Will be there a week (mostly) I have two days of classes but have half a day on Thursday, all day Sunday, Monday and half a day on Tuesday. I want to go to the Art Institute, The Chicago History museum and maybe the Field museum.
I am not into Hot dogs and other sausages, nor pizza. I have heard Frontera is good also someplace called the Casbah and Rickshaw republic were good. Where else to eat.
I will be out in Mundelein if that makes any difference.
The Art Institute and the Field Museum are only about a mile away from each other, so you can easily do both in one day. It’s an easy walk if it’s a nice day. The bus won’t be much faster, but you will be able to sit. Don’t be put off by the lines to get in the museums, they may be long, but they move quickly.
You’ve told us what you don’t want to do. Maybe you could suggest something you would like.
Make sure to take a leisurely walk along the lake front. And Lincoln Park is nice.
On the other hand, either could easily take a day by themselves. I know a half day at the Field Museum would feel very rushed to me.
I’ve always loved the Shedd Aquarium, which is right next to the Field Museum. I even worked there for a while after college. The Chicago History Museum is much smaller but also interesting.
How are you getting in from Mundelein? Will you have a car, or is there a train?
Depending on what you like and how the weather is, there is also the Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier downtown. And if it’s still September you can try to get tickets to a Cubs game.
If you have any interest in architecture - heck, even if you don’t- take the architecture tour via boat on the Chicago River. Had you not already mentioned it I would have strongly urged you to go to the History Museum. Truly fascinating if you’re even remotely interested in history, and as you probably already know, Chicago has a very interesting one. The sky ledge at[del] Sears [/del] Whatchoutalkin’bout’Will’ Tower is cool but if you go to the Hancock Building you can take the equally gorgeous view in whilst relaxing at a table with a cocktail.
Mundelein is a long-ass way from Chicago. At least 20 miles as the crow flies, and anywhere from a half-hour drive at midnight to a couple hours at peak traffic time. So yeah, that might make a difference.
I’ve never eaten at Rickshaw Republic, but I’ve walked past it. They have strange hours (they close between lunch and dinner) so check before you make a long trip!
If you make it to the Chicago History Museum, you’ll be close to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk, and the Lincoln Park Park itself - all worth a look.
For the Chicago History Museum, they usually have a Groupon for half off admission. I’ve also seen discounts for the Sears Tower on Travelzoo. There’s plenty to eat here that doesn’t involve deep dish or hot dogs, what type of food are you interested in?
For the Art Institute, make sure you rent the audio guide as well. I’m a member and I go often. I find the modern wing to be the most interesting.
If I had someone who wanted to go to the Art Institute and it was walking weather, I’d start there. Depending on how long we spend at the Institute (could be anywhere from a couple hours just for a special exhibit to all day to explore all of it), probably lunch there. Then a walk through Millennium Park and photo op by the “bean” and on up Michigan Ave, the riverwalk, and meander the malls and shops along the way with the aim toward Eataly for dinner. Or you could do a tour around Eataly with light bites and a glass of wine, and head to Frontera for dinner. They’re walking distance from each other. Or the other way around with Eataly for coffee/dessert. I love that place and take people there every chance I get!
Audio Guides are awesome.
I like Asian cuisines, Indian, Thai, Indonesian, Not big on pasta and as I said pizza and hot dogs. Beef, pork chicken, seafood, all are yummy.
I love art museums, I love swing era clothes and dance, I am a medieval reenactor .
A friend recommended Devon street and she also said to check out the Goodwill there because a lot of the local Middle Eastern folks in the neighborhood donate clothes, so good deals can be found on that style clothes.
I will be there in November but I will bring my heavy coat etc so I can park and walk as much as possible.
I will have to look up the “bean” I am not familiar with that. 
I think I am going to rent a car because my hotel in Mundelein is two miles from the train station (the guy at the front desk of the hotel said it was a 15 minute drive but his English was not clear, he said to take a taxi) The train doesn’t run after a certain time and a taxi if I miss the last train is about $75.00 from the Loop. It may cost me more for parking etc but I am pretty sure not to get stranded.
I will be there in November so from what I see the weather will be pretty cold by my Southern standards.
Chicago is quite good on Thai–there’s a number of restaurants along Western on the north side that are great: Spoon Thai (4608 N. Western) and Sticky Rice (4018 N. Western) and Opart Thai (4658 N. Western) are the main ones that come to mind. These are a little tricky to get to with public transport and may involve a combination of Els and busses or walking. There’s also TAC Quick on 3930 N. Sheridan, which is near the Sheridan red line El stop. Within the downtown area, I’m at a loss of anything I would highly recommend.
Devon Street is great for Indian and Pakastani food. There’s plenty to choose from there. There’s actually a great Thai restaurant on Devon, too, Thai Elephant, but that’s way west of where the main Indian stuff is. I’m not aware of any Goodwills on Devon, but there is a Salvation Army there, so maybe that’s what you’re thinking of.
How about a gangster tour?
One my one visit (so far) there I very much wanted to do something like this and found surprisingly little options. I felt, and it was pretty much confirmed by our docent at the Chicago History Museum, that the Powers That Be would prefer to sweep the whole pesky Al Capone gangster era under the rug. We inquired about the site of the St Valentine’s Massacre and I believe that while there is a structure there it doesn’t commemorate the event.
Three words…Italian Beef Sandwich.
I’ll let others tell you where.
Walking around downtown, you can also look for some talking artwork: Statue Stories Chicago
The site of the massacre (North Clark street just a block or two from the Lincoln Park Zoo) is a grassy lawn w/ a few trees on it as part of a retirement home building.
It’s been 30 years or so, but one of the most memorable dining experiences I had in Chicago was just across the street… looks like it is still there.
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. It is like a Pizza Pot Pie. I know the OP said they aren’t a fan of Pizza, but this is worth it if it is anything like it used to be. I will have to defer to one of the more local and recent Dopers to validate if it is still as good as I remember.
http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/
Otherwise, if you are really opposed to anything resembling pizza, Italian Beef would be my next vote for something that is a Chicago staple.
There is a tour called the Untouchables Tour. I found it to be good cheesy fun, and recommend it.
It’s still there, and still has a line out the door most nights. But I haven’t eaten there in about twenty years and can’t vouch for it’s still being the same or not.