What to see in Chicago?

[Deep13]

My wife and I are going to Chicago for the long weekend (taking Monday off.) We want to see the U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Where can we stay that is close to that? A regular hotel is fine. Money's not that tight. We are not renting a car. (Saw the Blues Brothers and Ferris Bueller so we know better than to drive there.)

What else should we do?

How can we avoid being sucked into Hasert's mouth by the gravity of his mass?

Is there really a cheeze fry booth?

[Taverner]

1. Not from Chicago - but a happy tourist

Go see Wrigley Field. Catch a game if you can. Then go next door to Cubby Bears.

[taterguy]

2. The Haymarket Square Memorial

There's a pedastal that says something like "Dedicated to the people who defended our city, yadda, yadda, yadda" My friends and I were looking at it and speculating about who the city's defenders were. An old black man chimed in: "There used to be a statue of a policeman up there but the hippies tore it down." We asked him what he thought about that. His response: "The hippies were right."

[Lars39]

3. The Congress Plaza Hotel is *very* handy to stay at.

It puts you within easy walking distance of quite a bit, and easy bus routes to the Museum of S&I.

http://www.congressplazahotel.com/

[Deep13]

10. Nifty. What about the Hyatt?

The Museum of Sci.& Indus. website recommends it.

[Lars39]

18. Here's some maps to compare locations:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=Hyatt+Regency+Chicago&address=151+East+Wacker+Drive&city=Chicago&state=IL&zipcode=

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory=&latitude=sMJYG8CsH0I%3d&longitude=Em8HZpsxp%2fI%3d&name=Congress%20Plaza%20Hotel&country=US&address=520%20S%20Michigan%20Ave&city=Chicago&state=IL&zipcode=60605&phone=312%2d427%2d3800&spurl=0&&q=The%20Congress%20Plaza%20Hotel&qc=Hotels%20%26%20Motels

We really enjoyed walking thru the park and along the shoreline to get to the Museum of Natural History, the Aquarium and the Observatory.
We also walked to the Art Institute. We took a cab to the Pier and a bus to the Museum of S&I.
We took in the Japanese Gardens behind the M of S&I. Absolutely gorgeous. Just don't miss the last bus.

The history of The Congress also appeals to kids interested in Al Capone. :D

[Deep13]

21. Forgot about the Chicago gangsters.

Meanwhile, Eliot Ness and his men speed toward Capone's hideout.

[Dastard Stepchild]

39. You didn't have a problem with the Congress?

I mean, in terms of getting service? Was this a recent stay? I ask because there has been an ongoing strike by the Congress hotel service workers for going on 3 years now. So I was to understand that service was compromised.

[Deep13]

4. How do we protect ourselves from those godless killing machines...

... da Bears?

[XNASA]

5. This weekend is the start of Taste of Chicago.....

I really wouldn't recommend going to it, just thought you might like to know that about a half million people will be in Grant Park for the next 10 days or so. Go to one of the thousands of great restaurants. It's preferable to walking around outside eating off a paper plate.

The MSI is in Hyde Park, which is about 7 miles south of the Loop. So you would need to take the Metra train there if you're staying downtown.

I always recommend the Hotel Allegro, which is downtown.

http://www.allegrochicago.com/

Check out metromix.com for things to do/places to stay.

Good luck trying to get tickets to the Cubs/Sox Crosstown Classic at Wrigley this weekend. I'm sure it's been sold out since last year. Even if you could get tickets to a weekend game against the Sox at Wrigley, be prepared to pay a couple of hun per seat.

[Deep13]

8. Yeah, we don't go to sports events near home,...

...so we have no burning desire to see the same kind of games somewhere else. Not our thing.

[malta blue]

6. The Art Institute

Here is a link to their current exhibits.

http://www.artic.edu


Plus - you get to see Seurat, Chagall and Dali paintings.

[Rosie1223]

7. King Tut Exhibit is at the Field Museum

You should probably call ahead to see if there are tickets available, though.

The Taste of Chicago is going on in Grant Park Jun30-Jul9. You can probably find cheese fries there.

[JVS]

9. Second City comedy club is a fun evening activity

http://www.secondcity.com/

[City Lights]

11. I love the bean at Millennium Park.

I also love to people watch at Navy Pier. There's a ton of stuff to do, depending upon your interests. We recently saw Iraqtile Dysfunction at Second City. It was hilarious.

[Southsideirish]

20. By all means try to catch a free nighttime concert in Millennium Park (by

the Bean) - bring a blanket, a bottle of wine and some snacks and sit back and enjoy the music. As a native Chicagoan, I went last summer and was shocked at how great the whole area is -and at night! Of course, as we were taking the el going back home I saw a gang of gang bangers on Wabash so you have to pick your spots. Go where the most people are - avoid being alone outside, especially at night. Be sure and walk around the University of Chicago campus - check out the pond and the quadrangle areas. The Court Theater used to have great outdoor light hearted type plays/musicals on the quad at night in the summer but I don't think they do anymore.

I think the concert it starts at 7:30 but check with the local newspapers.

[Tinksrival]

42. It is the coolest!

[scarlet_owl]

12. I'm going to Shedd Aquarium in a week. From what I have seen

online, it's a pretty cool place. It's next to the Field Museum, where they have the Tut exhibit. Have a good trip!

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. The Aquarium is awesome

So is the Adler Planetarium which is right next door.

The Field museum also has, Sue, the largest T. Rex skeleton. It's worth the visit just to see that. (Those things were SCARY!)

[Scout1071]

24. I love the Shedd Aquarium!

The Natural History museum near it is good as well.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

13. The Shedd Aquarium is pretty fantastic

as is the Adler Planetarium. (The Adler was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence now.)

They're on the museum campus right by the Field Museum (which is also a must see -- where else are you going to see the largest T. Rex skeleton in the world???).

Of course, I'd also recommend all the other suggestions on this list. But one of my favorite things about Chicago is the awesome museums (the Art Institute is great too). In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Chicago has the best museums of any town in the country, my current home, NYC, included.

[Missy Vixen]

15. I LOVE Chicago!

Just another happy tourist...

I recommend Millennium Park. You'll love it, it's FREE, and you'll have a great time!

Julie
can't wait to visit the Windy City again, that's for sure!

[Deep13]

16. Have to get some of that deep-dish pizza.

Cheeze fries too.

[KitchenWitch]

17. Observation deck at the top of Sears Tower

I am afraid of heights, and it was still very cool.

[City Lights]

23. I prefer the Hancock.

Less people, better view, plus they have the skyway walk, where you can actually go outside and feel the wind and hear the noise. We took relatives and an out-of-town friend there last Friday.

[grace0418]

27. Agree. Hancock is lesser known but a much better experience.

Plus, you can take a picture of the Sears Tower from the Hancock.

[Lautremont]

19. If you go see the Sears Tower, you might get arrested,

like those dudes in Florida.

But I've been up there and it's pretty cool - worth the risk, I'd say.

[Deep13]

22. I'll get some Craftsman tools while I'm there.

A whole Sears TOWER? Their selection must be enormous.

[WoodyTobiasJr]

25. Chicagoans?

[grace0418]

26. Lifelong Chicagoan here. I can't give too much advice on where to stay

because, well, I live here. But there are TONS of things to do. Especially this weekend. The Loop is going to be pretty insane with Taste of Chicago. You may want to stay in the south loop a little ways way from that insanity. The Museum of Science and Industry is actually a bit south from downtown and most of the other museums. It's closer to the Hyde Park/University of Chicago area. I would suggest that you stay near the U of C but it's a bit harder staying there without a car (not impossible, but more difficult).

Anyway, wherever you decide to stay, I recommend you stay near an el stop. I find it far more comfortable and less potentially confusing than the bus. Plus it's a fun way to see the city (unless it's a subway of course ;)).

As far as what activities I recommend, well you'll find no shortage of them. Do yourself a favor and buy a Time Out Chicago as soon as you get into town. Bookstores, grocers and magazine stands should carry it. The Chicago Reader is good too, and it's free, but can be cumbersome and has a lot more stuff you won't need (like apartment listings and long articles). Time Out will list everything going on in the city, categorized by type of activity, along with restaurant reviews, movie listings, museum hours and exhibits, and more. We actually have a subscription and we carry it around with us on the weekends.

You'll want to see Millenium Park. It's located right downtown amidst all the craziness (Taste of Chicago will be just south of there) but it's a really fun way to spend an afternoon. You can splash in the crazy fountain (with huge multistory faces that actually "spit" water at you), marvel at Cloud Gate (aka the Bean), and listen to some mighty fine music.

I personally would skip Navy Pier. It's a worthless tourist trap IMHO. Unless you're bringing kids and want to go to the children's museum, there is nothing really there but ways to waste money. Ditto for Michigan Avenue. Unless you live somewhere without malls (does that place exist?), Michigan Ave. is just a long street full of overpriced department stores, Niketown, and an Apple store. But if shopping is your thing, it will be like nirvana I suppose. One thing on Michigan Ave worth doing is going up to the top of the John Hancock building. It's not as tall as the Sears Tower, but the view is much better and it's usually much less crowded.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the crowds that will be in the Loop area this weekend, head north to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakefront. Admittedly, since it will probably be hot and it's a holiday weekend, everywhere you go in the city will be crowded, but it will have more locals than tourists if that's your thing. There are also a number of neighborhoods worth exploring, depending on your interests. Old Town, Wicker Park/Bucktown, Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Lakeview/Wrigleyville and Lincoln Square (to name a few) are all charming in their own ways and are easily accessible via the el. There are sure to be a number of neighborhood festivals going on (I don't currently have my Time Out with me but during the summer there are ALWAYS festivals) which can be a blast. You may even find a cheeze fry booth at one of them. :)

If you tell me the kinds of activities interest you I can give you some more concrete suggestions. Especially restaurant recommendations. There's lots of good eating in Chicago! If you like ethnic food there are a number of options here.

[grace0418]

32. OH! I have to add: Summer Dance is a BLAST and it's FREE!

go to chicagosummerdance.org

It's in downtown, under the stars. Free live music of all different genres with a big outdoor dance floor. If you get there early there are also free dance lessons (in a style corresponding to the music being featured that evening). But even if you can't dance, don't worry. People are just there having a good time and it's so much fun, there's no need to feel self-conscious. Even if you don't dance, you can sit and enjoy free live music (plus there is food/drink for sale).

It's one of the most enjoyable free things offered in the city. Everybody is usually grinning from ear to ear. You can't help it. It feels like pure joy and positive energy.

[grace0418]

37. Some more info for you...

There is a festival going on in Washington Park (not far from Science and Industry):

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/events/festivals/summer/34636,0,3702164.event?coll=mmx-bestbets-promo

Out in Lisle (if you decide to rent a car), there is a balloon festival:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/events/festivals/summer/175216,0,6456968.event?coll=mmx-bestbets-promo

[Dastard Stepchild]

40. Great suggestions....

and you can access Time Out Chicago online... http://www.timeout.com/chicago/index.jsp

:)

[grace0418]

44. Thanks! I have more ideas too...

I got the latest Time Out issue yesterday and I wanted to add that there appears to be some interesting walking tours of neighborhoods. They were through the Chicago Historical Society (http://www.chicagohistory.org/tours.asp) and they sound like a lot of fun.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation also has wonderful tours all over the city (including river tours). Go to http://www.architecture.org/tours.aspx for more information. I've been on one or two of these tours and their really great.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

28. Be sure to see Riverview Park then

maybe dinner at The Blackhawk and catch a late show at Mr. Kelly's.

[benburch]

31. You haven't been here in a while, eh?

Or did you intend that as a joke?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

33. Okay, so visit the historic stockyards then

the Burghoff for dinner and over to London House?

[greatauntoftriplets]

34. Ummmm....

:rofl:

[benburch]

29. The Oriental Institute!!!

Without a doubt the finest museum of ancient near-east archeology in the United States.

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/default.html

[benburch]

30. The DuSable Museum of African American History!

http://www.dusablemuseum.org/

America's foremost museum of African American History.

[LibertyLover]

35. Not too far from the Museum - just head directly inland

is the campus of the University of Chicago. It has a great quadrangle. The alumni building is in Robie House, whose architect was Frank Lloyd Wright. I used to pass it every day on my way to class. The Oriental Institute's museum (not open Mondays) is small but has some great artifacts from Egypt and the Ancient Near East. The University's Smart Gallery generally has interesting, innovative shows. And you can visit the site of Stagg Field, now the home of Regenstein Library, among other buildings, where the first nuclear reactor was built as part of the Manhattan Project. Cutting through the campus is the Midway, what remains from the Columbian Exhibition. Can you tell that I am a proud alumna of the University?

[grace0418]

36. The campus is extraordinarily beautiful. You're quite right to be proud.

You also must be quite a smarty, that's quite a prestigious school! :hi: Anyway, I've only been there for a few different events. I really enjoyed seeing opera in one of the open courtyards on campus. We packed a picnic and enjoyed a little Puccini. Quite nice! And I never miss the 57th street art fair, which allows us to wander around the campus when we're done. I also enjoy the Smart Museum and the Court Theater as well.

[LibertyLover]

38. I was extraordinarily lucky to go there -

can't claim to be smart - some of my grades from college are disasterous. But I got to study Egyptology at the Oriental Institute (undergraduate degree only), had a great time and met friends who are still friends 30 years on. One of them helped me get into grad school in New York by believing that I could. Grad school was a revelation - I could write and research and I enjoyed it. Like I said - I was very lucky. And you are right - it is a lovely campus. I had forgotten about the art fair. I only went twice, but had a great time both times I went.

[Dastard Stepchild]

41. Me, too!

Howdy! :)

[LibertyLover]

43. Hello fellow U of C alum(?)

AB'75 in Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture here - and you?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

45. One of my favorite things was

the architectural boat tour of downtown Chicago. The docents have all sorts of interesting stories about each of the buildings you float past.