtown Chicago.

Five Star Luxury Pet Friendly Chicago Hotels:

  1. The Peninsula (Magnificent Mile – River North.)
  2. Ritz Carlton (Gold Coast.)
  3. Park Hyatt (Central Chicago.)

Chicago Pet Friendly Hotels with Highest Guest Ratings:

  1. Waldorf Astoria (Downtown Chicago.)
  2. The Peninsula (Magnificent Mile – River North.)
  3. Trump International Hotel & Tower (along the Chicago River.)

Little Dog for Pet Friendly Hotels Post

dog in the grass