I'm coming to Chicago in 1 month!

[girl gone mad]

I'm really excited. I haven't been back to Chi-town since I lived in the suburbs as a kid. Some of my best childhood memories are of driving into the city and taking the el around, going to games with my dad, and the malls with my mom, and my grandpa taking me into the city for lunches.

I saved up for this trip, so we're going to stay at a good hotel downtown. We're planning on doing lots of touristy stuff (architecture tours on the el & river, MIllenium park, Sears tower, etc) but is there anything in particular we should try to do while we're there? We only have 4 days and we want to pack as much into them as we can. I'm bringing some good walking shoes!

[Bjornsdotter]

1. The museums

We have some of the best in the world...especially the Art Institute.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

Cheers!

[mopinko]

2. have fun, stay loose

that's my advice. you don't really need a plan. you have plenty of fun at your doorstep if you are staying downtown. you will probably be shocked at how booming downtown is.

[girl gone mad]

3. Yeah..

I don't really have an itenerary, just a list of things we want to try and do. The Art Institute is on our list. Thanks for the advice, both of you!

edit for spelling.

[orleans]

4. go see a show at second city? take a horse & carriage ride

at night--see buckingham fountain--

just a few suggestions

and have fun

(what suburb did you live in?)

[mopinko]

5. how about food?

what kind of food will you be looking for? how about beer? great microbrews here.

[dogfacedboy]

6. The new Goose Island brew called '312' is awesome. n/t

[mopinko]

7. don't get me wrong, it is a great beer

compared to 99.999% of the beers sold today. but it is pretty pedestrian compared to drinking the many different, fresh yummy beers at the brewpubs. and the "perennial" beers, the honkers, hex nut, etc, that they bottle, are all better on draft. mmmmmmmm :beer:

[Lilyhoney]

9. Goose Island Root Beer is so good. nt

[Lilyhoney]

8. Go to the old library building on Michigan ave @ Randolph.

It is now the cultural center. It is unbelieveably beautiful. Make sure you check out the broadcasting museum, art exhibits and the Tiffany glass dome. (same building)

There is a saying on one of the walls there that says " Hanging art in this building is redundant."

This building is across the street from Millenium park.

Italian Village restaurant is rite there too.

I miss Chicago alot at times. Enjoy your time there.

A very jealous, Lilyhoney

[Bridget Dooley]

10. I am pretty partial to...

... the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, Millenium Park, and definitely Goose Island.

[mopinko]

11. i believe the museum of broadcast communication

is temporarily closed. iirc, it moved from the cultural center to navy pier several years ago. they are working on a new facility on state street, which will open next year. i do not think they have a facility right now.
the cultural center is definitely a great free place to visit, tho. absolutely beautiful building, and hosts some very interesting events/exhibits.

[blueinchicago]

12. Millenium Park

It's free, it's cool, and if you're lucky either you'll get to tryout a new dancestep (Sats and Suns) or hear a great concert, or see fireworks from Navy Pier.

Oh, and I love Lincoln Park Zoo.