Destinations In Chicago

[C B]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for things to do in Chicago?

 

IMPROMPTU Trip for me

 

Appreciate any input!

Edited September 1, 2015 by C B

[Carlos Hazday]

The Architectural River Tour is the number 1 tourist attraction in the city and gives you a great background on the birthplace of the skyscrapper

 

The Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio if you have any interest in design and/or architecture

 

The observatory floor on wither the John Hancock Center or the Willis Towwer

 

Ride a train just so you can say you have

 

Wrigley Field is a great place even if you're not a baseball fan

 

The ballpark is just  a few blocks north of Boystown--the gay neighborhood-- a stroll/shopping down North Halstead and pictures in front of the rainbow pylons

 

The Museum of Science and Industry is awesome. They have a giant model train, a coal mine and a Nazi submarine

 

Navy Pier is a nice place to spend a couple of hours

 

The Art Institute of Chicago is a wonderful museum

 

Parking is as expensive as in New York so try to use public transit (there's an App for it!)

 

Have fun

[Valkyrie]

The Second City has some great comedy.  I went to The House of Blues when I was there, too.  Great food and great music. 

[Randomness]

Depends what you are into.

 

There are many museums: Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Modern Art, etc.

Sight seeing: the Willis (formerly Sears) Sky-deck

 

Truly tons of stuff, what are you interested in? 

 

And which airport are you coming into?  Or Train?  Or whatever?

Edited September 1, 2015 by Randomness

[Gene Splicer PHD]

http://www.sidetrackchicago.com/

[impunity]

If you're going to go up a tall building, I would do Hancock rather than Sears (or whatever they're calling it now): more accessible, on the water so views are better, cheaper, and no annoying intro film. It is also on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave shopping) and close to the Museum of Contemporary Art.

 

For art, though, the Art Institute is a must. Next-door Millennium Park is also very cool with some awesome sculptures (including the now-iconic "bean").

Edited September 2, 2015 by impunity

[JamesSavik]

Guide to the best independent bookstores in Chicago

 

I am a crazy book addict! Whenever I go to a new city I google it for book stores.

 

Not the cookie cutter Barnes & igNobels. It's the independent book stores that really, really rock.

 

I noticed you are from Texas. You should check out the Opera House in Denton. Be sure to bring a truck!

Edited September 3, 2015 by jamessavik

[impunity]

Guide to the best independent bookstores in Chicago

 

I am a crazy book addict! Whenever I go to a new city I google it for book stores.

 

Not the cookie cutter Barnes & igNobels. It's the independent book stores that really, really rock.

That article doesn't mention that Unabridged (in the heart of Boystown) is the primary gay bookstore in the city. They do mention that Women and Children First (in Andersonville) has a good selection of gay literature, although maybe with a more lesbian slant.

 

Both are well worth visiting.

Edited September 3, 2015 by impunity

[C B]

Thank you. Planning on coming up in October for the weekend or something!