I’m heading up to Chicago on November 8th for the Graduate Portfolio Day at the Art Institute. I’m taking the train from Bloomington, so depending on Amtrak, I should be in town from 10:30 to 5, with probably about 3-4 hours of free time. I’ve never been in Chicago by myself before, it’s always been on field trips and vacations. NEver had a chance to just go do something on my own.
So what should I go do? In the Loop only, because I’ll be walking everywhere. It seemed like the last time I was there on a Sunday everything was closed. And where should I eat for cheap? I’d hate to end up at McDonald’s.
You’re aware of this thing called “public transportation” they have in Chicago, right? Even if you’re only on foot, you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to the Loop, though given your limited time in the City you wouldn’t want to go too far.
The Loop proper (south and east of the river) is generally relatively quiet on Sundays; it’s primarily a commerce & business district. The Magnificent Mile, however, will be full of retail shops and people. I’d head up there if you just want to putter around; check out the shops and visit the observation deck at the John Hancock Building.
My go-to place for inexpensive but delicious food on the Near North Side is the Fox & Obel Café.
Oh I’m well aware, but 3 hours isn’t really enough time to figure out the bus system. (I’m hoping to move to Chicago in the summer/fall, I’ll figure it out then)
Even if you’re only on foot, you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to the Loop, though given your limited time in the City you wouldn’t want to go too far.