Build a Chicago itinerary?

Old Jun 15th, 2015, 03:47 AM
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Build a Chicago itinerary?

Hey!

I'll be in the US in August and will be in Chicago from the 24th-26th. I fly in on the 24th at 2:30pm and fly out on the 26th at 9:15am so it's just a brief visit. Would've loved for it to have been longer but just couldn't happen this time around.

I will be there by myself (21 yr old female) and won't be hiring a car, however will use Uber where required.

I'm hoping I could have some help arranging an itinerary with best times including some of the things I list below, and if you have any suggestions too. As long as they fit within the times I am here I'm not too phased if I'm doing an activity at 6am or 11pm - although I do prefer to do things while less people are around!

I'd like to at least do these if possible:
Segway tour (operating either 11am, 3pm or 6pm for 2 hours)
John Hancock Tower
Willis Tower (Are skip the line tickets worth it for these 2? I'd imagine lots of people would buy them creating another line just as long?)
Navy Pier - Ferris Wheel / Imax (can you buy tickets on the day if you decide to go spur of the moment?)
Millenium Park
Architecture River Cruise?? (Unsure on this one as I've read only good reviews but architecture is not really an interest of mine)
Comedy shows/Stand up (Not sure if I should just wait until LA for this?)


As you can see I'm still very unorganised and unsure with this so I hope you're able to assist in some way

Thanks in advance.
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Old Jun 20th, 2015, 06:37 AM
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Hi, atravelbug.

You have some nice choices here.

Assuming you have a hotel in the city (?), on Monday night, I might check in to the hotel and either...

(Go Low Key) Have a drink at the John Hancock Building 95th floor 'signature lounge' to get a view of the city (if skies are clear), then stroll southbound on Michigan Avenue/the Mag Mile to the Chicago River for a view of the architecture. Then have dinner somewhere scenic, like the rooftop of Tavern at the Park.
http://www.tavernatthepark.com/index.php
Or... (Go for a comedy show), check in to hotel, have an early, casual dinner near your hotel (like at Eataly), then taxi to ImprovOlympic for the Armando Diaz Experience show (which is pure improv-my choice) or go to Second City for a scripted show (I hear the Soul Brother, where art thou, is funny.)
http://ioimprov.com/chicago/shows/th...az-experience/

On your full day on Tuesday...
I'd check out the city. I don't know much about the Segway tour, but you're young and seem to like the idea, so I'd go for it.

Definitely walk through Millennium Park and have b'fast/lunch somewhere on Michigan Avenue like the Pret a Manger (108 S Michigan) or (off Michigan) Vapiano at 44 S. Wabash.

You can walk northbound on State Street to see the stores, continue north to the river, continue north on Wabash or Michigan, until you hit Chicago Avenue. Continue north on Michigan to walk over to Oak Street Beach, and walk north up to Division. You'll get some nice views of the city here. If you take the underpass over to Division, go westbound on Division till you hit State Street, take a left (or south), and wander down State (past the Lou Malnati's pizza, the Barnes and Noble) as it turns to Rush Street. Continue South on Rush to window shop at the nicer stores.

I would skip Willis Tower and Navy Pier. Willis Tower will offer you a view of the city, but you can do the same, at a more convenient building, by having a drink at the Signature Lounge at the John Hancock Building.
Navy Pier is not really worth the time.

Skip the Architecture Cruise if you don't have a huge interest. If you want to see the city from the river, you can take a water taxi from Union Station to the Mag Mile for less money.
https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/maps-schedules/

If you have time, I'd really encourage you to visit the Art Institute. Or for free, you can visit the Chicago Cultural Center for their free exhibit, and the Tiffany glass dome.

Hope that helps a little. A short trip, but Chicago is a beautiful city for sight-seeing. Post back with your itinerary, and maybe we can help shape it a bit more for you.
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Old Jun 20th, 2015, 11:49 PM
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Navy Pier is definitely not worth the time, especially if you don't enjoy crowds. I would say the river cruise is worth it even if you have the tiniest bit of interest in architecture or history. The buildings are definitely a Chicago "thing" you notice right away- "golly, this city is flat, windy, and has so many interesting architectural details." Plus, the tour is really well done.

Have you done a Segway tour before? I did it for the first time in Chicago, and enjiyed it the least of the tours that I took. I felt like I saw much more of the city on my bike tour. I will say that part of it in my case was that I was experiencing some foot/knee problems, and segways are actually very hard on your body pressure wise. I'd recommend Bobby's bike hike- or maybe a self guided walking tour or just renting a bike and getting out on the lake front path for a few hours. The Lakefront Path, Millenium Park, and the Art Institute are my favorite memories of Chicago.

If I went back for two days in Chicago:

First night: a show and dinner. I loved Bavette's- if you like steak and can splurge, look into getting reservation. I can't help you with comedy, but if you like theater, I really enjoyed the show I saw at the Goodman. If no show, walk around the Mag Mile- window shop, check out the hotels, people watch.

Whole day: grab a quick breakfast. If you are a coffee snob, check out intelligentsia. Do your bike or Segway tour as early as possible. Then go to Willis or Hancock (I did Tilt at Hancock because I think I had some kind of coupon. The line was pretty fast and the view was awesome). Then go to the art institute for lunch (roof patio) and see the exhibits that really interest you- (my favorites were Asia and Chicago Building remnants, but the early American rooms were terrific). If you'd rather, go to the Chicago History Museum or do the River tour at this time instead. After that, go explore Millenium Park, and maybe rent a bike or take out one of the bike share bikes on the lakefront path. Watch the Buckingham Fountain for bit. Museum Campus is fun to check out even if you don't actually go to the museums. Stop in the Chicago Cultural Center if look around if you have the time. If you like pizza, get some Chicago style for dinner. Maybe go to the Navy Pier in the evening- closes at 8 during the week, I think, and then eat a late dinner.

You'll probably want to go to bed fairly early with a morning flight the next day. If you like popcorn- stop and get some at Garrett's in the airport. The cheddar was amazing have a great trip- I really enjoyed Chicago as a solo traveller!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 01:05 AM
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Hey!

Thank you both so much, everything you've said is going to make this so much easier

I'll definitely be sitting down and going through what you've said - I didn't realise Navy Pier wouldn't be a hot spot.

Also going to look through some bike tours too now, sounds like a healthier option and the only reason I want to jump on a segway is because they look funky, however I can imagine the hype going away before the 3 hours ends haha.

Again thankyou so much, once I think I have a decent plan set out I'll have to post it here to see if you guys think it sounds good
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 07:54 AM
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Hi, atravelbug.

Bobby's Bike Tours does seem to be the one to take, around Chicago. There are also the $7/day, DIVVY bikes, but they don't offer bike helmets. But you can perhaps pick one up on East Illinois street, walk it toward NAvy Pier, and take a bike ride either south or north on the lake, bike path. A pretty way to see the city skyline. (I don't recommend a stranger to the city, riding on the city streets.)

Definitely post back with a rough itinerary, and we'll try to help refine it for you!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 07:57 AM
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If you are a coffee snob, check out intelligentsia.

I'm not a coffee snob, but I do like a good cup of coffee, and intelligentsia is a great cup of coffee!

Ditto what the others said about Navy Pier. I understand there's a good stained glass museum/exhibit there (never seen it) but otherwise, it's a "must miss" in my book.

The best thing about the architecture boat tour is that you get to see the buildings from a perspective you can't get on land. It's an excellent tour.

You won't be bored - there is so much to see and do in Chicago. Love that city!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 08:10 AM
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I second Second City. Saw a really good show there when I was in Chicago, and it was a good value too.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 08:42 AM
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I was going to go to Navy Pier for that stained glass exhibit, but I'd already seen so much stained glass that I ended up giving it a miss and wandered around NP instead. I went to the Tiffany glass exhibit at the Driehaus my first day (OP, if you enjoy jewelry, the current exhibit is about that, and Driehaus was interesting in that over the top Gilded Age interior way).

I took Bobby's Bike lakefront neighborhood tour; part of the reason that I enjoyed it over Segway was that it covered a lot more ground- I got to see parts of the city I probably wouldn't have otherwise! I especially enjoyed old town. Segway only really covers museum campus- that portion of the lakefront gets really crowded and I recommend going to see it early morning or later in the evening by divvy bike.
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Old Jun 24th, 2015, 04:05 PM
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Hey!

So this is what I had planned so far, it's gone a bit back on what some of you said but still over a month away so plenty of change time!

I've added times in as well as it plays better in my head but don't worry, I do understand that I could be way off haha

Monday 24th:
9:45am - Leave Miami hotel
12:24pm Flight to Chicago
2:47pm - arrive in Chicago
4:08pm - blue line
5pm - uber rest of the way to hotel (Acme)
5:15pm - Arrive at hotel
5:30pm - Order food (Lou malnatis?!)
6:45pm/7pm - John Hancock centre
8pm - either back to base, show or navy pier ferris wheel(sorry!)

Tuesday 25th:
9am - Bike tour
12:30pm - Willis tower (maybe skip?)
1:30pm - Lunch
2:15pm - Field Museum
5pm - Millenium Park
6:30/7pm - Dinner
Early night

Flight to LA at 9:15am. Can anyone recommend the best time to leave the hotel to arrive a good time at the airport? Ill be catching the train back as its like 1/10th of the price of a taxi!

Also on the coffee and art side of things, I don't like coffee at all so will have to rule those out, and sadly I've grown up not appreciating art enough so that's not too high on the interest list either sorry.

To put in a simple sentence what I enjoy, one of the biggest reasons I'm excited for this US visit is to visit in n out burger, eat big portions of American goodness and go to walmarts. Im not very good with fancy dining and all that haha. I'll mature up one day!
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Old Jun 24th, 2015, 05:13 PM
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Here's a link for "diner, drive in and dives" restaurants (I loathe guy fieri but sometimes the small town kid inside of me just craves grease).

http://m.dinersdriveinsdiveslocation...-illinois.html

Also Google best hot dogs. Chicagoans are almost crazier about that than their pizza.

If you are already going to Hancock, I'd skip Willis and check out the Chicago History Museum. Not high brow at all and very enjoyable!

The fairy castle (enormous dollhouse) on display at the museum of science industry was one of kind. That(and the rest of the museum) is not high culture but awesome. Or you could go to the aquarium for a show and pet the stingrays

Wondering where you're going to a Walmart at? Usually a rural thing and I don't thing I've seen one in any downtown. Target is almost always downtown and more fun/prettier than Walmart, although the same kind of thing.

If you don't add anything- swap Willis and field around. You want to go to field as early as possible. That and the aquarium were my 2 longest waits (and actually, never mind, if you aren't at the aquarium at opening, the wait's not even worth it to pet those Rays!

Instead of Willis you could also check out rotofugi if you like popular culture or television. Their collectible dolls were pretty awesome- I got some of the "mystery" collectibles as a cheap gift for some friends (if you don't know what that is, it's a collection of little figurines all wrapped the same, so you don't know what you'll end up with.)

http://www.rotofugi.com/home/
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Old Jun 25th, 2015, 12:37 AM
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Would there be enough time to go to the History museum or aquarium if I am also wanting to visit the Field museum? I don't want to push myself too much and only end up with 2 hours at each (unless 2 hours is enough?!), would rather be able to have a bit more of a stroll rather than running around the buildings making sure I can see as much as possible in a squeezed time limit!

Walmart will be when I'm in other states, just wanted to let you guys know that those are my preferences rather than visiting $200 steak houses and hitting up Prada and Gucci.

With the Field museum is it worth buying tickets beforehand? Does that give you a skip the line pass or anything?

Also thanks so much for that diner guide, I'm insanely excited to eat at a proper diner (you guys probably won't see why this would be a highlight haha). I blame the movies
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Old Jun 25th, 2015, 10:00 AM
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I'm not actually sure if you can buy online. I'm only seeing Citypass and Gocard links, but maybe it just doesn't show up on the fields mobile website? I'd call the field if you really want to know. In any case, the wait was nothing like the aquarium- 15-20 minutes tops.

Never mind what I said about the History Museum. Go to field after bike tour. I spent 5 hours there- you'll probably spend at least 3 of you want to do it justice. Afterwards, do something spontaneous: beach sunbathing, food, rotofugi, Etc.

Two fun places to browse through besides rotofugi:

Gift shop at museum of contemporar Art. (Weird and awesome stuff- i don't know what's more american than little green gi joes in yoga poses. I want some, but what would I do with it?)

http://www.mcachicagostore.org

And Architecture foundation store, not far from Millenium park.

http://shop.architecture.org

$200 steakhouse and dives aren't mutually exclusive lol- I'm definitely the foodie sort, but I've a weakness for fried stuff on a stick and enormous greasy burgers
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Old Jun 25th, 2015, 01:32 PM
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Hi, a travelbug. Your itinerary looks good. Here are my suggestions:

Monday 24th:
2:47pm - arrive. THEN buy Ventra 3-day pass ($20) to ride the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) at O’Hare where you catch the blue line. (Vending machines take both cash and credit card.)

3ish-4:30ish: BLUE LINE from O’Hare to Washington; exit train and walk the underpass to the Red line. (northbound toward Howard); to GRAND. Walk north 1 block on State Street, turn right/east on Ohio (and hotel is there); awesome location!
(No need to Uber unless you can’t handle your luggage; transfer is really easy.)

5:30pm - Order food (Lou malnatis?!)
GIVEN YOUR location, I’d go to…
Shake Shack (66. E. Ohio; popular place for milkshakes and burgers) or…
Eataly (43 E. Ohio) for a slice of focaccia bread-pizza from their bakery area or…
Blaze (227 E. Ontario) for a thin-sliced pizza (a small walk off Michigan Ave., so maybe on the way to John Hancock)
*Lou Malnati’s may deliver, but it will likely be a long wait, and it’s nicer to sit down at their location at 1120 N. State Street, if you do want a deep dish pizza.

6:45pm/7pm – JOHN HANCOCK building (for the 95th floor lounge, right? Not the observatory).
OR…if you’re feeling energetic and weather is good, and want to pass on the improv show, you can walk east on Ohio toward Navy Pier, cut south on McClurg Court to Grand, continue east to Navy Pier’s Olive Park to get a view of the north skyline, and walk over to Navy Pier to get a view of the south skyline.
*I’d walk on Ohio because Grand and Illinois are a lot less scenic.

Tuesday 25th:
9am – BIKE TOUR
12:30pm – LUNCH on Michigan Ave/State Street somewhere to catch the bus for…
(I’d Skip Willis Tower if you go to the Hancock Observatory)
1:30 pm – FIELD MUSEUM; walk to the museum through the park (nice, if weather is good) or take the #146 Bus to the Field Museum
5pm - MILLENIUM Park stroll;
6:30/7pm – Dinner
Early night

Wednesday:
5:55 a.m. Leave Hotel; walk to CTA subway at Grand X State
6:00-7:15 Red line (southbound toward 95th) Grand to State/Lake; transfer to Blue Line to O’Hare
7:15-8:15 print boarding pass if needed; security line
8:15 find gate/restroom/snack
8:45 flight closes
9:15 flight

A taxi will cost about $40 (that includes tip), but you could leave around 6:30 if you took a cab, as the ride should be about 35 minutes or so, at that time of day.

The Aquarium is a pretty building, but I'd pass. And the Chicago History Museum is a bit out of the way for your limited time in Chicago. And it's a smaller museum, anyway.

TIP: On the sidewalk, when you exit from the subway, there is sometimes a compass on the ground to help you get your bearings. (I like to carry a compass in strange cities to know immediately that I’m walking in the right direction.)

TIP: Your hotel is near Trader Joe's, which is an American grocery store chain that people really like. A good place to get some snacks for the room. (Rather than the Jewel, which is also very close to your hotel, but not as nice to peruse.)

Hope that helps and that you have a great trip. Post back with any questions!
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Old Jun 28th, 2015, 02:05 PM
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Thanks so much! Think I might just follow your itinerary completely.

I thought a taxi would cost more than that so that might actually be the best option to save any worries, plus I get that little bit extra sleep in

Are there requirements to go to the 95th floor rather than the observatory? I was planning on the observatory but if it will be cheaper to go to the floor lounge that's a bit more appealing! But yeh, I could try have a look online but if you guys know for sure - eg is there a dress code?

Lastly! Is it worth hanging around Millenium park a bit longer and staying into the night? I know some places can have a completely different atmosphere depending on the time you are there so if I'm there in the evening already and it is worth staying into the night then I would, but if not then I wouldn't say no to an early bed.

Thanks again!
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Old Jul 5th, 2015, 04:48 AM
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Hi, atravelbug.

RE: John Hancock Building
The 95th floor lounge doesn't require an entry fee like the observatory. Dress code doesn't sound/look too rigid. You can go in and have a glass of wine or iced tea, or coffee. Be sure to go into the restroom to see the view from there.
TIP: At the base of John Hancock, if you want a snack or a bit of a sit-down, there is an Italian deli called L'appetito, where you can buy gelato, Italian cookies, a pizza slice, subs, arancini, and you can sit outside on the steps.

RE: Dress code/Shopping
As a tourist wandering about, you'll want to wear something you feel good in. You never know if you'll want to pop into Barney's or someplace a bit higher end, and if you're wearing something real sporty or casual, you will likely feel conspicuous.
TIP: As a 21 year old woman, you may like to check out the new Urban Outfitters at 1100 N. State Street. Not just for clothes, but jewelry, bags, hats, fun books and things for home. Right next door, is Velvet Taco, which is getting real popular over here.

RE: Millenium Park
Often, there are concerts or other evening events, but I didn't see anything special for the night you'll be there. I wouldn't say there's any reason to stay to for the sun to go down.

Have a good time!
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Old Jul 6th, 2015, 03:23 AM
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Thankyou! Didn't know about the restroom view but had a read after you said that and it seems being a woman pays off in this sense


One last question sorry for all 400 of them.. are there any good burlesque shows on most nights thats around mag mile area?
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Old Jul 6th, 2015, 08:13 AM
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Burlesque... not sure. None that I've ever visited or heard of, but Yelp.com has listings. Check out the site and see what you think!

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...h,+Chicago,+IL
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