Quick Chicago Itiniary
 

Headed to a wedding in Lake Geneva WI. Doing a quick 1/2 day trip to Chicago for members of the family who have not been. Right now I am thinking:

9:30 am leave ORD
10:30 am go up in the Willis Tower, if there is time walk over to Millenium Park
1:00 lunch at Kumas
2:00 leave for Lake Geneva as we have to be there for 4pm

My only trips to Chicago have been business. Is my timing realistic? Any parking suggestions by the Willis Tower? Is there easy parking at Kumas?

Without even knowing what day this is, I think you are a bit optimistic with regard to the one hour for Kuma's.

Doing this on Friday. Thought by going at 1 it would help. If you are saying it is going to be more than 30 minutes I will go someplace else. Thanks

I've never been in and out in 30 minutes at lunch time.

You can park across the street from Willis Tower for ~$20. Hancock Center would be another option, lines will probably be smaller, parking is less.

Thanks. I will leave Kumas for another time. Will do Hancock Center. Walk around and go to Gino's East for lunch.

I've heard from friends that the burgers are just as good at Kuma's Too (Kuma's second location on Diversey), but the lines are short to nothing at off times. I have yet to check it out, though I don't know why.

As long as there isn't a 3:30 Cubs game that day, I would think a Friday at 1 might be worth a shot. Added bonus, if the wait is too long, there is a Gino's East about 3/4 of a mile west at Diversey/Lincoln as a backup.

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I will make the call based on how the morning goes.

You could probably do Kuma's Too without a wait, but I'm wondering if your 2-hour driving time is ambitious at 2pm on a Friday.

my thoughts as well.

I personally wouldn't make Kuma's a destination unless you were spending a 3 day weekend in Chicago (& probably not then either).

Fair enough, guess we will stick to a quick bite near the Hancock Center, allow 3 hours for the drive and stop for ice cream along the way of we are making good time.

Hancock or Willis? If your family members are foodies, I'd recommend the French Market, Publican Quality Meats, Au Cheval or Little Goat Diner in the West Loop, all of which are convenient to the Sears (Willis) Tower and expressway. Personally I think the better options are more limited near the Hancock, but I'd suggest L'Apetito or Bar Toma.

That place is tiny, isn't it? Or have they expanded? Unless the op is dying for Gino's, Lou Malnati's at Lincoln and Sheffield might be a better option for a quick table.

The best option is the original Gino's East after a visit to the Hancock. No extra time wasted driving, parking, waiting...

Another thing to consider if you are short on time is to just eat at the top of the Hancock tower. They have a nice lunch and you will get similar views to the observation floor just above it. Also no wait and no admission cost to the visitors deck.

It is tiny, but then, so is that Lou's. I don't think either would be crowded at 1-2pm

I'll take your word for it since I haven't been to Gino's East at that location for a long time, but my recollection is that Lou's is much larger.