The Age Old Question: Cubs or Sox?

 Chicago is only one of two cities, the other being New York, that has two Major League Baseball teams located in the central city area. This can make for some pretty heated discussions amongst fans! The Chicago Cubs represent the north side of the city, while the Chicago White Sox represent the south side of the city. Last Wednesday was the final game in their latest “Crosstown Classic” series, so it couldn’t be a better time to talk Chicago baseball in the summer!

Going to baseball games (well Sox games) is one of my favorite things to do in the summertime! I love the atmosphere, the food, and the hope that I just might get one of those free t-shirts that they shoot at the crowd.

U.S. Cellular Field

At U.S. Cellular Field (formerly Comisky Park), where the White Sox play, tickets can be bought for as little as $10. Even tickets that don’t sit you up in the nose bleed sections can be found for under $20. After buying a delicious Chicago style hot dog and a Lemon ice, it’s still a fun, relatively cheap activity! If you have the flexibility, choosing a game night with a theme, like “Mullet Night”, or ones that end with a fireworks display can make the experience even more enjoyable! 

Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is the iconic field of Chicago. It has been featured in popular movies such as “The Blues Brothers” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. Although I’m not a Cubs fan myself, I have to admit that you can feel the history of the field when you step inside. Again, depending on the game, tickets can run as cheap as $10, but tend to average around $20. Attending a Cubs game can also be a unique experience if you sit on a neighboring rooftop to enjoy the game. Many of the buildings that surround the field make their rooftops available for viewing (at a price) and Wrigley Field also extended their own rooftop seating areas once the popularity of them increased. 

Wrigleyville

If you’re looking to go out after the game and experience some of the nightlife that Chicago has to offer, then Wrigleyville is the place to be. Clark Street, which borders the stadium, plays host to many, many bars. The atmosphere is loud, exciting, and can on some nights feature a young crowd. U.S. Cellular field is not without its own nightlife, but there is not as much to choose from. However, if a pre-game meal is more your style, then Chinatown is a just a short cab ride away. 

In the end, no matter which team you root for, catching a Chicago baseball game is guaranteed to be a good time!

In the mood to see a baseball game? Check out: Chicago Cubs 

                                                                          Chicago White Sox

IOU Respect Team U.S.A.

IOU Respect International Exchange 2012: Team U.S.A

HI Chicago is very excited to host the IOU Respect International Exchange this July! This annual two-week long educational program is organized by Hostelling International for young people from Egypt, France, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, and the U.S.A. The exchange bridges cultural divides by building intercultural understanding and mutual respect in its participants. By taking part in workshops and fun activities around Chicago, each person grows into a global citizen. 

Four individuals from each country, between the ages of 18-23, along with a Team Leader, were chosen to represent their nation on this unique program. The American participants hail from four different states and all share a strong desire to become more effective and open-minded world leaders. Each one has such an interesting background that we feel is definitely worth sharing.

So without further ado, we would like to introduce:

Hannah Higginson-  
She is a student of Anthropology, International Studies, and French at the University of Utah. Her travels include service trips to Guatemala and Haiti, and she desires to improve skills for positive and effective intercultural communication and cultural sensitivity. We wish her the best of experiences as she builds new friendships while exploring Chicago!

Logan Meinzer-
 A student of Ohio State University, he studies Russian, International Studies, and French. Logan is already well acquainted with HI as the Vice-President of the Hostelling International club on campus. He has studied abroad in Moscow, and traveled to South Korea, England, and Italy. Logan eventually wants to become a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department, and we think he is well on his way to achieving this goal! We know Logan will enjoy this unique experience and will also enjoy Chicago.

Dmetri Hayes-
He is a 19 year-old student of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT. He is of Native American descent and has also previously studied French. At his high school, he was the National Honor Society President, as well as the President of Student Council. Dmetri grew up in a self-described small, conservative town in Michigan that he feels lacked diversity. Therefore, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to be in the presence of open-minded, young people from a variety of backgrounds during IOU Respect. He has never traveled outside of the U.S.A, but after this          experience, we’re sure he will find another way to connect abroad. 

Alexandra Ponton-
A recent graduate of UNC Asheville, she has a degree in International Studies and French. She was born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. During her college years, she was a member of the Global Ambassador Program, which allowed her to visit elementary schools to teach the importance of travel, learning languages, and interacting with people from different cultures. She has traveled to several countries in Western Europe, and studied abroad for a year in France. After IOU Respect, she will be teaching in China where she will have the opportunity to practice her Mandarin. We know that IOU Respect will provide her with great experiences that she can take with her wherever she goes.

Jose Sanchez (Team Leader) - 
As a former IOU Respect participant, he knows from experience the challenges and rewards of this program. He graduated in 2011 from the University of Houston with a degree in Political Science and is very excited to be returning. His experience in organizing diverse communities around social justice campaigns and background in leading groups of students as a teaching assistant will serve him well. Jose also speaks Spanish and French and has a passion for creating inclusive community environments, in which all can excel. We know that he will do a great job as a Team Leader and we wish him the best of luck in this new role. 

Megan Johnson (Coordinator) – 
She is the Regional Engagement Manager for HI-USA and has been key in making this program a success. After running the educational programs at HI Chicago for the past eight years, this will be her sixth IOU Respect International Exchange. She has a background in education, specifically a master’s degree in multicultural and organizational communication. After college, she taught English in Japan through the JET program for two years where really developed her passion for the powerful outcomes of travel. Megan is a great asset to HI Chicago and Team U.S.A. is lucky to have her!

Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn

HI Chicago has so many wonderful volunteers who donate their time and energy so that travelers may experience their beloved city. Many of them man the information desk, which allows them to share their knowledge of Chicago and insight about backpacking. One such volunteer is Marilyn.  I had the chance to speak with her today while everyone was out enjoying the great, sunny weather! 

A retired school teacher, Marilyn has been volunteering at the hostel for almost four years. She says she loves interacting with hostelers because it allows her to partake in something that she is very passionate about- travel! Before talking to Marilyn, I thought I was a pretty seasoned traveler, but compared to her I haven’t seen anything! She has been to 53 different countries and has lived in France, Mexico City, and Quebec. In addition to English, she can speak French and Spanish, which she loves being able to practice at the hostel. 

Her travels began back in the 1970’s when she traveled throughout Europe and Morocco via hitchhiking (if you’re ever in need of some great stories, she’s the one to talk to). However, she was born and raised in Chicago and is proud to call this city home. When asked about where to go and what to see, one of her favorite places to send backpackers who are looking for a more non-traditional view of Chicago is the Glessner House Museum. It’s a mansion from the late 1800’s located in the Prairie Avenue Historic District on what used to be called “millionaire’s row”. To learn more about it, check out the link at the end of this post. 

Another one of her favorite things to show travelers is the Thursday edition of the Chicago Tribune. Since she works at HI Chicago on Fridays, she likes to read through Thursday’s newspaper and take note of anything happening over the upcoming weekend. She says that they do a great job of highlighting museum exhibits and special events happening in the city. And if that’s not enough for travelers, there’s always the dry erase board located right next to the desk that lists the excursions that HI Chicago volunteers lead and the free activities available around the city. 

Overall, she says she absolutely loves volunteering at HI Chicago and we know we are lucky to have her!

Interested in anything mentioned? Click on these links:

Glessner House

Chicago Tribune: 10 things to do this weekend
  

 

Dig Into Chicago-style Pizza

No visit to Chicago is complete without trying one of our most famous food delicacies – Chicago-style pizza.

Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza style that was developed in Chicago in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno. It has a buttery crust and is usually two to three inches thick at the edge. The order of ingredients on a Chicago style deep-dish pizza is “backwards” from a traditional think crust pizza. First, slices of mozzarella cheese are placed directly on the dough, and then additional ingredients such as mushrooms or onions are spread over the cheese. Finally, the pizza is then topped with fresh, chunky tomato sauce and topped off with a sprinkling of grated cheese and spices. Because it is so tall, Chicago-style pizza is generally eaten with a knife and fork. However, if you’re intimidated by the looks of this pizza and prefer think crust instead, you can definitely find that in Chicago too!

Be sure not to miss out on this tasty pizza during your visit to Chicago. Every restaurant has its own slightly different style of deep-dish pizza, but no matter where you go, you’re sure to get a great taste of Chicago. Here are some of our favorite options nearby!

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria – South Loop

805 South State Street

Directions from the hostel:

1. Head West on East Congress Parkway toward State Street
2. Turn left on State Street
3. Walk straight for 3 blocks and it’s on the corner of State Street and 8^th Street

Gino’s East of Chicago

633 N. Wells Street

Directions from the hostel:

1.  Head West on East Congress Parkway toward State Street
2. Turn right on State Street and walk one block to the Harold Washing Library stop
3. Take the Brown line towards Kimball and get off at Merchandise Mart stop (8 minutes, 6 stops)
4. Walk straight on North Wells Street for 5 blocks and it’s on the corner of North Wells Street and West Ontario Street

Giordano’s

223 West Jackson Boulevard

Directions from the hostel:

1. Head West on East Congress Parkway toward State Street
2. Turn right on State Street and walk one block to the Harold Washing Library stop
3. Take either the Pink line towards 54/Cermak OR Orange line towards Midway and get off at the Washington/Wells stop (4 minutes, 3 stops).
4. Head North on Wells Street
5.  Turn left on West Randolph

Pizzeria Uno

29 East Ohio Street

Directions from the hostel:

1. Head West on East Congress Parkway toward State Street
2. Turn left on State Street and walk one block to the Harrison subway stop
3. Take the Red line towards Howard (6 minutes, 4 stops)
4. Get off at the Grand-Red stop
5. Walk North on State Street for one block and turn right on Ohio Street

The Windy City Wiener

The hot dog is a popular food across the USA, but what makes the Chicago-style hot dog so different? We’ll tell you!

The Chicago-style dog is a steamed or water-simmered all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun. It’s topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish (neon green colored), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, picked sport peppers, and celery salt. There so absolutely NO ketchup allowed on a “true” Chicago dog. many Chicago hot dog restaurants won't even have ketchup available at all. This "no ketchup rule" is taken very seriously by many Chicago locals. 

Fun fact: The Chicago area boasts more hot dog restaurants than McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King restaurants combined, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. If you ask a Chicago local where to get the best dog, everyone will probably tell you something different. However, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular hot dog joints in the city (in no particular order).

Do you have a favorite? Share it with us! 

1. Superdawg (Norwood Park)

6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.

2. Hot Doug’s (Avondale)

3324 North California

3. Wolfy’s (West Rogers Park)

2734 W. Peterson Ave.

4. Portillo's Hot Dogs (Near North Side/River North)

100 West Ontario

5. The Weiners Circle (Lincoln Park)

2622 North Clark Street

6. Jimmy’s Red Hots (Humboldt Park)

4000 W. Grand Ave.

7. The Dog House (Lincoln Park)

816 W Fullerton

8. Wrigleyville Dogs (Lakeview)
3735 North Clark Street

9. Gene and Jude's (River Grove)

2720 River Road 

10. Kim and Carlos Hot Dog Stand (Near Southside)

1400 S. Lake Shore Drive 

Summer Music Festivals are Coming!

With May just around the corner, it’s time to think about summer plans. Many Chicago locals and visitors enjoy Chicago’s annual music festivals. If you’re in need of inexpensive, accessible, and social accommodation then stay with us!

Here is a list of some of Chicago’s most popular music festivals:

Pitchfork

July 13^th – 15^th at Union park

Directions from the hostel: Walk to Adams/Wabash and take the Green Line Train towards Harlem and get off at the Ashland-Lake stop

Spring Awakening

June 16^th – 17^th at Soldier Field

Directions from the hostel: Walk to the State & Harrison/Congress bus stop and take the 146 Bus towards Museum Campus

Lollapoloza [HI-Chicago is sold out for Lolla] [3-day passes are sold out, 1-day tickets are still available]

August 3^rd – 5^th at Grant Park

Directions from the hostel: Only a 5 minute walk from the hostel!

Northcoast

August 31^st – September 2^nd at Union Park

Directions from the hostel: Walk to Adams/Wabash and take the Green Line Train towards Harlem and get off at the Ashland-Lake stop

However, if you’re short on cash, don’t worry. There are plenty of FREE music concerts and festivals featuring a wide range of music styles held throughout the entire summer in Chicago.

Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays

May 28^th – July 30^th every Monday at 6:30 PM

Loops and Variations

June 7^th – July 12^th every Thursday at 6:30 PM

Chicago Blues Festival

June 8^th – 10^th

Grant Park Music Festival

June 13^th – August 10^th on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

June 21^st – 24^th

Taste of Chicago 
July 11 - 15
Summer Dance
July 19 - September 16
Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz

July 19^th – August 30^th every Thursday at 6:30 PM

Chicago Jazz Festival

August 30^th – September 2^nd

Chicago World Music Festival

September 21^st – 27^th

Traveler Spotlight: Hirotaka

I had the pleasure of meeting Hirotaka at the information desk this morning while he was seeking advice on where to eat the best BBQ in Chicago. In my opinion, trying new food is half the fun of traveling, and judging by the conversation we had, I think Hirotaka feels the same way.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, he spent this past school year as an exchange student in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. After school ended, he decided to spend about two months travelling throughout the United States by Amtrak. Before Chicago, he visited New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, and many more places. That‘s a lot to see in two months!

When asked about Chicago, Hirotaka only had wonderful things to say. He said that he loves the architecture and the vibrant atmosphere of the city. But more than anything, he has really enjoyed the food! His favorite experience so far was eating deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s. According to him, it was the most delicious pizza he has ever eaten! He also had great things to say about the hostel. He has met some great people and had a great time at our “Boom Boom Blues” night.

Good luck with the rest or your travels Hirotaka and I hope you loved the BBQ!

written by intern Maggie Flynn

Resource links:

Chicago Architecture Foundation: CAF offers in-depth architecture tours & hostel guests receive $3 off walking tours. caf.architecture.org

Lou Malnati’s Pizza: http://www.loumalnatis.com/

BBQ, Smoke Daddy: http://www.thesmokedaddy.com/

Traveler Spotlight, Meet Lucas

I sat down with Lucas during a quiet lunch hour while he was taking a break from his busy afternoon. He is taking time off from his life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of my “must see” cities, to travel around the U.S. So far, he has been to New York and Washington D.C., and after Chicago, he’s headed west to explore Las Vegas and California. But what has he liked about Chicago so far? 

He has really enjoyed biking around the city, especially along the lakefront. He loves the backdrop of the skyline and thinks that Chicago is really beautiful (he even said that he likes it much more than New York!). As for our hostel, he thinks “it is the best hostel EVER”. Considering that he has traveled all around the world, that’s really saying something! He has enjoyed how clean and spacious the hostel is for its guests, and the many “tips” that we provide for travelers. Tonight, he is taking our advice and will be going to Green Mill jazz club to enjoy some “Chicago music” and see where the famous Al Capone used to pass the time in his heyday. 

¡Espero que todo vaya bien Lucas!

Resource links
Bobby's Bike Hike
Green Mill Jazz Club

Interviewed by: Intern Maggie Flynn

The Hottest Ways to Stay Cool

I’m a bit tired of the festival scene, so I think we’ll take a weekend off from theChicago fest round-up to gear up for Lolla. Instead, in honor of the heat wave that we just finished and will be starting again shortly (although high-80s and sunny this weekend doesn’t sound too shabby!), here is your guide to the hottest places in the city to cool down – apart from sticking your head in the freezer, which is always a decent and efficient idea. (*Big thanks to Huffington Post for some of the pool ideas!*)

Public Pools

Chicago Park District has put a ton of time and money into developing the city’s parks, and most of them boast awesome outdoor public pools that Chicagoans can frequent during the summer!

Hamlin Park Pool: Roscoe Village (3035 N Hoyne Ave)

Lots of lounge chairs, sunny space to lay out, and shower and restroom facilities free of charge make this spot in Roscoe Village a popular spot on weekends (so we recommend arriving ~15 minutes prior to opening if you want to snag a chair!). The young adult crowd dominates the facility, and kids with their parents tend to stay in the shallows. Vending machines are available, but no other food/drink vendors beyond ice cream carts—you should bring your own drinks (especially some water!), but no coolers allowed. Free entry and use of all facilities!

Schedule: Mon/Wed/Fri 1:15pm-7:15pm, Tues/Thurs 1:15pm-8:15pm, Sat/Sun 11-7:15

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Portage Park Pool: Portage Park (4100 N Long Ave)

Boasting an Olympic-sized pool with diving boards, a large deck for sun-bathing, misting sprays and an interactive play area for kids, Portage Park Pool also draws a large crowd on hot summer days. Passes are needed for Adult Lap Swim times, but otherwise it is open to the public for free. Quick warning – the lockers don’t actually lock, so be careful with valuables you leave in there! You might be better off taking a bag out with you to the pool deck.

Schedule: Mon-Fri 7am-10am + 4:30pm-7:15pm, Sat/Sun 9:30am-6pm

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Chase Park Pool: Ravenswood (4701 N Ashland Ave)

With a smaller sized pool (maybe the size of a basketball court), Chase Park is definitely less crowded than the others, and usually has lounge chairs open – so what more do you need? Bike-friendly areas are available, and this park is actually a wonderful place to work out as well. An outdoor track, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball diamonds are all available free of charge (as is the pool), and use of the workout room is offered for a nominal fee. Work up a good sweat and hop in the pool to cool off!

Schedule: Mon-Fri 3pm-7:15pm, Sat/Sun 12pm-7:15pm

*Please check website for exact Open Swim hours throughout the day*

Beaches

Lake Michigan, a.k.a the Heavens’ gift to Chicago, is quite possibly my favorite thing about this great city. As a New Yorker who grew up swimming in the Long Island Sound, trust me – you really don’t know how good you have it with the lake, so take advantage!

North Avenue Beach: Lincoln Park (1600 N Lake Shore Dr)

The young adult crowd that frequents North AvenueBeach makes it a bit of a singles scene, with sand, surf, and booze aplenty. Biking and running paths, volleyball tournaments, and equipment rentals also make this a work-out fiend’s dream. It’s easily the busiest beach in the city, so public transportation is recommended because parking is limited.

Oak Street Beach: Gold Coast (1000 N Lake Shore Dr)

Close to the Magnificent Mile and John Hancock Building, Oak Street Beach is steps away from the bustle of the city and thus a great place for people-watching (though there are definitely some eensy-weensy Speedos you may not want to look too closely at…). It’s also got a great running and biking path along Lake Shore Drive – but watch out for bicyclists with 2 headphones in and no cares as to whether or not they run you over.

Montrose Beach: Uptown (200 W Montrose Harbor Dr)

The home of Windy City Watersports, Montrose Beach is the best place to rent your WaveRunners, sailboats, and other equipment for some action sport fun on our GreatLake. This Saturday, you can even check out Beach Palooza, a crazy 5K obstacle course race on the beach starting at 9am. Either join in the festivities (race-day registration will be available for $65), or just come laugh at the fools crawling around drunk in the sand. All participants will also receive a pineapple hat, and you know how often that comes in handy. Every. Day.

*If you’re traveling with your pooch, check out Belmont Harbor (3200 N Lake Shore Dr) – the fenced in beach area makes this the city’s perfect unofficial doggie beach!*

A few more water-related ideas

-Splash around in Faces Fountain at Millennium Park – just because the average age of frolickers is somewhere around six shouldn’t stop you. Man up and channel your inner child!

-Rent a kayak to cruise down the Chicago River with Kayak Chicago. Be forewarned, this is not an activity for the faint of heart! Paddling back upstream is a work-out, and the river, while not toxic anymore, also has a bit of a garbage aroma at times. Nothing to worry about, just be sure to shower afterwards…really well.

-If you’re up for a bit of a drive, trek out to some of the best water parks in Illinois –Raging Waves in Yorkville is a great time, as is Hurricane Harbor at the Six Flags in Gurnee (and who doesn’t love a Six Flags?!).

Coffee House Culture

Travel Blogger Sherry of Ott's World offers her insight to the culture of Vienna Coffeehouses, and gives a few places to try if you're ever in the area!


"I’m never drawn to the proper side of life, I prefer the messy – yet something was drawing me into the sophisticated side of Vienna. The aroma of coffee and music of Mozart being played on the piano in the background must have put a spell on me. Or maybe it was the dour faced waiters dressed in their dark jackets and bow ties wielding little silver trays around silently that appealed to my controlling side. Or maybe it was feeling of time travel as walked through the door and was transported into 1950’s and 1960’s making me feel as if I had just entered a period piece movie and I was the star."

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