Been there before...love the town..but its been a while. Staying at Westin on Mich. Ave. What shall my wife and I do, Friday through monday lunch at the end of the month. Check-Billygoat tavern; check Art Institute; check--water tower; check--hancock tower; check shopping; check--pizza; check--sears tower; please Add to my list of things to do and eat. Boat tours worth it?? Particularly good exotic ethic foods, and plain old midwestern comfort foods.

thanks, in advance.

The architectural tour is worth while. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is the best of the lot. Their docks are at the SE corner of Michigan and Wacker Drive.

If you're going to the Hancock Building, there's no need to go to Sears Tower. You'll see the same thing, but stand in a longer line.

For restaurants, you can try Reza's. It has a Persian menu and is on Ontario at Orleans, just a short walk from the Westin. Also check www.metromix.com. You can search by cuisine, price range or neighborhood.

We were there for a weekend a couple of weeks ago. Having also been there a number of times before, we didn't feel the need to hit all the museums and tall buildings, but we did take the Architectural Foundation boat cruise and found it very enjoyable (it's always nice to see the city from another angle, and learn something at the same time).

Do not miss Millenium Park -- it's in a corner of Grant Park, opened in 2004. See the bandshell, the bean, etc., what will be the ice skating rink in winter, the tree garden, etc. It's a really nice addition an already wonderful city.

Take a walk along the lake.

There are endless restaurants in town so i suggest you consult metromix and narrow it down by your personal tastes.

You may want to venture out past the typical sites as well if you like boutique type shopping and funkier neighborhoods. If so, go to Bucktown and wander around. Its a great fun and funkier neighborhood - and not too far by CTA or cab from where you are staying.

Devon Avenue has Indian and Pakistani restaurants.

Buy $20 tickets on the same day as the show and see "The Crucible" at STeppenwolf Theatre. I wasn't excited about seeing the play - since I felt I already knew it and had seen it before a few times - but at Steppenwolf, I was blown away. An excellent, highly emotional production with stellar actors. And wander up Halsted north to Armitage for great restaurants and boutique shopping both on Armitage and Halsted.

Agree, skip the Sears Tower. Instead, have a drink at the Signature Lounge of the Hancock (gorgeous views) instead of paying to go to the observation deck.

When are you in town? Are you interested in seeing any shows? Wicked, and possibly Jersey Boys and Phantom will be there, and you might be able to snag tickets.

Restaurants: I love tapas - Cafe Iberico and Cafe BaBaReeba are two favorites. Both have excellent sangria.

I'd take a stroll through some neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Bucktown, etc.

Enjoy the city!

Thanks, one and all for the terrific advice!! Will take the advice and go to Hancock instead of Sears (was at Sears once in college anyway). We are looking forward to a great time in a great city at the end of this week.