John10

My wife and I are visiting Chicago for the 1st time in August. We will arrive midday Thursday and leave Sunday. We are going to the Cubs game on Friday; other than that we have no agenda. Looking for suggestions on where to go and where to eat while we are there. Thanks for your help.

lincasanova

If you do a "chicago restaurants" or "chicago" in the search box above you will be able to read all the answers of all the past posts about this same question. If you do an advanced search and go back a few years you get even more answers!

My favorites:
-Architectural boat tour
-Art Institue
-Go for a drink atop Hancock building
-take water taxi along the river
-see a play/ musical/ ballet

If interested in architecture/Frank LLoyd Wright then go to Oak Park on the EL and see his studio and many homes and Trinity Church.

moosey

I second the architectural boat tour. I was talked into it (not an organized tour person usually) and loved it - great way to see the city.

Definitely get some Garrett popcorn (caramel is my favorite). Michigan Ave location has lines out the door, but lines are shorter at other locations (Jackson is one I have hit). Of course they opened two shops in NYC so it is not exclusively a Chicago thing anymore - but still my favorite part of every trip there!

The Field Museum seems to always have interesting featured exhibits.

I have had some nice meals there but the only place I keep going back to is Giordano's pizza. (oh, and Corner Bakery for oatmeal in the morning - we don't have one of those where I live!)

nlg

We are going for our 4th visit to Chicago in September. I have made reservations to take a food tour on this visit. We took a food tour in New York and loved it so thought we would try it in Chicago. We find so many different places to see on each of our visits and just love walking around the city. Hope you have a great trip.

lincasanova

you can also rent bikes and bike along lake shore drive for miles.. going all the way to the planetarium you get that postcard view.. great place to loll on the grass, too.

exiledprincess

John, what are your interests?

And when are you coming?

The timing can be everything. For example, the first weekend in August is Lollapolooza and the third is the Air and Water Show. On neither of these occasions would I ever suggest to a visitor to ride bicycles along the lakefront in the areas where they are occurring.

Will await your input.

andrews98682

You won't have enough time to see everything so don't try.
The Field Museum, planetarium and Shedd Aquarium are all next to each other by the lake on the south end of Grant Park and the Art Institute and Millenium Park are on the north end, not far away. All are excellent. The former Marshall Field's flagship store is a few blocks away on State Street and worth a quick look or a bite for lunch at the food court upstairs.
From there, you could go up Michigan Avenue to the Hancock Building. I also recommend the science museum, although it's a bit out of the way in Hyde Park.

lincasanova

Not sure if Macy's ( the former Marshall Fields) does this, but Marshall Fields used to give out of towners a gift pack, free makeover at make up counter, free dessert, coffee and an all day 10% discount. Go upstairs to customer service, but as I say, when they changed ownership this may have disappeared.

Uma

Millenium Park and the lakefront, Navy Pier, Due's or Lou Malnati's for pizza; second the Art Institute, Field Museum,
Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium,seeing a show, hearing music,
architectural boat ride or Wendella boat ride.

sarabaudo

I highly suggest the architectural boat tour.

As for restaurants/places to eat, I suggest the following places (check out their reviews on yelp.com):
Hop Leaf (on Clark St) in Andersonville
M Burger (on Huron Ave) in Streeterville
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders (on Clark St) in Lincoln Park
Sprout (on Fullerton Ave) in Lincoln Park

Cadgirl

I enjoyed the sunset boat cruise that Wendella offers. Went with girlfriends, need to go back later this summer (when it cools off!)with DH. www.wendellaboats.com

AustinTraveler

Another vote for the architectural boat tour (the one offered by the Architecture Foundation). Also loved Millenium Park, especially Cloud Gate, and loved Lincoln Park, especially the Conservatory and the Zoo. Walking around neighborhoods is great too. We loved Lincoln Park and Wicker Park. Also, the neighborhood where Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House is located is a great place to walk. It's across from the University of Chicago. I think that's Hyde Park or Oak Park. Easy, easy, easy to get around the city on buses.

We stayed in the Gold Coast neighborhood and ate at Luxe Bar. It's a Gibson restaurant and was really good and reasonably priced. We also loved Frontera Grill. Definitely get the cerviche appetizer if it's still on the menu. Three different types and each one just great.

Favorite thing to do was just walk everywhere. Walking along the lake is great. We walked for hours and if we got tired we just hopped on the bus.

bachslunch

Some itinerary information on the trip I took to Chicago:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ack-wanted.cfm

See the latter posts for what I actually did. Food options are interspersed within the actual things done.

CDSimsTheTraveler

Definitely check out the Field Museum While you all are there. A great museum. Shedd Aquarium is another great place! Lincoln Park Zoo on Chicago's north side is a delightful zoo for anyone to stroll through and have a good time.

If you'll be driving, find your way to Lake Shore Drive. A great stretch of road and peaceful, scenic driving.