What are the must-see sites of Chicago?
 

My husband and I are going to Chicago for a long weekend and are wondering where we should go. We only have half a day each day, since we'll be in town for a multi-day wedding. We'd love sites, neighborhood, and lunch restaurant recommendations. Any tips are greatly appreciated! This will be our first time visiting Chicago!

I've heard we should visit the art museum and take an architectural boat tour. Any other ideas? Restaurants??

I really enjoyed the Chicago Architecture Foundation boat cruise as you mentioned. There are other companies that offer them too. The CAF also offers walking tours so check them out.

I also went up to the top of the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) and the Hancock Tower (could just go upp to the bar for a drink and have an awesome view). You also have a lot of museums (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, etc) but not sure if you will have time for them.

The Art Institute is what is recommended. We did not go there though.

There are endless things to do & see, depends on your interests -- search this site and/or google for something like "one or two days in chicago."

For a 1st-timer, I think visiting the following would give you a good sense/overview of Chicago and would definitely eat up most of your time there. It's a great city to just wander around in, wear very comfortable shoes. Fantastic photo ops at every turn, take a camera.

Millennium Park
Grant Park + Museum Complex
Art Institute
Magnificent Mile
Loop architecture + river
Navy Pier + lakeshore

It would help if you said what your interests are. For many people, Wrigley Field is a <i>must see</i>, but you couldn't pay me enough to go there.

For restaurants, check www.chicagomag.com or www.chicagoreader.com. You can search by cuisine, neighborhood or price. You can also get an idea of what's around by visiting www.choosechicago.com or www.explorechicago.org.

For transit info, check www.transitchicago.com. Day passes would probably be a good investment. A 1-day pass allows unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses for $5.75. They're available at most CVS, Walgreens, Jewel and Dominick's stores in the area as well as many currency exchanges.

Walking the lakefront path is always a must for us. You can alao walk along the Chicago River's
path.

<<<Walking the lakefront path is always a must for us.>>>

Ditto - either walking, or renting a bike or "surrey". You can take that walk, and cut over to Grant Park/Millenium Park, see the "bean" and the Jay Pritzker music pavilion, then go right into the Art Institute if a museum is on your list (it's a truly great museum, but with only two half-days, it's not what i would do with my time).

I would not waste a minute on the Navy Pier.

If you want an aerial view of the city, going to the Hancock is much closer to other sites than going to Willis/Sears Tower.

To me, the Art Institute/Shedd Aquarium and the Field would share top billing depending on your interests. Since I love art best, I'd put the Art Institute first. (If you were a fan of Ferris Buehler, this is one of the places he visits, and it is also the source of all the paintings in the old game "Masterpiece.")

The main science museum is south of the Loop/Downtown area and is excellent, but again, not right near the other sites. If you are an architecture buff, Chicago is a destination for fans of Frank Lloyd Wright. Also, Chicago is the home of Second City. I miss Wrigley Field and I am not a huge baseball fan.

I'm not terribly into architecture, but I loved the boat tour.

I second the votes for the Hancock Tower (go at dusk if you can so you can see the lake AND the city lights). The Museum of Science and Industry is my favorite, with the Field Museum running a close second. A stroll along the river front and/or the lake are very nice.

Thank you! The Art Institute, Boat tour, and Wrigley Field (we have baseball tickets, and the Museum of Science if we have enough time! Plus we'll go walking along the river for sure. Thank you so much!

Hancock Building - forget the observatory, it costs money. Instead take a free elevator to 96th Lounge, just <b>one</b> floor below the observatory and for the same money after having a drink or quick bite, enjoy the same views while sitting in comfy chairs.

The entrance is on the south side of the building.