Chicago?

[DeltAlum]

Chicago is a great city. Have a wonderful time.

[wrigley]

AXO Alum, it depends on what you want. There's something for everyone. On the Michigan Ave, check out Water Tower Place with it's multi-levels. The John Hancock is next door. You can have cocktails at the Signature Room and have a great view of the city. The Museum of Contemporary Art is nearby . Then there's State Street. Check out Marshall Field's and have lunch at the Walnut Room before it becomes Macy's in three months. You can be fancy and have afternoon tea with finger sandwiches at the Four Seasons or The Drake Hotel. Next to Millenium Park is The Art Institute. You can catch a show at the Chicago Theater or Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theater.

The Chicago Architectural Foundation gives great walking tours and riverboat tours of the city as well. I'd suggest making your reservations soon. They're usually booked in advance.There is a free trolley shuttle you can take to museum campus, which has the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. The Museum of Science and Industry is just a el stop away from downtown.

As for nightlife, you can catch live comedy at Second City where they have a wall of fame of those who've gone onto SNL. Then there's Improv Olympics in Lakeview. For live jazz there's the Hothouse on Balboa or The Green Mill in Uptown.

You can rent bikes at Navy Pier to go along the lakefront if you want to be active. Avoid The Excalibur. It's a tacky tourist trap.

Definitely check out Garrett's popcorn, the carmel/cheese popcorn combo is great. As for the best place for a hot dog, SuperDawg is a Chicago institution and that's on the northwest side of the city. Giordano's deep dish pizza is my favorite.

[Rudey]

I'm constantly amazed by what GC'ers think is cool. In other words, most of you probably think memorizing bar codes is a fun time.

Chicago's charm is in it's architecture and the urban planning. Some say it's the best run city in the world. The mayor is dirty, but he has created something really amazing. Too bad it's filled with midwesterners

-Rudey

[valkyrie]

If you're looking for pizza, you have to go to Pizzeria Uno (29 E. Ohio) or Pizzeria Due (619 N. Wabash). It is by far the best Chicago-style pizza anywhere. (These are not the same as the chain Pizzeria Unos, which are crap and the pizza tastes nothing like the original.) My favorite Italian restaurant in the world (LaDonna) is on the north side, a bit out of the way if you're downtown but totally worth it and walking distance from an el stop (OMG PUMPKIN RAVIOLI -- best food I've ever had). There's a tiny little hole in the wall at Western and Augusta that has the best pierogis, ever, and is super cheap -- like under $10 for a big meal (Andrzej Grill).

The architecture in Chicago is amazing, and if you're into Frank Lloyd Wright, you might enjoy wandering around Oak Park to check out his home and studio, as well as several houses he designed. Oak Park is immediately west of Chicago, accessible by el and train and everything you'd want to see is within walking distance (I used to live there and miss it so).

Unfortunately, the Sox are out of town that week.

[Sister Havana]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Unfortunately, the Sox are out of town that week.

But the Cubs are at home! Wrigley Field is an absolute shrine to baseball and everyone should see a game there at least once.
I second the suggestions for Greektown and the Billy Goat. I'll add Boston Blackie's or Hackney's for hamburgers.
Definitely stop at Marshall Field's. The State Street store is amazing.
You might want to take a sightseeing cruise - there are several companies that offer those. All are fun. I've heard really good things about the architecture cruise, though I've never taken it.
There are several neighborhood festivals going on during that time, including the Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party, Rock around the Block, and the Chinatown Summer Fair.
Two good sites for things to do/see are Metromix and the Chicago Reader

Have a blast - I love Chicago!

[damasa]

[QUOTE=Sister Havana]But the Cubs are at home! Wrigley Field is an absolute shrine to baseball and everyone should see a game there at least once. QUOTE]

Cubs suck, Wrigley sucks, Wrigleyville sucks.

Oh yea, all you Northside yuppie Chi-town kids are my beeyotches!

Ha, I strike again!

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by damasa

Cubs suck, Wrigley sucks, Wrigleyville sucks.

Oh yea, all you Northside yuppie Chi-town kids are my beeyotches!

Ha, I strike again!

Rock on, homes.