Chicago... How many days?
 

How many days am I going to need for the Art Institute alone?
Then the Museum of Contemporary Art - that looks like a day?

Can the Historic Neighborhoods be walked (photographed in a day) Does the "L" run early enough out there that I can catch some good light?

Where is the best neighborhood to stay for easy walking access to the museums and/or other sites?

Thank you so much.

Meanwhile I'll be humming and youtubing every song about Chicago I've ever heard. "come on baby don't you want to go..." are you singing along now? :)

Anything along or within a couple blocks of the Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue) would be good for lodging.
I think that the El runs all night. I saw a picture of the one that goes out to O'Hare where the driver fell asleep at the switch and took it a ways up the escalator.
There is a combination deal that will get you into several museums for one price (Google).
How are you arriving and departing from Chicago? Flying or on Amtrak?
Don't go to the South side to meet Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.
Either coming to or leaving I'd be "Riding on the City of New Orleans".

You will need at least 3-4 hours to cover the Art Institute in any depth.

What neighborhoods are you planning to visit? The Red and Blue lines run 24-hours. The others run from about 5 am until around 1 am. Check www.transitchicago.com for a trip planner and complete info.

Most hotels are located in the River North or Loop neighborhoods which lie on opposite banks of the main branch of the Chicago River. The farthest two points in the two areas are only about two miles apart.

Thanks!

tom,
We will be flying in from San Diego to Chicago.

Walking is not a problem, we enjoy walking in big cities.

No South Side for me, that's a rather notorious area.


citylights,

It looks like there are more architecturally interesting neighborhoods than just Oak Park. We'd like to go to Oak Park and Unity Temple too.

Tom's comment about the south side would have been true 30-40 years ago, but no more. While the south side (as well as the west and north sides) has sketchy parts, it also has some of the hottest properties in the city. If you skip the entire south side, you'll miss the Museum of Science and Industry, Univ of Chicago campus, Oriental Institute, and Hyde Park, home of President Obama.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a number of tours around the city via foot, bus and boat. Check schedules at www.architecture.org. You may also want to sign-up with the Chicago Greeter Program which can provide a free customized tour based on your interests. Check www.chicagogreeter.com.

Citylghts, you've pressed my husband's hot interest button. Thank you for the link to architecture.org :)

The west side has been the one to avoid for many years. The South Side has a broad range of demographics so your initial comment is way off base.
What neighborhoods are you thinking of seeing? There is a book about the various neighborhoods as a start. From a hotel in River North, Streetville, or Michigan Ave you can easily walk to the historic Gold Coast neighborhood. Walk north from there through Lincoln Park to the neighborhood of the same name.
Look into seeing Bucktown and Wicker Park. The neighborhood tours given by the CAF are excellent.

I have enjoyed my stay that The River Hotel on 2 visits. It is just a block east of Michigan Ave on Wacker Dr. It is about 2 blocks to the Art Museum and two clocks in the other direction to the Loop and Red line.

I think that The River Hotel markets to business so the rooms are not large but have what most need. It is exceptionally clean and comfortable.

Don't miss the inside of the Cultural Center. The third floor has a beautiful Tiffany ceiling.

Happy, I went out today for a book and of course I've been googling :)
We're only going to stay for 4 days so I need to be selective.

gardendiva, that's a great tip. Thanks I put that in my notes.

I'll check out the The River.

"Don't miss the inside of the Cultural Center. The third floor has a beautiful Tiffany ceiling."

I had never made it there until this year. Make sure you go to both ends (north and south). there are two domes. I started with the North and thought that was pretty amazing, not realizing the south was even more so.

We like the Homewood Suites on Grand Ave. You can walk to a lot of restaurants and stores from there. We usually stay four days when we go to Chicago.

Citylights, I'll need the whole 6.5 hours in the Art Institute ;)
there's so much I want to see and that's only in the Modern section.
Might have to go back a second day, I hate rushing through art, don't you?

Since you'll be spending the whole day at The Art Institute, have lunch at Renzo Piano , on top of the new wing which was designed by RP.