What is a nice restuarant where we can sit outside (if that logical weatherwise for labor day weekend) that sits along the river. Something peaceful, quaint.........

Also we would like to visit the Hancock Bar for after dinner drinks just to sit and take in the city lights. Where might be a nice upscale place to eat before hand. We mostly like small, more intimate places and not fast-paced, cram people in, can't hear yourself take type places.... But we do like excellent food and don't mind paying for it.

Thank you

Smith and Wolensky, a steak house, sits right along the river with a nice outdoor patio, but I'm not sure how quaint it is...

Hi Nancy,
In regards to your second inquiry for a nice upscale place to eat before heading to the Hancock, I would recommend Spiaggia located at 980 N. Michigan Avenue (about 2 1/2 blocks away from the Hancock). It's my restaurant of choice for anniversaries: excellent food, wonderfully attentive staff and a beautiful atmosphere. Dinner is served at a leisurely pace, you will have plenty of time between courses. The gnocchi with braised duck is my favorite, and the white corn polenta is simply divine.

Okay, Nancy03, this will tie-in with your biking post as well.

It's not on the river (but you are beside water) and you aren't quite sitting outside (the doors open up practically the entire front), but I think North Pond on the north end of the lagoon in Lincoln Park might be a place you would enjoy. Just a lovely setting in the park with a beautiful view of the skyline. The decor is Arts-and-Crafts style and the cuisine is American contemporary.

While you are biking around Lincoln Park, go north of Fullerton up past the nature museum a couple of blocks and you will find it easily.

I don't wish to distract from anyone's suggestions about places on the Chicago River, but the problem (unless they've recently resolved the issue) is the Trump Tower going up. I know that several of the restaurants with outdoor seating in the area were complaining about the construction site residue. The whole construction area has been encased, so perhaps that has resolved the situation. And, of course, in September, the construction will be considerably further along than now.

Another option in the future, will be where the Bob Chin's restaurant used to be on LaSalle - it's now closed but there is supposed to be another run by Levy's Group called Fulton's on the River opening sometime during the summer. I'd check Metromix closer to the time that you are coming to see what the scoop is on that one.

Have fun while here.

Nancy03, I'm going to recommend another option for you, if you are here for a few days. (Sorry, can't tell from your posts how long you are going to be visiting.)

Maybe you'd like to go to the Chicago Botanic Garden one afternoon. They have a nice outdoor eating area there. And at twilight, they have the Grand Illimuniation of Evening Island.

Just a suggestion in case it might interest you. Have fun in deciding.

Thanks for all the info on the river and construction. The North Pond and I also look into the Grand Illimuniation of Evening Island.
That sounds like something we would like. We will be in Chicago from Friday afternoon until Monday afternoon.

Would we enjoy North Pond more before the sunsets? Are the views beyond the windows something to see in the light or rather prettier after dark - city lights?

Thanks

Nancy03, with such a short time here, the Chicago Botanic Garden, lovely as it is, would probably not be the best choice because of your time restraints.

North Pond...personally, I think twilight is the best time. It's hard to describe but there is this kind of hush that descends over the park at that time. There are plenty of people who have family picnics in Lincoln Park and families with kids going to the zoo and the Nature museum so it's pretty busy during the day - but by about 5:00-6:00 pm most have started to clear out or are already gone.

For a nice little walk to North Pond: you can take the #151 NB up to the Dickens stop (at the Lincoln Park zoo). You will be just south of the gardens by the Lincoln Park Conservatory. (They are on both sides of the street--I'm sure your bike tour will take in this area because of the beauty.) You can even stop at the Lincoln Park Conservatory (free) if you get there before closing time. Then from that area, walk north, cross Fullerton and continue along the lagoon to North Pond.

Hope this information helps a bit.

Thanks Exiledprincess. Very helpful information. How long will the walk be from Hotel Burnham to Lincoln Park?

Ah, but that description of North Pond at twilights stirs mem'ries...of another season. What a magical place it was, in the '50s, to go ice skating at nite!

Nancy - You'd best count on a pretty long walk, and not an enjoyable one if your Labor Day w/e weather is very warm or humid. Quite a good bit over an hour, total, I'd guess. Better idea might be to allow yourself time to walk from North Pond back to the Hancock - follow the park south along Clark Street back to North Avenue, then cut east (left) a block (to Dearborn) or two (to State Pkwy), both classic old Gold Coast streets lined with $$$ residences. At Division (about 10-15 min stroll from North Ave), cut east (left) again to the Lake Shore Drive and continue heading south to the Hancock. This will be about an hour or a little less at a leisure pace, but a nice glimpse at one of Chicago's best neighborhoods.

Nancy03, don't try to walk from Hotel Burnham to the North Pond...instead take the #151 CTA NB bus or a cab.

I'm not so sure I'd want to walk any distance back at night either. Not that this is a bad area (quite the contrary) - but because of your time restraints.

By the way, if you wanted to take in the fireworks, it has to be on Saturday night. So you either need to eat and run from North Pond on Saturday - or eat at North Pond on Sunday evening. North Pond also has brunches on Saturdays and Sundays.

Thanks, that would be a very long walk. I'll have to get some knowledge of the transporation options. I look online at the CTA site.

North Pond seems like a great choice. I also want to read more about Spiaggia too.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. This is such a great board.