Things to do in Chicago

carl_rogers

Basically i'll be spending a week in Chicago as part of a work trip. My mornings are spent at boring conference talks, but my afternoons are free for me to do whatever i want. I'll be going in July and was wondering if anyone from the US could throw me some exciting/educational/interesting things I could possibly do in Chicago - possilby things which may not be obvious to the ignorant tourist like myself?

Some things about myself

I'm male, 26
I'll be travelling by myself as all my friends will be back home - this also rules out nightlife
I am not an artist but have an appreciation for art
Love food, love history
Money is no issue (it is but let's pretend it isn't)

also, ive never experienced a US city - i'm from Geelong Victoria
thanks guys

Honk

Definitely the Art Institute, it's way awesome.

The Sears Tower was also cool.

There are boat tours on the canal, I went on an achitectural tour and it was very fun - if you're into that sort of thing.

Skoal Cat

Field Museum
Shed Aquarium
Museum of Science and Industry
Second City
iO Theater (formerly Improv Olympic)
And the show everyone must see is Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. Several forumers have seen it because of threads like this (they also have a show in NYC).

sligmasta

Honk, if you went on an architectural tour and it was fun, did you happen to go on a sea dog tour? They are the ones with the big yellow speed boats. I only ask because i used to be one of the guys who gave the tours.

Navy pier can be a good time if you want to do touristy stuff, and i think taste of Chicago happens in July, so I would really recommend checking that out if it happens to fall on the week you're there. One thing everyone has to do while in Chicago is try some Chicago deep dish. Giordano's is my Chicago pizza of choice.

wmelon

I don't want to derail the OPs original discussion, but I have the same question. Except I'm going next week. Aside from a Cubs game, what else should I hit up while I'm there?

nZane

I highly recommend Chicago Pizza Tours. I went on one back in November, and it's a really cool way to both see the city and experience the pizza.

rockmonkey

The wife and I took a long weekend trip to Chicago last September. I'm a Cubs fan, but I'd still recommend catching a game even if you're not. The experience is pretty awesome. Drink some beers eat a hot dog and have some fun.

Other than that, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Willis Tower SkyDeck (Formerly known as the Sears Tower).

For food there are lots of great restaurants in Chicago, a few include: Rick Bayless has Three restaurants all in the same spot. I'd recommend hitting one of those up One of them takes reservations the other two don't. I enjoyed a saturday brunch at one of his.

I also ate at Stephanie Izard's (Top Chef winner) new restaurant that had just opened called Girl and the Goat, and I'd highly recommend it (but I always liked what she cook on the show too).

Eat a Chicago style pizza while there and a Chicago style hotdog.

Have fun!

Rikushix

Skoal Cat wrote: »

And the show everyone must see is Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. Several forumers have seen it because of threads like this (they also have a show in NYC).

I saw it in New York. I know it's not Chicago but the Neo-Futurists in NYC were a spin-off of the Chicago troupe and oh my god was it an experience. I loved it.

That being said, it may not be your cup of tea (any performance that requires you to roll a die to determine how much money you pay for your ticket is going to be wild). But I absolutely loved it - why, yesterday I was just wearing the shirt I bought after the performance.

Elin

There's something called the Chicago City Pass which discounts a lot of the places being recommended to you by giving a package discount. You also get to skip ticket lines which is nice.

MichaelLC

I'm guessing you won't have a car?

Public transit is fine in the city, pretty much non-existent outside city limits.

The RTA handles all of it, except the CTA which does the elevated trains. There's day-long and multi-day cards you can buy that will work on buses and the eL.

City is pretty busy everyday, but the main downtown/financial areas completely shutdown after dark. Michigan Ave. stays busy later, but shops still close early.

John Matrix

I'm here to second or third the Shedd Acquarium. I could spend all day in there and still leave wanting more.

lyrium

As said before, the museum of the Art Institute is a great place.
For food, you should absolutely eat some real pizza, but also the Italian Village is wonderful.

rockmonkey

Elin wrote: »

There's something called the Chicago City Pass which discounts a lot of the places being recommended to you by giving a package discount. You also get to skip ticket lines which is nice.

I'll second this route. We did the City Pass when we went. It covered Shedd and Field Museum entrance and then there was an either this or that option for the skydeck and something else, we went skydeck right at/after sunset.

Also my droid phone was invaluable for transportation. Using google maps on it with it set to public transit instead of by car was amazing. I knew exactly where the closest eL stop or bus stop was and exactly what combo to take in order to get anywhere in the area as quickly as possible with times and walking directions to go to each stop and everything. We got a 3 day pass that let us use the train or buses as much as we wanted and took them everywhere.

We stayed smack in the middle of downtown and the willis tower was like two blocks down and one over or something and then in the other direction the adams/wabash train stop was about the same distance and we just rocked the fuck out of that tansit system.

MichaelLC

rockmonkey wrote: »

We stayed smack in the middle of downtown and the willis tower

rockmonkey wrote: »

We stayed smack in the middle of downtown and the willis tower

Don't make me come over there. :v: :P

I actually like the view from the Hancock Observatory better, but the Sears is better known (and taller).

More random stuff - Chicago is a pretty friendly city comparatively. We love tourists, and most anyone in the downtown area will be glad to help you find something. As it will be summer, there'll be bums on the streets, but majority are smart enough not to hassle anyone. Just keep your wallet in your pocket and you'll be fine. Buses and trains are OK, just use common sense.

If you feel like shopping at Macy's, be sure to stop at the visitor's desk; they usually have a discount card for out-of-state/country shoppers.

Brainiac 8

Go to the Field Museum! It's so very awesome.

Also eat at Geno's East and eat the meaty legend pizza!

Chickeen

Go to Ol' Blue Eyes favorite rib joint: http://www.twinanchorsribs.com/

Simpsonia

MichaelLC wrote: »

I actually like the view from the Hancock Observatory better, but the Sears is better known (and taller).

Pfft instead of the observatory go to the Hancock's Signature Room for drinks after dark, waaaaay better.

Jackiejoz

Chicago is awesome! Art=must go to Art Institute. Art and history =Chicago Detours. Coolest tour I've ever been on, you'll learn a lot and have fun and see off the beaten path places (it's a walking tour). They have iPads you get to share.
Chicago pizza is not the most spectacular. For good food go to the West Loop: Sepia, Avec, Province.

Sebbie

I went about a month ago and I took a tour that was titled along the lines of "weird and fantastic" where it took us to the various haunted places and spots where Capone hung out. It was a small converted school bus so it's a little odd at first but I really enjoyed it.

I went to some small theatre (I think it was on Clark) and saw improved Shakespeare. It was amazing. http://chicago.ioimprov.com/io/shows/14 here's a link. The video doesn't give it justice because I'm not sure what the title of the play was. Our's was "The Flaming Alchemist".

Skoal Cat

iO isn't just some theatre. iO is the birthplace of modern day long form improv in America.
Its mecca.

Morgaine

If you're interested in the river architectural tour and like doing outdoorsy things, I'd highly recommend doing a kayaking architectural tour.

I returned from a trip to Chicago and that was definitely a highlight, and a good way to work off all that food you end up eating. I went with a group called Kayak Chicago and was pretty pleased. It was my first time in a kayak and I felt totally comfortable, and they give a quick little lesson at the beginning so you're not totally lost.

Wear LOTS of sunscreen though, especially if you burn easily. I don't really burn, but ended up burning the top of my head, my nose, and other random spots on my face along with the tops of my hands.