2 days in Chicago - What should we not miss?
Aug 2nd, 2007, 07:37 PM
#22
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are tons of galleries and furniture stores in River West. But most are not open during the weekend, so go on Friday during the day. If you do that, lunch at Frontera Grill may be a good option.
Aug 2nd, 2007, 09:21 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
nanabee, geez, I guess that "not miss" is really in the "eye of the beholder" because I wouldn't have chosen a lot of these suggestions.
The ones I agree with:
1. The Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise.
2. Having drinks in the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Centre - especially at sunset
3. The Art Institute
4. Millennium Park (and take in a free concert, if you can, at the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion)
5. A walk along Lake Michigan. However, that weekend you are here will be the Air and Water Show, which is held at the North Avenue Beach. Both it and Oak Street Beach will be crowded - but it is a sight to see!
The "not miss" options not mentioned or obliquely:
1. Buckingham Fountain - especially at night when they have the light show - on the hour - last show 10:00 p.m. It sits at the start of historic Route 66, by the way.
2. In the Gold Coast - Walk north on Astor Street (often cited as the most beautiful street in Chicago) from Division to North Avenue. Turn west and walk 1 block, passing the Cardinal's mansion. Turn south on State Street and walk back. This area is rich in historic landmarks, such as the Charnley House, designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, with a little help from their pal and co-worker, Frank Lloyd Wright.
3. The Loop - and where to even begin? So many historic buildings there...Hotel Burnham (aka The Reliance Building) - and maybe you'd like to have a meal at the Cafe Atwood to check out the property...The old Carson, Pirie, Scott building with the facade designed by Louis Sullivan...The Rookery, designed by Burnham and Root with the lobby remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright...The Auditorium Theatre, again designed by Adler and Sullivan, Wright assisting..the Art Deco buildings in the LaSalle Street canyon...Not to mention the outdoor artwork of Picasso, Calder, etc. If you had the time, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, in conjunction with the CTA, has a FREE Loop Train (El) Tour on Saturday mornings to early afternoon. No cost, but you have to pick up the tickets in advance. OR, go to the Chicago Loop Alliance's website. There are three FREE downloadable walking tours of the Loop (art, theatres and historic buildings) - with maps available there. Have to continue with the next post as having problems...
The ones I agree with:
1. The Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise.
2. Having drinks in the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Centre - especially at sunset
3. The Art Institute
4. Millennium Park (and take in a free concert, if you can, at the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion)
5. A walk along Lake Michigan. However, that weekend you are here will be the Air and Water Show, which is held at the North Avenue Beach. Both it and Oak Street Beach will be crowded - but it is a sight to see!
The "not miss" options not mentioned or obliquely:
1. Buckingham Fountain - especially at night when they have the light show - on the hour - last show 10:00 p.m. It sits at the start of historic Route 66, by the way.
2. In the Gold Coast - Walk north on Astor Street (often cited as the most beautiful street in Chicago) from Division to North Avenue. Turn west and walk 1 block, passing the Cardinal's mansion. Turn south on State Street and walk back. This area is rich in historic landmarks, such as the Charnley House, designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, with a little help from their pal and co-worker, Frank Lloyd Wright.
3. The Loop - and where to even begin? So many historic buildings there...Hotel Burnham (aka The Reliance Building) - and maybe you'd like to have a meal at the Cafe Atwood to check out the property...The old Carson, Pirie, Scott building with the facade designed by Louis Sullivan...The Rookery, designed by Burnham and Root with the lobby remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright...The Auditorium Theatre, again designed by Adler and Sullivan, Wright assisting..the Art Deco buildings in the LaSalle Street canyon...Not to mention the outdoor artwork of Picasso, Calder, etc. If you had the time, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, in conjunction with the CTA, has a FREE Loop Train (El) Tour on Saturday mornings to early afternoon. No cost, but you have to pick up the tickets in advance. OR, go to the Chicago Loop Alliance's website. There are three FREE downloadable walking tours of the Loop (art, theatres and historic buildings) - with maps available there. Have to continue with the next post as having problems...
Aug 2nd, 2007, 09:56 PM
#24
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
(Continued)
Or if you go to the Choose Chicago's website, you'll see the same three plus one about the Chicago Blues, narrated by Buddy Guy, as well as one for Millennium Park.
4. Go to the Green Mill in Uptown to catch some great jazz. And what a history it has had! Look at their website.
5. See the city skyline from the lake. How about a cruise on a tallship (4-masted schooner) such as the Windy or Windy II. At the very least, take Shoreline's harbor water taxi, which runs from the Museum Campus (where the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Field Museum are located) to Navy Pier and vice versa.
Museums:
1. The Field Museum has an exhibit on Darwin which is quite interesting. Get the audio tour. In addition, I wished I had had more time to devote to the new permanent exhibit on the ancient Americas, but so much to see, so little time...
2. If you are down in Hyde Park (University of Chicago), I'd recommend the Oriental Institute and the Smart Museum of Art, both very fine institutions - and often overlooked.
Restaurants:
1. Agree with Hot Doug's, but only if you can make it out that way. Suggest taking a cab there and back.
2. For fine dining, North Pond - in Lincoln Park, on the lagoon. Lovely, lovely, lovely atmosphere, decor, cuisine and view - what more can you ask?
3. If you are near Millennium Park, Aria (international fusion) in the Fairmont on N. Columbus. It's only a 5 minute cab ride away from the Loop Theatre District as well.
4. For breakfast: In the South Loop area, Orange on Harrison, the Bongo Room and Yolk (on S. Michigan - especially convenient if you are going to Museum campus). On the northside: Ann Sather's (has several locations, but the original is just east of the Belmont Red Line El station) for their famous cinnamon rolls. There are also the two other locations of Orange (the original on N. Clark - close to Ann Sathers - and now one in the Roscoe Village area, not too far from Wrigley Field.
5. Agree with Frontera Grill, if you are in the area.
Art:
1. The School of the Art Institute on S. Michigan
2. Gallery 37 on Randolph, just across from the Chicago Cultural Center.
Hope all this information now comes through. This is the 4th time I've written it, having problems with the site.
Most importantly, just relax when you are here and have fun!
Or if you go to the Choose Chicago's website, you'll see the same three plus one about the Chicago Blues, narrated by Buddy Guy, as well as one for Millennium Park.
4. Go to the Green Mill in Uptown to catch some great jazz. And what a history it has had! Look at their website.
5. See the city skyline from the lake. How about a cruise on a tallship (4-masted schooner) such as the Windy or Windy II. At the very least, take Shoreline's harbor water taxi, which runs from the Museum Campus (where the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Field Museum are located) to Navy Pier and vice versa.
Museums:
1. The Field Museum has an exhibit on Darwin which is quite interesting. Get the audio tour. In addition, I wished I had had more time to devote to the new permanent exhibit on the ancient Americas, but so much to see, so little time...
2. If you are down in Hyde Park (University of Chicago), I'd recommend the Oriental Institute and the Smart Museum of Art, both very fine institutions - and often overlooked.
Restaurants:
1. Agree with Hot Doug's, but only if you can make it out that way. Suggest taking a cab there and back.
2. For fine dining, North Pond - in Lincoln Park, on the lagoon. Lovely, lovely, lovely atmosphere, decor, cuisine and view - what more can you ask?
3. If you are near Millennium Park, Aria (international fusion) in the Fairmont on N. Columbus. It's only a 5 minute cab ride away from the Loop Theatre District as well.
4. For breakfast: In the South Loop area, Orange on Harrison, the Bongo Room and Yolk (on S. Michigan - especially convenient if you are going to Museum campus). On the northside: Ann Sather's (has several locations, but the original is just east of the Belmont Red Line El station) for their famous cinnamon rolls. There are also the two other locations of Orange (the original on N. Clark - close to Ann Sathers - and now one in the Roscoe Village area, not too far from Wrigley Field.
5. Agree with Frontera Grill, if you are in the area.
Art:
1. The School of the Art Institute on S. Michigan
2. Gallery 37 on Randolph, just across from the Chicago Cultural Center.
Hope all this information now comes through. This is the 4th time I've written it, having problems with the site.
Most importantly, just relax when you are here and have fun!
Aug 3rd, 2007, 06:37 AM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 49,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow! thanks so much hop along, Hills27, and exiledprincess!
I am a little overwhelmed with all this great information.
I really can't thank you enough.
There is so much to do - I wish we had more time!
I am a little overwhelmed with all this great information.
I really can't thank you enough.
There is so much to do - I wish we had more time!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mah1980
United States
13
Apr 20th, 2009 07:32 PM
Brookside
United States
50
Jul 5th, 2007 08:10 PM
