quick unplanned Chicago trip

Very few hotel options outside of downtown in Loop and River North. Hotel Gregory across from Wrigley is beautiful, could be very $$$ now that baseball season is going. Do Rite Donuts is right across the street from Wrigley if you're in the area, just opened this spring. I have not indulged but it looks awesome. Corridor, is walking distance from Wrigley also. Maybe take the kids to Lincoln Park Zoo, it's free and close to Wrigley & downtown (Brookfield Zoo is a good hike outside the city) . I'll try to think of some more things to do... Feel free to pm

 

Mueseum of Sci & Industry is way south side, you'll want to hit that on your way into town. The rest is kinda all over the place. I'd scratch Old Irving, as it's not near anything else you listed. For hotels, probably River North or find an AirBnB either in Wicker Park or near Corridor/Wrigley. Here's a map (link here) of the places you mentioned (just realized I left Doughnut Vault off, but they're also in River North and available at Sawada Coffee in West Loop, plus Glazed & Infused no longer exists). Seems like it'd be tough logistically to schedule all of this around a Fri afternoon baseball game and the associated traffic. Oh, make sure to check the weekday hours on Donughnut Vault, last I knew they close whenever they run out in the early afternoon.

 

This may fall under the “bad idea” category, but you could stay at the hotel Robey: https://www.therobey.com/#book

Not sure how many kids you have, but they have a Queen + bunk bed for $420 plus taxes.

 

Logistically I'd say around the Grand red line stop. There's a good amount of hotels and you would be in walking distance of all the donut shops and Rainforest, and easy access to red line running north directly to Wrigley, and easy transfer to brown/purple (Corridor is right off Southport stop). Goose Clybourn is walkable from the North Ave red line stop. You could get on the pink/green to Cruz Blanca but I think best option would be to cab to FR and Piece unless you are fine with taking the buses as well.

 

This guy is a Cards fan, don’t help him out. Actually... there’s a great new brewery on 64th and Ashland. They are brewing awesome NEIPAs, pastry stouts and an insane barrel program. It’s a must see!

 

You know, if you go to the Field Museum instead, you can probably drink some Toppling Goliath while you’re there...

Edit: piece does growlers and FR does crowlers - swing by and grab something to go!

 

If you stay in River North, you can hit all of those donut spots pretty easily. The breweries are a little more spaced out though.

Also note: If you love donuts, and you're going to 3Floyds, stop at Munster Donut. It's on Calumet just a little way up from 3Floyds (on the way to Chicago), and the donuts are great. You can probably get a dozen from Munster Donut for the price you can get like 3 donuts at places like Doughnut Vault or Firecakes.

 

Go to Piece if you want a win-win. It's thin crust, but it's so good you won't miss the deep dish. Plus they brew their own beer and also have good guest taps.

 

Firecakes is walking distance to the zoo so I would probably choose that one. Otherwise it is a pretty solid plan. You could also do Corridor after the Cubs game as it's in the area and Piece/FR the night before if you want to make everything more cohesive.

 

Oh, and Stan’s is a 2 minute walk from Piece. Their doughboy’s best, or whatever they call their $5 daily donut, is always ridiculously good.

 

Firecakes are the best donuts in Chicago. There's one by the zoo if thats what you plan on doing. There's also a Stan's right by Piece.

 

Here's my Doughnut Advocate take:

I don't think Doughnut Vault will be open as late as you want to go on Thursday. The good news is, Firecakes is better if you're into insanely huge doughnuts with lots of toppings.

Do-Rite has the best old-fashioned of all those you listed and they have a location in spitting distance of Wrigley, BUT if you're staying near Wrigley, stop by Dinkel's (3329 N Lincoln) for one of the best old-fashioned's in the city at 1/2 the price. Take a dozen home. Then walk up the street to Bitter Pops for some more goodies!

 

That honestly seems way too hectic, especially with kids - not sure what age yours are, but I know that taking mine around the city or while on vacation can get pretty tiring. If they're older and can handle all the moving around, though, you could be fine (mine are 6 and 8, so not the best at walking a bunch, etc.).

Doughnut Vault won't have any donuts on Thursday at 5:30 pm. They are typically sold out by 1 or so. If you really want to go there, you will need to go in the morning.

As for Corridor, it's my favorite spot, but if you have the kids with you, I wouldn't recommend going there at 8:30 pm. I take my kids there all the time, but we are typically out of there by 7. You could go to Corridor after the Cubs game, but it'll probably be pretty crowded. Since you're staying in Wrigley area, I would probably head up to the BNB on Thursday after the museum and then go to Corridor (this would cancel out Cruz Blanca) - that way you have a chance to drop off your stuff at the BNB as well.

Firecakes will be easiest for you Friday morning near the zoo, but if you really want Doughnut Vault, that's your only time to hit it probably.

There's a Do-Rite by Wrigley now amongst all the new commercial space. Stop and grab one there before or after the game to check it off the list.

I would definitely recommend Piece for the pizza and beer...I love that place. The beer is just decent, but the pizza is awesome.

 

Definitely agree with this. If you're looking to get a bite to eat, that's going to be tough with the family in that space at that hour. You might be better off hitting GI Clybourn instead.

If you're just looking to try their beer, I'd get everyone settled into the BNB and Uber over to Corridor on my own.

Yes, but this would also cancel out the Skydeck and that picture idea sounds cool.
I'd head to Cruz Blanca, then walk a block East and hit up the Bombobar window for something sweet, like a gelato sandwich (inside a hot italian donut, see below). Or you could walk 2 blocks and turn the corner to hit Do-Rite.

If you want Donughnut Vault, Friday morning is your only option, but they're probably my least favorite. If you like yeast donuts and you're not completely sugared out, you could also hit Dat Donut on the far (far) south side on your way home. The Big Dat might seem like a novelty giant donut, but it is legit.

 

If you make it to do rite, you probably should eat the fried chicken donut sandwich.

If you make it to Forbidden Root, give @KrajDoesBeer a high five.