Which CAF tour to take in Chicago?
 

I am visiting Chicago for 6 days in the end of October.

My partner and I love architecture and I am planning on taking the CAF architecture boat cruise, the CAF Historic Skyscraper tour and the CAF Modern Skyscraper tour.

My partner thinks this is tour overload. Any suggestions?

Well, I haven't taken either of the skyscraper tours, but I REALLY enjoyed the boat tour. I thought it was a great overview of Chicago's architectural history as well as a pleasant ride (assuming the weather is good). I would keep that one for sure.

Well it would be for me. I think the boat tour is great, but you don't get to see buildings up close and personal so to speak. In order to do that you have to walk. If I was going to do a walking tour I would pick historic--the older buildings are more interesting to me at street level than the modern.

BTW whether you take a tour that it includes it or not, be sure to visit the new Art Institute wing--quite wonderful.

I am definitely taking the CAF boat tour; I guess the historic skyscraper tour may be enough.

The Institute looks very interesting! I was planning on visiting Thurs night 5-9 for the free entrance. Am I being silly trying to save a few bucks when we are spending hundreds on a hotel room?

No way - take advantage of it! If your schedule didn't work out to include the free night, the Institute is definitely worth the ticket price, but I'm so used to free museums in other cities that $18 feels like a lot. So I would definitely try to work it in. I just visited the Art Institute for the second time and really enjoyed it, even more than I did the first time.

I'd probably skip the modern skyscraper tour too, personally. If the boat tour is any indication, just about anything CAF does will be great, but that seems like too much skyscraper to me. If you do want to do another tour, CAF runs one at the Frank Lloyd Wright house that I've come close to doing (next trip!).

If you like crowds, go on your Thursday evening. My suggestion would be to pay the $18 pp and take your time to enjoy the museum without the crowds.

BTW, that $18 includes the special exhibits. You don't pay extra for them as you might do at other museums.

In case you haven't seen this on the Art Institute's website, Caravaggio's "The Supper at Emmaus" will be on loan from the National Gallery of London for viewing October 10 through January 31, 2010. In exchange, the AI's "The Crucifixion" will be going to them.

I do hope you take the *time* and enjoy the Art Institute thoroughly, instead of rushing through it. There are also tours and audio tours of the museum's highlights available, if you so wish.

I'm with exileprincess. My last visit to Chicago was specifically to see the new wing so I paid to go twice!! But then I love the Art Institute's collection and I really like seeing art without a bunch of people in front of me. Nothing is more special than being alone in a room of Monets, which happened for me on my last visit.

Good ideas here! I am definitely doing the Aquarium, Institute and Field. Would you include the science museum and planetarium in my limited time?

Do you mean the Museum of Science and Industry? We took a nostalgic trip there in September--expensive, long cab ride from Millenium Park. It's hard for me to be objective as I went to relive some past history and for that it was worth the trip. But I'm not sure I could recommend it.

I just went to the Mus.of Sc.& Ind. this last summer- and totally agree with SAB. I would not recommend it for this trip.

Hope you have good weather for the CAF boat tour- bring dress that is WARM. This early turn of cold, rain, and sometimes high winds doesn't bode well for a toasty rest of October.

There's a lot more than just the Museum of Science and Industry down in Hyde Park, although I think some posters above are being a little harsh about the MSI.

They are just opening up a new permanent exhibit called "You! The Experience" at the MSI, which includes plastinated humans. And, if you ask me, the U505 is worth the entrance fee alone (but make sure you go on the boarding of it - $5 more).

I hope you don't mind my mentioning this for the sake of others for the future: From time to time, there is a special computer-generated exhibit/program/virtual simulation of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 ("The White City"), of which the MSI is one of its only remaining structures. The last time they had this was in June 2009 but it pops up on the MSI calendar from time to time. Those interested in history, architecture, computer science and art should check to see if this is available to them when they are visiting - as it is really great, in my book.

However, when you are here, there will be special events surrounding the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday, and the 150th anniversary of the publishing of "Origin of the Species". This is a world-wide event, of which we have local participation.

The University of Chicago is having a three-day conference with many lectures on the subject, at several venues, including Paul Sereno's Dinosaur Lab at Fermi Institute. See darwin-chicago.uchicago.edu for details.

However, you might not want to immerse yourself to that degree. The University of Chicago has other interesting events upon their calendar. In fact, it's always a good thing for anyone who might be interested in learning a little bit on their visit to check out the UIC's calendar of events when they are here. These include options for both children and adults - and includes everything from South Side bike tours to concerts.

Since you enjoy architecture, you might just wish to stroll around the campus of the University of Chicago and perhaps visit the Robie House. If you enjoy museums, you might wish to include the Oriental Institute and the Smart Museum of Art in your plans.

If you want to get outside (weather permitting), perhaps a little walk from the MSI to the Osaka Japanese Garden on the Wooded Isle.

Oops! I meant to post this URL for those who are adventurers and adventurers at heart.

For Paul Sereno, a real dinosaur hunter: www.paulsereno.org

P.P.S.S. Cannot believe I forgot to include this as well:

The Museum of Science and Industry has free general admission October 8-30 due to the opening of the "You! The Experience" exhibit. So, if you go down that way, no cost to you (except if you wish to board the U505 - or experience another special exhibit or OmniMax movie).

Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences! Can you give me an update on the rate of leave color change in the Chicago area? With the unusually cool summer I was afraid I would miss the height of color. Living here in Miami Beach the only color we see is green, green green!