M Marta

I've never visited the USA before and am going to see a friend in Chicago for a couple of weeks, during which time I will be left to my own devices for much of the time. Can anyone suggest any must dos or sees around Chicago that don't involve too much danger or expense?

JoAnn

What part of Chicago will you be in? Or will you be in the suburbs? That will help us tell you what is available. There are so many museums to see, a walking tour of the downtown area, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, downtown, or out in the suburbs. Go to the top of Sears Tower or the Hancock building. Will you be close to buses or the "L"? What time of the year?

Shawn

If you are coming during the summer, there is the Grant Park Concert Series, held in Grant Park Wednesday-Sunday evenings. People bring blankets and picnics and sit on the lawn. They are primarily classical music, and all are free. There are a lot of other things to do here depending on your interests-museums, shopping, beaches, street fairs, architectural tours, bar-hopping, etc. If you can be more specific about your interests and when you will be here, I can give you more info.

Bridget

If you are there before mid-September, you should
definitely go to a Chicago Cubs baseball game. It is a lot of fun and the prices are reasonable. There are day and evening games. Try to get seats in the bleachers section.

M Marta

Thanks for the replys so far. To be more specific, I will be visiting Chicago in the Summer. I'll probably get about by bus or train. I'm interested in outdoor pursuits/adventures as well as the more usual tourist path of museums, interesting buildings, views, restaurants (veggie), pubs, clubs and rock music. I hope this helps. I know it's going to be a fantastic holiday whatever.

Kay

I strongly recommend the Chicago Architectural Society tours--boat tour of downtown, bus tour of several historic districts, and walking tours of downtown. Their store is across the street from the Art Institute (another recommendation).

David

Anyone have recommendations for reasonably-priced accomodations in downtown Chicago? Maybe Grant Park area? If someone has a favorite spot, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Or should one avoid the area?

Thanks.

Shawn

My favorite museum is the Museum of Science and Industry on South Lake Shore Drive (with the OmniMax Theater-a 7(?)story screen for an amazing effect), but there is also the Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium (all close to one another) and the Art Institute. (I think all have days with free admission-call first) There is a nice bike/walking path along Lake Michigan (there used to be bike rentals downtown-I don't know if there still are); also several beaches. There is shopping on Michigan Avenue, Oak Street and State Street, and even if you're not buying, several of the stores are entertaining to just browse through. I would agree with the architecture tours ($18-20?) as there are many interesting buildings in the skyline and/or the trip to the top of the Sears Tower ($6?) or Hancock Building if you're not afraid of heights. As I mentioned before in my previous response, the free concerts in Grant Park are fun and while you're there, don't miss Buckingham Fountain-beautiful day or night. Another evening recommendation is one of the many blues clubs in town-Buddy Guy's, Blues on Clark, B.L.U.E.S., Kingston Mines (last 2 open til 5 on weekends)(cover charge $8-10). For dining you should try (at least once) Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Most people will tell you to go to Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due, but my favorite is Giordano's (try the spinach pizza), and I've tried them all. Another of my favorite things to do in the summer is go to the Cubs game (tickets $12-22), but if you get bleacher seats, go early. (By the way, unless you've never been to a baseball game and won't have any other chance to go, I wouldn't go to see the White Sox-Comiskey Park hasn't got any feeling and doesn't compare to Wrigley Field.) I think you'll find that many things in Chicago are pricey, but if you look hard enough you can find free or inexpensive things to do. Like I said in my previous response, there is a lot to do here in Chicago-far too much to list here-but if you have more questions that I can answer, feel free to e-mail me.

Owen O'Neill

When in Chicago:

Before you do anything, locate a copy of the "Reader" - it's a weekly Chicago newspaper with extensive arts & entertainment listings and reviews. An excellent source for free and inexpensive events. Also....

1) the Art Institute
2) lunch on 86th floor of Hancock Building - better view than Sears Tower and lunch is only a few dollars more than observatory admission
3) The Architecture Foundation tours
4) an authentic blues club

It's next to impossible to hail a cab at night on the street in some parts of Chicago and there doesn't appear to ba way to call for them on the phone. If you go to any of the areas near Univ. of Chicago (e.g. the Omnimax Theatre at the Science Museum) check bus schedules carefully to make sure you can get a bus back at a convenient time.
The "New Checkerboard Lounge" is THE place for authentic blues atmosphere in Chicago. You'll need to get there by cab and the bar can arrange a cab back for (at closing time there will be cabs there anyway) - the neighborhood around it is a bit iffy but the crowd at the club is very friendly and it's a completely different atmosphere than the uptown blues clubs.

Raeona

You don't say where you are visiting FROM, but Chicago can be very hot and humid in the summer. With that in mind....while the idea of a baseball game at Wrigley Field is an excellent suggestion...sitting in the bleachers may not be. It's total sun. And hot! Grandstand seating, higher up, offers the chance of some shade and some breeze.

Another thought: the museums mentioned are great...But don't overlook the Chicago HIstorical Society....not sprawling, but kind of home-y and do-able. Plus, because it's at the edge of Lincoln Park, it's easy to "fold into" a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo -- a definite Chicago experience, and free.

You'll probably have to try both pizzas (at Uno and Giordano) and make your own determination. To me, Uno or Due (a block apart, and the same operation) are far and above anything else. I've NEVER had a Girodano's pizza I thought was worth while.

Also: visit Marshall Fields department store in the Loop. The best in the States.

jan

Go shopping downtown, see a show, eat at Shaw's restaurant - it was very good.