Where should I go in Chicago? I will be there for 7 days. I only have one concrete plan, but I need suggestions from those that live there or have been there for long periods of time. Don't have alot of money, either. Not interested in "club scene".

Give us more hints as to what you like if you don't like the "club scene." I don't think we can help with such a vague question as "where should I go"

Ok, I'm not interested in going to drinking and standing in crowded bars, etc. I am interested in cheap theater tickets, art exhibits, that sort of thing. Good and cheap restaurants, offbeat bookstores, etc.

The League of Chicago Theaters sells 1/2 price tickets to many excellent venues. It's a system they call Hot Tix. Call 312-554-9800 or send an e-mail to: [email protected].

Chicago has some great museums, with the Art Institute and Field Museum heading the list. The Art Institute, one of the nation's best, has one of the leading Impressionists' collections in this country and much more, while the Field Museum houses Sue the dinosaur.

The museums in Chicago are incredible. I think they have deeply discounted admission on certain days of the week. You might check into that and plan to go to specific ones on these days. Do you have a place to stay? The Motel 6 on Ontario is a good choice, and the location is great for using the city bus. You can get a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) visitor's pass which allows unlimited use of all city public transportation. I believe the website is www.mycta.com. I have been to Chicago on several different three-day weekend trips. I ride the Amtrak train from St. Louis and use city bus and subway/El for all transport in the city. It's easy and cheap.

Have a good time, I love Chicago!!

Sandi

Well, even though you are coming to Chicago on a budget, you have to do a shopping day--even though you don't buy anything. I window shop here all the time. If you are coming soon, around Christmastime, you might want to check out all the ornaments or the windows at Marshall Fields on State Street. First hit the stores on state street--Marshall Fields, Filene's Basement, Carson's. Then take the 151 or 146 bus to North Michigan Avenue and hit Sax Fifth Ave, The Disney Store, The American Girl store (if you're Christmas shopping for a little girl for the holidays), then go to Water Tower, Fao Schwarz and Bloomingdales. You'll have a great time. Walking down Michigan Avenue during the holidays is a great feeling.
Check out the Chicago Reader for theatre listings (www.chicagoreader.com), and the Chicago Tribune's entertainment web site (www.metromix.com). A good investment would be Friday's newspaper, either Sun-Times or the Tribune. They both have good weekend guides. As mentioned earlier, buying theater tickets at Hot Tix is a good idea, there is one by the Marshall Fields on State, it's located on Randolph, across the street from the State of Illinois Bldg (Thompson Center). As for restaurants, you will find some great places to eat in Lincoln Park that won't break you. I will let you in on a little secret--my favorite Thai place in Lincoln Park is Sweet Basil on Lincoln Ave near Fullerton. Superb food. Dinner will run under $15 per person.

Budget Lodging: There's a brand new hostel that JUST opened in Chicago. However, I don't know if an American can stay at it. Find it by using any good Search Engine, such as: google.com
Use search phrase: CHICAGO HOSTEL

City Guide: www.cnn.com
Then click on TRAVEL - they have very decent guides to major cities and also list some current happenings for the month.

Budget Travel Tips:

http://www.go.to/budget-travel

Good Luck and have a great time!

For inexpensive theater check out Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at the Neo-Futurarium. It's $5 plus the roll of a die - so $6-$11. We often take guests to see it and they have always enjoyed it. It's offbeat with a very ecclectic crowd. They do 30 plays in 60 minutes and it's a new show about every month. They range from funny, to thought provoking, to weird. Around the block on Clark St. is the Hop Leaf - a small neighborhood bar with a great jukebox and great beer. Definitely not what I would consider clubbing it. There is also a Middle Eastern restaurant right on the corner there that is quite inexpensive and pretty good. I think it's called the Olive Branch.
All the museums have at least one free or reduced price day. Check their websites for the days.

www.citysearch.com -- click on Chicago.

I'm going to be in Chicago from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2. For the Smashing Pumpkins concert. I really appreciate all the help with the theater ticket suggestions. I had no idea that "Sue the Dinosaur" was in Chicago!
I've heard of something called "City Pass". Do you know if they sell those *in* the city anywhere?

You can buy the City Pass at any of the participating museums. However, I think the City Pass is only a good value if you plan on seeing most or all of the attractions and most of the museums on the City Pass have free days. The Shedd Aquarium is free on Mon and Tues (separate fee for the Oceanarium), the Art Institute on Tues, the Field Museum on Wed (separate fee for special exhibits), the Museum of Science & Industry Thursday. For more info on museums, check out www.metromix.com. Sometimes they run free trolleys between the museums, they probably will while you're visiting since it's a holiday weekend.

Instead of going to the Sears Tower, you can also go up to the top of the John Hancock building with just as good of a view. If you go to the floor below the observatory it's free although you need to buy a drink but at least you're getting something for your money.

For cheap eats, you can't beat pizza in Chicago. Take your pick of several good places. You can also try Cafe Iberico for Spanish tapas (739 N. LaSalle St.).

There's a Christmas market starting the 24th over in Daley Plaza, close to the Marshall Field's on State Street and to the HotTix booth on Randolph.

www.metromix.com has great info on Chicago. You can do a search for restaurants, museums, theater, etc. and also has weekly updates on things happening in the coming weeks.