Chicago Travel Forum

Hello, for August vacations we will be spending approx 1 week in and around Chicago and the surrounding area. We will have a hire-car, could conceivably stop 2-3 nights in Chicago and maybe 2-3 nights in a couple of other places not too far away. Thing is I need help to put together a great program for the week, mixing city things to do in chicago, and places to see in the region (natural parks, historic things, whatever..). Thanks for your advice.

Some places you might want to look into in the surrounding area

Springfield IL-lots of history, esp. re: Abraham Lincoln

Milwaukee, WI-lots of history, esp. re: the beer barons, great art museum, lots of festivals in the summer, Pabst Mansion

Starved Rock, IL-nature

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore-nature, some of the nicest beaches in the area

Shipshewana, IN-Amish country

Saugatuck, MI and surrounding towns along Lake Michigan-resort areas in the summer, will probably be very popular this year with people doing "staycations" and not traveling overseas

Daytrips from Chicago-Oak Park to see Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Brookfield Zoo

One of the weekends in August is the Air and Water Show, if you are here for that it's worth going to

Agree with the previous poster, if you're in town the weekend of the Air & Water show I recommend working that into your plans.

Can also recommend:

Shedd Aquarium or Art Institute (my favorites of the museum-type options Chicago has to offer)
Lincoln Park Zoo
If you're into sports, maybe try for a game at Wrigley Field
Drinks at the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Building (unlike the Observatory, there's no entrance fee to go up to the Lounge)

Also, August gets pretty hot here, so working some time at either Oak Street Beach or North Ave Beach into your plans may be enjoyable.

Things to do in Chicago - Architecture cruise on the river and/or a dinner cruise on the lake. Walking tour of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Oak Park.

Milwaukee and Madison Wisconsin aren't too far from Chicago.

I will also put in a plug for my home town of Naperville which is a suburb of Chicago about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. You can either drive out here or if you are staying in downtown Chicago you can take the Metra (suburban railroad system) out to Chicago on the Burlington Northern Line (there are a variety of lines which go to other suburban areas of Chicago.

We have a variety of great restaurants, a great downtown section for shopping or browsing, a river walk, carillon tower, statues, etc. In fact a lot like a small Paris (not really, but you've given me an idea to explore about comparing Paris and Naperville.) There is also an historic section which recreates life in Naperville in the 1800's.

in Chicago you must see:

1. Shedd Aquarium as suggested by a VTer above: this is one of the best aquariums.
2. Adler planetarium
3. Buckingham fountain by the lakeshore
4. lincoln park zoo, which is the only free zoo of this size in NA.
5. a trip to Milvaulkee in the north can be rewarding too.

btw, we may be there in august too :-)

If you are interested in international culture, there are several ethic heritage museums in the area. The one that I love is the Mexican Fine Arts Museum in Pilsen (a Chicago neighborhood, not a separate town). There are also Hellenic, Lithuanian, and several other cultures represented. Another great way to see the city is a double-decker bus tour or trolley tour. Navy Pier has a lot to do, including a terrific display of stained glass windows at the Smith Museum (free!). I don't know if anyone mentioned the Field Museum of Natural History--also great.

The city's official tourism site is www.explorechicago.org. It is very helpful.

You asked for hotel suggestions during your visit to Chicago. I just returned from a trip to Chicago myself and loved, loved the Avenue Hotel. Just steps away from the Magnificent Mile where you can shop and dine until your hearts content. After dinner you should head up to the Avenue Hotel Sky Lounge (40th Floor) and have a night cap and marvel at the majestic view. I highly recommend this hotel and we even got an unbelievable rate, the staff was out of this world. Good Luck!