Okay, I'm getting a little more organized with our 3 day Labor Day weekend visit. I have the Hotel picked - Burnham.

We get in to Midway at 1:50 on Friday. I want to go on the 90 min. Wendella River/Lake trip that evening. Times are 6, 7 or 8:30. Sun sets at 7:50 that night. What time would be good to take this trip? To see the buildings along the river and enjoy the city lights from the lake too? We also need to eat - either before if we take the 8:30 trip or after if we take the 6 or 7 trip. Anything casual/mid-priced....near the boat dock or near the hotel.

Then on Saturday, we plan to rent bikes at Millennium Park Bike and ride along the lake and make our way to the Watertower for a 2 1/2 hrs bike tour with Bobby's Bike Tour at 10 am. Since we will be finished with tour at 12:30, we need a suggestion on somewhere to eat on our way back to Millennium Park. We will spend the afternoon riding the bikes around.

This night we will go to see I Love You, You're perfect, Now Change at the Royal George Theatre. It starts at 8:30. This is our actual anniversary day so the play (which is whimsical and funny about relationships seems appropriate). Again, we need a suggestion on a nice meal, either near the hotel or the theatre. Maybe this would be the night to eat at Atwood right at the hotel.

Then on Sunday, here's where I need some helped. We could do the North Pond brunch and then go on the 1:30 bike tour instead of Saturday (which would leave Saturday open for a museum visit). Or we could visit a museum on Sunday morning and go to the North Pond for dinner.

Thanks!!

Nancy03, it would seem to me that the Wendella 7pm would be the one you want if you want the sunset and the 8:30 if you want the citylights from the river/lake.

Casual/mid-priced restaurant near the hotel - Park Grill at Millennium Park. You are only 3 blocks from your hotel there. The plus is that you can visit the Park and see the Crown fountains at night. And maybe walk over to Buckingham Fountain.

Bike tour - I'd take it Saturday morning, especially if the weather is hot/humid. Then do the Art Institute in the afternoon. If you are feeling a little weary after the bike ride and museum, you are so close to your hotel, you can take a short respite before dinner and the show.

A good place for your dinner before the Royal George: Cafe Bernard/Red Rooster on N. Halsted.

After the show, if you want to hear the blues, B.L.U.E.S. is just to the south on N. Halsted.

Sunday: if you were going to the MSI, do it then - you don't want to be too rushed when visiting that. Just make sure you get there as it opens (if possible) because of the crowds - recommend that you get your tickets in advance.

Take the #10 SB bus right there from Washington/State - You might want to visit the Osaka Japanese gardens while there for a lovely summer afternoon walk. Then come back on the same bus, take it all the way to the Chicago Avenue (Water Tower) stop - transfer to the free trolley going to Lincoln Park - or the #151 NB bus at that intersection.

If you have a little extra time, take a short visit to the zoo (free) and the conservatory (also free) and gardens before walking to North Pond for dinner.

Hope this helps.

Do we need to "redress" to go to North Pond for dinner? Thought it may be a little "dressier" than what we might wear during the day. Thanks so much.

I don't want to throw a wrench into this itnerary but I would like to make one suggestion: rather than take the Wendella boat trip, how about taking the boat tour run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation? I've done it several time and have always found it to be the most informative.

http://www.cruisechicago.com/cflady/arcsell.html

Near the Royal George Theater is a good restaurant called Bocca. Park Grill is nice for lunch or dinner. And remember the chocolate buffet in the Peninsula for after theater.

I think you're going to need a vacation after this weekend!

DMG I did look into the Chicago Architecture Foundation but last run on Friday is 3 pm. I don't want to jump from check-in to a tour. I want to relax a few hours in the hotel first. Second, the Sat/Sun last trip is at 5 pm.

Also, If I believe these boats only go on the river? Maybe I'm misinformed. I really wanted to get out on the lake and view the city (in the night sky) from a distance.

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions - I look into those further. If I'm wrong about the Chicago Architecture Foundation please let me know.

I think we will only do one muesum - just depends on how we are feeling. I think we have plenty of pockets of down time (considering I don't like to shop - I can do that right here in Tampa).

You are correct about the boat tour times and not going out on the lake; I was talking more about the tour as an informative one as opposed to Wendella which is very scenic.

As far as museums go, given your hotel and plans I would most strongly suggest the Art Institute since you'll be so close or the Museum of Contemporary Art near the Water Tower (if you are into modern art). I also like the Chicago Historical Society but it may be undergoing a renovation. Of course there is the Museum of Science and Industry but it would not be convenient given your current plans.

DMG: Yeah, my thoughts were to go to the Art Institute and then if we feel like we have a lot of energy,then do the MSI but I don't want to run, run, run. I'd like to get a little feel for the city and come back another time to do more.

You just don't have enough time to do any venue outside of the Loop/Michigan Ave. area. The Art Institute is prime, and then Field or Shedd which are right there, if you have any time. Shedd takes about 3 to 4 hours, IMHO.

Nancy03, I had thought from your previous post you wanted to go to the Museum of Science and Industry--that's why I mentioned it.

As I indicated before, Labor Day weekends in Chicago tend to be fairly to very hot--and humid. I would recommend that you do the more strenuous activities, such as the bike tour, in the morning hours - and go to the museum in the afternoon when it's hottest outside.

North Pond: Although I usually go for brunch, if it were me visiting Chicago, I'd go in the evening. Brunch starts at 11 am - and if you were to get there just at opening, spending only one hour, you've cut one of your days basically in half.

My suggestion (if you really would prefer brunch) is to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo in the morning (opens at 9 am), then on to the Conservatory, gardens and up to North Pond.

You might contact them on the dress code when making the reservations but I know in the evening you would not be allowed to wear shorts and similar attire. Also, ask for a window seat, preferably center to the northwest side.

Finally, I don't know how dressy you will be when going to the Royal George and dinner, however, you can take the Red Line from right across the street from the Hotel Burnham to the Clybourn stop. You need only cross North Avenue and go north on Halsted maybe two blocks - the Royal George is on the east side of the street - you'll see Steppenwolf on the west. (Or you may wish to cab it since it's a special occasion.)

ExiledPrincess. I would very much like to see the bodyworks and sub at the MSI if we can fit it in without feeling totally run down. North Pond looks like a great place to eat - I prefer dinner over brunch as we are not big morning eaters, but would do so if it fits better with our stay. I think we'll do the bike at 10 am. I talked to the owner of the bike tour and he recommends that time. Saying it is less hectic in the city and more relaxed without the hussle and bussle.

I live in the suburbs, but some of the best places to go are the John Hancock just for the view, and although very pricey for dinner, you can have drinks and see all the city lights before going somewhere else for dinner or a show. Division and/or Rush street are great for night life and shopping, cafes and entertainment. If you don't want to walk, it's less than a $10.00 cab ride and you can catch a cab anywhere there. If you're on the lake, you can get great sea food at Navy Pier and catch one of the boat tours, or go on the Spirit of Chicago(boat) for lunch on the lake. Check out the Chicago City Pass before you get here, it will save you money on combo admissions and tours on various things and places. I hope this helps and you have a great time while you are here in Chicago!