# Weekend in Chicago - what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519 "2006-09-05T15:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/1 "2006-09-05T15:56:02Z")
I will be in Chicago in mid-November for a week (Friday night - Friday night). The first two days I am there are Saturday & Sunday & I have those free, and Monday-Thursday evenings I might have some free time. What’s doing on the weekend in Chicago in mid-November? I think the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum will still be on then, so that’s a probability if I can get tickets. I haven’t been to Chicago proper for several years (good gOd, has it really been 12 years? sheesh!) so my interests aren’t quite the same as they were back then. I’m less of a go-out-drinking person these days and more of a -eat-good-food-and-go-to-musuems person. On the weekend my sister will also be in Chicago, so I have a dinner companion, but during the week I’m on my own. The place I am visiting during the weekdays is near the Art Institute and my hotel is a few blocks from there. What’s good to do on weeknights in that nightborhood or a short el ride away? I believe my hotel is on the Blue line. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/2 "2006-09-05T22:20:37Z")
I can tell y ou what we are doing in October in Chicago - I am taking my wife to see “Wicked” and we will be spending time (& money) on the Magnificent Mile doing early Christmas shopping. ---
**Author:** ![sctrojan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@sctrojan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sctrojan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/3 "2006-09-06T11:14:43Z")
See the wonderful collection of French Impressionists at the Art Institute. QUOTE=Motorgirl]I will be in Chicago in mid-November for a week (Friday night - Friday night). The first two days I am there are Saturday & Sunday & I have those free, and Monday-Thursday evenings I might have some free time. What’s doing on the weekend in Chicago in mid-November? I think the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum will still be on then, so that’s a probability if I can get tickets. I haven’t been to Chicago proper for several years (good gOd, has it really been 12 years? sheesh!) so my interests aren’t quite the same as they were back then. I’m less of a go-out-drinking person these days and more of a -eat-good-food-and-go-to-musuems person. On the weekend my sister will also be in Chicago, so I have a dinner companion, but during the week I’m on my own. The place I am visiting during the weekdays is near the Art Institute and my hotel is a few blocks from there. What’s good to do on weeknights in that nightborhood or a short el ride away? I believe my hotel is on the Blue line. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/4 "2006-09-06T12:29:54Z")
I recommend popping in [here](http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html) for a burger and brew. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/5 "2006-09-06T13:07:07Z")
[QUOTE=buns3000] I recommend popping in [here](http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html) for a burger and brew. [/QUOTE] Coincidentally, my sister told me she wants to go there, so it’s now on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/6 "2006-09-06T13:09:37Z")
Tickets for the Tut exhibit are really easy to come by. I just went last week and got them at the door. You get a scheduled entry time, so you might have to wander around the Field for a while, but that’s not so bad. It’s really a wonderful exhibit, beautifully put together and dramatically staged. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/7 "2006-09-06T13:12:22Z")
For my taste, the Museum of Science and Industry is the best thing in town. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/8 "2006-09-06T17:01:27Z")
Head out to the Museum Campus- the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium are all within spitting distance of each other, plus it offers great view of the city. It’s a decent walk from the Loop, near Soldier Field. Oh, and take in a game at Wrigley if you can. They weren’t even giving tours the weekend I went. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/9 "2006-09-06T17:11:26Z")
I went a few months ago and got a ticket for a taping of _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me_ and had a great time. They tape on Thursday evenings (although they occasionally go on the road), tickets and schedules are available on their [website](http://www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/). Also second the Museum of Science and Industry. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/10 "2006-09-06T17:54:20Z")
I don’t know if they have them in your native area, but I went to the Weber Grill Restaurant in Chicago, and let me tell you, those guys know how to cook a steak. And it’s not a 200 dollar Morton’s steak, it’s much more reasonable, like 25 or 26 bucks for a NY strip steak that will have you coming back for more the next day. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/11 "2006-09-06T18:30:43Z")
I just came back from a similar trip. I took one day and went to Oak Park. The Metra or the Green Line get you there quickly and drop you within walking distance of [Unity Temple](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Temple). Honestly, I was let down. (The broke-down garage behind the building and the leaky ceiling made the place seem like a dump.) But I am glad I saw it. I also walked up Keniworth and back Forest Ave passing the FLW home and studio and some really interesting houses. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/12 "2006-09-12T14:35:44Z")
Thanks everybody… I now have enough ideas for 2 days worth of leisure time, and probably an evening or two depending on how late museums are open, how tired I am after the workday, and how cold it is outside! ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/13 "2006-09-12T18:02:01Z")
If you need to fight your ignorance about Chicago, I’ve heard rumors… … that there is a newspaper , called the Chicago Reader, or something similar, And I’ve been told that it gives you a straight line to all kinds of good dope. Since 1973. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/14 "2006-09-12T18:17:58Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] Oh, and take in a game at Wrigley if you can. They weren’t even giving tours the weekend I went. ☹ [/QUOTE] And they most assuredly won’t be playing in November, either! For that matter…they VERY seldom play in October… -Cem ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/15 "2006-09-12T18:26:34Z")
I noticed, **Motorgirl** [ol] For Steak: [li]Chop House[/li][li]Gene And Georgetti’s[/li][/ol] [ol] Italian (you’re from Boston, so you shoudl know Italian) [li]Anything on Taylor Street[/li][li]Coco Pazzo[/li][/ol] [ol] High Style [li]Charlie Trotter[/li][li]Trio[/li][li]Everest[/li][/ol] And I heartily endorse Billy Goat. Used to eat there every Friday. Make sure to move quickly, and know what you want, or Sam will rip you a new one (nicely, but he’ll poke fun at you for being slow). Of course, nothing goes with a cheezeborger like a nice cold bottle of Old Style. -Cem ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/16 "2006-09-14T16:20:51Z")
[QUOTE=Cemetery Savior] I noticed, **Motorgirl** [ol] For Steak: [li]Chop House[/li][li]Gene And Georgetti’s[/li][/ol] [ol] Italian (you’re from Boston, so you shoudl know Italian) [li]Anything on Taylor Street[/li][li]Coco Pazzo[/li][/ol] [ol] High Style [li]Charlie Trotter[/li][li]Trio[/li][li]Everest[/li][/ol] And I heartily endorse Billy Goat. Used to eat there every Friday. Make sure to move quickly, and know what you want, or Sam will rip you a new one (nicely, but he’ll poke fun at you for being slow). Of course, nothing goes with a cheezeborger like a nice cold bottle of Old Style. -Cem [/QUOTE] Super recommendations, thanks! Re: Italian - depending on the weather we’d probably justpick a restaurant on Taylor st the same way we do in the North End - wander along, look at menus, look at the diners. It’s a pretty successful method for me. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/17 "2006-09-14T16:32:51Z")
BTW, Chef G is no longer at Trio, so disregard that recommendation. 😉 But I heartily endorse his restaurant, Alinea. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/18 "2006-09-14T16:38:29Z")
Here’s a link to some [Architectural Tours](http://www.architecture.org/tour_search_results.aspx?TourStartDate=11/1/2006&TourEndDate=11/30/2006) during November. The city really is breathtaking. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/19 "2006-09-14T17:21:35Z")
If you are in the mood for ribs that fall off the bone, swing by Portillos. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519/20 "2006-09-14T17:39:12Z")
For what it’s worth, I was not at all impressed with the King Tut exhibit. Sure, there were some neat things, but it was all very gloomy and dark and old-school museum exhibit. Lots of things in glass cases with lights shining in at them and not-very-informative notecards. It all led with obvious laborious attempts at creating tension and drama to…a drawing on the floor of where the sarcophagus would be if it were there, which it wasn’t. 😕 The best bit was halfway through, and it was artifacts from someone’s aunt and uncle that I’d never heard of. The Shedd Aquarium, on the other hand, has done some really nice stuff, and I was pleasantly surprised when I went there yesterday. I don’t think I’ve been there in 10 years. But they have a lot of information, not just written and hands-on learning, but actual people who will answer actual questions. It’s so much more interesting to ask, “hey, is that baby whale a male or female?” And hear an explanation: “Well, we’re not sure, because we haven’t given it a thorough exam yet. We’ve been very hands-off, because everything seems to be going well, and we don’t want to interfere with the mother-baby bonding process. We mostly just watch through this observation window to learn what a baby and its mother do all day. Oooh! Look! She’s nursing! She nurses about every 20 minutes or so, but only for a short time. See the puff of white that just came out of her mouth? That’s whale milk!” I never would have remembered all that if I had just read it on a card. If you like museums, I highly recommend buying a CityPass: > [@](#): > > CityPass is simple. You have nine days to visit each attraction (once) beginning the day you first use your CityPass. In addition to full access to Shedd Aquarium, CityPass includes the Hancock Observatory, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. It’s $50, but that ends up being less than $10 a museum, and you have all week to do it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weekend-in-chicago-what-to-do/371519.md?page=2)