Pardon my apparent ignorance, but I need some help understanding the difference/ advantages of the Metrarail and the CTA visitor pass. We will be in Chicago several week days/weekend. We are staying at the Marriott on Michigan Ave and plan to do all the recommended touristy things ie Oak Park, Wrigley field, Field Museum, Art Instit. etc. Would the CTA pass work just as well to get around to the various sites?

Second question- Is it necessary to buy tickets for Second City in advance? We weren't sure which nite it would work best into our plans, so we thought about just buying them after we arrive. Thanks for your thoughts!!!! Mo

Sorry, I can't help with the first part of your questions, but I'm sure someone will be able to. I'll just say that on our week long visit, we took the trolley, and elevated train, and did a lot of walking!

We booked our tickets for Second City in advance for a weekend performance -- it turned out to be a sell-out. Second City is very popular, so if you have your heart set on going, I would book tickets in advance.

Have a great time in Chicago! It's a great city!

Glad to see you're taking a trip to the windy city, it's really wonderful here.

The Metrarail system services the city to the suburbs, so you will not need that. As long as the farthest out you're planning to go is Oak Park, the CTA pass will cover that (all El and subway lines, as well as all city buses).

I would recommend getting Second City tickets in advance, even if you just call ahead or stop by and buy tickets the day before at the box office. It's very close to the Sedgwick Brown Line station. I live down the street, so am very familiar with Second City.
If you go on a week day, you may be able to buy tickets right before, but it's better not to risk it during the summer.
There's a ton of restaurants on Wells St., so get there early have dinner, and remember that seating is first come, first serve, so show up at least 30 minutes before the show.

Have a great trip!

I was going to say the same thing as Patten.

Unless you loath walking, you could walk to the Art Institute. That would bring you through Millenium Park which is worth seeing. The Chicago Symphony is across the street from Millenium Park and they have a cute gift shop if you like musical stuff.

Also, once at Field Museum, you can also see Adler Planetarium or Aquarium. (not sure if you have kids with you?)
One thing you could do is catch a boat ride back from the Museum Campus to Navy Pier. Then you could walk to your hotel. Also, A cab to the museum campus would be less than $10. YOu have to walk about 4 blocks from the CTA stop to the Museum Campus anyways so think about it.

One of the best things to do is take the architectural boat tour. Have you heard about it? I will post more info but its probably one of the top 3 things to do to visit Chicago.

Here you go.

http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=8

One more thing - unless you have kids with you, Navy Pier is a major tourist trap. The view from the pier looking back at Chicago is awesome but the rest is pretty touristy. So, if you take a boat back from the museum, when you get off at the pier, you can see the view but walk away from the tourist hoard.

Are you sick of me yet?
One more thing. There are outdoor concerts in Grant Park in the summer. Here is the link. It would be a very cool thing to do.

http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/index.shtml

You need either the visitors pass, a weekly pass or a fare card. You can get passes at either airport train station and fare cards in any train station. You'll need to figure out how much you'll use transit and how many days you'll be in town to figure out which is the best deal.

The visitors pass and weekly pass gives you unlimited rides for a certain number days. The fare card is really just an alternative to cash with two signifcant advantages. First, fares were raised substantially if you're paying cash. And it's more convenient that carrying exact change and dollar bills.

You'll need a pass for everyone in your group, but you can all share a fare card, though of course a seperate fare will be deducted for each person. You can add money to the fare card at any train station and it won't expire during your trip.

You'll probaly use transit quite a bit during your trip. The 151 bus runs down Michigan Ave. and will take you to the Art Institute and into the Loop. The red line will get you to Wrigley Field and the Green Line will take you to Oak Park. If you're going to the Museum Campus (Shedd, Field, Adler) or the Museum of Science and Industry, you'll have several bus routes to choose from. Check out

www. transitchicago.com for more details.

Also there are free trolleys available, not to be confused with the tour trolleys you pay for. Check out

http://tinyurl.com/espmg

Also, Navy Pier is a huge tourist trap. I generally loathe such things, and I certainly don't frequent it as a resident. However, I would say it's worth seeing at least once, especially if you have kids. For adults there's a great mini museum of stained glass, some nice views of the lake and skyline and the Palm Garden is kind of nice. Not many chances to see palm trees in Chicago, though if you're coming from Florida you probably won't be too impressed. There is also the giant ferris wheel, IMAX, a well regarded children's museum and the Chicago Shakespere Theater, and some high speed and low speed boat tours out into the lake. Avoid eating there though, it's expensive, crowded, and there are far better places to eat in town.

for me a "must see stop" is the top of hancock building for a refreshment at least. i think it is more value than the sears.

this way you do not pay to go up, and can enjoy the view for a few dollars with your refreshment.

also a restaurant there.. and the bar serves sandwiches.

a night visit , too, will not disappoint you!

Jim Lovell was here yesterday and just put his space capsule into permanent exhibit at the Adler- it might be a real perk to see it while it's brand new. It's at the Adler, short walk/next door to the Field.

Since you are going to several venues during your stay- I would look into buying a combination visitors' go pass. It's worth it if you are going to 3 or more listed features. www.metromix.com will detail and do it while or before you buy your first entry.

Have fun- and try to hit Field and Shedd (if you go) on the weekdays because the weekends there have been long lines on entry and at exhibits.

I completely agree with Chicagolori that the Architecture river boat tour is a must, however she gave you a link to the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Tour.

I have taken these tours at least 12 times, and the Chicago Line tours are by far the best.

www.chicagoline.com

As a local architect, I have to say that the Chicago Architecture Foundation tours are horrendous. They have unpaid retirees giving the tours and the 3 times I've done these tours, I felt like I should have taken the mic and done the tour myself.

The Chicago Line tours are wonderful, they have paid docents that really care about what they're doing and I learn something new about a particular building or the history of Chicago each time.

Enjoy. I also agree the Navy Pier is a huge waste of time, there is really nothing worthwhile to see there. The ferris wheel is okay for city views, but the John Hancock bar or observation deck is much better.

Thanks Patten. I didn't pay attention to the detail when I gave the link. Glad you provided the right one.

hot tix has a lot of second city tickets half price usually.
must buy in person at their booths across town.

google hot tix..

Thanks to everyone- I've been to all the web sites and my only dilemma is that I can't see it all in 4 days! Guess that means a return trip. chicagolori- I'll never get tired of you- come to Va so I help you. Patten-I will definitely do the archit. cruise- have heard it's great. It's my husband's bday so I thought this would be a really nice surpise.
One more question - is it cool in evening there? I was just in San Fran. and absolutely needed a jacket! We will be in Chicago next THurs am- and will be thinking of you all as we move through the city- Mo

It probably wouldn't hurt to bring a jacket or light sweater. The past few days it's been cool at night, but then last week it was sweltering, hot and humid all night. So, it's really a toss up as to what the weather will be, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.