3 nights/2 full days in Chicago - what are you doing, seeing, eating?

[Minnesota!]

Husband and I are going to Chicago for a long weekend this winter and I have not been since Feb 2013 and then it was just a quick in and out for a wedding.

We are taking the train in, staying by the Willis Tower.

I know we are going to hit Field and Shedd and the Art Institute. And the SkyDeck.

Other suggestions that are....not miserable...in Feb cold?

He wants some traditional Chicago food, too. Deep dish, beef, etc. I am a pescatarian. Suggestions?

Thanks, guys!

 

[bdrex28]

Husband and I are going to Chicago for a long weekend this winter and I have not been since Feb 2013 and then it was just a quick in and out for a wedding.

We are taking the train in, staying by the Willis Tower.

I know we are going to hit Field and Shedd and the Art Institute. And the SkyDeck.

Other suggestions that are....not miserable...in Feb cold?

He wants some traditional Chicago food, too. Deep dish, beef, etc. I am a pescatarian. Suggestions?

Thanks, guys!

Lou Malnati's is good pizza, but a bit chained out now.

Pizzeria Due is also good same with Pizanos

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Tour is fun

Museum of Science and Industry

Adler Planetarium

 

[LilyWDW]

So, The Field to me is a full day thing. I literally get there when it opens and am often there until just before it closes. I have a membership so I go often.

Shedd is kinda eh to me though, especially since I think it is still under construction at the moment. Not sure when that is supposed to end.

The Art Institute is great and can really take as long as you want it to. For me, it is closer to a half day thing. Still, I love the place but I don't go as often as I would like due to cost.

 

[Minnesota!]

So, The Field to me is a full day thing. I literally get there when it opens and am often there until just before it closes. I have a membership so I go often.

Shedd is kinda eh to me though, especially since I think it is still under construction at the moment. Not sure when that is supposed to end.

The Art Institute is great and can really take as long as you want it to. For me, it is closer to a half day thing. Still, I love the place but I don't go as often as I would like due to cost.

Good to know! I went to the Art Inst. in 2000 and loved it, wanted to bring my husband this time. I cannot recall how much time we spent there then. He has been there, but only for the wedding with me and then as a teen with a basketball tournament, so I am hoping to hit the touristy things he has heard about. Hoping to get him hooked on Amtrak, too, so that we can come back frequently-ish.

 

[Owlpost23]

Millenium Park has The Bean.Skating on the ribbon.It's a gorgeous city-enjoy yourselves!

 

[ak517]

I'm from the suburbs and my DH and I try to spend a few nights downtown when we head out there for a visit. We're foodies, so my recommendations for great food are Boka and anything in The Alinea Group (we most recently ate at St. Clair Supper Club and loved it). Other places we would recommend: Au Cheval ranks among the best burgers in the country and Girl and the Goat is also a local favorite, and they have also have a few sister restaurants (I once ate at Little Goat Diner with a friend and the food was delightful).

As mentioned above, Pizzeria Due is our family tradition when in Chicago for deep dish (though we love the Lou's in the suburbs--if you go, get the house red wine vinaigrette dressing and drizzle a little on your pizza).

I have to agree about the Shedd for right now while it's under construction, but the Museum of Science and Industry has always been one of my favorites and what I recommend to friends visiting. It might be too chilly for an architecture boat trip, but if you dress appropriately they are very cool!

 

[Suger Mag]

Headed there next week to visit my son for Christmas. He is doing an internship program for his dietician license at Loyola, it is funny as we are also doing three nights and two full days

Day 1 we get in at 8pm... staying at the Aqua Blu Radisson, will drop off the luggage and then head to a Tiki bar mentioned in the guidebook (... and a -) Three Dots and a Dash for some drinks and PuPu.

Day 2 we will do the Field Museum, walk through the park and see the Bean ... likely get some pizza of course, and lastly maybe check out the lights at Navy Pier

Day 3 will be more freeform... we will roam and check out the sights during the day, do some shopping (various neighborhoods with records and comics for my husband) and then catch the Christmas Market at Daley Plaza that night.

We go back in May for his graduation, so will get to the Art Institute on the next trip

 

[cabanafrau]

Check what's playing at the theaters while you will be there. Broadway in Chicago should give you a good idea of most of the options.

 

[Owlpost23]

Headed there next week to visit my son for Christmas. He is doing an internship program for his dietician license at Loyola, it is funny as we are also doing three nights and two full days

Day 1 we get in at 8pm... staying at the Aqua Blu Radisson, will drop off the luggage and then head to a Tiki bar mentioned in the guidebook (... and a -) Three Dots and a Dash for some drinks and PuPu.

Day 2 we will do the Field Museum, walk through the park and see the Bean ... likely get some pizza of course, and lastly maybe check out the lights at Navy Pier

Day 3 will be more freeform... we will roam and check out the sights during the day, do some shopping (various neighborhoods with records and comics for my husband) and then catch the Christmas Market at Daley Plaza that night.

We go back in May for his graduation, so will get to the Art Institute on the next trip

Three Dots and a Dash has a wonderful atmosphere-just fyi,it's down an alley.

 

[Kitty 34]

Just chiming in to say have a wonderful weekend in Chicago, Minnesota. Haven't been there in years but the time I spent there was awesome no matter the time of year.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Try and catch a show at Second City.

 

[Praying Colonel]

DW and I had 2 nights there in 2012 before we saw DD graduate from boot camp. We arrived in the afternoon and did some shopping, then walked to the John Hancock building and had drinks on what I think was the 96th floor. Next day we did a food tour in the Loop, which we enjoyed. Got a tour of the sights in the Loop with some history as we went. We were the only ones who signed up on the November day we went, so it was like having a personal tour guide. After that we went to the old Marshall Field store (now a Macy's) and shopped.

 

[cabanafrau]

A meal or drinks in the lobby at Palmer House Hilton might be something to look into. Gorgeous historic hotel with a stunning lobby.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We went at Christmas time 5 years ago and took the boys.... 10 and 12 at the time. Stayed at The Drake and absolutely loved it. We walked down Michigan Avenue, had Giordano's pizza and Garret's popcorn. Had dinner at Maple and Ash. Visited the Science and Industry Museum and Willis Tower. We also went to a Blackhawks game. It was a great trip!