what to see in a short visit to Chicago

[andyt11]

Thought I'd poll the board for some suggestions.... some of you I'm sure know Chicago very well.

In a couple of weeks, a colleague and I will be there for a couple of days, for work. We are staying downtown near North Michigan Ave and East Lake. Neither of us have been before so we want to try and soak some of it up. There wont be a lot of spare time but we'd like a couple of suggestions for places to eat, drink and maybe catch some music. There wont be time for wandering around so to speak, so I thought it might help if we just knew where we should head for.

Things that are within walking distance of the hotel would be ace...

Thanks in advance.

[id10t]

I visited for a cousin's graduation forever ago. There was a FANTASTIC Thai resturant on/near UC campus - of course, I don't remember the name, directions, etc.

The Aquarium is awesome. Then again, every time I travel I try to get to a zoo, aquarium, or BIG museum

[GH85Carrera]

Lots of tall buildings!

[JQ911]

You are near the Navy Pier, you have about a 2 to 4 mile radius of the following:

The Aquarium
Skydeck
John Hancock Observatory
Field Museum
Planetarium

[ckelly78z]

Definitely the field museum (dinosours etc), Navy pier is interesting, Shed's aquarium is cool, high end shopping on Michigan Ave (Saks 5th ave, Nieman Marcus), I enjoyed the John Hancock observatory more than Sears tower.

Rain Forest Café is a neat place for dinner, but make sure you get a thick Chicago style pizza also.

Rush Street has all the blues lounges.

[wdfifteen]

401 North Lakeshore Drive used to be my destination. I don't know what's there now.

[70SATMan]

Museum of Science and Industry still gets my vote.

[genrex]

You could always impress people by telling them that the local Indian word "shik-ao" is how Chicago got its name. The "shik-ao" plant is a member of the garlic-onion family. I'm sure everyone will be impressed that The City With Broad Shoulders was named after a species of garlic plant.

__

[Cajundaddy]

RSNA conference?

Chicago is one of the 5 great American cities to visit so don't sit in your hotel room and miss it. Great food nearly everywhere, late night blues in the River District, museum of S&I is one of a kind, Second City improv is a taxi ride but worth it. Enjoy your trip!

[jcommin]

Andy,

Are you going to Fabtech?

[jcommin]

Navy Pier is a tourist trap and IMO there is absolutely nothing there. Walk down Michigan ave, go to the John Hancock Building up to the 95th rest. You get a great view of the city and have a drink which is less than going up one more floor and pay to get in the observation floor.

Go to a steak house - there are several that are very good. Go to Kingston Mines, blues club a short taxi ride away. Pizza is good also.

[Bugsinrugs]

Blues Chicago, Kingston Mines are a must! Take a river cruise , you will get a nice history lesson.
I went in October and loved it. I will definitely be back.

[Bowling]

Moe's in River North, casual, small plates, good food, good people watching and nice long bar. Plenty of other places near by as well. Consistent casual favorite, Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House on N. Rush, a couple other bar's just a short walk. Very nice City, plenty of places to have memorable moments. Sorry, not keen on the live music scene.