Are you planning a visit to this great tourist destination next month? Do you live in the greater Chicago area?
I'm here on a visit and have a lot of free time. I'd love to meet up with other RS folks and talk travel.
And if you have any tips for new or hidden gems to see while I'm here, please share them.
Chicago is wonderful. Take a river cruise, go to the Art Institute, go see the Bean. I wish I were closer so we could meet up. Next time make a stop in Minneapolis-St. Paul. I'll come pick you up and show you the beautiful parts of our area. My Mom used to take us to Chicago once a year (often on the train) and we'd go to Marshall Fields for a ladies lunch-club sandwiches & iced tea. We would always feel so grown up. My cousins own the oldest pub in IL in Long Grove (a suburb.) You would really love it there. They even have a pool room with a speakeasy vibe-SO much fun.
I wish I were in Chicago! (I don’t have any tips though - it’s been a while since I’ve spent much time there).
I hope you have a great visit.
Not really hidden gems, but I highly recommend the Art Institute and the Architecture boat tour down the Chicago River. I really enjoyed both.
FYI, Chani is from Chicago, so I would imagine she has done all the main sites! Wish I was there Chani, we loved Chicago and our meet up with you!
I can't remember a better Margarita than the one (or more) I had at the Adobo Grill in Chicago.
Don’t skip the Thorne Rooms if you are at the (awesome) Art Institute. They are easily missed if you aren’t looking for them.
Architecture boat tour.
The Driehaus Museum is a place to consider if you enjoy Gilded Age mansions. Very convenient - just off North Michigan.
If you watched The Bear TV series, this The Bear inspired food tour is great! Expensive but worth it!
As a born and bred Chicago moved to warmer pastures
A walk/jog around the lakefront is still one of the best views. Chicago's skyline rivals that of any American city-sorry NYC.
Art Institute both for the artwork and sitting outside and taking in the view.
Overpriced but still a classic-going to the 95floor of the Hancock and getting a drink or coffee and grabbing a table to watch the sun go down.
Get out and visit a neighborhood. Lincoln Square or somewhere not in the Loop or Near North Side. I lived in a neighborhood that was almost as family friendly and suburban as any suburb.
This museum on the University of Chicago campus is a real gem: https://isac.uchicago.edu
As is Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House (also on the same campus): https://flwright.org/tour/robie-house
Overpriced but still a classic-going to the 95floor of the Hancock and getting a drink or coffee and grabbing a table to watch the sun go down.
Signature Room closed a year ago.
Frank Lloyd Wright Studio is right across the Chicago border in Oak Park and reachable by the Green Line.
In addition to the famous boat tours, the Chicago Architecture Center runs a huge variety of walking tours.
Thank you all for writing and getting me even more excited about what was then my up-coming trip. I’ve been in Chicagoland now for nearly 2 weeks and have pretty much caught up with family and friends. 3 of us are headed for Memphis this evening, overnighting en route and hopefully detouring to Clermont KY (yum yum) on the way home.
Laurie Beth. Maybe we could meet in the middle. I’ll PM you. I used to love shopping at Fields. Long Grove is the “wrong” side of Chicago – I’m in Brookfield. But if I’m in the area I’ll definitely drop by.
Meg, Chris, Heather, and Robert. I always spend a day at the Art Institute, one of the great art museums, especially the Impressionist collection and the Chagall windows. The Thorne Rooms are also a personal favorite – years ago hardly anyone knew about that hidden gem, my last couple of visits it’s always been crowded. On one hand I wish no one knew, on the other hand, I’m glad so many people get to enjoy them. Over the years, I’ve taken the CAC river tour 3 times. A couple years ago I took one of their bus tours that was very good. And last year I took the el tour – excellent and unusual. BTW I discovered a lovely Ukrainian restaurant 2 minutes’ walk from the Art Institute and they do a wonderful afternoon tea. It’s become my habit to go there for a lunch break on my “Art Institute day.”
Tammy I wish you were here too. We will definitely have to make a plan to meet again somewhere . . . .
Estimated. Thank you !!! I have made a note of it. I love Mexican food and margaritas are my favorite cocktails. I’m spending 4 nights in the Loop in a couple weeks so I’m sure I’ll get there at least once for lunch or dinner.
ORDtraveler. The Driehaus is now on my Loop schedule. I love period pieces and it’s especially enticing since I loved watching every episode of the Gilded Age a second time mostly for the period sets and costumes.
Heather. I absolutely agree with you. I loved the 95th floor. The bathrooms were the best – glass walls and wonderful views. I’ve done a couple of neighborhood walks with Chicago Greeters. Yes, even US cities (some) have Greeters programs.
Agnes and nixit . Yes, I too am a Wright fan. I’m considering a third visit to Taliesin before my weekend in Madison. BTW last year I spent a few days in Springfield (wonderful historical sights) and there is a Wright house (Dana-Thomas) there with free tours.
Sorry, Kristen, The Bear didn’t make it to Israel.
I welcome more suggestions for sights and margaritas.
