We are taking a trip to Chicago, what should we see? (Brookfield: rent, homes)

[Nea1]

We are coming up in August, kinda a scouting mission before we move there. What should we see? I do not know much about the area, so I am wondering what we should do while we are there to give us a good feeling of the city.

Thanks

[Manigault]

If you come to Chicago, I'd appreciate it if you saw an empty wallet. Spend money!

[eehtaht]

The Planet Aquarium/Oceanarium

Field Musuem of Science and Industry

Lincoln Park Zoo

Brookfield Zoo

Magnificent Mile

Millenium Park

Navy Pier

various beachfronts on Lake Michigan

Many good restaurants;too many to name

beautiful skyline at night on Lake Shore Dr.

Hope this helps some

Oh,and Hyde Park-President's Home and other attractions

[southsidehitman]

the garfiled park conservatory and humbolt park

[linicx]

Lower Wacker Drive.

Chinatown - I believe it is still there

Buckingham Fountain

Take a taxi and let the driver show you the town and tell you the history.

[PigSooie]

The Lincoln Park Zoo is pretty cool; it's also free to get in.
Also at Lincoln Park, you can rent paddleboats and go out on the water.

The Shedd Aquarium is neat; it's just a bit expensive to get in.
Same thing for the boat Architectural Tour along the Chicago River; it's something I want to do again, but I believe it's $26 for adults, so a little pricey, depending on how many people you're going with.

Absolutely go to Navy Pier. (Since you're going in August, you might even be there at the same time they are doing the air show--I was there at that time last year and kept hearing fighter jets scream overhead.) Aside from that, you can ride the Ferris Wheel (the views are great!), the carousel, you can rent bikes or other modes of transportation that involve pedaling (I wish I knew what those things were called--they're like golf carts that you work together to pedal along).

Chicago also has a great theater scene. I've been to many shows all over the place there; I saw "Wicked" at the Oriental Theatre last summer (which was absolutely fantastic but has since ended its run), have seen a couple Second City renditions at the Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, and have seen others just here and there around town over the years. (I bet if you googled "Chicago Theater" or something, you could get a good list of what is currently running.)

I don't know how old your kids are, but I have been to the Children's Museum there more times than I can count (I'm the oldest, so on family vacations I outgrew it before everyone else did and was ready to stop going!) It was always a good time.

Go to Millennium Park--kids will love the Crown Fountain and everyone loves seeing Cloud Gate (aka the Bean). It's also a good picnic spot; there's also an ice cream place there as well as an outdoor seating restaurant.

Any questions or comments on any of these, let me know! Have a good time in Chi-town!

[knitgirl]

If you are coming here with an eye towards possibly moving here, don't spend too much time just doing touristy stuff, you really could spend a couple of weeks just doing that depending on what you're interested in. I would second going to Millenium Park and taking one of the architectural boat tours on the river. I think Navy Pier is a skip. I would have skipped Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco if I hadn't been overruled, so you know where I'm coming from. We talk a lot more about the Farmer's Market we went to than anything we did at the Wharf.

You need to look at the neighborhoods where you'd potentially be living. I like Andersonville and Lincoln Square for wandering around and doing a little shopping. If you tell us how old you are and what you like to do, people can give you more specific suggestions rather than just the stuff you'll find in guide books.

[Nea1]

Wow! Chicago sounds like alot of fun. We are not bringing the kids this time, kind of a mommy daddy time!! We are both in our late thirties and we LOVE big cities. As far as neighborhoods to live in, we like older homes, lots of trees and of course good schools. We like being outside, we also like museums and my husband loves architecture ( especially older buildings). Love to see china town, do you also have a little Italy type part of town? ( My oldest is interested in the mob history, so he wants me to find "historical areas" to take photos of!! Do not know if they even still have the mob there, but I told him if there is anything historical I would try to find it. What is the miracle mile? Thanks again guys.

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by Nea1

Wow! Chicago sounds like alot of fun. We are not bringing the kids this time, kind of a mommy daddy time!! We are both in our late thirties and we LOVE big cities. As far as neighborhoods to live in, we like older homes, lots of trees and of course good schools. We like being outside, we also like museums and my husband loves architecture ( especially older buildings). Love to see china town, do you also have a little Italy type part of town? ( My oldest is interested in the mob history, so he wants me to find "historical areas" to take photos of!! Do not know if they even still have the mob there, but I told him if there is anything historical I would try to find it. What is the miracle mile? Thanks again guys.

Have a great time Nea1!. Chitown is a great restaurant city too. Great Italian, Polish, German, and Greek food there.:-)

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by CamaroGuy

Have a great time Nea1!. Chitown is a great restaurant city too. Great Italian, Polish, German, and Greek food there.:-)

We are very excited. Need to diet to enjoy more food!!!!!