I'd like your ideas please for things I have to see in Chicago in May-June.?

Question

I am planning a fly-drive holiday with my mother later this year. We are going to fly to Chicago, and then drive along the Little House trail, heading to South Dakota. We want to have a couple of days in Chicago before setting out on the road - any ideas for things we really must see and do? We are 34 and 64, so we're not into clubbing or shopping. We like art, architecture, history, that sort of thing. Thanks.

Answer 1

You know I have never beeen there, but I want to say that once on Oprah she was suggesting this restauant called Molly's. She featured it on the show. It is supposed to have a nice homey atmophere and have the best meatballs ever, among other delights.

As for the rest of your trip, can I make some suggestions? I was born in South Dakoa and spent a bit of time there visiting growing up. Sioux Falls has a neat little zoo, and be sure to see the "sioux falls" while there. In Mitchell, don't miss the Corn Palace. Chamerlain is such a beautiful town with the way it lies on the Missouri river. Next stop, Pierre, worth the extra drive off the interstate. It is a beautiful capital, also the drive up to the dam and accross is is beautiful. There is a little island in the center of the Missouri there that has wonderful walking trails on it, and you can see deer and wildlife. A little further down the road is the 1880 town just west of Murdo. I am a little partial to this place, because my uncle helped move several of the buildings to this town. :) If you get tired on your way you can stop in Kadoka (on the outside of the Badlands) and stay at the Cucklebur Motel. Tell my Aunt and Uncle I sent you.
After your rest be sure and take the extra time and drive through the badlands. So Beautiful! Be sure and stop in Wall Drug, get some handmade taffy there!

Onward to Rapid and the Black Hills, SO MUCH TO SEE!
Don't miss Mount Rushmore, and Needles Drive and Crazy Horse. Other fun things: Dinsaur Park, Reptile Gardens, Cosmos (A must see) The wax museum, and Flinstone Park. Rapid also has a wonderful public park, and a great Zoo just down the road from the park. There is so much in Rapid, but these are my favorites.

Spearfish and Sturgis are neat towns too, as well as Custer. You've never seen anything unless you've seen the bike rally in Sturgis. You would love to see all those bikes even if your not into bikes.

Sorry I couldn't help you more witht the Chicago question, but South Dakota I know.

HAVE FUN ON YOUR TRIP!

Answer 2

Art: The Art Institute, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mexican Museum of Fine art,

Architecture: Contact the Chicago Architecture Foundation. They have a line on all the architecture tours in the city. You can take a walking tour, a bus tour or a boat tour on the river (that's the coolest one and I think mom might like it better than walking around a lot). But even just walking around by yourself you can see some of the great buildings of the city, home of the skyscraper. In addition, a few history buildings such as the Civic Opera House, have specials tours of just those particular buildings. In addition, not sure if either of you own an Ipod, but the city of Chicago now has a podcast that you can download to your iPod and used for your own self-guided architecture tour.

History: The Chicago Historical Society on north Clark St. is the place to start. There's also the Untouchables tour, about Chicago's crime and gangster past. It's led by guys dressed up like Al Capone-era gangsters and travels on a school bus painted black. They show you things like the site of the St. Valentine's Day massacre, etc. There's also the DuSable Museum of African American history. Don't let the name make you think there's nothing there for you. The Museum draws a mixed crowd and it pretty cool.

And I know you don't do clubbing, but there are some afterhours places that will give you a real feel for Chicago and are pretty historic themselves. The Green Mill jazz club was born during the despression era has pretty much kept its look and mystique. The place has booths and murals straight out of the Roaring 20s, there are trap doors behind the bar that were supposed used as quick getaways during Prohibition, there's a mural that tells the story of gangster Tommy McGann (sp?), and of course there is GREAT jazz seven nights a week. On Sunday they have the Poetry Slam which is a fun time. And you may want to check out Buddy Guy's Legend, the famous blues club that will be moving soon. There's also Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S, both on north Halsted and right across the street from each other. I mean, you can't come to Chicago and not hear the blues, right?

check the Metromix site (www.metromix.com) when it gets closter to the time you're coming here. There are always special evens that pop up later in the year.

Answer 3

not in to shopping? well I really recommend you pick up at least a few souvenirs for you and your family.

granted navy pier is more for shopping (about 60% of it is all food and shops) but it also has a few amuesment rides (some you probally won't like) in and outside. one of our Shakespear theaters is there. I think they still have this stained glass gallery open.
I really enjoy the boat rides. There is one that starts in the lake (via the Pier) and goes into the river, with a guide that explains about the history, the arcutecture, and some special chicago things we have. I must warn you, at the end of the tour they drive back fast as part of the ride. but I loved it, even after living here all my life, I learned a lot.

we have many museums and free trolleys that will take you to most places around the city. For animals,
we have horse carraige rides (which can be a lot of $)
a free zoo- Lincoin Park Zoo.
The Shed Aquarium.

we also have historical buildings with tours. The Glesner House (I think I'm spelling this wrong, sorry havn't been to it in almost three years) is still the same as it was in the 1800s, furniture and all.
I suggest you tour the first day- boat, trollies, ect. that will give you more of an idea of what you want to go to the next day.

we have our own theater district. I don't know what will be open in May-June. you'll have to look out for it. we have some small independent theater companies, who don't get a lot of coverage but they are worth searching for.

there is also a web site, forgot the exact link 'chicago amusments' if you want to search for something special (sports, music, ect)

I hope you have a wondeful time, and as long as the weather is agreeable I know you will.

Answer 4

Millenium Park, Navy Pier, The museums- Science & Industry, Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park. The downtown area on Lake Shore Drive is a good place to go to see interesting points and museums.

Michigan Ave has alot of stores and restaurants. But try this link, you might get some more ideas....

http://www.thelocaltourist.com/ThingsToDo.htm

Answer 5

Chicago has a lot of interesting museums. You can visit The Shedd Aquarium where they have large beluga whales. You can visit The Field Museum where they have Sue The dinosaur. You can visit The Museum of Science and Industry where they have real human bodies on display.You can visit Navy Pier to ride the Ferris Wheel and visit the Stain Art Museum. There would also be different festivals going on at Grant Park located down town around the time you would be visiting. Have a nice stay when you visit

Answer 6

Well, I'm not a clubber either, so I dunno about those.
Chicago is the Windy City, and it's cool!
But, we do have a beautiful city with very nice people.
I suggest the museums, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of African American history, and others that you can fit in.
I also recommend the restaurants. We have excellent food.
UNO's pizzeria is great, it's honestly one of the best pizzerias in the country. It's deep dish and you can get any of your fav toppings on it.
Also, we have great Thai food and Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mexican, Persian, Cuban, Moroccan, etc.
I also recommend going to see the historical landmarks, like the Water Tower (the only building to survive the Chicago fire) and of course if you get hungry, there's a restaurant right next to it!! :D
We have great bookstores as well.
If you love sweets, then you'll love Fannie May, the best chocolate ever! We have classic popcorn, called Garrets' and you have to try it. I recommend the cheese and caramel mix.
As far as Navy Pier is concerned, it's the place to be on a nice afternoon near the lakefront. It has good restaurants, seafood mainly, like Heaven on Seven and Bubba Gump's. And museums as well, for kids mainly though. And shopping centres.
Don't worry about transportation, there are plenty of taxis and buses, and if you want to see the suburbs, then you can take a train out there.
Oh yeah, if you're in town in late June, then you have to go to the Taste of Chicago, our food festival. So good!

Answer 7

From what you describe as your interests I think the TWO must DO things on your list would be to visit the Art Insititute and also take the Architectural Boat Tour...just make sure Dave Matthews is not on tour when you are in town (inside Chicago Joke)

Answer 8

Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry, Shed Aquarium, Museum of Natural history, and the Art Museum. At Navy Pier they have a firework display every wednedsay and Saturday @ 9pm. You can also check out Millinium Park in Downtown. I would also recommend a Cubs or Sox game.

Answer 9

I know you probably won't listen, but PLEEASE don't play with a Ouiji Board; it actually isn't safe. Here's a few other things I can think of: -Get out of the jacuzzi and run around the yard (in the snow/cold) in your swim suites (if you have one in the winter) -Watch Mean Girls -Do Prank Calls -Cinnamon Challenge -3 Litre Milk Challenge -Play Chubby Bunny -Salt on Ice Challenge<<

Answer 10

I would suggest the Sears Tower. If you like sport, Soldier Field - the US football stadium or either baseball stadium (they are two in the city). I would have suggested Rush Street for the music, but you said you're not into clubs. However, they have a famous blues history, so I would still visit, anyway.