i'll be making my first visit to chicago in late august, and would like to get feedback and suggestions for things to do/see.

here's what i'm thinking tentatively:

day one: arrival 4pm-ish, hotel check-in, john hancock building observatory, navy pier.

day two: art institute, buckingham fountain/grant park, wander around the loop/michigan ave, maybe an architectural cruise on the chicago river.

day three: oak park to see the frank lloyd wright stuff, wicker park/bucktown?

thanks.

You've picked some great things to enjoy in Chicago, but your schedule could use some rearranging.

If you're planning to take a look at the Hancock observatory after checking in at your hotel, you may as well walk the Magnificent Mile and the Loop, since you'll already be in the area.

On day two, go to the art museum (a wonderful, wonderful place) and stroll over to navy pier, and take the cruise towards the end of the day. Your feet will be tired from walking and you'll appreciate the cruise. The architectural boat cruise, by the way, is an amazingly informative and entertaining hour and a half. I would not miss it.

Day three is a good day. Some other sights you might want to consider are Lincoln Park, both the neighborhood itself and the zoo, which is free. Also, there is the Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium. You really have your choice of goodies. Also, at Navy Pier there is a stained glass museum which has some beautiful old pieces in it. It is free to view.

Type in 'chicago' in the text search and you will find more ideas to tempt you. Chicago is a vibrant city which I am sure you will enjoy. And the food is delicious in Chicago!

I really like the art institute and al but if you are only going to do one museum type activity , this would not be the one to choose (unless you are just an art fanantic). Teh art institue is okay but IMHO the Field Museum woould be a better choice. the Art Institute would be about 4th on my list of museums to (there are so many great ones in Chicago). I also think spending time walking byt eh Lake in Lincoln Park (the actual park) and wandering through Lincoln Park (the adjacent neighborhood) for a meal a a GREAT way to spend soem time. As a foremr Chicagoan, I say soke up some atmosphrere! Even if not a baseball fan (I am not) an afternoon game at Wrigley field is awsome and would be a grear way to see real Chicago. Not to mention the ballpark is in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview neighborhood, so you would see soem of the city coming an going as well . (he ballpark is a bout a 15-20 ride on the EL from downtown using the red line from Lake street (Marshall Fields stop) to Wrigley field stop or you could always take a cab so that you would not be undeground and could see the scenery getting there. It's about a $10 cab ride.

I think you have an excellent itinerary; it's obvious that you have done your homework.

I'll just add a couple of tips: go to the Hancock, but bypass the $8 observatory and have a drink at the Signature Room bar, 95th floor.

Navy Pier is fun at night, but you will have to skip the Stained Glass Museum because of its limited hours. The Ferris wheel is worth the price, and the indoor garden on the upper level is nice to walk through. You may even have time to see a play at the Shakespeare Theatre.

Day two: get to the Art Institute early! Their courtyard restaurant is nice for lunch; do visit Buckingham Fountain and walk north on Michigan Avenue (maybe stop in at the Cultural Center (another idea for lunch - they often have free concerts) You should be just in time for one of the Architecture Cruises. You may want to get this ticket in advance, as they often sell out in the summer.
www.architecture.org

Day 3: The FLW is easily reached by CTA; on the way back, you may want to go directly to Bucktown because of the convenient access from the CTA lines.
www.transitchicago.com
http://www.oprf.com/flw/

Have a great time!

Sounds like a good plan but reservations for the architecurtal boat tour are a must ahead of time. Personnally I like the view from the Sears Tower better than Hancock and you'll be missing out on some great neighborhoods but not a bad plan for a few days!

As a current native chicagoan... I just wanted to point out that it's awfully hot here in August, so don't plan too much walking around without air conditioned stops in between. That said, there are a number of festivals in Grant Park going on end of August like hte Latina music festival and the Jazz Festival (8/28-31) that would be worth visiting since they're free. I know the Air and Water Show (along the lake front north of Oak St) takes place 8/16-17 if you're in town.
You can also buy a Chicago city pass which will get you into:
The Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, The Art Institute (all within walking distance of each other), as well as the Museum of Science and Industry and the Hancock Observatory. I found a website that sells them for $49 (I think the Shedd was almost $20 on it's own when friends were visiting a month ago).
http://www.shop.viator.com/brochure/...4&CODE=2640CHI

hope that helps.