Attn Chicagoans - I'm visiting your fine city next week

[TexasBushwhacker]

I was going to meet up with a friend, but now that looks iffy. But I scored a $99 round trip airfare today, so I decided to go anyway. I'll be there Wednesday the 16th thru Saturday the 19th. I'll be going to the museums, etc. Any other suggestions?

[mucifer]

1. I suggest taking a walk for a few hours on the 606 trail. It's an elevated train tracks trail .Link:

https://www.the606.org/

You can also rent a bike and ride down the 606 there are bike docking stations around. The trail is 2.7 miles long and you can get to it from the blue line train station. It's about 5 blocks from the Damon stop. If the weather is nice I suggest it. You can see a few different neighborhoods from the trail.

[Danmel]

2. We'll be there in August

We could use suggestions too! We'll be going to a White Sox game (Yankees are in town!)
A few days in Chicago then off to Door County Wisconsin for a family wedding.

[Stuart G]

3. Be sure to take a walk along the lakefront..say from Buckinham fountain..either north or south.

Last edited Thu May 10, 2018, 11:37 PM - Edit history (2)

The fountain is in Grant Park. you got to spend some time there. By walking on the lakefront..by the boats..(you will know when you see it) you will get an incredible view of the skyline looking to the west, at the same time a view of the harbor which will be to the east. Now..if you have a clear day..and you are willing to get up early, then the sunrise over the lake is incredible..(got to have a clear day).. Take a bus down Michigan Ave, north to the beach. lots of stores and lots of people. An absolute must is to walk along the Chicago River and get a view of the "locks" ..The Chicago River at Michigan Ave is a terrific site. ..about Museums. Field Museum of Natural History is incredible.. as is the Museum of Science and Industry at 55th street.
... You could see the Field Museum by walking south from the Buckingham Fountain about a mile. The museum is on Lake Shore Drive..impossible to miss. Going to the top of the Sears Tower is a site everyone sees..that is the tallest building in Chicago...I would recommend instead, going to the top of the John Hancock building on Michigan Ave..The view from the top of the Hancock is better because the Hancock is situated a block or so from the lake...and that view is the best in town of the lake.... more.....................
.......Two other sites along the lake are...Adler Planetarium.. ...and ..Shedd Aquarium..

I would say the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry at 55th are world class...Adler and Shedd are certainly worth going to ...a couple of hours in each..but the two major museums. Field and Science..I would say at least 3 hours in each. maybe more. Shedd Aquarium is also world class. a must see if you have the time....
...There is a world class Botanical Garden in Highland Park..a suburb north of Chicago......called ...Chicago Botanical Garden. about 250 acres of land..at least 5 or 6 different gardens.(3 green houses) .one of my favorite places..That one is situated on a man made lake..free to enter, but parking a car is expensive.....Another world class place is the "Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue. There are other places to see..Lincoln Park Zoo, free, and Lincoln Park Conservatory...also free....that's enough..But again..very important..take a walk along the lakefront. Certainly magnificent ...as beautiful as any lakefront or ocean front in t he world. The entire lakerfront from 5500 South to 5900 North.(about 15 miles) .is a park. yes all a park..except for Soldiers Field where the Bears play and a huge exposition hall called "McCormick Place" on 23rd South on the Lake.. good luck and see what you can.. there are lots of tour books to get and info on the internet...enjoy..

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. I visited in 2002

I went to the Field and the Art Institute. Amazing! I plan on going back to those, and the Science and Industry Museum this time. I plan on making use of public transportation like I did last time, with the occassional cab.

I will probably make it to Buddy Guy's one night. The last time I was there I was by myself. I spotted an open barstool and sat my butt down. A man sat beside me and after a few minutes people started coming up and asking for his autograph. It was Buddy!

Any other nightlife you suggest?

[Stuart G]

5. I have not been much on "nightlife" and night places...sorry..

There are "plays" downtown...but I am not sure what to recommend. I haven't been to a downtown play in many years...Oh..there is a pizza place called Due's ...near north..you got to wait...but the pizza there is thick Chicago style pizza.. that is supposed to be world famous..get the "thick" pizza...Near Dues is Unos..same pizza, same owners. both are.almost always crowded..If you go at say 2pm, maybe not so crowded or 3..??don't know for sure, cause I haven't been there in several years...but those places are delicious..if you got the time...

[lunasun]

6. Yes he is at his club a lot . Here is a link to music but you can see on the header to click for art

and other events etc too and the nightlife music link is just one section but you can link on to others from here and reader has a lot to look in on a weekly basis . The paper edition will carry to next weds and then a new one will come out and you can pick one up on the yellow street box or see it online daily

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/music/Section?oid=846991
Also by area
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/LocationSearch?locationSection=857640&neighborhoodGroup=837639,837640,837628,837641,837630,837642&sortType=name

Windy City times for LGBT nightlife and

If you like blues
Kingston mines north or BLUES
Rosa's. West
Checkerboard south Hyde park
All good for visitors to the town Kingston or BLUES is probably closest to your other tourist destinations unless you were to combine checkerboard with the S&I museum but things don't get going there til very late and museum closes at 5 so...
Also here info for those
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g35805-Activities-c20-t100-Chicago_Illi
Have fun and remember the mayor declared the city a trump free zone so no chance of the orange asshole being in this
town when you come here !

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. Thanks! n/t

[bif]

7. Do an architectural tour

They do boat tours and walking tours. We did the one of the North Loop.

https://www.architecture.org/experience-caf/tours/?transportation=40

[bif]

8. Shedd Aquarium is pretty cool as well

Purchase your tickets at least a day ahead of time. They'll give you a time--the line is usually huge, but this way you get to walk right in.