Heading to Chicago for a couple days

[thac]

My girlfriend are taking a trip to Chicago for the weekend,wWhat are the main attractions that we shouldn't miss? So far we're going to Grant Park, Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile.

We don't wanna go to the Architecture museum or anything really historical, and she's been to the Sears Tower already so I don't really wanna go there. Anything cheap that we can spend time at basically is what we're looking for.

Also, we may go to that big aquarium thing.

[BigPoppa]

Any chance you can drag her to a Cubs game*? They're in first place.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is really nice.
The Art Institute is wonderful.
The whole lakeshore is very pretty, with both parks and beaches.
Spend at least one night bar hopping on Division St.


Chicago is a great town when it's not too cold.
Watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off for inspiration before leaving.


*Not cheap, but fun

[oddjob]

i always loved the museum of science and industry. it's by the university of chicago, then you can hit up medici's for their delicious garbage pizza (i haven't been to either in over 10 years, so things may have changed)

[nation]

i would suggest shooting citanul a pm, he lives in the area and can likely point you to some good places.

[A.P. Keaton]

1. take a tour -- the best is the boat tour that goes through the Chicago River and out onto Lake Michigan; they also have a tour that shows you famous gangster sites (i.e. St. Valentines Day Massacre, theatre where the FBI ambushed and shot Dillinger, Capone's hangouts)
2. Take the El train and just ride around -- take the Brown line around the Loop to see downtown and Northside Neighberhoods like Lincoln Park and Wrigley -- get off on the Armitage and Belmont stops and check out the neighborhoods
3. Navy Pier --kinda a tourist trap, but gives you the best view of the skyline.
4. Get Chicago style pizza or go to a steak house. Can't go wrong with Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Pizzeria Uno or Giordanos for pizza. Try Gibson's Gene and Georgetti's or The Chicago Cho House for steak.
5. Grab a martini at the Signature Room (98th floor of Hancock Building). Also cool to have a drink at the hotel bars in The Peninsula or Park Hyatt.
6. Go to a blues bar. The old school blues guys are still around but they are a dying breed. See them while you can. Try Buddy Guy's Legends or Blue Chicago.
7. Catch the red line downtown and check out Chinatown.

I'll post more if I think of anything else.

[inside??]

take a tour -- the best is the boat tour that goes through the Chicago River and out onto Lake Michigan

Also go to the nearest Portillo's and order an Italian Beef Sandwich and a Chicago Dog. You will never think of a French Dip Sandwich and a hot dog in the same way again.