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I am going to be flying to Chicago for work early next month and will have at least an afternoon/evening free (at least I hope). So far I know I have a reception to attend on Friday, Seminar/tour on Saturday morning and dinner Sunday night. Other than that, I don't want to be stuck at the hotel.
I don't know exactly where I will be staying only that it is by O'Hare airport. I won't have my own transportation. Is there anything around there that is interesting? Or is it fairly cheap to go downtown and what might be fun there?
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I did some work for the Art Institute of Dallas. I guess the one in Chicago might be worth looking into...that or a Sox game Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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(and if you'd rather see the Sox than the Cubs, I'm not contributing anything further to this conversation. I won't even tell you where the Chicago dog restaurant is.)
Posts: 67 | Registered: Aug 2005
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<insert random love for transitchicago's Trip Planner here>. I use that site a lot since I don't have a car. It's awesome. And yeah, downtown's probably a good bet. It's about 40 minutes on the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown, and it lets you off right in the heart of the Loop, so it's an easy walk to the Art Institute, and Grant and Millennium parks. Also not far from the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and the Planetarium.
If you're going to be traveling by public transportation a lot, I recommend getting a Visitor's Pass. They're good on both the CTA and Pace busses, and on the El trains (but not on Metra).
Posts: 1805 | Registered: Jun 1999
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quote:(and if you'd rather see the Sox than the Cubs, I'm not contributing anything further to this conversation. I won't even tell you where the Chicago dog restaurant is.)
Well, I actually would rather see the Cubs, but they are on a road trip the weekend I am there
I have always wanted to go to Wrigley Field too.
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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If you have a chunk of time, the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, or the Shedd Aquarium are all worth the price of admission. (I miss them all a lot.)
And be sure to get a personal deep dish pizza at Giordano's. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Giordano's fans UNITE!!! When my sister and I played Barbies, we always had our Barbies "order" a large stuffed cheese from Giordano's. Posts: 1805 | Registered: Jun 1999
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Gino's is fantastic, but it's a completely different kind of pizza. If you only have time for one, I'd hit Giordano's. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Okay, you guys coming to Chicago HAVE to go to Billy Goats!!!! cheezborger cheezborger no pepsi coke... LOL
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:How can you miss an opportunity to see this?!
Well, since I had to drag him to the Dallas Museum of Art before we moved away because he'd lived there since he was 3 and had never been... Art museums aren't exactly his thing.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Go see BannaOJ -- hang out at her place. She can show you everything else (as can Goody Scrivener -- she took me to Billy Goats! It was wonderful!)
I can vouch for you to them since I met you in Dallas.
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I had been to the Dallas Art Museum prior to us going. I just hadn't been there in a really long time.
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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I've never been to Chicago, other than an hour or so in an airport, but I recommend seeing the Chicago production of Wicked! If it's anything like the Broadway one, it's an awesome show!
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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I'll second/third the Giordano's recommendation! For me, I think the best part of my Chicago trips was walking around, looking at the architecture, enjoying the lakefront, etc. Just look out for waves if you're walking the shoreline on a breezy day--I've been soaked to the knees over by the planetarium!
If you don't mind being a total tourist, the Sears Tower does offer a pretty impressive view, although it can take *forever* to get up and back down, which is kind of a drag if you're trying to make the most of a short window of time.
Oh, and I think the Museum of Science and Industry currently has Body Worlds on display--not sure how much longer. It looks fascinating but perhaps a bit disturbing.
Posts: 7 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Sears Tower is extremely busy on weekends and during the summer. I've gone on my lunchbreak during the winter and been up and down, including time to wander, in less than an hour. It's all in the timing. It's getting expensive, though, I think tickets are up to $15 per person.
Body Worlds leaves on September 5. Labor Day. Also extremely expensive - general admission plus Body Worlds is $30 per adult. (General admission alone is $9)
Wicked is on an open run with a permanent cast headed up by Ana Gasteyer (from Saturday Night Live) as Elphaba. I saw it with the touring cast and loved it, I'd really like to go back and see the Chicago crew to see how different it is. And my 12 year old is begging to go see as well.
And I'd definitely recommend Giordano's over Gino's or Uno's any day.
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I guess the reason I prefer to go to Gino's is because we have a Giordano's in Rockford. I can go any time I like. But Gino's - can't get that here! Uno's is okay, I was happy to go to the one near my college, but I don't think I'd make a point to go there while in Chicago.
It was sorta fun to go to the flagship Giordano's, though, when I was there with some friends over Christmas.
Posts: 3214 | Registered: Apr 2002
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What do y'all think? Dan, Julie, could you get down to Chicago around the end of the month? We haven't seen you guys in a while, either. Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Well, I will miss out on Body Worlds...I will not arrive until September 9th and even then not have free time until the 10th. I guess I better pass on the Wicked!
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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Yes, maybe when I rack up enough frequent flyer miles.
This is the only business trip this year, but I think next year I will be going to Pittsburgh and Georgia.
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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Well, I am in Chicago...Oak Brook, actually. There only seems to be a shopping mall nearby and a cheesecake factory. I have from 4pm on tomorrow free, but not to much to do around this area and I think downtown is a bit far....any ideas?
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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This is actually a pretty BAD weekend for downtown stuff... because the Stones are in town. I didn't realize it was this weekend that you were coming.
I've got a morning appointment with the kids but we'll be free from that around noon. We could come pick you up and at the very least do lunch?
My email is in my profile and I won't be moving from the computer for several hours... LOL
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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You can pick up the Metra in Elmhurst and be downtown in no time! If you are near the Oakbrook Center mall you are very close (10 min cab ride)
Posts: 514 | Registered: May 2005
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The Angels are in town as well, if you are a baseball fan. I'm watching them right now. GO HALOS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 514 | Registered: May 2005
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Yeah, I might make it downtown. If anyone is interested in swimming in the hotels rooftop pool, I might do that depending on how warm it feels...
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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Doing some quick checking: Sears Tower Skydeck is open till 10pm both Saturday and Sunday. Cost is 11.95 per person. Museum of Science and Industry is only open till 4pm. I have a membership to another museum that allows me reciprocal access to MSI, so that's free. The rest of the museum campus is probably a bad idea because of the Stones concert, Field at least is closing early to avoid conflicts. Fireworks at Navy Pier on Saturday! There's lots of stuff to do there (www.navypier.com) to keep us occupied until 9:00, including a couple allegedly excellent restaurants. I haven't eaten on the Pier before, unless you count McDonalds.
And as for warm? it's supposed to hit 90 tomorrow!
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Sounds like a great day, Goody. Eating on the Pier is fun, but pricey! You are better off snacking and fining a better place in the loop.
We had no visitors this summer, so I missed out on most of the tourist stuff. We had planned on Brookfield Zoo today, but the kids are sick. Welcome back to school germs!
Posts: 514 | Registered: May 2005
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Bummer, JW. I spent most of my childhood at Brookfield Zoo... course I was practically walking distance from the South Lot entrance. Now that I have kids, we spend lots of time on the Pier instead. And price is why we don't buy food there, although all of Chicago is expensive compared to DuPage County. Normally we pack a picnic basket or cooler and eat in the Crystal Gardens under the funky shooting fountains.
KPC has an early dinner with the regional manager after today's session, and then we're going to head into the city. I'm trying to convince the 8 year old to lay down and at least take a time out if not a full nap so she's not cranky for fireworks.
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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