Chicago *rough* Itinerary
 

Thanks for all your advice, chicgal, Kristi7, curious, & all others thus far. Here is an itinerary I put together while at lunch at work. I didn't have a map or anything here, so some things might be out of whack as far as schedule & location go.

Also, any suggestions for reasonable (ie $20 pp with drinks) dinner suggestions would be great. We like American, Italian, Mexican & steak. Probably should give pizza a whirl too, but was thinking that would be good for lunch, that way I can walk it off ;-)! Thanks for all your help!!!!!!

Arrive October 1, 9:15 AM Midway
1. Take bags to hotel (hoping to get room in NMA or North River Area)
2. Hang out in Wrigleyville soak in the atmosphere for a bit (2:20 pm game)
3. Grab lunch @ Navy Pier, wander around a bit
4. Pre drink dinner at John Hancock bar
5. Grab quick/?value? dinner somewhere
6. Meander Michigan Avenue area & window shop
7. Drinks on Rush Street

Saturday October 2

1. Shedd Aquarium
2. Gin Mill for Spartan game (second half)
3. River Architecture Cruise (5pm)
4. Any other suggestions?

Sunday October 3

1. The Art Institute
2. Buckingham Fountain
3. Millenium Park (is this by the Fountain, if not, suggestions for that area)
4. Suggestions taken! I would like to really get the feel of Chicago, wander neighborhoods, etc.

One thing caught my attention--if you're attending a Cubs game at 2:20, you probably won't have time for lunch at Navy Pier that day. Why not have lunch at one of the bars surrounding Wrigley Field? Yes, it'll be crowded, but it's a really fun/energetic atmosphere!

Millennium Park is very close to Buckingham Fountain and well worth a visit.

For Saturday night, you could think about getting tickets to Second City--quintessential Chicago and lots of fun.

strass~ I'm sorry, I should have made it more clear, we're not actually going to the game, we're just going to wander around Wrigleyville for awhile. Perhaps get a beer. Maybe we will get a burger or something there and just wander the Navy Pier instead.

Oh! Gotcha. I'd eat in Wrigleyville--I've never been to Navy Pier but I always hear how expensive things are there.

A restaurant suggestion: Maggiano's, for delicious Italian (huge servings, too!). It's a chain (not like McDonald's or anything, but you can find it in some cities), but the food is terrific and not too expensive. Fun, cozy atmosphere, too. I think the address is around 500 N. Clark, near the Grand stop on the Red Line. Across the street there's a huge Irish pub called Fado that's also a good time.

We ate at Fado's last week- I liked it , but the smoke is terrible. Second to Maggiano's- we had great, fun service there. For that quickie dinner, try Food World at the Water Tower. It's a place with different stations/cuisines. I like the stir-fry place where they make it to order right in front of you. It's not your typicalfood court with chains (McDonald's, etc) and there's something for all tastes.

I agree with the above about Navy Pier-the cheap food is sub par and pricey. If you are going to eat there, splurge for Riva. If that's not in your budget, grab a beer in the beer garden, wander around and eat somewhere else. Mill. Park and Buck. Fnt. are very close. The Gin Mill is in Lincoln Park which is a nice neighborhood to wander around and not too far from Wrigley if you hop on the El.