Spending Labor Day in Chicago with my husband, daughter 18 and son 15. A couple of questions ... which tour is better ... Sears Tower or John Hancock Observatory? Any comments on the Wrigley Field tour (Cubs not playing while we're there). A good Sunday brunch with a view?

We're staying in the Marriott Fairfield Inn on Ontario St.

Thank you.

Brenda:

There is not really a "tour". You get in a elevator and zip up to the observation level. Better??..not sure I have mostly done Sears with out of town visitors. Hancock is closer to your location. Sorry but I can't help you with the brunch question.

Thanks to all who have posted responses. I shouldn't have said "tour" as to which building to go up in (either Sears Tower or John Hancock). I should have said view! For some reason, this is something my 15 year old son wants to do. Go up in the tallest building in Chicago. He's been in the Arch in St. Louis, but wants to experience an even higher skyscraper! Therefore, I'm looking for the favorite response on which building.

I'm hearing great things about the Architecture Foundation River Cruise tour. I think we'll definately do that. I was thinking Navy Pier on Saturday evening, 9/4, since they have fireworks that night. I was all set to do a dinner cruise until I saw the prices at around $100 each. Took a big trip in March already so this becomes a lower budget trip so that won't fly with my hubby! I would like to check into the Sunday brunch cruise ($48 is doable), but if we already did the architecture tour, would this brunch cruise be redundant?

Thanks again.

Brenda

I've been up both Sears and Hancock a number of times with our out-of-town visitors. Both have nice views, but I will cast my vote for the view from the Hancock. I think its proximity to the lake offers nicer views up and down the lakeshore. Obviously you want to go up when it is as clear as possible, but all things being equal, I like the view in the early evening when the sun is setting and the lights are coming on.

I think a good choice for Sunday brunch would be the Grand Lux cafe. While it is a Chain (Gasp!). It features a gorgeous dining room with expansive windows over looking Michigan Ave. They also have reasonable prices as well. I think the Brunch cruises will be a little stuffy for teenagers.

I want to purchase tix to the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise in advance. They are $25 each. Is Ticketmaster the only website I can purchase these from? I'm trying to avoid the $5.50 pp service fee. That's another $22. Is there a direct link or another suggestion? Thank you.

Ticketmaster is the only way; UNLESS - one of you are (become) a member of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. You could also see if someone you know is already a member.

My vote also goes to the John Hancock building. We visited earlier in July and loved the audio tour--awesome views. We also did the architectural tour and loved it. We just walked up and bought tickets about half an hour before the excursion. It was the highlight of our trip.

Hi antlori: When you say you walked up and bought tickets b/4 the excursion, was it for the architectual "walking" tour or for the "river" tour? Thanks!

It was for the boat tour. There's a small kiosk near where the boat docks. We bought our tickets at 2:30 pm and the tour started around 3:00. My husband didn't want to take the tour; he thought it sounded boring. But when we returned, he said he was glad I talked him into it because it was the best part of the trip. The docent guide was knowledgeable and interesting. We only did the river tour, didn't go out on the lake. We took the bus down Michigan to the river. You get off and cross the street (you'll see a blue awning) and you go down the stairs to the river.