Hello,

We’ll (4 adults) be heading to Chicago for a four day weekend in late April; we are staying at the Residence Inn Downtown.

We are on the fence about a few things, and would like your feedback, suggestions, things we should consider, including restaurants near any of the attractions, etc.

Our definite plan includes a baseball game Monday night at Wrigley Field (vs CIN), Hancock Tower and Millennium Park.

We would like to include an architectural boat tour, looks like the only one operating this early is:
Chicago From the Lake
http://www.chicagoline.com/schedrates.html#Spring

Undecided:

Chicago Architect Foundation Bus Tour which includes the FLW Robie House
http://198.66.219.48/tour_view.aspx?TourID=72
Offered Saturday only, It only makes a few stops, any impressions of this tour, worthwhile or not?

In reading the boards we are intrigued about the Graceland and Woodlawn Cemeteries.

It looks like Graceland is walking distance of Wrigley Field? What kind of area is the cemetery in?

I tried bus routing to Woodlawn (Forest Park) from downtown, it’s a little over an hour. I looking at the CTA map, it looks like the Blue Line ends at Forest Park, any idea how far that is from the cemetery? Is there anything else in the area worth seeing?

The Jackie O exhibit at the Fields Museum, the admission price is $25.00, has anyone been, is it worth the price?

The list of landmarks is enormous; it’s really hard to narrow them down, any ones worth noting?

I&M Canal, remaining element (?) at 2800 block of South Ashland Avenue, along the south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, is this worthwhile?

The only guided neighborhood offered our weekend is the Theatre Tour, what would be 2 or 3 neighborhoods that would be enjoyable to do on our own?

Thanks for your help!
Alicia

Alicia: It might be too early for the outdoor concerts, but if the season begins while you are there, I highly suggest packing a picnic dinner along with wine and head to the Jay Pritker Pavillion (located in Millennium Park).

Here is the site so that you can keep your eyes open for when the season begins.

http://www.millenniumpark.org/pritzker.htm

Graceland is walking distance from Wrigley. Just head north down Clark Street. It is fascinating, with graves of lots of famous Chicagoans (Adler, the infamous Pullman, various Fields, etc.) and some incredible tombs, statuary, etc., as well. Do they offer tours? I did one years ago and loved it. The neighborhood is fine, typical Chicago residential on the west side of Clark Street, and the cemetary itself on the east side. Have you been in the Wrigleyville area before? It is a very intimate neighborhood, on a friendly scale for exploring on foot.

I went to the Jackie O exhibit when it first opened. The $25 cost includes admission to the museum so the upcharge for Jackie O is about $15. It is really heavy on fashion, my husband declined to go, I think he would have been very bored. If you have nostalgic feelings for the Kennedy era or are really into fashion, I'd recommend it but you might want to leave the men at home.

We did a tour of Graceland with the architecture foundation and found that it was too heavy on architecture and too light on history for our tastes. I believe they have self guided maps and there was also another gentleman who gave tours but I'm not exactly sure when. You could try contacting the cemetery and get some more info

http://www.gracelandcemetery.org/contact.html

If you enjoy architecture, there are a few centrally located buildings that you will want to take a look at

Water Tower and Pumping Station on North Michigan Avenue

Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower (check out the stones embedded in the building) just before the river on Michigan

Carbon and Carbide Building, now the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan just south of the River

Cultural Center on the corner of Michigan & Randolph, go inside to see the Tiffany Domes

From there you can head west on Randolph St. over to Marshall Field's on State, pop inside to see the Tiffany ceiling (by the Clinique counter)

If you want to see some of the public art, keep going to Daley Plaza to see the Picasso, look across the street to see the Miro, head south on Dearborn St. to see the Chagall mosaic and Calder's Flamingo.

Or keep heading down Randolph to see the Helmut Jahn designed State of Illinois Building, I'm not sure if it's open on the weekends but the highlight is the interior atrium.

There's an excellent book that has walking tours of downtown that I can't remember the name of, I have it at home and I'll post the name of it later.

Another idea is to go down and tour the planned industrial community of Pullman, they have walking tours or you can stop in at the visitor center and get a self guided tour. It's a perfectly safe area reachable by public transportation.

Or Prarie Avenue to see the few remaining mansions from the turn of the century

It sounds like you might be really interested in the Chicago Greeter program. Free tours of various parts of Chicago (you choose) from volunteer city greeters:

http://www.chicagogreeter.com/Visitorregistration.html

Sorry, can't help with the rest of the questions though.

Alicia:

The Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise starts on April 30. Don't know when you are here, but I'd even check out the corner of Wacker/Michigan the weekend before to see if they have the boats out then.

Graceland is indeed within walking distance from Wrigley. Suggest that you go to Graceland in the morning and then walk south on Clark to Wrigley for the night game.

Recommend that you pick up a copy of the book "Chicago In and Around the Loop"--gives some really wonderful insight about the area.

Areas to explore: Gold Coast, go north on Astor Street to North Ave., see the Cardinal's mansion with all the chimneys, then south down State. You'll finish within a couple of blocks from the John Hancock Building. Have dinner at Le Colonial on Rush, just north of Walton.

DePaul Area (Lincoln Park), especially go west on Webster from Sheffield. Stop in at Charlie's Ale House.

After visiting Millennium Park, try to go to Buckingham Fountain (maybe in the evening?). They usually start turn on the water around the first of April, weather permitting. Check out the Chicago Park District's website for more details.

Since you are interested in architecture, visit the rooms at the Art Institute dedicated to this. And I really recommend the minature rooms on the lower level. Of course, the Impressionists collection is a joy to behold. "Two Sisters", my favorite.

The Auditorium has tours, as do most of the theatre venues - the Chicago Theatre, the Oriental, the Cadillac, etc.

Have fun exploring Chicago!

Check out Metromix...http://www.metromix.com, it's a great resource for everything.

Since Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, I always recommend that people check some of them out. (Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Chinatown, Lakeview, etc.)

Alicia -
See if these suggestions pique your interest:

Robie House (in Hyde Park) and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (in Oak Park) have regular tours offered by the FLW Home and Studio Foundation (www.wrightplus.org)

The CAF's new Architecture of Commerce and Culture tour is kind of a "greatest hits" of downtown, including several interiors and Millenium Park. In the past few years, more downtown buildings have been closed to visitors because of security, so a group tour is sometimes the only way to get inside.

I've taken the Chicago Highlights bus tour, though it was many years ago. It does get you to many sites more easily than you could navigate on your own, but obviously it is a long day on the bus.

I don't know where you live, but be warned that river tours and Wrigley Field can have insufferably cold temperatures in April. Bring gloves and a warm hat in case we get a cold spell.

Thank you for your suggestions, we leave this week for our trip and I have one last question.

What are the scenic/interesting L routes? Any lines in particular worth riding?

In reading the boards on Chicago, someone suggested watching the PBS series "Chicago: City of the Century: American Experience". The series is available on Netflix and I highly recommend it, very enjoyable to watch, and provides amazing insight to the city’s history and growth.

Thanks,
Alicia

I would agree with the person who said Wrigley (and Chicago for that matter) can be very cold in April. I moved there on June 1, 1997 and was shocked when 2 weeks in June were very cold (in the high 30's/low 40's). It has been nice recently, but the weather can change quickly. I have to assume you already have Cubs tickets, since they are extremely difficult to get now.
Have a great time.
You also might want to check out the Chicago Park's website. I'm sure you can find it on google. It will list many of the street fairs and festivals going on that might be going on during your stay.

Jlm mi
Thank so much for the information. I got some more questions.
Any suggestions for a cruise?
Do you know of a website that might have the schedules of any music concerts going on at Millenium Parl?

for info about cruises:

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/boat_tours.htm

and millennium park:

www.millenniumpark.org

Grant Park also has concerts. I think you may be able to find schedules for that on the tourist sites:

www.877chicago.com
www.choosechicago.com

or www.metromix.com

I bet they are here this weekend, and they picked a cool one, temperate-wise and art-wise.

They have five different Art Shows going on this weekend in downtown Chicago. Navy Pier, and all over Grant Park are two of the bigger collections.

Too bad it couldn't have warmed up a bit more for all those artists. Well, at least it isn't pouring.

It's almost time for my trip, please any suggestion a restaurant for dinner near the Navy Pier I have allready check out the retaurants there and some are too expensive and the other are too much fry food on their menus please any suggestions.