There will be 4 adults traveling to Chicago for a long weekend in August. We are driving from Michigan but want to park the car in one of the cheaper lots for the weekend, so essentially we will not have a car.

Hotel is booked (Hyatt on Wacker) and hot dog places have been scoped out and will be hit at lunch time Friday and before we leave town on Sunday afternoon.

My questions are about dining and sight seeing.
Dining: We have to do deep dish pizza one day (DH insists). We would like to keep dinner to around $20 per person (not a huge budget in Chicago, I know). Also, our hotel doesn't have breakfast, so maybe a nice breakfast/brunch spot? Near the hotel would be great.

Sight Seeing - which museum is the best, that is also centrally located? Is Navy Pier just a junky touristy trap? What about the fireworks on Saturdays? Are they over in a blink of an eye or are they pretty decent? Also, we would like to do at least 1 walking tour. Interests are architecture and history/culture of the area. Which ones are good? Lastly, I'm a Frank Lloyd Wright fan - what should I plan on seeing?

Thanks!

Re: museums,it really depends on what you like. The Art Institute is fabulous, if you like art.

The architectural boat tour is very good.

I've been on two architectural boat tours, and in both cases the guide never got to take a break from talking about the various buildings along the water route. It is really a fabulous way to spend some time!! Highly recommended.

I would avoid Navy Pier. I would call it a tourist trap; but I've not been there in a few years; maybe it has improved?

For deep dish, Gino's. It used to be located 'behind' Neiman Marcus but has moved. It may not be as handy to Michigan Ave as it used to be.

The Art Institute would be my choice. Second, Shedd Acquarium.

I am partial to Art Museums - we are members of the DIA in Detroit and would either have a discount or free admission to the Chicago Art Institute but wanted some opinions on the different museums - so thank you!

I hadn't thought about a boat tour - that sounds wonderful. Is the Chicago Architecture Foundation the best company for tours?

My favorite museum is the Museum of Science and Industry....sounds dry, but it's fascinating.

www.msichicago.org

Top item on your list should be the Frank Lloyd Wright house & studio in Oak Park. This is the house where he lived and worked, and it is a marvel. Tours are available and they also offer guided and self-guided walking tours of the Oak Park historic district. This is absolutely a must-see for those interested in Wright. (Oak Park is west of downtown Chicago, between the Loop and O'Hare.)

Would the Museum of Science and Industry be a full day event? Is it correct to estimate about a half hour of travel time each way (via public transportation)? I know DH would love it, although I would be partial to the Art Museum.

I will check into the house and studio in Oak Park - that may be something cool to do on the way in or way out of town! Thanks Don!

Lou Malnatti's or Pizzeria Uno or Due for deep dish pizza. Gino's is ok if you like a cornmeal crust. There is a Corner Bakery nearby for breakfast. Bella Bocina's, the restaurant at the Club Quarters Hotel, gets good reviews for both its breakfast and its pizza. On another note, I could spend an entire day at the Museum of Science and Industry.

I took a cab to the Museum of Science and Industry and would recommend that and split it 4 ways. Or walk to the Shedd (which I love) or Art Museum.
For a great view of Chicago and a tasty lunch at a reasonable price go to the Signature Room in the John Hanncock Building,(enter on the side of the building) Go to the 95th floor and have dinner at the buffet for $20 pp. They only do the buffet Sat and Sun but Sun is really expensive. I think the Sat buffet for $20 is a great price because of the view! Ask for a window seat....You might want to call for reservations.

p.s. Forgot the link: http://www.signatureroom.com/Cuisine/Lunch/

If you're watching your budget, you might want to rethink the Museum of Science and Industry. It's fun and interesting and you could definitely spend a day there but they charge for all the extras and it really adds up. Three of us were there recently. Here are our costs:

Parking: $20 (You won't have this but you've got the cab fare.

Admission: $15 each

Mythbusters Exhibit: $10 each

Coal Mine Exhibit: $8 each

If we'd had more time we would have done the sub too. (I like it more than the mine.) It's another $8 each.

There's also an Omnimax theater and a Smart Home tour for another $8 each

So that's $41 apiece just to do (what I consider) the essentials - not including transportation.

However, since you're coming from Michigan you might be able to save enough $$ on parking to offset some of the museum cost if you park at the Dune Park station on the South Shore train line and take that the rest of the way into the city. Parking there is free and the train ride is only $3.50 per person each way. Just google South Shore Train.

I second a trip to the Signature Room. If you don't want to do brunch there, at least treat yourselves to a drink in the lounge one floor up. The view is outstanding!

As a former 2O year Chicago resident definitely go to Lou Malnati's or Gino's East for the deep dish pizza. There are a few locations downtown, but the " original" Gino's East is on Superior street and has the best atmosphere. If the weather is nice definitely go to the John Hancock building where the Signature room is located. If you decide not to eat there you can go and have a drink at the cocktail bar on the 95th floor that has a fabulous view. There are many restaurants in that area , but one of the best places to have lunch under $20 per person is the Rosebud Steakhouse on Walton. They have an amazing burger that is only served at lunch.

The architectural boat tour is amazing...just do it. Again if the weather is nice you will love it! They go on the hour so you don't need to plan too far in advance. I would not go to Navy Pier...there really isnt much there except the boat rides and you will be doing that on the other tour. MIllenium Park is a great place for lunch very close to the Hyatt and you can see the famous Bean sculpture.

Have a great time...I am going back for a visit in August and can't wait!

Wow...you guys rock. Thanks so much for the tips. I do want to have a drink at the lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock building. Do you pay to get into the Hancock Building if you're just going up for a drink??

Edeevee - thanks for the info on the Science Museum. Paying that much I would say it needs to be an all day thing and I just don't know that I want to commit one full day when we only have 2.5 days there. That might be something to think about for the next trip! Honestly, we are under 5 hours from Chicago - I don't know why we don't go more often!

Rosebud Steakhouse on Walton - I will check it out...thanks for the tip Kelbo.

I have another specific question - the Dance Festival finale is the Saturday we will be in town. Looks like its free at the pavilion at Millennium Park. How crazy is it going to be? I.E. Do we need to sit there for hours before the free show in order to get a seat? Can you see the Navy Pier fireworks from the Park? My g/f has her heart set on seeing those darn fireworks! Has anyone been to the dance finale? I think it sounds fun, but if we are stuck sitting on the lawn a million miles away from the stage and can't see anything my DH will last about 5 minutes!

Thanks again for all of the help! I can almost taste that deep dish pizza now!!

I second Lou Malnati's for pizza! The service was great, the pizza divine!

We spent about 5 hours in the Museum of Science and Industry, and if I remember correctly we took a bus. I don't remember which one, but we got the information from the concierge at the hotel.

The views from the Hancock are stunning........try to go just before sunset. We went at night and had a lovely view of the city lights, but Lake Michigan was a huge, black void! It was only then we were told sunset is the best time as you get to see the lake AND the city lights!

Thanks ten...I hadn't thought about what Lake Michigan would look like in the dark!!

Can anyone answer my question about the Dance Festival Finale?

Hi, WingsGal.
The dance festival is hugely popular and the venue is gorgeous, so if you go, bring your patience, bottled waters and snacks b/c you have to be there early, early, early if you want seats. There is a lawn where the latecomers sit... still nice, but then you may need binoculars, too. Will be a hard decision to go or pass... I've been twice, and both times, I loved it. The dance companies on offer gave me goosebumps.

You can not see the fireworks from the Pavilion where the dance performance is, though. You'd need to walk east toward the lakefront... probably about 1/3 of a mile.

Navy Pier is touristy... but if you go, take a walk along Olive Park for one of the best skyline views of the city. If you go to this park (and it's beach), perhaps duck into the Fox and Obel Grocery for picnic items on your way to the pier.

Also, a newer location for Lou Malnati's, but a nice one, is on Rush Street. That's where I would go for deep dish.
Location: at State X Rush, 1120 N. State Street. (In the Gold Coast.)

Have a great time in Chicago!

Hi ChgoGal -

Thanks - that's just the information I was looking for in regards to the dance festival. Is early, early, early like a few hours? Or like in the morning? I really really really want to go and DH knows that and would probably go along with it - now I just have to convince the couple traveling with us! I will look and see what is nearby that they could go do and will maybe sacrifice and stay behind to save seats.

Thanks for the tip about Olive Park. And I have heard of Fox and Obel - I adore gourmet grocery stores!!

Thanks again.

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Then you will be in heaven - I love that store!!

Awesome sf - can't wait!

Love Lou Malnati's pizza! I also wouldn't normally recommend the Navy Pier, but the one thing there I like is their Stained Glass "museum". It's really more of an open exhibit and they have a huge collection.