Hi -

My husband and I are traveling to Chicago in January for 4 days. We've never been to Chicago before - can anyone recommend the must see sites, activities and restaurants? Right now, the only thing on our tentative agenda is a trip to Alinea. We're staying at the W on Lakeshore.

Thanks for your help!

What kinds of things do you like to see & do on vacation?

I like to recommend the architectural boat tour....but this is January. Brrr! I can't imagine. You'd have earmuffs on and wouldn't be able to hear the narrative!

Shopping - of course you want to hit the Magnificent Mile.

I'll wait on the foodstuffs from others, but you should try to get a chicago hot dog and a deep dish pizza!

Here is my standard list of things to do in Chicago:

1. The Impressionist galley at The Art Institute. Some of their paintings include "Sunday on La Grande Jette" by George Seurat, "Paris Street; Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte, numerous Monets, Kandinski, Picasso, Casset, Edward Hopper's "Night Hawks" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic" just to name a few of the more famous pieces. Don't miss the Thorne Room Miniatures.


2. If the weather is nice take a walking tour of the Loop. See some of the public art. Start at the Sear's Tower. See the Calder Mobile in the lobby, The Calder Stabile in the Federal Center Plaza, the Picasso in the Daley Center, the Miro across the street from the Picasso, the Chagall at First National Plaza, and the Dubuffet at the James R. Thompson Center (formerly the State of Illinois Center). Walk down the "Canyon" of LaSalle street. Note the statue of Ceres on top of the CBOT.

3. Go out to the Planetarium at any time to see a beautiful view of the Chicago sky line.

4. Shopping on North Michigan Ave. Especially Water Tower Place.

5. Drinks at the Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock building. (I am going to stop recommending this activity b/c the last time I went there it was FULL and I could not go up!!!)

6. See a performance at Second City. Some of SS famous alumni include Tina Fey, Amy Sedaris, Steve Carell, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Bonnie Hunt, Dan Castellaneta, et. al.

7. Eat Chicago Pizza. Some great pizzarias include Uno's & Due's, and Gino's.

8. The Field Museum has a great Egyptian exhibit & Sue is there. (the largest, most complete, and best preserved T. rex fossil yet discovered)

Most other things I would typically recommend are excluded because of the cold weather.

Great! Thanks for the great suggestions!

if you really want to blow some money, make reservations at True - it was like Cirque du Soleil with food!

hi,
if the weather is nice enough, don't miss milennium park. the ice rink is inexpensive and festive, with the "bean" sculpture as a back drop. the attached park cafe is worth a look as well.

the must-do list above is well thought out. drinks at the signature room bar is a much better choice than the pricey rooftop tour.

traditionally, the holiday windows at the state street macy's are wonderful.

as far as other restaurant options, i don't know where you are from, but chicago is justly famous for it's varied ethnic cuisines. greektown, little italy, chinatown, little vietnam, latin of all kinds, polish, swedish (and more!) and world-class restaurants are all readily available.

as a retired actress, the other thing i'd add besides second city is to see a show. major broadway shows are here long-term (i.e. wicked), and the best regional theater in america (steppenwolf, goodman to name two).

enjoy our great city!

I would highly recommend the science museum and the acquarium.