Not much of a line (2 or 3 people in front of us) at the Art Institute last Tuesday morning. I didn't get any response on my thread asking what time of day to see the Chagall windows, but they face east and were beautiful in the late-morning light. Also, don't miss the Chagall "Four Seasons" mosaics at S. Dearborn St and W. Monroe.

TDudette, if your weekend is this next one, note that Sunday Oct 8 is the Chicago marathon. The weekend draws many national and international racers and their fans. There is good information available on the internet as to the route and street closures. It can be great fun if you want to watch a bit but you may need to plan around it, especially if you need to get to airport on the Sunday.

Again, my thanks to all. Great information.

Try West Egg for breakfast. Killer corned beef.

We tried to have breakfast at West Egg but the wait was at least 45 minutes. Sorry we missed it!

Hmmm, that corned beef hash is good, but I'm not sure it's worth a 45 minute wait!

We've been lucky, I guess, the line always moved pretty quickly when we were there.

Well hellooooo TDudette.

We had been to Chicago maybe a dozen times before we finally broke down and took the red bus/trolley tour. Loved it.

A hop off-hop on type tour but we never got off the bus because our tour guide was so good.

Next trip back we plan on doing a "Pizzapalooza Tour" of Chicago. All pizza-all the time.

I suggest you visit the cocktail lounge at the top of the John Hancock building. Just before dusk is the best time but there is no bad time for the incredible view.

FWIW, we were EXTREMELY underwhelmed by the cocktail lounge at the John Hancock building. So much so that we glanced at it, sat down, and then decided to just leave and go someplace inviting - it looks like a corporate cafeteria (stackable chairs and all)! (The adjacent restaurant, however, is very nice)

@bachslunch your TR from 2009 is great. printed out for upcoming trip to Chicago. Thx!

No taste in pizza and underwhelmed by The Top of the John, SF7307?

"Stackable chairs"...you sure you were in the Signature Lounge?

It's a Kal-Fam Tradition for us to start a Chicago vacation with a drink up there.

I don't ever recall seeing stackables? Maybe an event was scheduled or was just concluded?

You weren't even impressed by the view?

I do have to get back and go out on the Big John's or The Big Willi's Sky Walk/Deck!

We were definitely in the Signature Lounge!

Your post is funny because I was going to comment on YOUR post that you aren't qualified to take a "Pizzapalooza Tour", given your terrible taste in pizza!

It looked kinda like it looks in this picture:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/Signature-Lounge-pic

Yeah...those tables and chairs look so "Corp Cafe".
Def not worth having to suffer thru for that view.

If you are in the gold coast area, a great place to check out is the 3 Arts Club Cafe where Restoration Hardware is now... the building is gorgeous! Go to the top floor for some great spaces. There is a cafe in the courtyard as well: http://3artsclubcafe.com.

Looks gorgeous, iowamom. Will tell my friends.

Stackable chairs or not, the view from the SIgnature Lounge at the John Hancock is fantastic and well worth sitting in a chair that is not one of a kind handcrafted.

To me, the view outside is beautiful but seriously dampened by the atmosphere inside.

My friend and I had a great evening at Second City, and if I remember correctly it was pretty reasonably priced for a show that lasted all evening.

"To me, the view outside is beautiful but seriously dampened by the atmosphere inside."

It's a Lounge. It's a place for light food, drinks but primarily a great view. Not sure what you were expecting.

Thanks again for the suggestions. We had a super time and I will write a TR asap.