Visiting Chicago
Discussion
I am trying to book a long weekend away (4 nights) for late oct, early nov and am thinking of maybe Chicago (or possibly Boston).
I am looking for ideas on what there is to do though! All i have so far is going to see the Bears (NFL) and Bulls (NBA), which isnt going to fill my time!
Just so you know, i am in my 20s not 50s, and will be there on my own.
It will be cold though wont it? I was in NYC last December so i am not entirely unprepared for that side of things!
I am looking for ideas on what there is to do though! All i have so far is going to see the Bears (NFL) and Bulls (NBA), which isnt going to fill my time!
Just so you know, i am in my 20s not 50s, and will be there on my own.
It will be cold though wont it? I was in NYC last December so i am not entirely unprepared for that side of things!
Get's really changeable around that time of year - often hour-by-hour. Can be lovely and mild in the morning and sub-zero by nightfall. My wife goes to annual conference around then and takes some seriously warm clothes.
Due to the 'odd' weather you get by being next to such a huge inland waterway, they often have thunder snow, which is awesome. A thunder and lightning storm but with snow rather than rain.
Due to the 'odd' weather you get by being next to such a huge inland waterway, they often have thunder snow, which is awesome. A thunder and lightning storm but with snow rather than rain.
Matt.. said:
I am trying to book a long weekend away (4 nights) for late oct, early nov and am thinking of maybe Chicago (or possibly Boston). !
Short break to Chicago? You will be f
ked when you get back!Matt.. said:
Just so you know, i am in my 20s not 50s, and will be there on my own.
Long way to go for a sh4g, mate. Try www.adultwork.co.uk and get someone local 
Save yourself a fortune!Make sure you go to Bob Chinn's Crab House it's bloody fab. Used to go there a lot when I lived there a few years back.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I'll second those sentiments.I was told in no uncertain terms that when you leave the United Center, you hop on the bus, and under no circumstances walk around the local vicinity.
That said, "downtown" is just like any other city, and a lot safer than some of the suburbs.
The Mag Mile (Michigan Ave) should occupy a day if retail therapy is your thing. The Hancock Building & the Sears Tower are also worth a dabble.
I recommend the Swissotel on East Wacker Drive......they do great New York Strip Steaks in there, and the puds are something else too!
They also do cruises on the Chicago River, mainly observing the architecture of the city, a bit mosre interesting than it seems!
As others have said, the weather can be somewhat changeable (I've been in March & May) with temps fluctuating greatly (-10 - 30oC). Lake Michigan is a bit more than an "inland waterway" (400 miles long & 150 miles wides makes it a sea in my books!), and it does influence the weather locally.
HTH
Robert
Been to both, and was in Boston just two weeks ago.
Chicago:
Sears Tower is worth a visit.
The Art Institute is amazing. Nighthawks, American Gothic, loads of Matisse. Seurat's Sunday On The Grande Jatte and tonnes more. Standing in front of the Seurat is a must for any fan of Ferris Bueller's Day off.
Shopping on Michigan Avenue as already stated.
Navy Pier is average.
There's also the Field Museum of Natural History and an aquarium, neither of which I've visited.
Boston:
Harvard and MIT. Great to wander around.
Back Bay area. Lovely architecture and fancy shopping (e.g. Copley Place) Good restaurants e.g. L'Espalier (though now moved to the Mandarin Oriental)
Charles St. and Beacon Hill. Loads of little antique/curiosity shops. Cheers bar. Boston Common. State House.
Walk the Freedom Trail around the city.
Quincy Market - think Covent Garden
Obviously you have the Sox, Celtics and Patriots depending on the time of year.
The New England Aquarium is good, and there's a great Museum of Science.
Do a duck tour around the city and Charles River.
Chicago:
Sears Tower is worth a visit.
The Art Institute is amazing. Nighthawks, American Gothic, loads of Matisse. Seurat's Sunday On The Grande Jatte and tonnes more. Standing in front of the Seurat is a must for any fan of Ferris Bueller's Day off.
Shopping on Michigan Avenue as already stated.
Navy Pier is average.
There's also the Field Museum of Natural History and an aquarium, neither of which I've visited.
Boston:
Harvard and MIT. Great to wander around.
Back Bay area. Lovely architecture and fancy shopping (e.g. Copley Place) Good restaurants e.g. L'Espalier (though now moved to the Mandarin Oriental)
Charles St. and Beacon Hill. Loads of little antique/curiosity shops. Cheers bar. Boston Common. State House.
Walk the Freedom Trail around the city.
Quincy Market - think Covent Garden
Obviously you have the Sox, Celtics and Patriots depending on the time of year.
The New England Aquarium is good, and there's a great Museum of Science.
Do a duck tour around the city and Charles River.
I would do the following (based on my experiences there):
Go up the Sears Tower.
Go to The Art Institute.
Go shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Avoid Navy Pier.
Eat at The Weber Grill.
Go up the John Hancock tower.
Go on a River tour of architecture.
Go look at some Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area.
Take in some sporting events.
If you are looking for other places to eat apart from the Weber Grill try the Grand Luxe Cafe & PF Changs. The food is god but laughably cheap by British standards.
Go up the Sears Tower.
Go to The Art Institute.
Go shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Avoid Navy Pier.
Eat at The Weber Grill.
Go up the John Hancock tower.
Go on a River tour of architecture.
Go look at some Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area.
Take in some sporting events.
If you are looking for other places to eat apart from the Weber Grill try the Grand Luxe Cafe & PF Changs. The food is god but laughably cheap by British standards.
I agree with the above about Chicago, I go every year to see family.
Frank Lloyd Wright's houses are in Oak Park, on the 'Blue Line' - Using the 'El' is a cheap way of getting about, and dependant on where you're staying, if 'Downtown' don't bother with a cab, be expensive, get the Blue Line from O'Hare to the nearest station, and you'll save a bundle
There is also the Science Museum - next to the Planetarium - houses Craig Breedloves Spirit of America
Top of the Hancock Tower (94th floor) is a lovely restaurant and bar, with great views of the city, especially at night.
As a heads up, Chicago (White Sox and Cubs) look like being in the Post Season and headed for make the World Series which is played over the weekend of the 22nd October. Chicago would be partying then.
Go shopping down Michigan Avenue, loads of bars and restaurants, depends what you want to eat. My favourite for brunch is Lou Mitchells on Jackson, not far from Sears Tower
Just recalled, there are numerous bus tours, Architecture, Blues Brothers, Frank Lloyd Wright etc and can be found by The Wrigley Building, bottom of Michigan Avenue next to a bridge.
Have a look here:
www.chicagotraveler.com/
Frank Lloyd Wright's houses are in Oak Park, on the 'Blue Line' - Using the 'El' is a cheap way of getting about, and dependant on where you're staying, if 'Downtown' don't bother with a cab, be expensive, get the Blue Line from O'Hare to the nearest station, and you'll save a bundle
There is also the Science Museum - next to the Planetarium - houses Craig Breedloves Spirit of America
Top of the Hancock Tower (94th floor) is a lovely restaurant and bar, with great views of the city, especially at night.
As a heads up, Chicago (White Sox and Cubs) look like being in the Post Season and headed for make the World Series which is played over the weekend of the 22nd October. Chicago would be partying then.
Go shopping down Michigan Avenue, loads of bars and restaurants, depends what you want to eat. My favourite for brunch is Lou Mitchells on Jackson, not far from Sears Tower
Just recalled, there are numerous bus tours, Architecture, Blues Brothers, Frank Lloyd Wright etc and can be found by The Wrigley Building, bottom of Michigan Avenue next to a bridge.
Have a look here:
www.chicagotraveler.com/
Edited by Mutley on Thursday 11th September 07:18
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