1st Time in Chicago & help from Navy Pier

[Koolgrrl]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

There are also movies in the park on Tuesday nights. Check out Metromix | Your Restaurants, Nightlife & Events Guide for street festivals, etc that may be going on then. Again, let us know what your budget is.

Also, just making sure you realize that the metra and the el/buses are 2 totally different systems that require different fare cards, etc (since you mentioned an unlimited pass)

I won't be in Chicago on Tuesday night and yest I do understand the trains are seperate systems, thanks for asking.

Want to spend about $60 per day... eating breakfast at the hotel and can skip lunch!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Koolgrrl

...My Metra train and CTA are NOT included in my budget. They are seperate.

Thanks again to all helping!!

what is the Lincoln Park Zoo like?

The Zoo is decent and it is free.

Buy the Metra $5 unlimited ride weekend (for travel on Saturday and Sundays only) passes.

Metra Family Fares & $5 Weekend Pass (http://metrarail.com/Special_Promotions/family_weekend_fares.html - broken link)

Originally Posted by Koolgrrl

...Want to spend about $60 per day... eating breakfast at the hotel and can skip lunch!

$60 a day for both of you or each of you?

[cdc3217]

NAvy Pier is very touristy- for instance the food court has a booth that sells fudge.
There are things to stroll and see, but its a little more geared for teens and families - not that there's anything wrong with that. There is a stained glass exhibit that's neat.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a very walkable zoo and its surrounded by Lincoln Park (obviously) which is a really nice stroll as well. I would recommend doing that for sure. There is also the Lincoln Park Conservatory which is free, right there as well. Since you mentioned walking a lot, I'd take the Red line to Fullerton and then walk about a mile east to the zoo, and you will see a lot of gorgeous homes and Chicago scenery along the way.

If you want to headup to Evanston, they have really amazing farmers market on Saturday mornings. I'm sorry - I don't have more details on that, but that's one of my northside friend's favorite things to do.

[Works Aero]

i personally like navy pier just for the atmosphere. i wouldn't avoid it just because its full of tourists. the Lincoln park zoo is definitely worth going to just because its free!
walking the trail through the beaches is even nice. not sure if the aquarium was mentioned or not but its fun, Chinatown is interesting grant park, millennium park.
theres tons of stuff to do and see on the cheap.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Koolgrrl

...Anyone want to give me some ideas of what to do cheap...things you think I may need to see... (Not doing Sears Tower, museums or any of the tours...just walking about and riding the CTA) I'd like to see things that may be missed by tourists but the natives love...

...

[jessiegirl_98]

Just beware that you are traveling during lollapalooza...... that will make the Grant Park area very, very crowded (e.g., avoid).

The zoo is nice. What are you guys interested in doing?

[Avengerfire]

Try

Stella's Carry Out
2200 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 588-2222

for some decently priced and decent Chicago fast food.

[chaset]

The zoo is nice and free. it's next to a ton of stuff. You can also hangout at the beach and in the park. It's a nice afternoon right there. go to transitchicago.com and it tells you how to do stuff. if you have the unlimited pass using trains and busses is the fastest and cheapest way to do stuff.