If you only had one day in Chicago, what would you do?

Question

I will be visiting Chicago for a very short time, from about 9am to 6pm tomorrow (July 6). I've never been to Chicago before. How should I spend my time in order to get the full Chicago "experience".

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hang out downtown on State Street. it is the crossroads of the city, the center. Almost every bus and train eventually makes its way to the Loop. You'll see everytype of Chicagoan there, every race, every nationality, every economic class. You'll see historic buildings, new construction, how the city moves. People going to work, people just hanging out, etc. You can shop there, eat there, drink there, just people watch there. The Art Institute is just a couple of blocks over on Michigan Ave. Millenium Park is also a couple of blocks over, also on Michigan Ave. You can go to the Harold Washington Library on the south end and maybe catch a free lunchtime lecture or concert. You can go to the Chicago Cultural Center a block away on Randolph street and see free concerts there as well. You can go one block over to Miller's Pub on Wabash and Adams and see what a classic Chicago bar/restaurant is like. Lots of great old pictures on the wall.

State Street IS Chicago, the first place they built up right after the fire. There are a lot of "experiences" in Chicago, but if you want to get a feel for how it all comes together, I'd go there.

Answer 2

There are so many wonderful things to do! I would definitely spend some time downtown - hit up state street, the sears tower and some overall sightseeing - then I would hit up the lake. I would NOT got to Taste of Chicago if I was only in town for 9 hrs. It is crowded, overpriced and you would waste a lot of time at a food fest, and miss out on other great chicago things.

There are also some other fun things that are FREE!
Like the Lincoln Park Zoo
And the Art Institute of Chicago is free after 5pm - so not sure if you could swing that or not.

Pizza is a must - but Italian beef or a chicago hot dog are always fun as well.

I say just soak up the city - spend time by the lake and outside, hit up some of the sights, and have FUN!!

Answer 3

I'd mainly hang around Michigan Avenue, from about Delaware south to Congress. The north end, where Delaware is, has the John Hancock Building - you can go up the building and enjoy the view. The famous Water Tower is at Chicago and Michigan. Shopping is all along Michigan Avenue down to Wacker, where Tribune Tower is.

Just south of there is Millenium Park and the Art Institute. And just behind *that* is the Taste of Chicago, on Columbus Avenue. So by walking about a mile, you'll see a good portion of Chicago street life and many of the major buildings, including the Chicago River, *and* get some deep dish pizza at the Taste of Chicago!

Answer 4

Well there's the Sears Tower, go up to the observation deck. The Brookfield Zoo. The museum of natural history. The Hard Rock Cafe, Ed Debevicks, walk Michigan Ave. for the shops The Al Capone museum. Second City theater. for stand up comedy. Navy Pier. Walk Lake Shore Drive for the sites and shops. Catch a game if you can. There's the Rock N Roll McDonalds on the Near North Side.

Have fun, I've been there several times, and on my honeymoon 3 days wasn't enough!

Answer 5

July 6, you could do my favorite City thing and go to the Taste of Chicago, a food and music festival in Grant park. That could be lunch. You could start your day by taking an architecural river cruise, walk to Millenium park, then go to the Taste for lunch (opens at 11) and then you could take a free trolley to the North side of Michigan ave for shopping, or Navy Pier, if you want a more siteseeing location.

You Must get pizza!! I love both the thin crust or deep dish. Giordanos is the best (IMHO) there is one in the Prudential Building off Millenium park, if you dont want to brave the crowds at the Taste. at the Taste, you'll have a ton of choices!

Answer 6

I would start the morning off at Grand Lux Cafe on Ontario, it is just off Michigan Ave. so after wards you can walk the Mag Mile and take it all in. As I was walking down Michigan Ave. I would stop at the John Hancock Observatory (everyone goes to the Sears Tower, the view on the Hancock is better and if you want a drink you can go up to the lounge for free). After that I would go Millennium Park walk over to Buckingham Fountain, from there it is on to Navy Pier for a ride on the Ferris wheel. If you have time for one more thing it is then on to Gino's East for Chicago's famous stuffed pizza.

Answer 7

Walk Mag mile or part of it and or perhaps a portion of State street. Jump on a architecture boat or a lakefront cruise boat that is narrated to get a feel for the history and background of the city.

After that I would go to the top of the Sears Tower or Hancock..no need to do both.

Somewhere, have some pizza for lunch depending on time available.

Navy pier IMHO is a throw in choice if time permits. You do not have enough time to the museums, zoo's etc.

Answer 8

Go to Navy Pier. After that, stop and eat PIZZA! You can't leave Chicago without eating the pizza. Walk down Michigan Ave. for a shopping experience.

Answer 9

I would go to the Sears Tower and The hankcock Building. Then If in the summertime go to the Taste Of Chicago Yum!!!
And them i would go on a boat on Lake Michagan. Go to the Navy Pier for a fun ride and then go jump in the lake have fun

Answer 10

Sears Tower and The John Hancock Building are really fun to go up to the top and look at the city.. the Sears Tower is taller but the John Hancock is less busy and is just as nice..

Navy Pier is really fun to go to also... there are many things to do along the waterfront and many different choices.. hope you have fun.