Chicago - Things to see and do?

[WestSideBilly]

A colleague from the UK is going to be here in July for some training. He will be flying into O'hare and is looking for some things to check out. I had thought of things such as:

- Hancock/Sears observatory
- Navy Pier
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Miracle Mile

Just looking for a few ideas from natives or regular visitors. Things that might get the "flavor" of downtown a bit better, and be somewhat less touristy.

FYI, he will be in Chicago the weekends before and after July 20-22 if there are any specific events those weekends.

[photodavo]

Just looking for a few ideas from natives or regular visitors. Things that might get the "flavor" of downtown a bit better, and be somewhat less touristy.

Send him out for a late night on the town - can you say Rush and Division?

[meat]

Umm, that's Magnificient Mile....

Other thoughts...

Wrigley Field
US Cellular Field (White Sox)
We have a soccer team
Division St.
Rush St.
Art Institute
Shedd Aquarium
Adler Planetarium
Field Museum
Lincoln Park Zoo
Grant Park (There will probably be some sort of festival going on one of those weekends)
Hooters (hehehe)
TONS of great restaurants
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Outdoor concerts at Ravinia (north of City, but accessible by train)
Lots of theater (plays, musicals, opera) to see

Need more??

[S2000 Driver]

A colleague from the UK is going to be here in July for some training. He will be flying into O'hare and is looking for some things to check out.

Just looking for a few ideas from natives or regular visitors. Things that might get the "flavor" of downtown a bit better...

I would highly recommend he do this first:

Architecture River Cruise

It provides a great introduction to America's Second City!

[S2000 Driver]

...Need more??

Isn't there some place in town that serves wonderful Belgian Ale?

[meat]

Yep - the boat tours are really good.

The Hopleaf (Belgium Beer) is also very good.

[Ulrich]

Something that is not mentioned in any official travel books... Al Capone's grave is in Hillside. It's the cemetery on Rt. 38, east of Rt. 83, on the north side of the road. The name escapes me. Take the first roadway to the right; the family grave is about 30 yards down on your right. There's a big bush planted in front of the family name; I guess they don't want too many tourists there.

Beautiful cemetery, though, well worth spending an hour or so driving around and looking at statues, mausoleums and head stones...

[Greg Stevens]

Speaking of cemetaries, no visit to Chicago would be complete without visiting Resurrection Cemetary, the home of 20's flapper, Ressurection Mary who is reported to haunt the adjacent street to the cemetary. I did a 'ghost tour' there years ago and it was cool as hell. I don't remember the guy's name, but this is his main business. You drive around in a big bus and vist about a dozen haunted sites. The other one I recall was where that gangster was shot next to the Biograph theater.

Pretty neat, I thought.

You may also want to check out an architecture tour...Chicago has some of the most beautiful buildings in the country, IMO. Whatever they do, it'll be fun...because it's summer. Winter...that ain't fun!

[S2000 Driver]

...You may also want to check out an architecture tour...Chicago has some of the most beautiful buildings in the country, IMO.

Gee, Why hadn't I suggested that?

Oh wait a minute, I did!

[Greg Stevens]

Gee, Why hadn't I suggested that?

Oh wait a minute, I did!

So what makes you think I actually read threads before I post to them?!?

[Ulrich]

And of course, for an absolutely personalized tour, check out http://www.chicagogreeter.com/index.html

Did I mention that it's free, too? At least it used to be.

[WestSideBilly]

Umm, that's Magnificient Mile....

Yeah, that too... :LOL:

[WestSideBilly]

I would highly recommend he do this first:

Architecture River Cruise

It provides a great introduction to America's Second City!

I've been meaning to do this for some time. I might suggest it and join him for a day.

[S2000GT]

i might even tag along too....ive been here almost 9 months and havent seen half the things mentioned!!

[boxerx]

I had been to Chicago memorial day, and I was real impressed with the city. Prefer our 6th st in Austin to rush st though ;-)
Wish I had mailed here before I left to ask you folks what to do. Missed out a few things...

[WestSideBilly]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[ruexp67]

We tried to go watch the traders at the Chicago Board of Trade, but it is no longer open to the public.

Don't remember of anyone mentioned the art institute.

Adler Planetarium.

I can find some good reccomendations for some smaller blues clubs too if interested.

[Greg Stevens]

Kingston Mines for blues.