Once we get to Chicago, what are your recommended activities? I assume riding the El is one of them but what else?
Field Museum, Architecture Center, walking around the loop, breweries, Museum of Science and Industry, see a play, Lincoln Park Zoo, Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium
Thank you, good recs! Let me add a couple:
- Chicago is a world-class city for many reasons, but it is its heart-attack foods that make it truly special. Specialties include deep dish pizza (or thin crust if you’re a coward), Italian beef, Italian ice, and the Chicago hot dog. Ask for your dog dragged through the garden; ketchup is considered to be for children and tourists.
- Go to the John Hancock Center for your skyscraper view. It costs about the same as the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and you can get a drink at the 95th-floor bar for a tiny upcharge.
- The Art Institute has so many famous paintings: Van Gogh’s Bedroom, Nighthawks, La Grande Jatte, American Gothic, and more!
- The baby chicks in the genetics exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry are a must-see. DO NOT Google what happens to them.
- Near the Bean there’s a couple signs encouraging you to call a number on your cell phone. When dialed, it plays a prerecorded message about what if the reflection in the sculpture is the real you and what if you’re the reflection, maaaan? It’s very corny but I imagine would cause a paranoid freak out if you were high.
- I know you already gave a Chinese food recommendation, but I gotta put in a word for MingHin. Open till midnight, tasty dim sum all day every day.
If you want neighborhoods to visit and stroll around, visit Wicker and Lincoln Parks, the loop, streeterville, Logan Square, Edgewater, and West Loop are nice.
If you are willing to walk a bit from the L, visit Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Avondale, they have pretty good chicken
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum is an amazing example of the wealth of the guilded age
Reposting my chinese recommendation here for Triple Crown in Chinatown go there for lunch but be aware their servings are really big
When in Chinatown, the shops on Wentworth Avenue are nice to visit
If it’s warm, Chicago does have beaches you can stroll or the Lakefront trail which is nice to walk down