# Things to do in Chicago **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897 "2002-03-12T19:23:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/1 "2002-03-12T19:23:13Z")
My girlfriend and I will be in Chicago for a few days next week. We’re planning on seeing the Ansel Adams exhibit at the art institute, but beyond that, we have no real plans. Can anyone reccomend some cool things to do? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/2 "2002-03-12T21:02:31Z")
I’m surprised you don’t know Chicago better, living only a few hundred miles away. My suggestions: If you like art, and it sounds like you do, you might just want to budget an extra day just for the Institute. I coiuld spend an afternoon looking at the Seurat alone. If you’re not vegetarian and want to say to hell with calories, cholesterol, and triglycerides, go to the Berghof, not far from the Art Institute and order yourselves a couple Bratwurst and beers. It’s the best. If botanic gardens are your thing, don’t miss Ravinia, near Deerfield. ---
**Author:** ![tsarina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/3 "2002-03-12T22:25:00Z")
Me and the boy were just there last week. We went to Shedd’s Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. All were interesting, but the science museum is really geared more toward kids, so you might want to skip that. Ditto on the Berghof (get the beer! get the beer!) - you might also want to visit Pizzeria Uno for the original Chicago-style pizza, or the Cheesecake Factory for yummy deserts. Leave plenty of time for window shopping along the Mag Mile, if you or your girlfriend like that sort of thing. Have fun (and watch for parking signs, or you’ll have to pay $160 to get your car out of the impound lot)! ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/4 "2002-03-12T23:15:38Z")
Actually, I’m about 500 miles from Chicago. Thanks for the advice! ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/5 "2002-03-13T00:15:18Z")
Well, as someone who lives in the Chicago suburbs, I can tell you that tonight will be an action packed evening of _Undeclared_, _24_, and _The Real World_ (also in Chicago!) … that’s usually what I do in Chicago anyway. They also have these places that you let you borrow videos and dvd’s (you just pay 'em like $3 per night) and you can take 'em home and watch 'em! Probably not the answer you were looking for, but … Colin:D p.s. I prefer Giordanos pizza myself …! ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/6 "2002-03-13T02:54:22Z")
There is only ONE thing to do while within the city limits of Chicago: _ **ESCAPE!!!** _ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/7 "2002-03-13T02:54:48Z")
Country red-neck came to town experience: Got put off a tour bus at Navy Pier with strict instructions to: “Stay on the pier, don’t turn left and walk downtown. It’s not safe.” So our group of four immediately turned left and walked. Came to an Italian restaurant, “Volarie” and ate outside at a table on the sidewalk. Best meal I ever bought. Heard a bunch of racket up the street and went to look. Some recording company was having their annual employee’s party outside, with street blocked off. After a little talking across the barrier, we got invited inside the yellow police tape and were treated like kings and queens. Walked to Michigan avenue and got stiff necks looking at the unfamiliar tall buildings. Don’t miss seeing the newspaper buildings at night, with floodlights on them, it’s a breathtaking view. We missed our “last chance” tour bus returning to the hotel at 10:00 PM, and had to pay $80 for a cab. Worth every damn penny. Everybody downtown was nice, friendly, and we had no problems. This Alabama boy and a Georgia boy and two chicks from North Carolina had a blast. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Chicago’s cool!🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Contrabassoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Contrabassoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrabassoon)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/8 "2002-03-15T08:26:51Z")
For the love of God, go see a Chicago Symphony concert (if they’re playing; check their website)!! Very classy way to spend an evening, especially if you work it around a nice dinner. There’s no better orchestra in the country. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-chicago/97897/9 "2002-03-15T15:01:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Carter of Mars \* > \*\* > Got put off a tour bus at Navy Pier with strict instructions to: “Stay on the pier, don’t turn left and walk downtown. It’s not safe.” > \*\* Your tour guide was, indeed, a moron. Glad you ignored him, explored the city, and had a great time.