Afternoon/Evening in Chicago with parents

If you go to a concert at Millennium Park you will need to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Check the forecast though, we have been getting a lot of rain this month. The free concerts there are fun, people are pretty respectful but I wouldn't go expecting absolute silence.

I know you've done the museums before but the Art Institute just opened its new Modern Wing, the Shedd Aquarium just remodeled the oceanarium, and there are special exhibits at the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry. These might be nice for the afternoon.

Have you been to Ravinia? You can get there via the Metra, it takes you right to the gates, and bring a nice picnic or eat food there.

Chicago is the best place for a comedy show - go to Second City to see their current sketch show followed by an improv set. You should get tickets in advance if this is what you decide on. See the main stage show if you can, otherwise the e.t.c. stage.

And, no matter what, avoid Navy Pier at all costs.

Consider this weekly event on Thursday (and other) evenings in Chicago in summer: Summerdance.

"Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a 4,600 square foot open-air dance floor in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan Ave. SummerDance events occur every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, 6 to 9:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, 4 to 7 pm, weather-permitting. Please note there is no event on Sunday, July 26 or Sunday, August 9."

Thursday July 2 is East Coast swing dance night. "The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Tommye Giacchino & Gregory Day of Chicago Dance and live music by Lesley Byers & The Jazz Cats, performing music made famous by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, and more."

Great for people watching and music even if you don't dance.

Moderate restaurants nearby would include Kitty O'Shea's in Hilton Towers Hotel (720 S. Michigan Ave.), The Gage (24 S. Michigan), Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave), Bar Louie (47 W. Polk location) or Blackie's (755 S. Clark St.)

Keep in mind that Thursday this week with the holiday Friday means traffic might be bad (there is also Taste of Chicago in Grant Park) and tourism is high.

Thanks for the responses.

Maria - we went to Ravinia last year and had a great time. I think we'll pass on that this year, but will definitely consider it again in the future. I thought about Second City -- I don't think my parents have ever been there but I was trying to remember if it includes a lot of bad language. My mom would not be impressed if it does. Do you know anything about the current shows? Already planning to avoid Navy Pier, but thanks for the reminder!

Laurie Ann - interesting suggestion. We are actually going to be there on the 9th instead of the 2nd, but it appears from your post that this will be going on then too. Not sure that this is our "style" but I appreciate the input!

I usually suggest Le Colonial and have always had positive feedback. It is classy but casual French Vietnamese with a nice relaxed lounge upstairs. Frontera Grill would be another suggestion is you want something more casual.

On a great day, Lincoln Park Zoo could be fun if the 60 somethings like to walk.

My first choice would be a Second City show with pizza from either Ranallis or Giordanos before. That would get your trip off to a true Chicago-style start.

Kevin

The 2 shows currently at Second City have received great reviews. I haven't seen them yet (shame on me, I live right down the street) but DH and I are actually going this weekend. Based on past shows I've seen, you can always expect a certain amount of bad language and other crude content, which of course many people love, but I'd guess your Mom might not. I can report back after Sunday if you're still interested!

Some thoughts about reasonably priced restaurants...

Petterino's
http://www.petterinos.com/
It's relatively close to your hotel and a Chicago classic. The food is traditional American, nothing too fancy. It's in the theatre district and popular with tourists, and I must admit that I sort of snubbed it for that reason. But then some friends of our suggested we try their new 7 After 7 deal. And it was wonderful! And so cheap! If you dine after 7pm you get 3 courses (app, entree, dessert) for $19.95. Plus there is a selection of decent (not great) wines for $7 per glass. DH and I loved it so much that we took my parents (also mid-60s) there and they loved it. The other fun thing about Petterino's is it has wall-to-wall caricatures of movie stars and it's fun to figure out who everyone is.

Another great place with reasonable prices is Bistrot Margot.
http://www.bistrotmargot.com/
It is not within walking distance of your hotel (unless you really love to walk) but is a very short taxi ride. It's down the block from Second City if you decide to go there.

We also took my parents to a concert at Millennium Park and they loved it. In addition to a blanket or chair, you will want to take a picnic. Great places to pick up picnic food are Fox & Obel
http://www.fox-obel.com/
and
Pastoral
http://www.pastoralartisan.com/index.shtm
(the Lake Street location)

If you want to ditch the typical Chicago deep dish pizza and try some amazing thin crust pizza, go to La Madia:
http://www.dinelamadia.com/
Their triple pepperoni with truffle oil is to die for, and their wine list is wonderful.

Agree with ChiDad that Le Colonial is a winner.

Thanks bniemand. Great suggestions. Please let me know what you think of the Second City show this weekend!

The Second City shows usually have some bad language. They try not to go too overboard (that's what The Annoyance is for) but it's there. It depends on your mom's sensitivity. My mother is close in age to yours and she's fine with those shows, but anything more would probably be too much. The shows have gotten great reviews.
Oh! The Art Institute had free admission on Thursdays and Fridays this summer from 5-9 PM. So if you guys are near there and want to check out the new Modern Wing or something it might be worth popping in for a few minutes.
I second bniemand's suggestion of Pastoral Artisans - wonderful cheeses, baguettes, olives, etc. and they have great cookies (the ginger is my favorite). It would be perfect for a Millennium Park concert, it's only a few blocks away from the park.

Thanks Maria! I'm debating about Second City. I think I'll just see what my parents think with the warning that it may have some bad language. I saw on the Art Institute's website about free Thursdays, so have added that to my list of possibilities.

If you didn't see this other thread about Second City, it might be helpful to your choice (and it offers an alternative) http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/going-to-second-city-with-young-teens-in-chicago.cfm

We're still tossing around ideas. Thought about going to Blue Man Group. Good idea? What restaurants do you recommend near the Briar Street Theater?

Blue Man Group is a fun time. I've been there with a couple of different groups and everyone has enjoyed it. It is a good family activity. I know you are looking for dinner spots, but I need to say one of my favorite sandwich shops is in the area. Pane at Sheffield and Wellington. Check it out!

I sort have to laugh. First of all, I am atleast as old as your parents and certainly enjoy Second City. You seem to worry about the language...they are just words for goodness sake and the humor and fun certainly overshadow them!
Also, if Mom's ears are tender, you may want to warn her about the Cubs game...!