How many days in Chicago?

I don't think 7 days is too long at all, there are a lot of things to do/ see in Chicago. I'm not in love with the Loop because most of the life in Chicago happens in the neighborhoods (and frankly I enjoy more greenery). Check out Lincoln Park a little to the north (Hotel Lincoln is one example) - it's a great location and a nice walk to downtown and along the riverfront.

Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to visit. There are also architecture tours by foot and on the river.

Thank you.

I checked Lincoln Park, but the L pink and green lines don't go there. My partner may need to be in the office in Fulton Market (served by pick and green lines) from time to time, and therefore I am thinking about River North. What are your thoughts about this area?

If you like cities, I don’t think 7 days is too many. Consider taking some of the architecture tours.

Seven days is not too long at all! I would stay even longer, love Chicago, used to live downtown. Buses are the way I traveled around if not driving. I only used trains to go up to North Shore. Look at hotels in Streeterville and River North, east and west of Michigan Ave, north of the Chicago River. . The Loop is the business area, like Wall Street., and I would never stay there.

Stay in the Fulton Market area. The City Winery is there and some great restaurants and shopping. It is off the green line and a easy bus ride on the 20 Madison avenue bus or walk to the loop.

The teen unrest (organized on social media on an 80 degree day in April) caught the police off guard. Now there is more attention to security (e.g. no teens are allowed in Millennium Park without an adult) especially with all the festivals (NASCAR is coming in July and racing along the Dusable Lake Shore Drive) and conventions happening this summer. The city does not wanna lose the tax revenue if people are scared to come.

We spent 4 full days and could easily have spent more. If you love food, Somebody Feed Phil has an episode on Chicago that is good. We loved our visit there!

Italian Beef sandwiches, Chicago 'Dogs; The Billy Goat Tavern (Sat Night Live reference, if you're old enough); Berghoff German restaurant. Buy some Polish sausage at Gene's sausage and deli in Lincoln Square. Max and Benny's Jewish Deli.

I'd stay on the Million Dollar Mile (do they still call it that?) inside the loop. All the big names. The drive through to the north past Ravenna to Lake Shore Drive area is where the big bucks lets you live. Very nice towns all along there. Usually some local festivals during the summer.

Thank you. I am salivating already.

There are not a lot of hotels in Fulton Market's vicinity. The handful ones there are really out of my budget.

There’s easily a week’s worth of things to do in Chicago. There are scads of museums (many at world class level) for art and science and local history, among other things. It’s also a major architectural sightseeing destination, with the downtown area (especially So. Michigan Ave,), Oak Park, and some neighborhoods being highlights, not to mention some choice public art — an architectural cruise is one enjoyable option. It’s also a good city for sports, theater, live music, and shopping.

Chicago is also a first-rate food destination with eateries in all price ranges and covering most cuisines. Cheap iconic foods include pizza (deep dish and otherwise), Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. The city is especially strong in Central/Eastern European, Mexican, and Greek food, as well as steakhouses — but you’ll find lots of worthy eateries covering most every genre.

I agree with everyone about the great things to see and eat in Chicago. However it is expensive and as a person who lived in the Chicago area for many years safety is a real concern. Don't stay in the loop; it's quiet on weekends. Go to the neighborhoods north of the river. Don't go south of Roosevelt Road or west of the river.

A close suburb is Oak Park easily reached by public transportation; maybe you can find an affordable hotel there.

Michigan Avenue or the Magnificent Mile is now nothing more than an outdoor mall.

Thanks, everybody.

I am sticker shocked by the hotel prices, which are on par with San Francisco. Considering residential real estate is much more affordable in Chicago than in the SF Bay Area, I am even more shocked.

I will use points to redeem some nights. I have been hoarding points for a while and it's time to use some of them. I hope that eating out is more reasonable in Chicago.

Well you are coming during a holiday labor day weekend.
https://www.musicfestivalwizard.com/festivals/chicago-jazz-festival-2023/

Don't go south of Roosevelt Road or west of the river.

Don't listen to this person; that's usually something a non-native transient person scared of diversity in a city rich of it would say.
But if you don't go south of Roosevelt here is some of what you will miss :
Little Village
https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/little-village/
Chinatown
https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/chinatown/

Frank Lloyd Wright House
https://www.flwright.org/visit/robiehouse

Museum of Science and Industry
https://www.msichicago.org/

African Festival of the Arts Labor Day Weekend
https://www.aihusa.org/african-festival

Muhammed Ali House
https://www.choosechicago.com/listing/muhammad-ali-house/

And if you don't go west of the River you will miss all the great restaurants in these neighborhood areas:
Fulton Market
https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/best-fulton-market-restaurants
Logan Square
https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/logan-square/
Bucktown Wicker Park
https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/wicker-park-bucktown/

Thank you again. For lodging, I am also considering Airbnb's, which are still expensive but some are more affordable than hotels.

What do you think of staying in Ukranian Village or Bucktown? I am thinking that these hoods seem to provide a more local feel. I would like to grab a pastry at a locally owned, mom-and-pop bakery/cafe before starting to sightsee. River North is also considered, but it seems too commercialized for me.

Bucktown wicker park or Logan Square and Ukraine Village are fine, lots a hip little shops, Carhartt clad (I don't want to look like a yuppie) bearded skinny leg pants types. Rent a divy bike
https://divvybikes.com/
Ride the 606 trail.

This is a view from south of Roosevelt road along the Lake Michigan:
https://images.app.goo.gl/NdosUoW1k4HbHhtF6

I am lucky I live in high rise built in 1929 Art Deco with a view of the lake. Make sure you get different views of the Lake at sunset.

Thanks a million.

Beautiful view. Any recommendations for a nice beach? I am planning to visit Montrose Dog Beach to play with the dogs.

This is pretty accurate
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-beaches-guide

Will second the South Side area immediately around the University of Chicago (including the nearby Robie House), the Museum of Science and Industry, and the 57th Street stretch between them as being safe to visit during the day (the university has a couple good small museums). You can see everything here in one very full day. Historic Pullman used to a good neighborhood to wander for a couple hours (has some interesting architecture), but no idea how it is these days. I’d definitely recommend taking the Metra commuter train between these and the Loop.

The major tourist draw west of the Loop area is Oak Park — plenty of architectural attractions here. You should be able to take the El between here and the Loop during daylight hours okay.

You can take the El to see a White Sox game also. Given the large number of riders going to and from the park, you should have no safety issues.

Thanks again!

For restaurants: what are the tourist traps? I will volunteer my "picks", which are Pat's and Geno's in Philadelphia for cheese steaks. Most random food trucks make better food than those two.

I was in Chicago last weekend for a wedding and we stayed in an Airbnb in Logan Square. It was a studio so I felt the price was very reasonable. I’m happy to send you the link. Some highlights for us were: a Cubs game, a performance at Second City, Jeni’s Ice Cream, and checking out local breweries. Enjoy your trip!

For a downtown beach, go to North Ave Beach or Oak St Beach.

The Art Institute of Chicago always has something to look it. Its collection of French Impressionist paintings is second only to New York's Met in the US. And the two baseball rivals are loaded down with tradition.

I lived in the 'burbs for the first part of my existence, and visited Chi-town many times.

No mention of China-town yet - well worth a visit. We are planning a visit to a fabulous dim-sum restaurant later this year - I believe that it is MingHin cousine - it is on the second floor with a regular chinese restaurant on the 1st. Ladies who speak no English push carts around with all kinds of things in them - mostly not overly expensive.

Lincoln Park Zoo is forgettable. Don't go there.

Chicago deep dish pizza is the signature of the city. We always get the Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef at Portillo's - it's a fast food chain but since you're not from Chicago it's OK to go there. There are multiple locations.

I would not miss the Art Institute. I've probably been there 100 times. It never fails to impress.

Another great museum is the Oriental Institute at U Chicago - small but really amazing Egypt - Fertile Crescent stuff - many of the discoveries were made by OI staff 100 years ago.

If you want a short drive, go to the Baha'i Temple in Evanston - the gardens are amazing and the Temple is worth the stop - sit and meditate for 20 min.

One suggestion I have not heard is to get a hotel in the 'burbs, and take the train in and out each day. Arlington Heights, Mt Prospect, Des Plaines are all on the Northwest Hw Train line. From AH to Union Station, it's $8 each way. If your hotel is $126/night instead of $250, you are still saving $100/night. Plus you can sit in the upper level of the train in and out. When you get to the Loop, you are walking distance from most things, or you can take the El.

Some family members have stayed at the Hotel Lincoln. My wife, daughter, and SIL sat in the restaurant, have oysters on the special and glasses of wine - really nice place to sit. In September, rooms are about $210/night.

Thanks very much for your advice. I have booked an Airbnb in Wicker Park, close to Damen station. I just can't wait for this trip!