DH, DSs (18 & 21)and I are about to embark on our Chicago adventure! Here's what we have planned:

Day 1: Arrival; exploring surrounding areas of W. Wacker and Mag Mile. Perhaps Navy Pier

Day 2: Tickets for Chicago Cubs

Day 3: Chicago Architectural Foundation Boat Tour; Shopping

Day 4: Sears Tower
The Art Institute

Day 5: Shedd Aquarium
Field Museum of Natural History
Adler Planetarium

Pick-up picnic from Park Grill
Pritzker Pavillion
Symphonic Serenades

See Buckingham Fountain and watch
light show

Day 6: Lincoln Park Zoo
Berghoffs for German food and beer

Day 7: Dinner at Frontera Grill
Tickets for Second City Comedy Club

Day 8: Depart for home

Is it too much to do Shedd, Field and Adler in one day? We probably will walk along the lake or take a lake cruise. Also, there are many other buildings and areas to explore, which we will do on the "fly". Any other suggestions, ideas (particularly for meals) are welcome! Thanks to all who have been helpful in helping me plan this trip

I think the Shedd, Field and Adler would probably be too much for one day personally if you really want to see any of them in depth. I took my niece to the Shedd recently and we spent the entire morning there and still didn't see everything.

You might look into the City Pass if you take Chigal's advice and add the Museum of Science and Industry and Hancock, I too like the view better from the Hancock and I think the queues are shorter.

http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html

And her advice for going to the LP zoo early is right on, a zoo employee told me the same thing. We always end up there in the afternoon and I'm still not sure if there's really a polar bear there.

A couple other notes-Frontera Grill does not take reservations, if you can go on a non weekend day it is preferable. Same with another of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Iberico on LaSalle St. (tapas). For lunch during the week or on Sunday, I have never had to wait but forget about weekend nights.

Try and make a stop at the Cultural Center on the corner of Randolph and Michigan, right across the street from the newly finished Millennium Park which is also worth a look. The interior of the building is gorgeous and it also houses a tourist center. Be sure and visit the Tiffany glass ceiling on the 3rd floor. And after you are done, if you need a snack, there is a Garrett's Popcorn on Randolph, right across from Marshall Field's on State. Much shorter line than Michigan Avenue.

One more thought, there is a free Chicago Greeter program if you want to explore a neighborhood. If you decide to do the Museum of Science and Industry, I would combine a Chicago Greeter visit to Hyde Park with a visit there, the Univ. of Chicago has a beautiful campus, they probably would go by some of the mansions along Woodlawn and show you the site of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The Museum of S&I is the only remaining building from that fair (although substantially rehabbed).

seetheworld,

Another vote for the Hancock Building. Rather than paying for entrance to the observation deck, take the elevator to the 95th floor restaurant and walk up a few steps to the bar. It's free unless you want a drink. Great views!

I would skip Navy Pier. Nothing much to see there except a bunch of tourist type shops. We were very disappointed in Navy Pier.

Curious

Well, do a brief glimpse of Navy Pier on your way to the Shedd. Take the water taxi- it's the best way to go, very relaxing and a great was to enjoy the skyline. I agree that doing the museum, aquarium and planetarium is a bit much. Not sure when you are going, but the Field has an awesome exhibit on China till mid-Sept. You'll want to get tickets early, as you have scheduled entrance. It's worth it.

The Museum of S&I would be high on MY list of things to do (the kids are science junkies too). Perhaps we will pass on the zoo (how does it compare to the San Diego or Bronx Zoo?), if we run out of time and do that museum instead.

Thanks for the advice on the Hancock Building - I HATE being in tall buildings, so a drink might be necessary (only doing it for my kids).

Any other dinner options besides Frontera's on a Friday before going to Second City that takes reseravations (preferably in the area of SC)? If we decide to go to Frontera's, would 5-5:30 be considered a 'safe' time to go so that we can get out in time for the show? Also, if DH and I decide to go out for a special dinner, is Tru the place to go? I've heard some good things about it, particularly the desserts (Gale Gand is a favorite of mine). How far in advance would I have to make a reservation? (the concierge could also make the call). Any other suggestions would be welcome - perhaps seafood.

Chicgal, Kristi, Curious, LLindaC - thanks for the help

Hi seetheworld,

The LP Zoo is fun, but it's MUCH smaller than the San Diego Zoo and some other big-city zoos. I think the Museum of Science & Industry would be a better bet!

I agree with the other posters about the Hancock Building over the Sears Tower.

As for restaurants, there's a terrific upscale Mexican place right next door to Second City called Adobo Grill, and they do take reservations. You can look it up on www.metromix.com (the best source for Chicago dining and entertainment info, in my humble opinion!). The food and atmosphere are great. Frontera is one of my favorite restaurants, but there's always a wait--sometimes up to two hours--and I'd NEVER eat there if I had somewhere to be afterward, like a show. A friend and I got there at 5:30 on a Thursday afternoon last month, and there was already a 45-minute wait!

Tru is supposed to be amazing. I did read in the Chicago Tribune last week that they're in the process of changing some things there (new chef, menu)--not sure what's happening, exactly. I would imagine that the sooner you make the reservation, the better.

Have you by any chance thought of seeing The Blue Man Group? I bet all four of you would love it!

Hi Strass! Thanks for the info. I forgot about Adobo Grill - we probably should consider dining there instead and check out Frontera earlier in the week when it is less crowded and we don't have somewhere to be afterwards.

We saw Blue Man Group in Boston - we had a blast! I've checked out the theater but nothing is really showing while we are in Chicago. However, I was checking out the Steppenwolf Theater - do you know anything about Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune?

Tru can be booked on www.opentable.com, a free reservation service. I've used it many times and it works just fine. I just looked for tonight and there's availability but if it's a weekend, you will want to book ASAP.

Adobo Grill can also be booked on there, pick the Old Town location.

For me the decision between the zoo and the Museum of S&I would come down to weather. If you're like me and hate spending nice days indoors, spending it up in Lincoln Park is a nice way to go. It is a smaller zoo, certainly not on par with San Diego, but it is a pleasant way to spend a morning. You can also visit the free conservatory in the same area and go over to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to see the butterfly garden. I think it's free on Thurs.

My current favorite seafood in Chicago is Joe's Stone Crab on Grand (not Joes' Crab Shack), they have the yummiest crabcakes. I just recently saw a review of Shaw's in the Tribune that said it was overpriced for what you get and I had a bad experience at Hugo's in May so wouldn't recommend that.

Opentable is a great way to go--we book a lot of restaurants through that site.

I'm not much of a theater person, but I did read a good review of F&J.

OUCH!
All of this Chi-town talk is KILLIN' me!

This will be the 2nd year in a row we will not visit one of our fave cities and we're going thru withdrawals.

About the Chicago River boat tours...Did I hear correctly that while one of the tour boats was passing under the Kinzie Bridge a commercial bus may have been dumping some "liquid refuse" from their tanks into the river and it went all over the tour boat and some of it's occupants? Urban Legend? CC

We liked Navy Pier. The Ferris "Beuller" Wheel...Riva's restaurant, sculptures/art work, music,
and on clear days, mahhhhvalous views back at the city.

Ditto The Big John vs Sears....plus there's a cocktail lounge up at the top as Curious mentions. Great minds drink alike?

You meet the nicest people at Hugo's!
Right, Hulagal?

Nice to know they are finished w/ Millennium Park. We saw an outdoor art exhibit there one day 3 yrs ago and the next day the crane was falling over so they closed it.

Don't forget the downtown walking tour of the various sculptures by Picasso, Calder, Miro, Chagall and a few others.

ESPNZone????
Cubby Bear or Murphy's before the game?

"Cheeseboiger" at the Billy Goat?
PIZZA anywhere!

Take a taxi ride from downtown to Wrigley and tell him to step on it....then sit back and enjoy the ride down Lakeshore.

Hi Chicgal, the zoo sounds awesome (love zoos) and going before the game is a great idea but I don't think it's going to work out (not sure I can convince the guys) prior to the game. It's 'hat day' to the first 10,000 fans and since we bought our tickets on ebay (ouch!) by golly we are going to get our hats...that means early to the ballpark.

Can anyone tell me if it is "allowed" to bring and drink wine at Grant Park while listening to the concert?

Ooops! I'm starting to experience a little pre-trip frazzle! Thanks, Chicgal, for pointing me in the right direction!

seetheworld, just got a notice from Steppenwolf about Frankie and Johnny which they claim is sold out. Here's c a copy of the info

There are still TWO WAYS to see
FRANKIE & JOHNNY:

Twenty for $20
Twenty tickets at $20 are available for purchase beginning
at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the performance by phone at
(312) 335-1650 or in-person at Steppenwolf Theatre,
1650 N. Halsted St.

Standby Vouchers
Half-price Standby Vouchers allow you to enter the theater just before curtain time to occupy empty seats. Standby Vouchers are available at the theater on the day of the performance, one hour prior to curtain. Vouchers are only available in person and are subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

For more information, call Audience Services at 312-335-1650.

Greetings FROM Chicago, Chicgal! We are currently in the Public Library. Must say, we are having a fabulous time here in friendly Chicago but I will fill you in when I return. Must go! STW