Chicago: so many things we wish to see - please help with a plan
 

Aloha everyone - first a few background facts which may be helpful to factor in before you assist with a plan.

My husband travels by manual wheelchair with me pushing. We "walk" long distances and travel at least 2x a year. We will be arriving in Chicago next Wednesday from Honolulu, leaving at 4:15PM, arriving Chicago at 5:30 AM. Neither of us sleep well on planes, but we are on the list for an upgrade to see if this will help. The past 2 trips to Chicago were also one day and the Cubs were in town so my husband got his wish to see a game. This trip the Cubs are not home, so it's my turn.

We will be staying at the O'Hare Hilton (great Priceline win) as we have in the past, so we are somewhat familiar with the El Blue Line which is accessible at our "home base." The plans could change if we our room is not avaiable for early check in and 2 hour nap or if we get tired during the day.

OK - now for your help. Jane Adams Hull House is a must and we would like to experience the following:
1) The Architectural boat tour which leaves at 11, 1, or 3
2) Art Institute of Chicago for a few hours
3) Walk along the Magnificent Mile - possibly a little shopping????
4) Hancock Observatory - drinks???
5) Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Questions for which I need your help
1) In which order would you advise we plan the day
2) Getting from place to place
2) The area's in which I've mentioned, are they flat or are we facing hills and inclines for walking?
3) Eating suggestions - open to all types under $30 per person, excluding our beverages

Thank you for your help with planning for our day in Chicago.

Do NOT go the the Hancock Observatory. I'm not sure how much it is these days, but probably somewhere between $10-15 per.

Instead, take the free elavator to the 96th floor Signature Lounge. It's a different entrance at the bottom of the building.

For the price of the Observatory elavator ride you can have a drink and the same views. The Lounge is 1 floor below.

I would plan this around sunset time. Early enough to have some day light but stay for wonderful views of the city after dark.

Make sure that it's a clear day....

Have a wonderful trip!

The Michigan Avenue area is pretty flat. The only steep grades you'd encounter would be in the west loop when approaching the bridges over the river.

For your downtown activities, the Clark/Lake Station or Jackson Station on the blue line have elevators. All CTA buses have ramps or lifts and space to accommodate wheelchairs.

To reach the Mag Mile area, take the Blue Line to Jackson and catch the Number 151 bus at the corner of Jackson & Dearborn. It heads up State Street for a few blocks, then up the entire length of N Michigan Avenue. For the Chicago Architecture Boat docks, exit the bus at Wacker. I believe you can use the elevators in the Hyatt to go down to the river level, however you may want to give them a call to ask the best way to get there with your chair.

For Hull House, take the Blue Line to Halsted/UIC. It also has elevators and the museum is only 2 blocks from the station.

To reach the Art Institute from the Mag Mile, hop back on the 151 Bus southbound, it will drop you across the street. From the Blue Line, take the Number 126 bus from Jackson/Dearborn.

Pace (the suburban transit agency) operates door-to-door paratransit service in the Metro area, but I don't know the details other than you need advance reservations. You can call for info from CTA or Pace at (888)968-7282 or check www.transitchicago.com.

For meals, there are literally thousands of options. If you want to try deep dish pizza, there are several Giordano's downtown in addition to Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malnati's. You can also easily find Mexican, Arabic, Thai, Japanese, great burgers, steaks, seafood and just about anything else. Check www.metromix.com. You can enter a price range, cuisine and neighborhood (search loop and river north/mag mile) and get a list of options.

I think I would organize your day by working from south to north. Take the Blue Line from the airport to Halsted for Hull House (contact them for hours, they are limited.)

Get back on the train and take it to Jackson/Dearborn for the Art Institute (you'll walk 3 blocks east and two blocks north to the main entrance) I would look on their website or contact them regarding handicap access - they have done some renovations to the rear entrance, which used to be the accessible one. The Garden/Courtyard restaurant is nice in summer, but there is a lower cost cafeteria style lunchroom, also.

From there, you can walk or take a bus or cab for 6 short blocks to the river. The Architecture website is www.architecture.org It is wise to pre-purchase tickets to the CAF boat tour in summer. The boat leaves from the lower level of Michigan and Wacker. The Hyatt does have access by elevator to that level, but it will take extra time.

That leaves a nice walk up Michigan to see the Tribune Tower, the Old Water Tower, and all the shops between. It is a mile to the Hancock. Be warned that there is a downward slope to the sidewalk in the first quarter mile because you are descending from a bridge. Also, the sidewalks can be very crowded depending on the time of day. You'll find a lot of places to stop for dinner - Grand Lux Cafe is popular, and the portions are big enough to split, but there are lots of choices.

Finish your day with drinks at the Hancock, and take a cab back to the Clark/Lake El stop for the Blue Line.

I found the Hull House info:
http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/newdesign/visiting.html

Thank you for helping to put our day together. Plans are almost finished, with room for flexibility. We were upgraded, so hopefully we will be able to sleep a few hours.

patg and Citylghts- Thank you for the accessibility and station information. We will start our day at Hull House when they open, spend a few hours at the Art Institute, enjoy the architectural boat tour (have directions to the dock which we will arrive by taxi), and "walk" to the Hancock.

AAFrequentFlyer - Thanks for the tip! We would much rather enjoy a drink than one more floor up on an elevator!