Chicago Travel Answers

Have you already made your reservations? The NATO summit is here May 20-21 and I would highly recommend rethinking your visit if it falls on those dates. There will be street closures, expected protests and high security. If you are coming outside of those days, you might want to let us know some of your interests. If the weather is warm, some of my favorite things to do are biking along the lakefront path and going out on either the River or the Lake. There are a variety of boat tours, some of them heavy on architecture, some of them just sightseeing. Vegan dining, here are a few more suggestions, the Devon Avenue area is Chicago's Indian neighborhood and there are a couple of suggestions from up there. I find it fun to pop into some of the shops along Devon. veganstreet.com/veganliving/... Wicker Park/Bucktown is an interesting neighborhood to wander around, lots of independent shops. There's interesting architecture all around Chicago, if you like that sort of thing you can self tour (I've got a great guidebook for that if you want the name) or you can join a tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Or you can sign up for a Chicago Greeter but do that now, they are free but they have to match you up with someone.

Hi, A walk around Navy Pier is nice, and the neighbouring Shedd Aquarium + Field Museum. If you're into wildlife, Field Museum has the twin maneaters of Tsavo!! How about the 'obligatory' Sears/Willis skydeck for views from up high & all around? However, dining (or lunch) at John Hancock Towers is also equally fun, offering nice lakeside views.

Chicago is a fabulous town. For museums I like the Art Institute of Chicago and always make sure to see Joseph Cornell boxes--it's in the center of town and near a wonderful walking park. The River Cruise is interesting and if possible, take in a Cubs game; the Wrigley stadium is a beautiful historical building. The Wrigleyville neighborhood has some interesting shops too. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park is nice for some peace and quiet.

Hopefully like DABS said the end of May is after the NATO Summit meetings. If it is then you should really enjoy Chicago. The weather has been strange this year in Chicago with May type weather in March. Hopefully the March weather won't invade May. Besides all the information available here on VirtualTourist here is a website that I find a lot of information for visitors on restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. http://www.explorechicago.org The Museum campus consists of the National History Museum, Planetarium and Aquarium. You can walk from one to another if you wanted to visit 2 of the 3 on any given day. My favorite Chicago museum has always been the Museum of Science and Industry. It is a little south of downtown in the Hyde Park Neighborhood where the University of Chicago is and near wear Bararck Obama has his Chicago home. If you are into baseball Wrigley Field (you have to be careful that you call it that exact name when you are in Chicago) is the home of the Chicago Cubs and a great place to soak up the atmosphere of Chicago and its people. I tell people coming to Chicago for the first time to try to take one of the boat tours. My favorite has always been the Sunset cruises on Lake Michigan where you get a great view of the city and when the lights start turning on it is truly magical. We also have great architectural boat tours on the Chicago River or you could do what we did with a VT group that came to Chicago last June and do a combined River and Lake tour. Also walking up and down North Michigan Avenue is the equivalent of walking up and down the Champs Elysees in Paris. Along that stretch is also where the Chicago Water Tower is which is the survivor from the great 1871 Chicago Fire.

I'm hoping you're coming after NATO as it will be an absolute pain to get around the city not only during the weekend of NATO but the week before as well. I second many of the suggestions by Rich. Personally my favorite museum is The Art Institute and if you're into modern art their new modern wing is incredible. Rich mentioned the boat tour which is a great idea. One of my favorites is the architectural boat tour along the river. If you do an evening boat tour, however, you'll be amazed at how beautiful the city looks during sunset and at night. Fireworks at Navy Pier are every Wednesday and Saturday evening so if you're able to get on a boat during those evenings you'll really enjoy. Millennium Park is a must mainly because it went way over budget so please do there and enjoy!!! You'll find it is a great place to walk around, relax, etc. Farmers Market: The Green City Market, one of the largest farmers markets is every Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Lincoln Park (major intersection would be just north of North Ave & Lasalle). This is a fun place to just browse, perhaps pick up some edible treats, etc. As far as neighborhoods to explore there are so so many! My favorite area is East Lakeview along broadway. Start walking north on Broadway from Diversey and you'll find many small shops, BYOBs and you'll be surrounded by a fun, eclectic crowd. Hope this helps and welcome to Chicago!

One suggestion is to pick 4 different areas of Chicago to explore during your stay. Here are some suggestions that I provide to friends/family coming to ChiTown for a visit: Day 1: 1/2 day to see a Museum. If this is your first trip without kids I would recommend the Art Institute. I like the Field Museum and Shedd too - but the Art Institute has one of the best Impressionist collections in the world. After checking out the Art Institute I would take a stroll down Michigan Avenue - aka The Magnificent Mile. Lots of great shops and a very beautiful walk. Day 2: I would take a day to explore the loop. See Millineum Park. Take the Architecture Tour down the Chicago River. Day 3: Explore a Northside Neighborhood. Perhaps Lincoln Park and Old Town. Sites to see include Botanical Gardens, Lincoln Park Zoo (free), great boutique shopping in Old Town and the Armitage/Halsted area. Take a stroll along the lakefront. Day 4: Explore Wicker Park/Bucktown/Ukranian Village. Just some suggestions.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I should have noted that I will be in Chicago from Saturday May 26th until Wednesday May 30th. I will be staying with a friend on W. Hubbard Avenue. I LOVE to walk so I look forward to visiting many of Chicago's neighborhoods. I've been checking out transit maps and it seems like the 3-day travel card might be a good idea for me to purchase so I can use it from Monday-Wednesday. My friend will be at work on Tuesday and Wednesday and I have a late afternoon flight to NJ on Wednesday so can explore a bit in the morning. The Art Institute sounds like something I would be interested in seeing. Any suggestions for smaller art museums (similar to the Frick in NYC if you are familiar)? Thanks.

Not familiar with Frick, but you could check out the Museum of Contemporary Art near Water Tower Place off North Michigan Ave.

In the downtown area there's the Museum of Contemporay Art and also LUMA which is affiliated with Loyola University so most of the art is "spiritual", that's right off Michigan Avenue I think near the Hershey store http://www.luc.edu/luma/collections/ If you enjoy stained glass, there's the free Smith Museum on Navy Pier

And don't forget Chicago's public art, you can do a walking tour that encompasses many of the famous pieces, there's a Picasso, Miro, Chagall and Calder all within 1/2 mile of each other (Thompson Center to Federal Plaza on the attachment) wikitravel.org/en/Loop_Art_T...

I have to emphasize Dab's suggestion that you contact Chicago Greeter (chicagogreeter.com) You will get a free tour of the neighborhood of your choice, or else an area of interest (public art, etc.). They even give you a one day bus pass that you can use on the tour with your guide. Just walking around the city is wonderful, and your location is perfect. Enjoy!