Chicago in October-BMG?
 

My husband and I will be in Chicago Oct. 24-27 for a convention. We have heard we should see Blue Man Group. What is it exactly? Should we see it? Also, the group we are with is supposed to eat at Maggiano's Restaurant and go to Second City. What is Second City? Thanks for any information. We have very limited free time. Would like to see a few stores...where is Feleni's Basement? Would like to visit at least the Field Museum. Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Leta: <BR>1.) Skip Filene's Basement. The only good location is the original one in Boston. (Filene's is on State Street.)Go to Marshall Fields instead - just a block away. <BR>2.) "Second City" is a live comedy troupe that performs skits in a small theatre on Wells Street. After the second show they also do improv. routines. Many of the past & current performers on Saturday Night Live have come from this troupe. (Some of the skits are geared toward a Chicago audience - politicians, etc., but not all) You will laugh till you cry. It is a wonderful experience. <BR>3.) Blue Man Group is also live theatre that is performed by a few men dressed in overalls that have blue faces & hands - they all look exactly alike. They never speak; they do crazy things with home-made musical instruments & toilet paper - has to be seen - can't fully describe it. ("90's Entertainment" is how I summed it up to a friend after I had seen it a few years ago.) <BR>3.) Maggiano's Restaurant is a chain - just so-so Italian food. <BR>4.) Absolutely go to the Field Museum & the Shedd Aquarium.

Shedd's Aquarium? YAWN! I guess it was okay for the first 15 minutes, but after that, forget it. A bunch of rude school groups push up in front of you to see the few interesting tanks. Rooms and rooms of fish. Don't waste your money.

Pat, thank you very much for your advice. I had heard Feleni's was like TJ Max and I like it, but I have never been to Marshall Fields. Second City sounds fun. We have no choice at Maggiano's so I hope it's good. We have one night free if you can recommend a good restaurant. We are staying at the Hyatt. I will check on ticket prices for BMG. Thanks for trying to explain it.

Leta: <BR>What type of food do you like? Where do you live?

Leta: A recent post titled: "Chicago-Please help me find the non-touristy restaurants" will have some great recommendations. Since you are going to Maggianos, try something off the beaten path. <BR>

Pat, we like all kinds of food. Pizza, of course, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Steaks, etc. We live in Tulsa, OK, and this is our first trip to Chicago and Great Lakes area. Feel free to email me directly. Thanks!

Also check out today's post about "ethnic restaurants in chicago". I would vote for Geja's if you are looking for an intimate dinner with your husband. Good wine, dark and candlit atmosphere, flamenco guitar in the background and fondue dining. The dessert course of melted chocolate where you dip your own strawberries makes my mouth water.

Blue Man Group is a show that is somewhat audience interactive with music. They have been on the tonight show with jay leno many times. Three guys are all painted blue and not one word is said. Not a bad show but find bluemangroup.com and that may help you out. Maggiano's is a so so italian restaurant. It is a chain if you want Italian you should try Rosebud on Rush Street, sometimes you may get a celebrity sighting. Second City is a comedy troupe where many people from Saturday Night Live Tv show started their comedy careers (Belushi,Murray,Mike myers etc). I live in Chicago so don't hesitate to drop a line.