# Help me plan 4 nights in Chicago **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2022, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193 "2022-12-08T07:58:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/301 "2024-08-20T22:46:04Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Pizzeria Uno was the originator of deep-dish, and is located at Ohio and Wabash in River North; Note that the pizza here is supposed to be close to the original pizza recipe and isn’t the franchised pizza version of the same name ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/302 "2024-08-20T23:15:10Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I just got finished re-reading this thread, someone mentioned the Frank Loyd Wright home and studio tour. It looks like that’s out in Oak Park. How far is that from Downtown? It does look like it should be easily accessible via either the L Green Line or Metra. I assume Metra is faster but doesn’t run as frequently. I guess I should mention that I plan on getting around mainly on public transit. And looking at the CTA’s website it appears I don’t need a physical Ventra card; I can use an app on my phone, or I can pay as I go using either Apple Pay or any tap to pay card. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/303 "2024-08-20T23:19:49Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I just got finished re-reading this thread, someone mentioned the Frank Loyd Wright home and studio tour. If you like architecture, it should definitely be high on your list. It is in the near W suburb of Oak Park (where some posters live.). Too bad you can’t be there Sat morning, you could stop by the farmer’s market and we could meet. IMO, the block immediately S of the studio is one of the prettiest residential blocks in the world. Close to Oak Park is [Fitzgeralds](https://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/shows/calendar/) in Berwyn. Check out their calendar. I think the Friday you are in town Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore will be playing. Oh my! Would be an epic way to end your trip! ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/304 "2024-08-21T02:01:20Z")
If you do a second pizza, why not try thing crust? That’s what most people eat. When I was in the area I had deep dish maybe once a year. Italian Beef should be the casual food Chicago is known for though. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/305 "2024-08-21T02:10:05Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Any other boat tours you might recommend? I enjoyed the Wendella tour, which is also architecture-focused but takes you out onto the lake for a spin. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/306 "2024-08-21T02:12:52Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Agreed. It could be in the 80s, and it could be in the 40s. It’s all about layers in the Fall. Things you can put on or remove and carry while out and about. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/307 "2024-08-21T02:13:33Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > It looks like that’s out in Oak Park. How far is that from Downtown? It does look like it should be easily accessible via either the L Green Line or Metra. I assume Metra is faster but doesn’t run as frequently. Yes to all of the above. Metra (in this case, the “Union Pacific - West” line) is faster – and _far_ more comfortable – but doesn’t run as often, especially outside of the morning and evening rush hours. In Oak Park, the Metra and Green Line tracks are directly adjacent to each other. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/308 "2024-08-21T02:30:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > In Oak Park, the Metra and Green Line tracks are directly adjacent to each other. The Blue line also goes to Oak Park. Fitzgerald’s is about a 10 minute walk from the station. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/309 "2024-08-21T02:42:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The Blue line also goes to Oak Park. That is true; the Blue Line runs roughly parallel to the Green Line through Oak Park, and is about a mile south of the Green Line. But, the Green Line is closer to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/310 "2024-08-21T11:39:09Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I think the Friday you are in town Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore will be playing. Pretty sure I read their calendar wrong. Hope there is sometone playing who suits your tastes. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/311 "2024-08-21T22:18:00Z")
Here’s a tentative itinerary I put together: Saturday: Arrive, check in to hotel, dinner. Sunday: Wrigley field tour. Monday: Museum of Science and Industry, probably. Maybe a show at Second City in the evening Tuesday: Frank Lloyd Wright tour in Oak Park, dinner at Ever Wednesday: Maybe the Shedd Aquarium. Thursday: Art Institute. Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me taping in the evening. Friday: Maybe a boat tour. Then relocate to the airport Hilton. Saturday: Depart I note that if a buy a City Pass that will get me into the Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, and Shoreline architecture boat tour. Actually part of the reason I penciled in the Shedd Aquarium for Wednesday is because it would be included in the City Pass if I got one. It would also get me expedited entry into the ~~Willis~~ Sears Tower Skydeck, which I’ve done before but wouldn’t mind doing again. And I’ll probably try to work in breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s on one of those days. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/312 "2024-08-21T23:12:07Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > If you do a second pizza, why not try thing crust? I used to eat at a Japanese place that had “Steam Thing” on the menu. Never did learn what it was, but we had fun singing… _Steam Thing!_ _I think I love you_ _But I wanna know for sure! Sock it to me one more time I love you!_ ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/313 "2024-08-21T23:20:53Z")
Proper “thing crust” is hand made. [![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Addams-Family-Sitcom-Thing.jpg) ](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Addams-Family-Sitcom-Thing.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/314 "2024-08-22T12:44:34Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Here’s a tentative itinerary I put together: Sounds like a fun, full trip. The Shedd always used to be my fave as a kid. I guess if such things are really YOUR thing, go for it. But IMO the Field right next door would be my pick if I had to pick one over the other. My only count against MSI is that it is a bit of a travel. But not a difficult trip or anything. And you are already heading N to Wrigley and W to Oak Park - might as well head S as well. How you getting around - the el? At MSI, you might want to just walk around Jackson Park, over to Promontory Point, the Uof C. Just get a feel of that part of town. Same way downtown you could enjoy just walking around Grant/Millenium Parks, up Michigan Ave to the Water Tower and back down the lakefront path. IMO, such walks might be just as enjoyable as the insides of most museums. And realize, The Field/MSI/Art Institute are pretty huge. DOn’t be an idiot and think you’ll “see it all.” Just be comfortable that you’ll see some incredible stuff - and miss some other incredible stuff. Otherwise, you’ll wear yourself out. and likely still be disappointed. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/315 "2024-08-22T16:10:20Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > But IMO the Field right next door would be my pick if I had to pick one over the other. Except I’ve already seen the Field Museum on my last brief visit to Chicago. Well, some of it; I didn’t have time to see everything. That’s partly why I’m leaning towards the Shedd this time. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > How you getting around - the el? Yeah, mostly. I guess getting to the MSI would require either taking the bus or the Metra Electric line. I’ll probably get a 7 day pass. I assume the passes are valid on both the L and the buses. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/316 "2024-08-22T16:28:37Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I assume the passes are valid on both the L and the buses. Yep! I still have extra 7-day passes. I’ll extend the offer I gave to others to mail you one if you like. Nobody has trusted me with a mailing address yet but I’m happy to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/317 "2024-08-22T16:39:36Z")
Dang…going to Ever…super nice and swank. I have not been there yet. I’d be interested in your review of it. Some thoughts on your itinerary: Sunday: I think you said the Wrigley tour was in the morning and you will not stay for the game. So, you have a whole afternoon and evening open Wednesday: Shedd is great but it is not big. Maybe two hours there (unless you do something like the Beluga or penguin encounter). Lots of day left after that. Honestly, you could do the Art Institute and Shedd in one day (they are not far from each other…could even walk it…about a 30 minute walk but most of it is nice). Or, do the Shedd and Adler Planetarium and Field Museum on that one day (they are basically all next to each other…very short walks). Friday: Boat tour is always fun but maybe move that to your Sunday afternoon after Wrigley (if the weather is nice). Now your Friday has a slot open (maybe the Museum of Contemporary Art). If you like shopping the Mag Mile is one of the better places for it. Can easily spend a few hours roaming through stores and walking the street. Just some ideas. It’s your trip but looks like fun. ETA: Ever is at the west end of the West Loop. After dinner, if you head east, there are loads of restaurants and bars in the area. A very happening and upscale part of the city. You can easily walk it. Lots of options if you want an after-dinner drink. Most is on Randolph (a block south) but there is stuff all over there. Check a map or ask the Ever staff for recommendations in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/318 "2024-08-22T16:40:56Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Metra Electric line. Just to make sure, I’ll mention that the CTA pass does not work on Metra trains or Pace buses (suburban buses) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/319 "2024-08-22T20:46:32Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > So, you have a whole afternoon and evening open Yeah, I was trying not to over-schedule myself, but if there’s time in the afternoon for the boat tour I could do it then. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Or, do the Shedd and Adler Planetarium and Field Museum on that one day (they are basically all next to each other…very short walks). I was thinking about doing the Adler Planetarium as well, so if there’s time I could do that as well. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Lots of options if you want an after-dinner drink. Most is on Randolph (a block south) but there is stuff all over there. Check a map or ask the Ever staff for recommendations in the area. Ever, of course, has their own bar called After that they kind of push you towards when you make your reservation (you have to make a seprate reservation for After). But I didn’t do that, so I am free to check out the other bars in the area. > [@Folly](#): > > I still have extra 7-day passes. I’ll extend the offer I gave to others to mail you one if you like. Sure, I’m never one to turn down free stuff. I’ll PM you my address. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193/320 "2024-08-22T20:53:13Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I was thinking about doing the Adler Planetarium as well, so if there’s time I could do that as well. Adler is smaller than the other major museums, but they have a really neat collection of Gemini/Apollo stuff, including the Gemini 12 capsule and a Moon rock. They were also doing a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon show which I thought was very good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193.md?page=17)