I was there this past May and absolutely roasted. It might be nice in May, or it might be an oven.
Seconding the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry. Check ahead for particular programs.
If you like architecture, check out the tours done buy the local Architecture Society. I took their boat tour on the river and enjoyed it.
If you’re an NPR fan, go to a taping of Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.
If you’re looking for a decidedly nontraditional hot dog place, I cannot recommend **Hot Doug’s ** strongly enough. It’s on California and Roscoe, which isn’t exactly a happening location, but well worth the trip. They do a pretty good Chicago dog, but what they can do with encased meats is truly amazing. For instance, this week’s special is “White Wine and Dijon Rabbit Sausage with Roasted Garlic Dijonnaise and Fromager D’Affinoise.” I had the bleu cheese pork sausage not too long ago, and it was amazing.
Plus on Friday and Saturday they have duck fat fries. Totally delicious. Plus the prices aren’t outrageous. If you go during lunch hours, make sure you have some time because the line is almost always out the door. They’re quick with getting you in and out but it is a limited seating area.
I’m so pleased that it’s right down the street from where I work.
I’m headed for Chicago over Labor Day weekend, so this thread has been very helpful! I think I’m going to follow anamnesis’s advice on the Seadog tours: I’m a sucker for anything fast.
Plus, dinner at Alinea…mmmm…24 course meals…
Can’t wait! Thanks!!!
Found and printed 'em. Thanks!
Except for Chicago cops, the only person I’ve ever known with a Segway was a 60-ish guy who had a severely atrophied leg, a result of contracting polio as a child. He didn’t have much endurance walking, but viewed the Segway as less sedentary than using a wheelchair or scooter. He let us try it out (I met him while in New Mexico for a friend’s wedding) - it took a few minutes to get used to, but I could definitely see the geek appeal.
Yes, that is a special case for which a device like the Segway would be put to adequate use, and if I recall, it’s one of the big reasons Kamen invented the thing. Ailments which result in a physical problem are certainly a different case, but I gotta say it irks me when I see something like “Chicago Segway Tours” after Chicago’s been receiving a lot of publicity for climbing the ranks into the upper echelon of “Fattest Cities in America”. I think it was just recently announced earlier this year that we’d hit the number #1 spot for 2006. Segway Tours are certainly not going to help with that bad rap … 
… And the Field Museum was used as the setting for the movie “The Relic”… I found that particularly cool, having been a fan of that movie. It’s a very nice museum, by the by.
Also, if you’re into improv, go to The Second City. Awesome place. I went there during a trip to the area once and loved it. Definitely want to get back there again someday.
And I agree, the Hancock Tower is quite nice. Didn’t get to see the lounges and such… though I did stop for a dessert and latte at the Cheesecake Factory on the first floor :).
All in all, Chicago is a very nice city. I was really impressed when I went there and I definitely plan to go back someday to see more of it.
Ringo: Did the Museum of Sci&Ind last time.
anamnesis: I couldn’t agree more. Last time, I went up in both towers at night and half the view from Sears was empty blackness ('cause it’s closer to the water). I thought Hancock was a lot better viewing. The restaurant sounds interesting even if I just got a drink there. I assume they have a bar. And I’m one of those fat, pasty, white guys so I think I’ll walk or take the L to get around instead of using a Segway!
h.sapiens: The Art Institute is #1 on my list this time. My only regret from my last visit was not seeing that. Millenium Park as well as the other big one (Grant?) are also must-dos. I did the boat tour last time but I may do it again.
Tower Dweller and anamnesis: Mmmmmm … deep-dish pizza. The only one I’ve tried is Gino’s East. I’ve been craving it for years since!
tomndebb: Cool!
Robot Arm: I listen to Wait, Wait religiously! I’ll definitely check into that!
Thanks, everybody, for your great responses!!!
I’ll be in Chicago this weekend to visit my cousin. Although the Field Museum does sound tempting, I think we’re going to go to a lot of smaller, more neighborhood type places. She moves away in a month, and I can always go to the more touristy stuff on another trip.
I’ve also responded to a few of these threads.
Simply put, and IMHO/YMMV:
“Wrigley Field/magical experience” is an oxymoron. The place has pretty ivy but it’s dump, and it’s populated by about 6 people at each game that care about the game. The Tribune Company has whored it out to the max, adding seats, there’s all those stupid “rooftops” looking in at you. Blech. It’s a big, outdoor singles bar. You want a magical baseball experience, go to Fenway. If you want to sit with baseball fans, head to 35th/Shields and take in a Sox game.
Gino’s East, but you already know that. Good on you.
Museum of Science and Industry wins the Cool Race over the Field, but JUST barely. Both are worth the trip. The Field is part of the campus that shares space with the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. MSI is a healthy cab ride south, but well worth the trip. Plus you get to see the only remaining building from the Columbian Exposition. Points for that.
Hancock over Sears.
The new lakefront park, Millenium Park, actually works as a very cool piece of public, functional art. If you can catch a concert in the new bandshell (they don’t call it that, do they?), do so, the sound is breathtaking anywhere inside the place. Which is actually outside, but you’ll get what that means when you see it.
If you’re there on a Thursday, in the afternoon, or early enough on a Friday before they run out, look in the lobby of a building, record store, convenience store or a news box and grab a Reader. If I need to tell you why, then you’re free to ignore tomndebb, but I wouldn’t do that either, he’s a mod and has secret powers.
I’d pick the Shedd Aquarium over Science & Industry, unless you’re bringing children – S & I is always packed with schoolkids. It seemed to me like most of the exhibits are designed for 8-12 yr olds. Neat stuff, but the noise & chaos are significant.
Agree with the Millennium Park suggestion. And while you’re down there, try the ferry ride to the Navy Pier & ride the big huge ferris wheel. It’s just a little bit scary. There’s a trolley that’ll give you free rides between the Art Institute, Shedd, Navy Pier and Millennium park (I believe it runs in May).
Also, I’d pick ComedySportz over Second City (specifically, I enjoy the Saturday midnight Hot Karl). Actually any of the productions in that neighborhood has at least a 50/50 chance of being extremely entertaining & the ticket prices won’t bust you. Second City is too touristy – “hey, when they ask for a suggestion, let’s yell out a dirty word, nobody’s ever said ‘penis’ before”. Ho hum.