going to chicago
 

i'll only be there for 3 days as kind of a last minute "thing" to go see the oprah show. any suggestions on must eats or must sees in a short time period? i need a hotel, but won't be there much so just something on the low end in the area (but not a dive).

Definitely check out biddingfortravel.com. It looks like you can get a 3-4 star room at the Marriot or Hilton for ~$60-70/night.

If you don't have a Houston's or Cheesecake Factory (inside the John Hancock building) in your neck of the woods, I would definitely recommend going there.

I recommend seeing the evening view from the top of the Hancock over the Sears Tower. Of course, go to Navy Pier. They have fire works on Weds & Sat., but I forgot what time. Ride the ferris wheel. Go on a boat ride. You'll get a lovely view of the city. Shop on Mich Ave & Oak Street. Check out the museums that interest you.

Forgot...Here's the priceline IL/Chicago Hotels link:

http://pub210.ezboard.com/fpriceline...biddingchicago

The activities I mentioned are on or closer to North Michigan Ave, but you could easily catch a bus or cab from a hotel located on South Mich Ave or in the Loop.

I second the recommendation for the Cheesecake Factory inside the Hancock Building. Also, while you are there I would recommend going to the observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock for a great view of the city and Lake Michigan.

http://www.hancock-observatory.com/

For great Chicago Pizza I enjoyed Giordano's on Rush Street. Other things to do are the Shedd Aqaurium, Field Museum, and Navy Pier.

If you can, get a hotel either along North Michigan Avenue (Magnificient Mile) or in The Loop.

Have a great trip.

Now that I have more time to post.....

http://www.navypier.com/
Fireworks, Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 p.m.

Houston's: 612 N Rush (Rush is one block west of Michigan.)

Giordano's is good and I also rec Lou Malnati's (Pizza), 439 N Wells St. (Wells is a several blocks west of Michigan.)

Enjoy your visit!

Giordano's and The Cheesecake Factory are both chains; I prefer local restaurants when I travel. Berghof's is a Chicago institution; the pizza at Lou Malnati's is great. Uno's is also very popular.

i think the two best museums are The Art Institute and The Museum of Science and Industry.

thanks for your help everyone on hotels and restaurants. we do have a cheesecake factory here in seattle...but i'd love to try the local eateries :)

Hey hip!
Tell me the kind of places you like to eat at and I will give you some ideas that are local....

Across from Oprah's is a great little stir fry place called Flat Top Grill..you can make your own food and they will cook it for you..

One block north of Oprah's is Randolph St...that is our "new" restauart row..TONS of great places there..

Also, get on www.metromix.com...its a wonderful website for all that is Chicago.

Let me know what other help you need.

Hipster

I'm with the others who recommended Lou Malnati-- wonderful pizza. If you like Mexican, I love Frontera Grill/Tompolobampo, which has delicious food and deadly margaritas (but owner Rick Bayless' hideous Spanish makes me shudder). For French, Bistro 110 is a couple of blocks from Water Tower and makes a cassoulet that will make you weep with joy.

If you like Scandinavian food, there was a place hidden up on Belmont called Ann Sather's (north of downtown). What IS that neighborhood called? All I know is, the grub was pretty authentic and quite tasty.

hey hipster! i like fun and creative food with lots'o'flavor (not bland). thai is a favorite. presently i'm awaiting my bid on priceline for a hotel (which i doubt will go through, ha!) and looking in the north michigan area most seem to promote. do you agree? i will check out the metromix site you suggested right now :) i think my best bet for lion king might just be to go through ticketmaster (fees and all, argh). i'll check back...

Message: Priceline does seem to have good deals-pick the Michigan Avenue/Gold Coast area to be closest to shopping/Navy Pier and the lakefront and cab it to Harpo studios which is in the West Loop area (about 15 min. cab ride). Definately roam Mi. Ave. and the State Street area. River north area is great for restaurants. If you're interested in architecture, book the chicago river architecture boat cruise in advance-it's great but you won't get on if you don't book in advance. There are previous postings on Fodor with the info. Also, if you're a shopper, check out Marshall Fields State Street, which is just down the street from the Cadillac Palace theater where Lion King is playing. You might also what to check Metromix.com for restaurant reviews and schedules of things going on when you're here.

Hip!
For thai..we love Penny's Noodle Shop..there are 3 locations..the one we ALWAYS go to is on Diversy and Sheffield...the area is called Lakeview/Lincoln Park. You can find it on Metromix...

I will try to write more later!

Near Harpo Studios, try Wishbone or Twisted Spoke - the first for unusual food, the second for fun atmosphere. Both are inexpensive. Sounds like you might enjoy Thai food - there are a lot of good Thai restaurants in Chicago. Post when you know where you are staying, and you're sure to get more recommendations.

does anyone know about the cass hotel. i know it's a 2 star, i won't be there much, i just want to stay in a central location. it's at 640 wabash.

That is right in the heart of things-can't picture it for the life of me but the area is definately good for what you're looking for-lots to do right around there.

The Cass Hotel is basically an SRO (Single Room Occupancy). Lots of transients. Not the best choice for a nice weekend stay. Sorry, it is a great location, but just not very clean.

Try chicago.il.org for more hotel choices-there is a whole accommodation section.

rocky, fodors says cass is ok, also they have double rooms.

swalter, i checked out that site. most hotels in the area are booked for my travel.

i booked the cass and will do last minute bidding to see if i can find better :) thanks for your help!

since i'll be on my own, can anyone tell me of any areas downtown i should stay away from? thanks!

All of the downtown area is safe for a single female as long as you're north of 12th Roosevelt Road and west of Halsted. The are obviously great places west or south of there but I'm speaking generally. If you go to Taylor Street for dinner, take a cab. Parts of the loop (especially south) are deserted on weekends so I wouldn't walk alone at dusk or dark, not that it's bad, just empty, which freaks me out! The Lakefront from the Museum campus north is very safe. As long as you just be smart (don't walk alone late at night in deserted areas...take a cab.) Since you're from a bigger city I'd just use the same precautions.