# Chicago - Willis or Hancock **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 20, 2014, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988 "2014-08-20T12:47:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/21 "2014-08-20T20:16:31Z")
> [@bup](#): > > What do you like? Architecture? Stained glass? Fine art? History of television? Architecture is good, just walking around and taking in the city is too. I could easily spend a day on the “L” just riding around. I’m a bit of a travel / transit geek, and if there was a nice branch of the library, I’d visit that too. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/22 "2014-08-20T20:45:23Z")
> [@mcott](#): > > Architecture is good, just walking around and taking in the city is too. I could easily spend a day on the “L” just riding around. I’m a bit of a travel / transit geek, and if there was a nice branch of the library, I’d visit that too. You’re already doing the MSI, where there are several train engines. As mentioned, the architecture tour is on a boat. If the weather’s nice in October, you can rent a Divvy bike and ride the 20+ mile lakeshore trail. In October, there are always “Haunted Chicago” tours - usually on a bus. The el is self-explanatory. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/23 "2014-08-20T20:49:59Z")
> [@buddy431](#): > > I’m not sure I’d call the area around the Willis tower “Gritty”. It’s a business district, and not as touristy as Michigan avenue, but it’s still safe and clean. Yeah, that description stuck out to me as well. It’s just downtown. I don’t really think of it as a neighborhood, either, just part of the business district. I personally would say Hancock, go up at night and grab a drink or three on the 96th floor. No admission fee, the drink prices are comparable to any other downtown watering hole, and you have a beautiful view of Chicago. Meanwhile, what Sears/Willis has going for it is the plexiglass (or whatever material it is) ledge which you can stand on and see a clear nearly 100 stories below you. I personally do think it’s pretty cool. That said, if you’re with someone and want to enjoy a good time and chat over drinks, the Hancock wins hands down. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/24 "2014-08-20T23:39:09Z")
> [@bup](#): > > What do you like? This. If you asked for fifty suggestions – no problem. Just one? A little guidance, and we’ll zero in on something for you. An outdoor day to go with your indoor (museum) day? There are at least fifty things to do in just one lakefront park, Lincoln Park: > **[Lincoln Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Park)** > > Lincoln Park is a 1,208-acre (489-hectare) park along Lake Michigan on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. Named after US President Abraham Lincoln, it is the city's largest public park and stretches for seven miles (11 km) from Grand Avenue (500 N), on the south, to near Ardmore Avenue (5800 N) on the north, just north of the DuSable Lake Shore Drive terminus at Hollywood Avenue. Two museums and a zoo are located in the oldest part of the park between North Avenue (1600 N) and Diversey The pa... The Zoo, Conservatory, and South Pond Boardwalk are close together; a bit north, are the Lily Pond and North Pond – very nice excursion if the weather is good; all embedded in a classic of traditional grand urban park design, with modern extensions. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/25 "2014-08-21T00:35:52Z")
Library?! You will be in the neighborhood for sure, to visit the [Harold Washington Library Center](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Washington_Library) at 400 S. State ([State/Van Buren El stop](http://www.chicago-l.org/stations/library.html)). That would be the “nice” library to see! ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/26 "2014-08-21T03:41:29Z")
Hancock view is along the lake shoreline and the surrounding buildings are residential. Willis view is more varied, with Loop office buildings on two sides, views of Grant Park and the Museum Campus, and of railyards/South Loop/UIC. ---
**Author:** ![andrewm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@andrewm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewm)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/27 "2014-08-21T03:42:26Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Quoting to highlight this. That’s my vote. Go to the Signature Room for a drink. Usually no line, you get a nice drink, and the view is below the observation deck by one floor. Who cares? The Signature Room (restaurant, dress code) and Signature Lounge (bar, no dress code) are actually both above the observation deck - it’s on the 94th floor, and they’re on the 95th and 96th floors respectively. I went to the Lounge last Wednesday to watch the fireworks - it was actually pretty cool seeing them from a few hundred feet above. The main limitation of the Lounge (or Room) vs. the observation deck is you don’t really get to roam around - you get seated wherever they feel like putting you. It’s fine if you just want to go up high and don’t care what specific view you get; if you care about the 360º view you’ll have to go to the observation deck. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/28 "2014-08-21T14:47:17Z")
The times I’ve been in the Lounge, people freely wandered to look out the different windows. That was always daytime though so I don’t know if it gets more crowded at night or there’s some other barrier to doing so. The REAL sticker is that the ladies room gets a big window looking out and the mens room doesn’t. Unfair! ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/29 "2014-08-21T16:14:49Z")
> [@andrewm](#): > > The Signature Room (restaurant, dress code) and Signature Lounge (bar, no dress code) are actually both above the observation deck - it’s on the 94th floor, and they’re on the 95th and 96th floors respectively. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/30 "2014-08-21T21:41:02Z")
Again, all great suggestions. To provide a little clarity on my itinerary, it goes something like this (all times local): Friday 10 October, land at ORD at 0725. Head downtown, dump stuff at hotel for storage since check in is much later. I’m staying at the Travelodge Downtown on E Harrison St. No plans so far for Friday until the evening, when I’ll apparently have a beverage at the Signature Lounge. Saturday morning until about 1500 - 1600ish, MSI. Saturday 2005, train to New Orleans. About moi, and my interests: Former travel agent, aviation / train geek (not a foamer), currently involved with civil aviation, like interesting buildings, would happily wander around a library for hours (or an interesting grocery store), very willing to take transit or walk around. Basically need to kill Friday, and the odder the experience, the better. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/31 "2014-08-21T23:21:56Z")
> [@mcott](#): > > … train geek … At the Museum of Science and Industry: > **[Great Train Story](https://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/great-train-story/)** > > Travel from Chicago to Seattle in intricate detail on this massive model railroad. > [@](#): > > … the odder the experience, the better … Here ya go: > **[International Museum of Surgical Science](https://imss.org)** > > Discover the best Chicago museum. International Museum of Surgical Science: Explore surgical history, interactive exhibits, events & programs. ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/32 "2014-08-21T23:31:29Z")
> [@FeAudrey](#): > > Here ya go: > > [https://www.imss.org/exhibits.htm](https://www.imss.org/exhibits.htm) Cool, that pooches some of Friday! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/33 "2014-08-21T23:33:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Meanwhile, what Sears/Willis has going for it is the plexiglass (or whatever material it is) ledge which you can stand on and see a clear nearly 100 stories below you. I personally do think it’s pretty cool. That said, if you’re with someone and want to enjoy a good time and chat over drinks, the Hancock wins hands down. The bit I liked about the Sears Tower (as it was called when I went) was that it had a pretty detailed legend explaining which buildings you were looking at in each direction. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/34 "2014-08-22T17:03:21Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > [Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour](http://www.architecture.org/tours) along the Chicago River. Fantastic look at the city’s architectural history. October in Chicago is not a fun time to be on the water. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/35 "2014-08-22T18:28:32Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > October in Chicago is not a fun time to be on the water. Says you. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/36 "2014-08-22T19:31:50Z")
> [@mcott](#): > > Again, all great suggestions. > Basically need to kill Friday, and the odder the experience, the better. In that case - check out Belmont Ave in general and [Uncle Fun](http://www.unclefunchicago.com/)in particular. Have not been here - but plan to check it out next time we’re in town: Three Dots and a Dash - tiki bar [http://threedotschicago.com/](http://threedotschicago.com/) – 435 N Clark How about the [Billy Goat Tavern](http://www.billygoattavern.com/)? I recommend the original location: 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level Head out to Gorilla Tango Friday night for one of their [geeky parody burlesque shows](https://www.gorillatango.com/cgi-bin/public/gttv2.cgi?location_number=2&shows=yes&forward_month=2014_9)? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/37 "2014-08-22T19:41:23Z")
> [@Politzania](#): > > In that case - check out Belmont Ave in general and [Uncle Fun](http://www.unclefunchicago.com/)in particular. No good. Uncle Fun closed a while back. I just rode past it. Nth on Hancock over the Sears Tower. Much more interesting view. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/38 "2014-08-22T19:45:38Z")
> [@mcott](#): > > No plans so far for Friday until the evening, when I’ll apparently have a beverage at the Signature Lounge. > > Basically need to kill Friday, _ **and the odder the experience** _, the better. OK, so \*after \*the Signature Room, if you want an odd experience, I bet [this gig is going again in October](http://wiggleroomchicago.com/). A friend of mine is a standup comic who usually hosts this burlesque/standup comedy show. I don’t get why somebody decided interspersing women taking off their clothes to music with standup comedy had some gestalt synergy, but there it is. Two hour show - 10 to midnight. Three women take off their clothes to music, two or three comedians do sets. Small room. Reasonable price ($10 I think?). ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/39 "2014-08-23T23:59:28Z")
One quick bump with an odd request. Anyone out there want to skip work on Friday the 10th of August, and run me out to Fermilab? Not paying for a cab, dammit! I’ll pop for gas, and lunch. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988/40 "2014-08-24T02:30:44Z")
As a civil aviation buff, you might want to see how they’ve been developing the former Meigs Field into parks and stuff. A nice place from which to see the city (and the lake) without being IN the city. Should have some fall colors on the trees. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-willis-or-hancock/695988.md?page=3)