My husband and I are going to Chicago this weekend (11/19-11/21) for fun (and without kids!) We are staying at Le Meridien. Any ideas for things to do during the day that may be better without kids? We'll probably bring the kids back next year and will go the aquarium, etc.

Catch the closing weekend of Brian Dennehy in Hughie, a rarely-seen O'Neill play, at the Goodman Theatre.

Stay far, far away from Michigan Avenue on Saturday. The Festival of Lights parade is this weekend, which means the busiest crowds of the year. You will not be able to walk (literally). Or get a cab.

My advice is to either leave downtown for one of the neighborhoods (boutique shopping in Lakeview or Bucktown? Frank Lloyd Wright tour in Oak Park? Mexican art center in Pilsen?) on the El. I know the architecture foundation has walking tours of some of the neighborhoods as well.

Another alternative would be to hit the Art Institute, or the exhibit of Jackie Kennedy's dresses at the Field. These are more adult-oriented activites.

Good luck braving the crowds!

I highly recommend the Jackie Kennedy exhibit at the Field Museum-went over the weekend at it was fantastic. I would reserve tickets ahead of time though. It will be a zoo down there so I agree with trying to avoid Michigan Avenue--maybe head to one of the restaurants on West Randolph or in one of the neighborhoods on Sat. night if possible.

Thanks for the ideas. I have also been informed that Saturday afternoon is the Michigan/Ohio State game. Any ideas for lunch in a bar with TV's so that we can watch part of the game while we eat?

Chicgal, have you been to Elm Street Liquors bar? I'd like to try it out when I'm in Chicago at the end of next week. I know it's an unmarked entrance.

I was in Chicago last year for the weekend of the Lights festival and that was also Michigan-OSU football day. We tried to go to Duffy's on the north edge of Lincoln Park (across the street from the park itself): http://www.wrightwoodtap.com/duffys/index.shtml

It's a Michigan bar, so you might not want to go if you're on the OSU side. We got there mid-way through the second quarter, so it was too packed to move. But, if you get there early you could find a seat and have a ball.

We headed a couple blocks west of there to another little bar that was downstairs from some restaurant. I don't remember the name of either, but there were several to choose from along this stretch. It was less crowded, so we found a table and had great sandwiches for lunch. The crowd here was more mixed than at Duffy's.

Actually, I just did a yahoo search for that area and think we went to Yak-Zie's:

http://www.chicagobarproject.com/Rev...esDiversey.htm

I can't recommend it as anything spectacular, but it was a decent bar setting with good sandwiches and a lively football crowd.

I would definitely follow your recommendations for bars in the area if I were needing one - every suggestion of yours I've tried so far has been spot on.

Noticed the mention of millenium park (above). Haven't gotten there yet, but very curious. Can someone tell me exactly where it is? Drove down Lake Shore Drive a few weeks ago (NB from the Loop) and thought we'd spot it, but did not.

To Chigal....I noticed everyone said to avoid Michigan Ave on Sat 11/20/04, but will Sun/Mon be any better? We plan on arriving Sun morning, staying at the Marriott on the Mile and just shopping Sun & Mon. Also, I'm looking for the name of restaurant we visited in the past across from the American Girl area(that square), next to the chocolate store. We had a wonderful brunch there that also had muscians playing. Can you help? Thanks.

Thanks Chigal...Bistro 110 sounds right, the reviews don't seem good but I thought my mom might enjoy the jazz muscisians...maybe I'll look into the Signature Room at the Hancock tower. As far as shopping, we have to do Mag Mile!! It'll be my moms first experience to ORD so we'll have to endure the crowds! Also, are the free trolleys still operating now (like to Navy Pier)? Thanks for all you help!

FYI - The free trolleys are only operating on weekends this time of year. Here's some more info:

http://metrarail.com/Special_Promoti...lley-2004.html


And I'll just reiterate the absolute HUGENESS of the crowds on Michigan Ave on Saturday, particularly late afternoon through the evening. We could hardly walk after the parade last year. The shops were open, but we were stuck in the middle of a large crowd and just went with the herd. We skipped Crate & Barrel altogether that day because there was a very long line just to get in the door!

Thanks again Chigal! We're back from a quick shopping run to Chicago last Sun/Mon. We ate at Bistro 110 for Sunday brunch and it was wonderful! Shopped 'til we dropped on both days! The decorations were beautiful and the crowds were not too terribly bad. Garretts on Mich. was only a 1/2 wait on Monday! We ate at Joes Seafood on Monday, and although it was good, it wasn't quite the same quality as in Miami. Thanks again for your help.

Chicago = my favorite city in America. This thread does an excellent job at laying out some of the better attractions currently.

Art Institute should not be missed. Totally underrated.