We will be staying about 4-5 days in Chicago in March (around the 11th). We will be staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown. Any suggestions on some cool things to do? I will be with my wife and another couple. I thought about going to a Bulls game and maybe taking my wife to the Oprah show. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Chicago REALLY celebrates St. Patrick's Day if you can manage to be there then. Just don't be tricked into thinking it's Spring--it could be quite cold even in March. Enjoy.

Chris,
I second hanging around for the St. Paddy's Day celebration. How often do you get to see a kelly green Chicago River? Personally, I'd skip going to a Bulls game (a sad crew in the post-Jordan era), but I'd try to get to a Hawks game if you can. I'd also hang out at a great sports bar like Harry Caray's. You have an array of choices if you're a music fan -- Kingston Mines, Blues Etc., Buddy Guy's for blues, Jazz Showcase, Andy's, Green Mill for jazz. Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum are also a lot of fun.

Second City comedy club is the best! Lots of famous comedians started their careers at Second City. It's live improv and much better than a typical comedy club. Tickets are around $11. You'll have a great time!

Go to the Original Pizzeria Uno or Due for real Chicago-style deep dish pizza (nothing like the chain version). Try Carson's for Ribs. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba for Spanish food.
I agree that Second City is great -- I have been there several times and it's always hilarious.

Get Oprah tickets if you can- it's a lot of fun to go and you can book pretty far in advance. Start calling in January and ask them when they will be taking reservations for March - the number is 847/591-9222. We go once a year at least. You should go to second city - that is where a lot of the cast from Saturday Night Live originated.
The 97th Floor of the John Hancock building has a very nice bar that plays live jazz, you can go there to have a drink and see a spectacular view of the city. The House of Blues has a great Gospel brunch on Sundays.

I second the motion for the Hancock Building. YOu might also try lunch or brunch in the restaurant (it's around the 85th or 86th floor). Skip the Sears Tower - it's a bit taller but the view is MUCH better from the Hancock. I'd get a cab to the "New Checkerboard Lounge", where blues legend Muddy Waters got his start in Chicago. It's not a yuppie joint like so many of the new mdtown blues clubs are. The music is always great and it's a safe and friendly place but the surrounding neighborhood is not a great place to wander alone for tourists - take a cab there and back. Also consider the boat tour offered by the Architecture Foundation of Chicago. It goes up, around and back down on the river and provides a truly fascinating perspective on the history of the city. You do NOT need to be an architecture or history fanatic to enjoy it but reserve in advance or get tix the first day you arrive - it's usually sold out.

Don't think the boats are running yet in early March; nor would you want to be on one unless Chicago gets one of those rare, fluke-y early warm days. Chicago does pretty good parades (if you're still there), but be warned that St. Paddy's is an excuse for lots of boisterous drunkeness. A lot depends on your age/tastes as to whether you're entertained by such high-jinks. If you like piano bars, there's a top notch one at The Drake Hotel, street level. Marshall Fields downtown is good for a look-see, a wonderful old-time shopping emporium - be sure to check out the Tiffany ceiling.

If you like art, the Art Institute on Michigan Ave. is great. The aquarium is also worth checking out. Be sure to spend an afternoon walking and shopping the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave.) and don't miss Marshall Field's flagship store on State Street. The architecture boat tour is excellent, but I'm not sure it runs in March and if it does, it is only on weekends. Consider stopping by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wacker Ave. There's a viewing window to watch the trading floor,which is always fascinating, plus a pretty interesting display on the Exchange.

BLUE MAN GROUP - www.blueman.com

I am the man in Chicago and I would love to help you out. But in order for me to give you some ideas i need to know more about you. How old are you? WHere are you from? Whats your budget for Dinner? What do you like to do? IN general the more i know more about you the more i can tell you whats good. And i have alot of suggestions. Please get back to me

March weather is very unpredictable in the Windy City and more than likely, it will be cold. I'd say a boat tour is out of the question in March. Definitely stay for St. Pat's if you can. We have a large Irish population and they like to have fun! All of our museums are excellent. Those just south of the loop in "Musuem Park" are the Field, Shedd Acquarium and the Planatarium. A walk along Michigan Avenue is a must. If you can splurge for dinner, go to Spiaggia (980 N. Michigan 312/280/2750). I second Pizzeria Uno or Due for pizza and it's not too far from your hotel. Marshall Field's on State is also worth a trip. There are lots of choices for music. Check out Chicago Magazine online: www.chicagomag.com. I'm a native so if you need more info, just ask.

Rosa's is another great blues joint that is off the beaten path. They have a website you could do a search for. Also second Green Mill. Great place for jazz. Green Dolphin Street is also good for jazz. It's difficult to get through the lines for Oprah tickets so start trying early, it could take awhile. My sister tried frequently for about 3 weeks before she was able to get through. Besides pizza, also try and Italian beef with hot peppers - yum! For some offbeat theater you might want to try Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. It's 30 plays in 60 minutes. Some are funny, some sad, some thought provoking, some just weird. Just around the corner from the theater is a bar called the Hop Leaf (it's on Clark) that has an excellent beer selection and a great jukebox. Have fun.

Again, without info on your personal likes it's hard to know what you might enjoy...but our favorites are:
1. Theatre: DEFINITELY see Blue Man Group...it is absolutely out of this world!!! Also we love Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre and the Cort Theatre.
2. Music: House of Blues Gospel Brunch is great as well as a lot of previous Blues suggestions...
3. Shopping: Michigan Avenue Miracle Mile, Marshall Fields on State Street
4. Art: The Institute of Art cannot be beat, everything from the Thorne Miniature Collection to one of the best Impressionist collections in the world...
5. Architecture: Weather permitting difinitely go on one of the architecture walking tours provided by some Landmark Commission...tickets available at a bookstore/gift shop on Michigan Avenue...I'm sure you could find a yellow page listing or web site for it.
Good Luck...oh, FOOD!!!! The pizza at Jeno's (not sure if it is with a G) is great as well as tapas (Spanish appetizers and chocolate flan) at Cafe Iberico. Also, Ed Debevics is almost a theatre experience with the crazy waitstaff...Maria