Chicago in one evening and a half day
Feb 3rd, 2009, 03:11 PM
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Chicago in one evening and a half day
I will be in town with my 18yo daughter and her friend for the Avon Walk in June. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Downtown (redeeming points).
We have some free time on Thursday afternoon and will have until 3-4pm on Friday to sightsee.
I will be seeing a lot of the city during my walk, and the girls can go shopping when they're not volunteering for the cause, but I would like to see some sights during the time we have together.
I know for sure that we will be going to the Art Institute and a tour of Wrigley Field on Friday before the Avon events start in the evening.
Any suggestions for Thursday night? Is the Sears building or Hancock tower a must?
We have some free time on Thursday afternoon and will have until 3-4pm on Friday to sightsee.
I will be seeing a lot of the city during my walk, and the girls can go shopping when they're not volunteering for the cause, but I would like to see some sights during the time we have together.
I know for sure that we will be going to the Art Institute and a tour of Wrigley Field on Friday before the Avon events start in the evening.
Any suggestions for Thursday night? Is the Sears building or Hancock tower a must?
Feb 3rd, 2009, 04:29 PM
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One of my favorite things to do in Chicago in the summer is to take one of the architectural cruises. The Chicago Architecture Foundation's cruises are wonderful and very informative...plus, you get to see a lot of the city's great buildings while sitting down, plus you get to be on the river, which is very fun!
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=8
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=8
Feb 4th, 2009, 06:15 AM
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You could take the architecture cruise, then stroll up Michigan Avenue to the Hancock. It's in a better location in relation to other activities than Sears.
If you head to the lounge in the later evening, you can and have a drink and snack for about the same price as going to the observation deck and see sunset over the city.
If you're staying at the Holiday Inn on West Harrison, I'd try to switch hotels. It's a noisy location that's wedged between I-290, the post office and the bus station that's difficult to reach because of the highway ramps.
You can purchase CTA day passes that will allow unlimited rides on all L trains and buses for a 24-hour period. The passes are $5.75 and can be purchased online, at either airport or other sites around the city. Check www.transitchicago.com for a complete list as well as maps.
If you head to the lounge in the later evening, you can and have a drink and snack for about the same price as going to the observation deck and see sunset over the city.
If you're staying at the Holiday Inn on West Harrison, I'd try to switch hotels. It's a noisy location that's wedged between I-290, the post office and the bus station that's difficult to reach because of the highway ramps.
You can purchase CTA day passes that will allow unlimited rides on all L trains and buses for a 24-hour period. The passes are $5.75 and can be purchased online, at either airport or other sites around the city. Check www.transitchicago.com for a complete list as well as maps.
Feb 4th, 2009, 03:23 PM
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Thank you for all the replies!
I checked and the Art Institute is free on Thursday evenings from 5-8pm so it looks like we'll do that and then grab some dinner afterwards. Any suggestions for an inexpensive Chicago dinner? Maybe deep dish pizza in around the Art Institute?
I spoke with my daughter and she's interested in the Architecture cruise and Wrigley. We'll try to fit both in on Friday. Being on top of a building isn't a priority for us!
Citylghts ~ that was the HI we were planning on staying at because it was very close to the Avon Walk events, but now we're probably going to bid on a hotel off Priceline. Who knew that it cost $ to transfer hotel points from one member to another?
I checked and the Art Institute is free on Thursday evenings from 5-8pm so it looks like we'll do that and then grab some dinner afterwards. Any suggestions for an inexpensive Chicago dinner? Maybe deep dish pizza in around the Art Institute?
I spoke with my daughter and she's interested in the Architecture cruise and Wrigley. We'll try to fit both in on Friday. Being on top of a building isn't a priority for us!
Citylghts ~ that was the HI we were planning on staying at because it was very close to the Avon Walk events, but now we're probably going to bid on a hotel off Priceline. Who knew that it cost $ to transfer hotel points from one member to another?
Feb 4th, 2009, 03:50 PM
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In my opinion, I'd skip the free time at the Art Institute.
With a citywide event like the Avon Walk going on, the Art Institute will be absolutely mobbed and no fun.
It will be less crowded during the pay time.
With a citywide event like the Avon Walk going on, the Art Institute will be absolutely mobbed and no fun.
It will be less crowded during the pay time.
Feb 4th, 2009, 11:05 PM
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halogirl21, a word to the wise...
You are coming to Chicago in the summer. What you are seeing on the Art Institute's website is for the current season. I would definitely check again about a month or two before you are coming to see if that situation has changed.
Also, re the Wrigley Field tour, I don't see where the 2009 dates and times have even been posted on the Cubs website yet. I believe they only have the tours on certain Saturdays and Sundays (and not on Fridays) when the Cubs are away on the road. You should keeping checking the website to confirm if they will even have them when you are here.
However, if the tour *is* available on Friday (and I'm not sure it is), please keep in mind that you are planning two major tours, and each will take hours out of your schedule. Last year, the first Wrigley Field tour started at 10:00 a.m. and (granted it's been a while since I last went) I recall it lasted between 1.5-2 hours.
Then you would have to commute back downtown for the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise (allowing 1/2-3/4 hour for the reverse commute there from Wrigley).
The first CAF River Cruise after noon starts at 1:00 p.m. The cruise, including boarding, disembarking, etc., would be about 2 hours.
So, you are looking at:
10 a.m.-Noon Wrigley Field tour
Noon-1:00 p.m. Travel to board CAF Cruise
1:00-3:00 p.m. CAF River Cruise
It seems to me that's cutting it pretty close, even though I don't know where you have to travel to after the River Cruise.
You are coming to Chicago in the summer. What you are seeing on the Art Institute's website is for the current season. I would definitely check again about a month or two before you are coming to see if that situation has changed.
Also, re the Wrigley Field tour, I don't see where the 2009 dates and times have even been posted on the Cubs website yet. I believe they only have the tours on certain Saturdays and Sundays (and not on Fridays) when the Cubs are away on the road. You should keeping checking the website to confirm if they will even have them when you are here.
However, if the tour *is* available on Friday (and I'm not sure it is), please keep in mind that you are planning two major tours, and each will take hours out of your schedule. Last year, the first Wrigley Field tour started at 10:00 a.m. and (granted it's been a while since I last went) I recall it lasted between 1.5-2 hours.
Then you would have to commute back downtown for the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise (allowing 1/2-3/4 hour for the reverse commute there from Wrigley).
The first CAF River Cruise after noon starts at 1:00 p.m. The cruise, including boarding, disembarking, etc., would be about 2 hours.
So, you are looking at:
10 a.m.-Noon Wrigley Field tour
Noon-1:00 p.m. Travel to board CAF Cruise
1:00-3:00 p.m. CAF River Cruise
It seems to me that's cutting it pretty close, even though I don't know where you have to travel to after the River Cruise.
Feb 11th, 2009, 06:14 AM
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There is a Holiday Inn on Ohio Street, as well. I have stayed there and it's convenient to just about everything on and around Michigan Avenue.
Navy Pier might be fun for you to see on a beautiful afternoon or evening. Reva Restaurant has great seafood and overlooks the water. There are some shops and usually some sort of entertainment going on in the summer. Fireworks go off from there on the weekend, too.
If you really want to go to the top of either the Sears or Hancock, I would only do it if it is a clear night or you won't see anything and it will be a waste of time and money. However, the Hancock is my preference, because as someone else noted above, it's closer to other attractions. If you are looking to catch dinner before going to the top of the Hancock, you can get a really good meal at the bottom of the Hancock at The Cheesecake Factory. If it's a nice evening, you can sit outside and take in all the wonderful views at that particular end of Michigan Avenue...awesome! A great pizza place? So many in Chicago, but Gino's is incredible -- they have a couple locations, but one on Superior Street, just off of Michigan Ave., is a great one! There are usually long lines to get in, but a Thursday evening would definitely be better than a weekend!Their deep dish pizza is to die for! You can also go to the Water Tower Place, right close to the Hancock, and head to the lower level and take in one of the many, many restaurants in their 'food court' -- not your typical food court at malls...this one has so many varieties of foods to choose from. I prefer sitting outside on a warm, summer evening, though, and people watch, so if you are able to do that, I would definitely try! Many great places to choose from on Rush Street -- Rosebud on Rush is a great Italian restaurant, very popular and busy...sitting outside is wonderful if you can snag a table. Le Colonial on Rush and Oak St. is a great French-Vietnamese restaurant with wonderful food, as well. I could go on and on! If you have never done an Afternoon Tea in Chicago, I would highly recommend it. Many of the top hotels offer Afternoon Teas - and you may or may not need reservations. They do them up so nicely and the food is incrdible - along with many choices of tea! Very filling - so take your time if you do one! We had a fantastic time at The Peninsula on Michigan Ave. at their Afternoon Tea - beautiful lobby area and the service/food were amazing! The day we went, they had a fashion show from one of the local boutiques on famous, upscale Oak Street...a couple of the 20-something girls modeled different outfits from their store and came to each table to show them off. That was so much fun! The Drake Hotel, Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons also offer great Afternoon Teas. Hope this helps!
Navy Pier might be fun for you to see on a beautiful afternoon or evening. Reva Restaurant has great seafood and overlooks the water. There are some shops and usually some sort of entertainment going on in the summer. Fireworks go off from there on the weekend, too.
If you really want to go to the top of either the Sears or Hancock, I would only do it if it is a clear night or you won't see anything and it will be a waste of time and money. However, the Hancock is my preference, because as someone else noted above, it's closer to other attractions. If you are looking to catch dinner before going to the top of the Hancock, you can get a really good meal at the bottom of the Hancock at The Cheesecake Factory. If it's a nice evening, you can sit outside and take in all the wonderful views at that particular end of Michigan Avenue...awesome! A great pizza place? So many in Chicago, but Gino's is incredible -- they have a couple locations, but one on Superior Street, just off of Michigan Ave., is a great one! There are usually long lines to get in, but a Thursday evening would definitely be better than a weekend!Their deep dish pizza is to die for! You can also go to the Water Tower Place, right close to the Hancock, and head to the lower level and take in one of the many, many restaurants in their 'food court' -- not your typical food court at malls...this one has so many varieties of foods to choose from. I prefer sitting outside on a warm, summer evening, though, and people watch, so if you are able to do that, I would definitely try! Many great places to choose from on Rush Street -- Rosebud on Rush is a great Italian restaurant, very popular and busy...sitting outside is wonderful if you can snag a table. Le Colonial on Rush and Oak St. is a great French-Vietnamese restaurant with wonderful food, as well. I could go on and on! If you have never done an Afternoon Tea in Chicago, I would highly recommend it. Many of the top hotels offer Afternoon Teas - and you may or may not need reservations. They do them up so nicely and the food is incrdible - along with many choices of tea! Very filling - so take your time if you do one! We had a fantastic time at The Peninsula on Michigan Ave. at their Afternoon Tea - beautiful lobby area and the service/food were amazing! The day we went, they had a fashion show from one of the local boutiques on famous, upscale Oak Street...a couple of the 20-something girls modeled different outfits from their store and came to each table to show them off. That was so much fun! The Drake Hotel, Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons also offer great Afternoon Teas. Hope this helps!
Feb 11th, 2009, 07:23 AM
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With all respect to the above poster, the Holiday Inn-City Center on Ohio closed several years ago. It has been renovated and is now a Doubletree.
As for restaurants, there are literally hundreds of places better than Cheesecake Factory that don't have an endless wait for a table. On www.metromix.com you can search by neighborhood, cuisine or price range.
As for restaurants, there are literally hundreds of places better than Cheesecake Factory that don't have an endless wait for a table. On www.metromix.com you can search by neighborhood, cuisine or price range.
Feb 11th, 2009, 07:52 AM
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1. Architecture tour
2. Impressionist paintings at the Art Institute (admission can be any size donation you want, and since your time is limited, you don't have linger there, just see the highlights. Totally worth the time).
3. Cloud Gate (the "Bean") at Millennium Park. As I recall, it's not far from the Art Institute, and it's unique and free.
4. A visit to the Signature Room at the Hancock Tower at night -- visit the ladies' room. The lights are spectacular and -- oh yes -- it's free. On entering the building, go not to the left where tourists pay money to go up, but to the right where locals and smart tourists head.
If you do deep dish pizza, be prepared for a long wait and for a lot of food. Share.
If you want a good souvenir of Chicago, go to the former Marshall Fields (now Macy's) and get a box of Frango mints with a picture of Chicago on it.
Have a great trip!
2. Impressionist paintings at the Art Institute (admission can be any size donation you want, and since your time is limited, you don't have linger there, just see the highlights. Totally worth the time).
3. Cloud Gate (the "Bean") at Millennium Park. As I recall, it's not far from the Art Institute, and it's unique and free.
4. A visit to the Signature Room at the Hancock Tower at night -- visit the ladies' room. The lights are spectacular and -- oh yes -- it's free. On entering the building, go not to the left where tourists pay money to go up, but to the right where locals and smart tourists head.
If you do deep dish pizza, be prepared for a long wait and for a lot of food. Share.
If you want a good souvenir of Chicago, go to the former Marshall Fields (now Macy's) and get a box of Frango mints with a picture of Chicago on it.
Have a great trip!
Feb 11th, 2009, 08:25 AM
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Citylights: Thanks for the correction on the Holiday Inn on OH being a DoubleTree now. Obviously didn't know that. It has been years since I had stayed there with a friend. Makes sense -- it needed some renovations, so changing it to DoubleTree is a good idea.
As far as Cheeseake Factory goes, it was just a suggestion IF she were going to the Hancock Bldg., as it sits below and would be convenient. I agree that there are hundreds of good restaurants to choose from in Chicago, but if they have not been, sometimes it's nice to get someone's opinion of where to go so they don't have to do the 'looking/searching/deciding'. Cheesecake always has good food, I will say that. Another place to go is the Grand Lux - 600 N. Michigan Ave. -- variety of good food, lots of it, beautiful building. Decent prices. Plenty of good quality pizza places -- asking a concierge is always a good idea if you're stuck on where to go and what is close to where you're staying. Speaking of which, I get my rooms through Hotwire...have NEVER had a bad hotel. If you go to Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville or Loop area, and only check on the 4-Star, you can't lose. I have stayed at Westin Michigan Ave. for $89 a night; Intercontinental for under a hundred; The Conrad for less than a hundred and the Hard Rock Hotel for $95...these are ALL great hotels within easy walking distance to most everywhere! Hope this helps!
As far as Cheeseake Factory goes, it was just a suggestion IF she were going to the Hancock Bldg., as it sits below and would be convenient. I agree that there are hundreds of good restaurants to choose from in Chicago, but if they have not been, sometimes it's nice to get someone's opinion of where to go so they don't have to do the 'looking/searching/deciding'. Cheesecake always has good food, I will say that. Another place to go is the Grand Lux - 600 N. Michigan Ave. -- variety of good food, lots of it, beautiful building. Decent prices. Plenty of good quality pizza places -- asking a concierge is always a good idea if you're stuck on where to go and what is close to where you're staying. Speaking of which, I get my rooms through Hotwire...have NEVER had a bad hotel. If you go to Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville or Loop area, and only check on the 4-Star, you can't lose. I have stayed at Westin Michigan Ave. for $89 a night; Intercontinental for under a hundred; The Conrad for less than a hundred and the Hard Rock Hotel for $95...these are ALL great hotels within easy walking distance to most everywhere! Hope this helps!
Feb 11th, 2009, 11:06 AM
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Going to the top of the Hancock Building or Sears Tower (I much prefer the Hancock) is not to be on top of a building. It is to see the great view from way up. Looking out over the lake and the city as the lights come on and the sun goes down is a memorable experience. I highly recommend you try it.
