My Husband and I are going to be visiting Chicago for the first time this weekend. Since we have a such a limited amount of time, I'd like some advice on the best things things to do during our visit. We're in our late twenties/early thirties, come from Manhattan and we're more interested in experiencing what makes Chicago special rather than doing lots of tourist sites. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you are flying into Chicago, take the "L" downtown from the airport. From either Midway or O'Hare, you'll get an immediate "feel" about Chicago. While in the loop, take the architecture boat tour. Early Chicago was built largely by folks with an inferiority complex about New York City, for they felt NYC snubbed Chicago in its developing years, viewing it as a "hic" town. The tour will give you some interesting insight. Ride the "L" to Wrigely Field, and check out any of the local eateries that look interesting to you. Chicago's greatness is partly its eclectic style. Make time and space for a Chicago-style hotdog (pretty much anywhere you find one, (Gold Coast is good and has several locations) and check out Taylor street's Italian restaurant area, (would recommend Rosebud's). Check out also the Blues district and river north area.

This weekend is Venitian Night -- There's a parade of decorated boats at Monroe Harbor (by Buckingham Fountain), followed by pretty decent fireworks. Parade is at 8:30 (?) and the 'works at 9:30. Local color, unique and free.

I'm assuming that you're not adverse to walking (most Manhattanites aren't) so you can grab dinner somewhere and walk down the lakefront to the harbor.

Metromix.com is the Chicago Tribune's entertainment site, and they have schedules for most music venues, etc. The also have a restaurant search tool.

The Chicago Reader (Chicago's free weekly) also has a good site -- chireader.com -- that can steer you to neighborhood joints.

Oh -- and don't order ketchup on that hot dog!

Have fun,
Racy

You don't have to worry about ketchup. It doesn't come on a true Chicago Dog.

Try chicago greeter, you learn all about it on chicagogreeter.com. I have done 2 tours, excellent guides! PJ

Second the suggestion for Venetian Night, usually better fireworks than the 4th of July.

Or try one of the local festivals like the Taste of Lincoln Avenue on July 27-28 http://www.hitevents.com. You could also check out the Lincoln Park Zoo while up in that general area or the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum to see the Butterfly Garden. Or take in a movie outside in Oz Park (Meet Me in St. Louis, 8 pm July 27)

There's a Chicago Greeter program that might give you an opportunity to explore a neighborhood, go to www.chicagogreeter.com for more info.

Or try one of the architectural tours http://www.architecture.org/ You could explore a neighborhood that most tourists don't venture into, do a cemetery tour or take the architectural boat cruise.

Thanks so much to all for the advice. I am looking forward to a great weekend in a great city!

How can I get a schedule of events for Wrigely Field and where do I catch the "L" from Monroe Harbor? Thank you.

cd: log onto www.chicagocubs.com for their schedule.
to catch the el from Monroe Harbor, simply walk west from the lakefront - the el will be on Wabash Avenue from Lake Street to the north and Van Buren to the south. (to get directions in Chicago, the lake is east)

You're getting some great suggestions. Here's a handy site I use to check out happenings in the Windy City:

www.metromix.com

Happy Contrails!

I'd walk to the Red Line instead (it's all subway rather than elevated train in downtown area). You can pick it up on State St at Monroe (State St. is one block west of Wabash). Take the trains marked "North to Howard" to the Addison stop. It's faster than the Brown Line that Pat directed you to and you won't have to switch trains. It's about 8 stops to Addison. You'll see Wrigley Field when you get off the train. Have fun.

And, Emily, head to Wicker Park/Bucktown which are adjacent neighborhoods that are sort of Chicago's East Village/SoHo kind of places. If you're staying downtown, take the Blue Line towards O'Hare and exit at Damen. That puts in the epicenter of Chicago hipness: Damen Avenue-North Avenue-Milwaukee Avenue. Try not to get hit by a passing trend. It's a good walking neighborhood--especially for New Yorkers who won't fret at the socio-economic, uh, diversity (full spectrum) on display. River North has galleries, but also is tourist world. The area around Wrigley is ok, but walk south on Clark Street (the numbers will go down) to Belmont Avenue. True Chicago, that--especially if you continue south on Clark all the way to "The Wiener Circle" for a hot dog with plenty of attitude served on the side.

And, at the risk of going on and on...Michigan Avenue is Chicago's greatest Boulevard. I am amazed the people do manage to not stroll it while in Chicago. Like missing a cleaner, better 5th Avenue when in NYC (go to the top of the Hancock Building on North Michigan Avenue for drinks at the Signature Lounge...the only "touristy" thing I heartily recommend).

Thank you Pat and Holly.

You're welcome

Is there a place in chicago similar to NYC's Canal Street, where you can buy bogus / faux designer bags, watches etc?

Thanks!

cd, I'm not sure if this even exists any more, but there was an outfit that did a hilarious tour of old Chicago gangland sites that was an awful lot of fun. They were called Untouchable Tours, they picked you up in a black bus riddled with "bullet holes" and drove around the city to places like Al Capone's house, his hangouts, the site of the St. Valentine's Day massacre, etc. The tour guides dressed and spoke as old-time gangsters and at the end, pretended to shake down the passengers. Total hoot. I did this tour years ago, if you can find them and they're still operating, you might want to check it out if this is up your alley.

I'd be interested in the fake purse shopping area too, is there such a place in chicago?