My husband and I will be traveling to Chicago Jan. 3rd for 2 days and staying at the Fitzgerald. Other than visiting the Field Museum and Art Institute does anyone have any recomendations for meals or fun stops in the area of the Fitz (Superior & Michigan)?

Given the little information that you provide with regards to age or interests, I'd suggest that you check out the Chicago Tribune website: www.metromix.com and do your own research. It's a wonderful site and just full of information regarding restaurants, theater, etc. If you're seriously considering the Field Museum, be sure to see the Pompeii exhibit and/or Dinosaur Dynasty: Discoveries from China. I'd recommend that you purchase tickets online today at www.fieldmuseum.org as the lines are very long this time of year, especially for the Pompeii exhibit!

Although Chicago supposedly received its nickname "The Windy City" from its politicians rather than for its weather, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes and dress in layers! You won't want to venture outdoors too long without them as the wind off the lake rules this city in the wintertime.

You don't have to limit yourself to Superior and Michigan! Downtown is so close, for theatre and restaurants (check hottix.org for half price tickets). Old Town, a short cab ride from the Fitzgerald, has Second City's fun, new comedy review. River North (southwest of Superior and Michigan) is full of restaurants and clubs. Go to metromix.com or chireader.com for information and reviews.

FYI, in case you're doing any other searching, you're staying at the Fitzpatrick, not he Fitzgerald.

Have you ever been in Chicago? What do want to do or avoid? What budget do you have for meals?

Shortty, is this your first trip to Chicago?

Go to the Signature Lounge in the John Hancock Building for drinks in the evening. Wouldn't dine there, so many better options available.

Any interest in going to the theatre? Check out Metromix or Chicago Reader online for what might interest you.

Check out Ditka's - the singer there does Sinatra, only certain evenings - is great.

The Green Mill for jazz. Buddy Guy's for blues. The Hothouse on Balbo for great international acts. The Redhead Piano Bar on Ontario. Second City or Zanies for comedy. For architecture, check out the Chicago Architecture Foundation's website for walking and bus tours around town.

Meals: when going to the Art Institute, Aria on N. Columbus (more expensive) or Russian Tea Time (less expensive). One of my favorites is Le Colonial (on N. Rush-French Vietnamese).

So many options from which to choose - but have fun whatever you decide!

Thanks you for the ideas. We prefer asking locals their opinions on where to eat etc. since the websites can be overwhelming at times. A return visit is definately going to be made. Again thank you.