Anyone Been To Chicago?

stts

Hi,
Planning on going to Chicago with a friend in October, it will be my first time in the states also,can anyone recommend some things to do there and places to see etc ?

Thanks,
stts

Lex Luthor

I visited the city one evening. We didn't do too much. Go to the observation deck in the Sears tower.
Hard Rock Cafe.

Can't help you with anything else...see if they have a tourist site

PunyHuman

Great city. Really solidly 'American' if that makes any sense. Loads to do. Museums, music, parks, the lake, the loop, magnificent mile ... just walking around downtown is pretty incredible. Do some googling and you should come up with a ton of stuff.

One tip is that you can avoid paying the exorbitant fee to access the observation deck in the Sears and John Hancock Towers by instead going to the bar in each building that is on the next floor down.

WhatsGoingOn

stts wrote:

Hi,
Planning on going to Chicago with a friend in October, it will be my first time in the states also,can anyone recommend some things to do there and places to see etc ?

Thanks,
stts

Did you find out any more info stts?
I am going myself in November..

acquiescefc

PunyHuman wrote:

Great city. Really solidly 'American' if that makes any sense. Loads to do. Museums, music, parks, the lake, the loop, magnificent mile ... just walking around downtown is pretty incredible. Do some googling and you should come up with a ton of stuff.

One tip is that you can avoid paying the exorbitant fee to access the observation deck in the Sears and John Hancock Towers by instead going to the bar in each building that is on the next floor down.

Totally agree, we went in the Hancock and just before you get to the queue to pay 15 dollars or whatever, turn right, theres an express elevator to the 95th or 96th floor. Go in the bar, get a cocktail for about $10 and stay as long as you like. Best to go before lunch for two reasons!!!

Amazing view

Ruu_Old

i think its $10.95 on the sears tower, make sure to pick a good clear day otherwise visibility will be fook all up there, have a wonderful time

damienom

There's quiet a good Gangster tour, the bring you around all Capone's haunts, it's about an hour on a bus, worth doing for the craic, it goes from outside the Rainforest Restaurant.

http://www.gangstertour.com/

Also if ya can and it's on, you could do worse than a Bulls game, you could also check out if Oprah or Jerry Springer are filming, you'd want to apply for tickets now though

flywheel

love Chicago

Try and get on one of the architecture tours run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, main location is on South Michigan Ave (Santa Fe Building). The river cruise is one of their most popular tours, but they have many more that range from general area walkabout to specific periods, architects, buildings etc...
http://www.architecture.org/tours.aspx

If yer into it (or the people you are gong with) you could try and get Opera tickets, got dragged along to one once (would have rathered have gone to a Springer show at the time!) Be prepared for lots of 'busy circut' messages though...
http://www.oprah.com/tows/program/tows_prog_getticks.jhtml

Then if your planning on going to a couple of different 'tourist' venues take a look at the City Pass to see if it worth getting, offers a combined ticket to:
The Hancock Observatory, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Museum of Science and Industry
http://citypass.com/city/chicago.html

MCA usually has something interesting to look at, if you're into modern/contemporary art...
http://www.mcachicago.org/

Filene's Basement (one opposite side of road to Hancock, another on State Street) might be worth a root around for a 'designer' bargan.
http://www.filenesbasement.com/master.html

Water Tower Mall has a large number of shops in it, beside the Hancock and Michigan Ave itself has plenty if your on for a shopping spree.

I use the EL when getting around, although I'm usually staying a bit out of down town, you can get a card in any of the stations and top it up as you go on. Tickets also work on the Buses.
http://www.transitchicago.com/

Or just get a Cab, plenty about,if so be sure the driver knows where you want to go, using the street junction names to ensure this...

Enjoy your trip - tyring to get over myself again this year.... before it gets too cold...

Jim10000

I don't think anyone mentioned it but you should go to see a Cubs game in Wrigley Field. I don't know if they have a season or whatever, but if you get a chance to go it's really good.

*edit* oops, sorry, just checked - don't think there are any home games in oct. probably should have done that first.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=chc