First time in Chicago
 

Going to Chicago with a friend for a conference & staying at the Talbot. Any suggestions on what to see & do, especially after 5? Also, tips on the easiest way to get from Midway Airport to the Talbot? Thanks!

When ever I have out of town guests I always take them to the Impressionist galley at The Art Institute. Hours are:
Thursday 10:30–9:00 (Free hours have moved from Tuesday to Thursday and Friday evenings in summer, 5:00–9:00.)
Friday 10:30–9:00
Saturday 10:00–5:00
Sunday 10:00–5:00

Chicago has one of the finest collections of Impressionist art in the world. Some of the pieces in the Art Institue include "Sunday on La Grande Jette" by George Seurat, "Paris Street; Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte numerous Monets, Kandinski, Picasso, Casset, Edward Hooper's "Night Hawks" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic" just to name a few of the more famous pieces.

Then I take them to the Courtyard restaurant inside the Art Institute. That is a very unique experience, a sheltered outdoor restaurant with tables arranged around the fountain. The prices are the same you would pay anywhere Downtown for lunch.

If the weather is nice take a walking tour of the Loop. See some of the outdoor sculpture. Start with the Calder Mobile in the lobby of the Sear's Tower, then walk to the Federal Center Plaza and see The Calder Stabile "Flamingo", the Chagall mosiac "Four Seasons" at Bank One Plaza, the Picasso in the Daley Center, the Miro across the street from the Picasso, and the Dubuffet at the James R. Thompson Center (formerly the State of Illinois Center). Walk down the "Canyon" of LaSalle street. Go to the Chicago Board of Trade (Mon-Fri)and look out over the trading floor. Note the statue of Ceres on top of the CBOT.

Go to Grant Park at night for a free outdoor concert. Pack a picnic dinner. Afterward walk over to Buckingham fountain (or the Married w/Children Fountain to the rest of the world!)Watch the light show at the fountain then walk across Lake Shore Drive & go on a boat ride.

Go out to the Planetarium at any time to see a beautiful view of the Chicago sky line. The Adler Planetarium used to have a 9 pm show on Fridays. Then after the show you were taken out back to the Donne Observatory and allowed to look tthrough the telescope. (I am not sure if this still happens)

At night go have a drink up at the top of the John Hancock Center. The drinks are on the expensive side but you only have to have one and the view from the Ladies' room is not to be missed!

I think the orange line (train) goes from Midway to Downtown Chicago. Then you could cab it to the hotel. That might be doable if you don't have a lot of luggage.

Don't know when you are visiting Chicago. If it is the summer, check the Grant Park Symphony's calendar to see if they are playing at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. It's free.

Buckingham Fountain for the light show at night (each hour until 11 pm).

Go for a cocktail in the Signature Room in the John Hancock Building - go just before sunset, if you can (there's usually a line for the elevator so plan going at least 30-45 minutes, minimum, earlier).

You could take a cruise on the Windy, our tall ship - boards from Navy Pier. There's also a beer garden at the far end of the Pier which has free entertainment - and the Pier has fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays (weekends are usually CROWDED).

Check out the City of Chicago's website and see if a neighborhood festival might be running when you are here. There are "suggested donations" but the entertainment is free.

Theatre: Wicked is the hottest ticket right now. Check with your concierge, if you have any interest.

Comedy Clubs - we have many - the two best known are Second City and Zanies, over in Old Town.

Many places, which you would not normally consider entertainment venues, have performances in the evening. For example, the Shedd Aquarium has "Jamming at the Shedd" on Thursday evenings. The Lincoln Park Zoo has concerts on certain evenings. MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) has jazz peformances. The Art Institute, which is free to the public on Thursday and Friday evenings 5-9pm, also have performances and lectures at various times in their auditorium. ETC. Too many to mention.

I believe it's Wendella which has a sunset river cruise--but if you can possibly manage it, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise is (IMHO) the best. Knowledgable docents and you are benefitting a good cause.

Have fun when here!

Oops! Sorry, that's "Jazzin' at the Shedd" and "Jammin' at the Zoo" for the performances.

Guess it's hard to keep those places where I've had fun straight!

I agree with all the above suggestions and I'll add that Navy Pier has fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights. You would be able to see them from the Oak Street Beach near your hotel or you could walk down to the pier itself.

As for the trains, you can buy a visitor pass from the vending machine at the Midway station. A 1-day pass is $5, 2-days is $9, 3-days is $12. They're separate from the regular fare card machines, so if you're not sure-ask. The passes allow unlimited rides on trains and buses for a 24-hour period. The regular fare is $2.

The trip to downtown will take about 45 minutes. You'll take the Orange line from Midway to Roosevelt. From there, transfer to the Red Line heading toward Howard (the Roosevelt station has elevators).

Take the Red Line toward Howard and exit at Chicago Avenue. From there, the Talbott is 3 blocks north on State and about a block to the right on Delaware.

If you have lots of luggage, a cab from Midway would run about $30 or the shuttle is around $19 per person.

You will like the Talbott. It is our hotel of choice in Chicago. In fact, we will be staying there for 4 nights in July for our second time. Super location and really nice rooms and helpful staff. The windows open which, anymore, is a requirement for us. No more cookie cutter chain stuff (Hyatt's, Marriotts, etc). You do, however, pay for the privelege for a very nice boutique hotel.

Enjoy Chicago, it's a great city with tons of things to do. You should do a search on this site for tons of suggestions on what to do.

Curious

Thanks for all your input. FODORITES ARE AWESOME!

I just returned from a great weekend in Chicago.
The highlights for me:

Millenium Park
Topolobampo for dinner
The Art Institute

Don't miss Millenium Park..it is awesome. We have always stayed at the Talbot until this year and we stayed at Hotel Burnham..it is equally as nice with lovely view. It is not a cookie cutter place either.

I am taking your advices too, for my September 12-16 visit

Millenium Park and The Art Institute for sure. Try to take the architectural boat tour to learn about our incredible skyline. Near The Talbot, have dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar or LuxBar.

This isn't a what to do suggestion but a what to read.
I've just finished "The Devil in the White City." Fascinating book about building the World Fair in Chicago in 1883 and a serial killer who was on the loose at the time.

You had me panicked for a moment. I'll only have one day -- a Monday -- to go to the Art Institute and see my favorite painting -- the Seurat "Sunday on La Grande Jette". FYI, the musuem IS open Mondays from 10:30 - 5:00pm (per their web site). Whew!