CHICAGO- can't miss
 

I will be in Chicago with my daughter visiting U of Chicago, Northwestern and Notre Dame mid November....we have sunday free before we head home to NYC and wanted to find out if you had just 1 afternoon in Chicago what you think is a must see? We'd take a tour, visit museum, bike ride, long lunch...pretty much up for anything. Also need some "where the locals eat" suggestions for dinner and breakfast.

Thanks all!!

The Art Institute is world class.

If interested in Frank LLoyd Wright architecture, a tour of Oak Park is a must.

Go to the top of either the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) or to the Hancock Observatory for beautiful views of the city.

if you have time for on of the boat tpurs ( preferably the Architectural one booked through CAF, and then a drink up at Hancock. When you go to the Hancock, do not go to the observatory line where you have to pay. Just go up to the restaurant, enjoy the view and have what you want there or at the bar.

Don't miss the bathroom view, too.

The Purple Pig is near there on Michigan avenue. noisy spot but the tapas were excellent as were the desserts.

If you like Pizza, the Chicago Dewey's and I am sure locals can suggest others, are popular.

i've gotten s few mentions of purple pig so i'll definitely put that on the list. can we drive oak park? or is it better to do a tour?

We did it on our own, using public transportation. I think that CAF can provide the necessary information.

With one afternoon in Chicago, you will have time for ONE of these. Choose wisely amongst them:
1) Art Institute (MY choice, but I never miss a collection of French impressionists)
2) Museum of Science and Industry
3) Museum of Natural History
4) Brookfield Zoo

With just 1 afternoon, I would definitely choose something where you would see the city, rather than just a museum. Not knocking the available museums as they are great, but plan on spending it wandering the city. If the weather is bad, then choose a museum.

Id walk through Millenium Park then do the CAF Architecture boat tour or a walking tour.

It will be chilly so bike rides are out and some boat tours will be closed for the season so check their websites. The top of the Hancock is fun. The bar at the top is 21 or over. Art Institute is great.

Purple Pig is good if you are a meat freak. West Egg, Orange or Yolk for breakfast.

http://chicagovisitor.net

i think we'll probably do the architecture tour since it will get around a bit without just having to walk in the event its cold. We are from NYC so we get our fill of museums and good food, so i'm really looking for experiences rather than just amazing meals. Any super fun places to do dinner? a blues place i can bring a 16 yo?

I agree with Paul Rabe on his 1, 2, 3 as Chicago has first class museums...but would not think 4 Brookfield Zoo as that special. And one could mention more.

Sounds like you will be back anyway to see your kinfolk in college.

We travel a good amount just always looking for that something "different" in a new city.

For something different, I definitely recommend the architectural boat tour & then walk around the city if you have time. Also, take a walk along the Lake. I thought it was quite amazing to see this beautiful cosmopolitan city situated on a lake that looks like the ocean, & with swimming beaches. Don't know if the ferris wheel at Navy Pier will be operating in November, but we enjoyed the ride for beautiful panoramic views of the lake & city.

What about a comedy or blues club? Second City performs there, and I would have loved that as a senior in HS (I'm from NY too)..

Maybe also the parks (Millennium and Grant) so you can see the bean, etc.

When we go next year I'm really excited to try Chicago pizza and see how it compares to Ny pizza

Stop by the Oriental Museum near the main UC campus. The artifacts from ancient Mideast civilizations are amazing. Suprising, it's free.

I second the CAF boat tour. It's amazing every time I go with out-of-town guests. I'd skip any drives to Oak Park or Brookfield (save that for when you have more than one afternoon). It's best just to get out and walk and explore the Loop area and lakefront. You never know what treasures you'll discover.

As for food:
1. Purple Pig---right on MI Avenue and always packed.
2. Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders--cash only in LP right on Clark. It's across the street from the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. You can hop the #36 bus.
3. NoMi---Gorgeous views from the Park Hyatt on Chicago and MI Avenue.
4. The Gage--gastropub right across from Millenium Park on MI Ave. Electic menu and great brews.

Enjoy our gorgeous city!

The CAF River Cruises are already done for the year by mid-November, although I think Wendella might still have something going (weather permitting, of course). But keep in mind that will be one very chilly ride, probably. I'm not sure that I would recommend it on either level. Save that for a better time of year.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation does have a Highlights by Bus tour that takes about 4 hours. But I'm not sure if it operates on Sunday mornings and, secondly, I'm not sure if you want to tie that much time up in one thing.

You could look at the Chicago Greeter Service. This is free but you have to reserve in advance. You choose the area and/or the interest for the tour. These are tours led by local volunteers. For first timers with only a few hours at their disposal, you would most likely want something in the Loop or Mag. Mile areas so that you do have some time left over for other things.

Although the numerous suggestions for museums are good for visitors with more time, I wouldn't suggest any for visitors with only one day at their disposal. Most take at the very least 4 hours; and the Museum of Science and Industry take most of a full day.

However, let's look a little deeper into your itinerary. You say that you are visiting the U of C, Northwestern and Notre Dame. I'm assuming that you are flying into either O'Hare or Midway and then traveling out from there? Is that correct? Will you have evenings free in Chicago as well? If, by any chance, you are flying in Thursday, the Art Institute has evening hours on only that day.

If so, do *NOT* get a car while in Chicago. It's totally unnecessary and parking is *VERY* expensive ($26-60+ per night).

Did you know that you can take a train to South Bend, IN (close to Notre Dame)? The South Shore and South Bend is an electric train that runs numerous times through the course of each day from Chicago to South Bend (the airport there - where you can pick up a rental car, if you deem that necessary). See NICTD.com for their timetables and fares. NOTE: South Bend is an hour earlier than Chicago.

Lastly, based on your responses to the above questions, can make suggestions for dining options. However, if you are staying in the most "touristy" areas of Chicago (i.e., the Loop, Mag. Mile and River North), the restaurants there do cater to the tourist trade. To get what you are asking, you would have to travel to some of the more outlying neighborhoods - which isn't a bad thing because that's where you are most likely to find the Chicago-style evening entertainment and theatrical experiences.