# What to do in Chicago? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165 "2016-07-29T02:32:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/1 "2016-07-29T02:32:41Z")
I’m sure we’ve had threads about this before, but I couldn’t find any recent ones. I’m going to be in the Windy City for a few days in August, and I’m looking for advice about things to do! Like every other tourist, I’m hoping to see the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. I’m hoping some of you lovely folks can help me find some less well-known, more offbeat attractions, like small collections or museums or things in the “World’s Largest Ball of Yarn” genre. I like art, nature, and learning new things. I’m not especially interested in restaurants or bars, although I do like coffee shops. I’m planning to stay either downtown or in one of the neighborhoods slightly north or northwest of downtown, and ideally everything I do would be accessible by public transportation. I’m not afraid of walking, and I’m willing to take the occasional taxi to get somewhere cool. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/2 "2016-07-29T02:43:14Z")
Art Institute and Millennium Park are next to each other, can definitely do same day. Depending on whether you wander the Institute all day or have specific exhibits you want to concentrate on, you can do Institute/Millennium/Pier all same day - these are walkable to each other if you’re a walker and want to take in more city as you go. Eataly is one of my favorite downtown spots for lunch or dinner. And then Museum of Science and Industry is a day trip, with time for dinner in a different neighborhood. If you find a place to stay in, say, Logan Square, there’s nighttime spots for food and such with a ride on the Blue Line to downtown. ---
**Author:** ![trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/3 "2016-07-29T04:50:48Z")
**SeaDragonTattoo** , I’m definitely a walker, and plan to spend some time just wandering around anywhere that looks interesting. Thanks for the advice! ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/4 "2016-07-29T04:56:06Z")
> [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](#): > > I’m hoping some of you lovely folks can help me find some less well-known, more offbeat attractions, like small collections or museums or things in the “World’s Largest Ball of Yarn” genre. [The World’s Largest Public Display of M.I. Hummel Figurines Showcased in Rosemont.](http://www.rosemont.com/community/museum-of-hummels/) Rosemont is a suburb adjacent to Chicago, near O’Hare. Take the [Blue Line train](http://www.transitchicago.com/blueline/) to the [Rosemont stop](http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/station.aspx?StopId=123)and either walk from there or take the [Route 223 bus](http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=223). (Do not confuse “Rosemont” with “Montrose.”) ---
**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:** [July 29, 2016, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/5 "2016-07-29T04:56:34Z")
I was there several years ago. Went on an architecture tour on the river, and saw a taping of _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me_; both were fun. ---
**Author:** ![trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/6 "2016-07-29T07:40:51Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I was there several years ago. Went on an architecture tour on the river, and saw a taping of _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me_; both were fun. I had no idea _Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!_ was taped in Chicago! I’ve gotta see that. I’ve actually been to a taping of [Ask Me Another](http://www.npr.org/programs/ask-me-another/), which I highly recommend to anyone who finds themselves in New York. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/7 "2016-07-29T10:14:00Z")
If art is your thing, there’s the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Chicago History Museum is also nice. If you like crime stories, I think the Untouchables Tour is still a thing. While I’ve never been the the Museum of Broadcast History sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/8 "2016-07-29T10:55:50Z")
First of all, do you have any particular days in mind? Over on Trip Advisor, there are endless threads about people having hard times find a hotel room at any price during the summer. I wouldn’t stay out in Rosemont, that’s a long 45 minute train ride each way, plus most of the hotels are not an easy walk to the blue line. Stay in River North or the Loop. Look on Groupon, based in Chicago, several attractions have discounts including the Chicago History Museum. If you’re in that area, the free Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory are nearby and are fun attractions. Navy Pier is a tourist trap, so take that as you want to. There are fun speedboat rides that leave from there by Seadog Cruises. The Chicago Architecture Foundation has the best river tour. They also have walking tours. [Tours | Chicago Architecture Center](https://www.architecture.org/experience-caf/tours/?transportation=40) There’s lot of coffee houses in my neighborhood of Lakeview. I like intellegentsia, [Intelligentsia Coffeebars | Our Locations | Intelligentsia Coffee](http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/locations#chicago) and Dollop [http://www.dollopcoffee.com](http://www.dollopcoffee.com) If the Cubs are away on your dates, there are tours of Wrigley Field. Check out Time Out for more ideas > **[Time Out Chicago | Chicago Events, Activities & Things To Do](https://www.timeout.com/chicago)** > > Chicago's guide to theater, restaurants, bars, movies, shopping, fashion, events, activities, things to do, music, art, clubs, tours, dance & nightlife ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/9 "2016-07-29T13:20:57Z")
Y\There was a lengthy thread w/in the past year, where people were talking about walking distances and such. Might want to check out the medical history museum. Sorry I forget the official title. Up in the Gold Coast. And architecture cruises are popular. I’d plan on hanging out at one of the downtown beaches. Water should be warm in Aug. Not sure if there are a lot of other places where you have a freshwater lake that big and beaches right in the shadows of such a big city. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/10 "2016-07-29T15:51:31Z")
Check out the Cultural Center on Michigan Avenue. It’s right across from Millennium Park. Also, while you are at Navy Pier, don’t forget to peek in on the Stained Glass Museum. While in the Loop, you can go spelunking in the [pedway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Pedway)for a different perspective on the city. The architecture tour and the Untouchables tour, both mentioned above, are excellent. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/11 "2016-07-29T15:53:50Z")
> [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](#): > > I had no idea _Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!_ was taped in Chicago! I’ve gotta see that. I’ve actually been to a taping of [Ask Me Another](http://www.npr.org/programs/ask-me-another/), which I highly recommend to anyone who finds themselves in New York. WWDTM is based in Chicago, and tapes many of its shows there, but they do go to other cities sometimes, so they might not do it while you’re there. I believe they tape on Thursday evening for the upcoming weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bruce\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/12 "2016-07-29T15:58:58Z")
I saw something on Facebook and it looks awesome. Pizza & oven grinder company at 2121 Clark st. They have a pizza pot pie thats mouth watering. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/13 "2016-07-29T16:22:09Z")
> [@Bruce\_Wayne](#): > > I saw something on Facebook and it looks awesome. Pizza & oven grinder company at 2121 Clark st. They have a pizza pot pie thats mouth watering. If you go there, be ready for a wait. Also, while you’re waiting, check out the scene of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, right across the street. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/14 "2016-07-29T16:23:51Z")
Also, as you are wandering around downtown or the neighborhoods, be on the lookout for the [Talking Statues](http://www.statuestorieschicago.com). ---
**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:** [July 29, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/15 "2016-07-29T16:54:17Z")
> [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](#): > > I’m planning to stay either downtown or in one of the neighborhoods slightly north or northwest of downtown, and ideally everything I do would be accessible by public transportation. I’m not afraid of walking, and I’m willing to take the occasional taxi to get somewhere cool. Too bad you won’t have a car; you could take Lower Wacker Drive and pretend you’re Elwood Blues. ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/16 "2016-08-01T18:15:14Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Check out the Cultural Center on Michigan Avenue. It’s right across from Millennium Park. Also, while you are at Navy Pier, don’t forget to peek in on the Stained Glass Museum. While in the Loop, you can go spelunking in the [pedway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Pedway)for a different perspective on the city. > > The architecture tour and the Untouchables tour, both mentioned above, are excellent. I was going to say The Cultural Center. The Tiffany domes are splendiferous and it doesn’t take a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/17 "2016-08-01T18:52:11Z")
I just discovered a new web site yesterday. It contains a list of 84 obscure places that are off the usual touristy beaten path. Have a look: [The Atlas Obscura Guide To Hidden Chicago Weird Attractions and Unusual Things to Do in Chicago](http://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/chicago-illinois) Note that a few of them may be in less-than-stellar neighborhoods. If you don’t have a car, feel free to ask here about the relative safety of the area. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/18 "2016-08-01T21:01:00Z")
Navy Pier is being remodeled, and is IMHO less tourist-trap cheesy than it was. It has a new and most-definitely-improved Ferris Wheel. The only loss is that the stained-glass museum is gone. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![pidgeon92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@pidgeon92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pidgeon92)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-chicago/761165/19 "2016-08-01T21:07:19Z")
I didn’t know they were removing the stained glass from Navy Pier. That was one of my favorite things to see when we go to the Flower & Garden show in the spring. ☹