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slightlv

(2,818 posts)
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 08:26 PM Aug 2023

Chicago...

Hubby and I haven't had a vacation in decades... not since before 9/11. We've decided we're going to Chicago to celebrate our anniversary. We're going slow and easy... on Amtrak.

I'm wondering if we have an Chicago DU'ers who can give us suggestions. I see where the Tall Ship Windy is going to be there during that time (+/- Sept 21st), and hubby will want to check it out. I want to do a dinner cruise. But other than that, we're so open to suggestions! We'd like to stay around the Union Station area, so we don't have to worry about transportation. Hopefully we can walk to most everything.

Thanks!!!!

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Chicago... (Original Post) slightlv Aug 2023 OP
cabs and uber are easy if you need them.... bahboo Aug 2023 #1
Art museum, Field museum, Lincoln Park zoo cbabe Aug 2023 #2
My wife is from Chicago Casady1 Aug 2023 #3
Fishes and Turtles Dear_Prudence Aug 2023 #4
Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway in Chicago (lot cheaper the Way) nycbos Aug 2023 #5
The Steppe! ChazInAz Aug 2023 #12
Millennium Park is a great morning or afternoon outing. ShazzieB Aug 2023 #6
Pizza tour! raising2moredems Aug 2023 #7
Take a Segway tour, cocktails at top of the Hancock consider_this Aug 2023 #8
The segway tour sounds really cool!! slightlv Aug 2023 #9
The Green Mill nwliberalkiwi Aug 2023 #10
i used to live in andersonville....not too far from the green mill..... Gato Moteado Sep 2023 #17
The Green Mill nwliberalkiwi Aug 2023 #11
Social justice walks along the lake cbabe Aug 2023 #13
since you are arriving at Union Station... consider_this Aug 2023 #14
This sounds like someplace I could lose myself slightlv Aug 2023 #15
Totally Legal ProfessorGAC Aug 2023 #16
field museum of natural history is not to be missed..... Gato Moteado Sep 2023 #18
also..... Gato Moteado Sep 2023 #19
The Architecture Walking Tours and Boat Tours are great mucifer Dec 2023 #20
Museum of Science and Industry, and.......ride beautiful.... Lake Shore Drive...(It borders on Lake Michigan) Stuart G Feb 5 #21
I agree that LSD is breathtaking! davsand Feb 6 #22

bahboo

(16,339 posts)
1. cabs and uber are easy if you need them....
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 08:28 PM
Aug 2023

I would suggest taking the architectural river cruise. Fantastic....

cbabe

(3,545 posts)
2. Art museum, Field museum, Lincoln Park zoo
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 08:46 PM
Aug 2023

Adler planetarium. Navy pier. Grant park (remember our guy!)

Ukrainian National museum.

Walk the waterfront and miracle mile.

Ride the L for fun and views.

What do you enjoy? Chicago is a great city with many everythings for all.

 

Casady1

(2,133 posts)
3. My wife is from Chicago
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 08:48 PM
Aug 2023

and I have been there a good 30 times. It is a great city. My wife asked me what do you want to do. We usually stay up on Wacker.
No trip to Chicago is complete without dinner in Greek town.

Dear_Prudence

(368 posts)
4. Fishes and Turtles
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 08:57 PM
Aug 2023

Shedd Aquarium has some beautiful displays, and it is indoors. I am poorly educated in art, but the Chicago Art Institute features artists so famous that Ninja Turtles were named after them! Have fun! (My cousin lives in Chicago so I have visited many times.)

nycbos

(6,034 posts)
5. Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway in Chicago (lot cheaper the Way)
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 09:03 PM
Aug 2023

If you are fans of Live comedy, Chicago has more comedy, clubs, than people. Zanes, Laugh Factory, 2nd City, and iO are places to consider. Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy Legends are good places for Chicago blues.


And if either of you are baseball fans, and the Cubs are in town on a trip to Wrigley is always worth it

ChazInAz

(2,569 posts)
12. The Steppe!
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 11:13 AM
Aug 2023

I used to live above a Chinese grocery on Canal Street in Chinatown, while working at Steppenwolf.
Long ago, when I was ever so much younger than I am now!

ShazzieB

(16,412 posts)
6. Millennium Park is a great morning or afternoon outing.
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 11:12 PM
Aug 2023

Cloudgate (aka the Bean), Crown Fountain, and more.



consider_this

(2,203 posts)
8. Take a Segway tour, cocktails at top of the Hancock
Sun Aug 13, 2023, 11:46 PM
Aug 2023

We did a great Seway tour years ago of the Lakefront/Grant Park and Museum Campus. It is great fun and you get a great overview of this gorgeous part of the city, and can cover so much ground. Just pick a place that keeps the groups small - those make sure you really know how to ride it before the tour heads out.

The view from Hancock observatory is fabulous, but you can opt instead of paying for observatory, go to the bar which is nearly as high up and still get the views.

Already mentioned above, but I will second that the Architectural River boat tours are great.

slightlv

(2,818 posts)
9. The segway tour sounds really cool!!
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 12:13 AM
Aug 2023

A lot of great suggestions. We appreciate them all. There's really so little to do that we like in this small city we're in (other than parks and get togethers with friends), I'm sure we'll fall in love with all Chicago has to offer!

I honed in on the Architectural River boat tours. Those sound really interesting.

Thank you everyone!

nwliberalkiwi

(367 posts)
10. The Green Mill
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 08:01 AM
Aug 2023

Try the Green Mill for Jazz, just a couple of blocks from the Red Line Station. Bring cash, there is a small cover charge.
Take a noon tour of the Chicago Theater on State Street---great tour!!!

Gato Moteado

(9,864 posts)
17. i used to live in andersonville....not too far from the green mill.....
Sun Sep 3, 2023, 03:52 PM
Sep 2023

....one of my favorite bars in chicago.

nwliberalkiwi

(367 posts)
11. The Green Mill
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 08:01 AM
Aug 2023

Try the Green Mill for Jazz, just a couple of blocks from the Red Line Station. Bring cash, there is a small cover charge.
Take a noon tour of the Chicago Theater on State Street---great tour!!!

consider_this

(2,203 posts)
14. since you are arriving at Union Station...
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 12:32 PM
Aug 2023

You might want to walk a couple blocks north to check out the 'French Market' in lower level of Ogilvie station.
It's kind of a food hall - many varieties of meals to be had (ethnic, etc) or shop for fancy cheeses, sweets, wines, etc - stuff that you could enjoy there or take for later enjoyment. Has a busy kinda festive vibe.

slightlv

(2,818 posts)
15. This sounds like someplace I could lose myself
Mon Aug 14, 2023, 02:37 PM
Aug 2023

for an entire afternoon! (LOL) cheese, wine, and sweets.... with my sweetie!

Is Illinois a legal state for pot, btw?

ProfessorGAC

(65,058 posts)
16. Totally Legal
Wed Aug 16, 2023, 09:26 PM
Aug 2023

Dispensaries everywhere.
And, as supply has risen to demand prices have fallen significantly in the past couple years.
Flower is

Gato Moteado

(9,864 posts)
19. also.....
Sun Sep 3, 2023, 03:55 PM
Sep 2023

on the NW side of town, on the corner of milwaukee and nagle and devon, there is an old drive thru hot dog stand called superdawg. go have a chicago hot dog there....you'll thank me.

Stuart G

(38,428 posts)
21. Museum of Science and Industry, and.......ride beautiful.... Lake Shore Drive...(It borders on Lake Michigan)
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 03:14 AM
Feb 5
Lake Shore Drive...on Lake Michigan...is one of the most beautiful highways in a major city in any part of the world....

(and I have been all over the world)

davsand

(13,421 posts)
22. I agree that LSD is breathtaking!
Tue Feb 6, 2024, 06:48 PM
Feb 6

There is NOTHING I have ever seen like Lakeshore Drive!

I would suggest taking the time to hit the Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry. Adler Planetarium is also pretty cool. This time of year Navy Pier is not as exciting as it is in the summer, but it is a Chicago landmark.

I do want to warn you that the wind coming off Lake Michigan really is a lot colder than you might expect. Seriously. There's a reason why Chicago natives have the reputation for grilling out in the winter. That wind makes 'em tough!

Have fun!


Laura

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