6-day Chicago itinerary -- feedback wanted
May 7th, 2009, 09:00 PM
#21
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Just jumping in to add another rec for the Architecture Foundation boat tour. When I took it for the first time last August, after having lived in the Chicago area for over 25 years, it gave me a new appreciation for this city. I'm hoping to do it again this summer!
May 17th, 2009, 06:47 AM
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The Newberry Library does not currently have a major exhibition. There is a small exhibit that takes about 15 minutes to walk through. There is a tour on Thursday afternoons/Saturday mornings for those who want to see the library itself.
May 17th, 2009, 07:44 AM
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What a great thread. I hope to visit Chicago later this year (esp with the opening of the Modern Wing at the ARt Institute). This gives me an approx idea of how many days I'd need to see the city!
May 17th, 2009, 10:25 AM
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yk, knowing your interest in art, you'll never run out of things to do in Chicago! The Art Institute alone is huge. I'm not a big "art person", but I've been to Chicago many times, and I've never been disappointed or lacking in things to do. What a fabulous city!
May 17th, 2009, 11:05 AM
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Another vote for the CAF river cruise. It was the highlight of our trip. And since it gives you such a good orientation to the city in general (from the water, of course), I would suggest you do this early on in your visit, and then you can decide what looks interesting enough for you want to explore further.
May 17th, 2009, 11:39 AM
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sf7307 - I know! I initially was thinking of a 4-day trip, but it looks like a week is minimum... since I'm pretty sure we would want to do the architecture tour plus FLW tours, not to mention the Art Institute.
May 18th, 2009, 03:35 PM
#29
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There are many great points by all. One other thing to keep in mind is the Shedd's renovation of the Oceanarium opens on May 23rd. I'd expect huge lines any day of the week once this opens. Be sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time through their website. I'd also expect the Art Institute to be especially with the new Modern Wing, as mentioned above. Have fun! There are also lot of great restaurants near museum campus you can enjoy.
Jul 16th, 2009, 02:27 PM
#30
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A quick report back.
It turned out I was able to more or less do this itinerary with some tweaks from Fodorites.
=============================================
And another day (Hyde Park plus)
-Museum of Science and Industry
-Robie House
-Oriental Institute Museum
-Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
-Smart Museum of Art
-Navy Pier
Was able to see all this just fine in a day. Got to MSI before it opened to get a CityPass booklet and get ticketed, then spent just under 4 hours there -- the key was getting a timed ticket for the U-boat sub for about 11 AM and getting right to the Coal Mine Tour first. Coal Mine Tour exit is not far from the Fairy Castle and Fire Equipment display and Farm Tech and the Plumbing Exhibit, none of which took a lot of time. Headed for the U-boat next, doing both the tour and seeing the attached exhibits. Went from here to Yesterday's Main Street (again, didn't take that long to see) and then to the Great Train Story (which is larger). Finished up seeing the Pioneer Zephyr Train on its brief tour. Wonderful museum! Had set up a 2 PM reservation time for the Robie House tour (excellent, one hour) and arrived in sufficient time on foot from MSI. Went right to the nearby Rockefeller Chapel (splendid, looks like something from Oxford or Cambridge, spent about a half hour), then the Smart Museum (actually very small and not especially essential, just under an hour), finishing up at the Oriental Institute Museum (a bit larger than the Smart, and quite good, about 90 minutes). These are all within a few blocks of each other. Did a little extra wandering around the U Chicago main quad to see the architecture, then headed back uptown. Was able to add in the Navy Pier this evening (2-3 hours, open late) and absolutely loved the Stained Glass Museum, a real stunner. Waited until really late before finally having a meal, Chicago dog at Portillo's and Italian Beef at Al's #1 Beef, both places open till all hours.
================================================== ==
Another day
-Loop Sculpture Walk
-Shedd Aquarium
-Field Museum of Natural History
-Adler Planetarium
-John Hancock Tower
Got up very early to do a Loop sculpture walk (ca. 2 hrs) in Frommer's book, saw several fine pieces (Picasso's "Untitled," Miro's "Chicago," Dubuffet's "Monument with Standing Beast," Calder's "Flamingo," and Oldenburg's "Batcolumn" were especially good), then headed down to the Museum Campus at Grant Park. Doing these in the order of Shedd (ca. 3 hrs), Field (ca. 4 hrs), and Adler (ca. 90 minutes) worked perfectly. Saw all of the Shedd, much of the Field (saw pretty much everything on the first floor as well as the fossils/DNA exhibit and Sue's skull on the 2nd floor), and most of the Adler (not actually a very compelling place). Liked the Shedd and Field a lot, though. Afterwards, went up the Hancock Tower (great view, especially north and east!). Again didn't eat until fairly late, got a rib appetizer at Carson's followed by a deep dish pizza at Gino's East (took about half of it to go for breakfast next day).
================================================
One day
-morning Loop architecture walk
-Chicago Fed Money Museum
-Auditorium Building and Theater Tour
-Art Institute of Chicago
-Millennium Park
-Sears Tower
Again, up early to wander the Loop again on a Frommer's walk, this time seeing some choice architecture (really liked the Reliance Building, the Rookery, 333 West Wacker, and Chicago Board of Trade building especially, ca. 90 min). Got to the Chicago Fed Money Museum at opening and spent about 45 minutes there -- harmless geeky economist fun. Toured the Auditorium Building and Theater next (ca. 90 min) -- really liked this a lot. Spent the afternoon (ca. 5 hrs) at the Art Institute, a stunning world class museum -- saw the 3rd floor, the 2nd floor holdings except the "European Decorative Art" and "Architecture and Design" sections, and the American Art only on the 1st floor. Millennium Park was pleasant, if crowded -- liked the fountain, the "Bean" sculpture, and the performance shell with its odd curving metal backing best. As I had a CityPass coupon for it, decided to use it for the Sears Tower view -- here, viewing south and west was the attraction, as these were less compelling from the Hancock. Afterward, took the blue line subway out to Red Apple for dinner, a Polish buffet with food like a Polish grandma would have made.
==============================
More to come.
It turned out I was able to more or less do this itinerary with some tweaks from Fodorites.
=============================================
And another day (Hyde Park plus)
-Museum of Science and Industry
-Robie House
-Oriental Institute Museum
-Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
-Smart Museum of Art
-Navy Pier
Was able to see all this just fine in a day. Got to MSI before it opened to get a CityPass booklet and get ticketed, then spent just under 4 hours there -- the key was getting a timed ticket for the U-boat sub for about 11 AM and getting right to the Coal Mine Tour first. Coal Mine Tour exit is not far from the Fairy Castle and Fire Equipment display and Farm Tech and the Plumbing Exhibit, none of which took a lot of time. Headed for the U-boat next, doing both the tour and seeing the attached exhibits. Went from here to Yesterday's Main Street (again, didn't take that long to see) and then to the Great Train Story (which is larger). Finished up seeing the Pioneer Zephyr Train on its brief tour. Wonderful museum! Had set up a 2 PM reservation time for the Robie House tour (excellent, one hour) and arrived in sufficient time on foot from MSI. Went right to the nearby Rockefeller Chapel (splendid, looks like something from Oxford or Cambridge, spent about a half hour), then the Smart Museum (actually very small and not especially essential, just under an hour), finishing up at the Oriental Institute Museum (a bit larger than the Smart, and quite good, about 90 minutes). These are all within a few blocks of each other. Did a little extra wandering around the U Chicago main quad to see the architecture, then headed back uptown. Was able to add in the Navy Pier this evening (2-3 hours, open late) and absolutely loved the Stained Glass Museum, a real stunner. Waited until really late before finally having a meal, Chicago dog at Portillo's and Italian Beef at Al's #1 Beef, both places open till all hours.
================================================== ==
Another day
-Loop Sculpture Walk
-Shedd Aquarium
-Field Museum of Natural History
-Adler Planetarium
-John Hancock Tower
Got up very early to do a Loop sculpture walk (ca. 2 hrs) in Frommer's book, saw several fine pieces (Picasso's "Untitled," Miro's "Chicago," Dubuffet's "Monument with Standing Beast," Calder's "Flamingo," and Oldenburg's "Batcolumn" were especially good), then headed down to the Museum Campus at Grant Park. Doing these in the order of Shedd (ca. 3 hrs), Field (ca. 4 hrs), and Adler (ca. 90 minutes) worked perfectly. Saw all of the Shedd, much of the Field (saw pretty much everything on the first floor as well as the fossils/DNA exhibit and Sue's skull on the 2nd floor), and most of the Adler (not actually a very compelling place). Liked the Shedd and Field a lot, though. Afterwards, went up the Hancock Tower (great view, especially north and east!). Again didn't eat until fairly late, got a rib appetizer at Carson's followed by a deep dish pizza at Gino's East (took about half of it to go for breakfast next day).
================================================
One day
-morning Loop architecture walk
-Chicago Fed Money Museum
-Auditorium Building and Theater Tour
-Art Institute of Chicago
-Millennium Park
-Sears Tower
Again, up early to wander the Loop again on a Frommer's walk, this time seeing some choice architecture (really liked the Reliance Building, the Rookery, 333 West Wacker, and Chicago Board of Trade building especially, ca. 90 min). Got to the Chicago Fed Money Museum at opening and spent about 45 minutes there -- harmless geeky economist fun. Toured the Auditorium Building and Theater next (ca. 90 min) -- really liked this a lot. Spent the afternoon (ca. 5 hrs) at the Art Institute, a stunning world class museum -- saw the 3rd floor, the 2nd floor holdings except the "European Decorative Art" and "Architecture and Design" sections, and the American Art only on the 1st floor. Millennium Park was pleasant, if crowded -- liked the fountain, the "Bean" sculpture, and the performance shell with its odd curving metal backing best. As I had a CityPass coupon for it, decided to use it for the Sears Tower view -- here, viewing south and west was the attraction, as these were less compelling from the Hancock. Afterward, took the blue line subway out to Red Apple for dinner, a Polish buffet with food like a Polish grandma would have made.
==============================
More to come.
Jul 16th, 2009, 04:47 PM
#32
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Yet another day (North of the Loop)
-Gold Coast Walk
-Lincoln Park (southern fringe)
-Chicago History Museum
-Newberry Library
-City Gallery
-Museum of Contemporary Art
-Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
-Grant Park walk
Was up early again, this time to do a Gold Coast area walk in the Frommer's book (ca. 2-1/2 hours) -- scads of gorgeous houses, especially along North Astor St., East Cedar St., and Bellevue Place. Continued into the southern part of Lincoln Park almost up to the zoo, seeing Cafe Brauer and North Ave. Beach along the way. Got to the Chicago History Museum when it opened (spent about 2-1/2 hours), ranged from interesting (on some of Chicago's crises) to dull (women's fashions). Newberry Library was just a quick pop-in, with a tiny exhibit on Burnham and the Philippines and an otherwise dull interior (nice building outside, though). City Gallery in the Water Tower was another short visit, with an interesting temporary photographic exhibit on the Great Chicago Fire aftermath -- again, nice building, as was the Pumping Station across the street. Museum of Contemporary Art was very poor, with almost nothing from its permanent collection and a very hit-and-miss (mostly miss) clutch of temporary exhibits (about an hour or less spent here). Took bus to Mr. Beef (liked this even better than Al's #1 for Italian beef) then continuing on to Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, which was terrific, especially for its reconstructed Henry Darger room/studio. Went to Lou Malnatti's for deep dish pizza and took half of it back for breakfast next day. Then off to Grant Park for an early evening wander (especially liked the Lincoln statue, flower beds, and Buckingham Fountain).
=======================================
Still another day
-Historic Pullman walk
-morning Architecture River Cruise
-South Michigan Avenue walk (includes stops into the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago ArchiCenter, Fine Arts Building, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Spertus Museum)
-Jane Addams Hull House
-Harold Washington Public Library
Up early again to take Metra Electric down to the Historic Pullman area around S. 111th St. -- some interesting churches and houses, plus ruined factories and clock tower building behind fences. Back up to Loop area to take the first morning Architecture River Cruise, had pre-arranged a reservation for this (as you Fodorites suggested) -- and it was really great. Thanks, folks! Spent first half of the afternoon walking down South Michigan Ave. and doing pop-ins -- some of the best architecture ever, except for the horrid Harold Washington Library (which I saw later, after the Addams Hull House). Each of the listed places proved to be a relatively brief stop-in of ca. 30 to 60 mins., especially liked the Chicago Cultural Center (in the old library) and Fine Arts Building. The Spertus Museum and Museum of Contemporary Photography were very small and reasonably interesting. Had a lunch at Russian Tea Time along the way. Was also able to see the Jane Addams Hull House, out a short distance west of this area -- not bad, with some good info about Addams and what she accomplished. Headed back to the Loop to see the Washington Library (it does at least have a nice Winter Garden on the 9th floor if nothing else good), then went for a deep dish pizza at Giordano's afterward (again, half brought back for breakfast next morning).
====================================
One more day
-Wicker Park area walk
(Oak Park)
-Unity Temple
-Frank Lloyd Wright House and Museum
-Hemingway Birthplace
-Hemingway Museum
-White Sox game
Again up very early, took subway out to Wicker Park area to do Frommer's walking tour of the area (ca. 90 min) -- there are almost enough striking houses to rival the Gold Coast area here, especially on N. Hoyne Ave. and Caton St. Hopped back out on the subway to Oak Park. Took the self-guided Unity Temple tour when it opened, then headed to the Frank Lloyd House and Studio pre-arranged tour at 11:20 AM. Both were first rate. Also toured Hemingway's Birthplace Home and visited the Hemingway Museum down the street (ca 1 hour each) -- well worth doing. Strolling this immediate area afterward was great, a mother lode of striking Prairie School and Victorian homes (especially on Forest Ave., Chicago Ave., Elizabeth Court, and Kenilworth Ave.). Back at the Loop, had an early meal at the Berghoff, then spent the evening at a White Sox game.
========================================
Turns out this was a good, if full, itinerary -- which was what I had hoped to experience. No question Chicago is a world-class city and a must for any tourist. Hope to return again someday, and if so will visit a few other small museums I missed and spend more time at the Art Institute and Field Museum.
-Gold Coast Walk
-Lincoln Park (southern fringe)
-Chicago History Museum
-Newberry Library
-City Gallery
-Museum of Contemporary Art
-Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
-Grant Park walk
Was up early again, this time to do a Gold Coast area walk in the Frommer's book (ca. 2-1/2 hours) -- scads of gorgeous houses, especially along North Astor St., East Cedar St., and Bellevue Place. Continued into the southern part of Lincoln Park almost up to the zoo, seeing Cafe Brauer and North Ave. Beach along the way. Got to the Chicago History Museum when it opened (spent about 2-1/2 hours), ranged from interesting (on some of Chicago's crises) to dull (women's fashions). Newberry Library was just a quick pop-in, with a tiny exhibit on Burnham and the Philippines and an otherwise dull interior (nice building outside, though). City Gallery in the Water Tower was another short visit, with an interesting temporary photographic exhibit on the Great Chicago Fire aftermath -- again, nice building, as was the Pumping Station across the street. Museum of Contemporary Art was very poor, with almost nothing from its permanent collection and a very hit-and-miss (mostly miss) clutch of temporary exhibits (about an hour or less spent here). Took bus to Mr. Beef (liked this even better than Al's #1 for Italian beef) then continuing on to Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, which was terrific, especially for its reconstructed Henry Darger room/studio. Went to Lou Malnatti's for deep dish pizza and took half of it back for breakfast next day. Then off to Grant Park for an early evening wander (especially liked the Lincoln statue, flower beds, and Buckingham Fountain).
=======================================
Still another day
-Historic Pullman walk
-morning Architecture River Cruise
-South Michigan Avenue walk (includes stops into the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago ArchiCenter, Fine Arts Building, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Spertus Museum)
-Jane Addams Hull House
-Harold Washington Public Library
Up early again to take Metra Electric down to the Historic Pullman area around S. 111th St. -- some interesting churches and houses, plus ruined factories and clock tower building behind fences. Back up to Loop area to take the first morning Architecture River Cruise, had pre-arranged a reservation for this (as you Fodorites suggested) -- and it was really great. Thanks, folks! Spent first half of the afternoon walking down South Michigan Ave. and doing pop-ins -- some of the best architecture ever, except for the horrid Harold Washington Library (which I saw later, after the Addams Hull House). Each of the listed places proved to be a relatively brief stop-in of ca. 30 to 60 mins., especially liked the Chicago Cultural Center (in the old library) and Fine Arts Building. The Spertus Museum and Museum of Contemporary Photography were very small and reasonably interesting. Had a lunch at Russian Tea Time along the way. Was also able to see the Jane Addams Hull House, out a short distance west of this area -- not bad, with some good info about Addams and what she accomplished. Headed back to the Loop to see the Washington Library (it does at least have a nice Winter Garden on the 9th floor if nothing else good), then went for a deep dish pizza at Giordano's afterward (again, half brought back for breakfast next morning).
====================================
One more day
-Wicker Park area walk
(Oak Park)
-Unity Temple
-Frank Lloyd Wright House and Museum
-Hemingway Birthplace
-Hemingway Museum
-White Sox game
Again up very early, took subway out to Wicker Park area to do Frommer's walking tour of the area (ca. 90 min) -- there are almost enough striking houses to rival the Gold Coast area here, especially on N. Hoyne Ave. and Caton St. Hopped back out on the subway to Oak Park. Took the self-guided Unity Temple tour when it opened, then headed to the Frank Lloyd House and Studio pre-arranged tour at 11:20 AM. Both were first rate. Also toured Hemingway's Birthplace Home and visited the Hemingway Museum down the street (ca 1 hour each) -- well worth doing. Strolling this immediate area afterward was great, a mother lode of striking Prairie School and Victorian homes (especially on Forest Ave., Chicago Ave., Elizabeth Court, and Kenilworth Ave.). Back at the Loop, had an early meal at the Berghoff, then spent the evening at a White Sox game.
========================================
Turns out this was a good, if full, itinerary -- which was what I had hoped to experience. No question Chicago is a world-class city and a must for any tourist. Hope to return again someday, and if so will visit a few other small museums I missed and spend more time at the Art Institute and Field Museum.
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Mar 20th, 2003 06:01 AM
