Suggestions for half a day in Chicago
 

What suggestions do you have for half a day in Chicago. The plan is to be in downtown at 2-2:30 pm. I would have to leave the following morning but can stay out up to any time at night.

If I were on my own, I would go on to see the exterior of well known buildings, like Mies Van der Rohe buildings and others. But that's an esoteric idea.

My proposed plan is to see the Art Institute of Chicago then dinner then the Navy Pier.

FYI, the Art Institute closes at five except on Thursdays, so I'd suggest going straight there and checking your bag rather than checking in to your hotel first.

I'm not really sure I see the point of Navy Pier, although the Ferris wheel might be cool in the evening.

Maybe Second City or the Neo-Futurists if either sounds appealing to you.

Not sure who you're with, but even people who don't care about architecture usually enjoy the boat ride on the Chicago River for the architectural tours. The CAF has a good one, and I think there are a couple others. It's a fun way to see Chicago for those who aren't impressed by the buildings. The Art Institute is excellent though too, just make sure you have enough time to see it all.

Assuming you're with adults, maybe go for a drink at the Signature Room (top of the Hancock building) after dinner rather than Navy Pier. It's a great view at night.

I agree, I don't even see how kids enjoy it there. The IMAX is ok though.

If you are into architecture
 

The Chicago Architecture Foundation--which is the best river cruise--also has many bus and walking tours:

https://www.architecture.org/experience-caf/tours/


For dinner, you can do MUCH better than Navy Pier :)

Navy Pier is still a tourist trap, but it's a lot less like a state/county fair now after the recent renovations. I would do the Ferris wheel ride at Navy Pier, then either walk/cab/uber to the Signature Room at Hancock.

giving this a bump instead of creating a new thread.

Will be driving in from Wisconsin around noon, and fly out out ORD with LH @ 2235. It's myself, my wife, and our 9 month old - all first timers to Chicago.

we'd like to see the bean, and eat some pizza - but otherwise open to suggestions.

Also has anyone used dayuse.com? Intercon @ $99 seems to be a decent rate to use as a home base for a few hours

Realistically, you have 7 hours if you're going to check into a hotel room, which might make sense with a 9 month old. If it's a nice day, I'd walk to Millennium Park. You'll pass the Tribune building on the way, which is interesting, plus cross over the river on Michigan Avenue. There's a riverwalk with a bunch of little outdoor restaurants underneath as a possible lunch. The boats for the river/architecture tours leave from there too.

If you're up for it, after the park, the Art Institute is right next door. For dinner, Pizzeria Uno (not the chain) and Due are just a couple blocks north of the Intercontinental. If you're after deep dish pizza, those are two of the better places.

The boat trip on the Chicago River and out into the big water is worth doing, not that a 9 month old will get much out of it.

BOb H

These are excellent ideas. Chicago is a great city for walking - as long as you have a stroller for your kid. The Inter-Continental is in the perfect location for a day trip.

If you by the bean and the Millennium Park around lunchtime and are saving pizza until dinner, then there is Acanto right across from the part. Great food.

If you end up at the Intercontinental, stop by the pool (even if not to swim). It's from the 20s and is quite impressive.

For pizza near the bean, I would suggest Giordano's. For pizza closer to the Intercontinental, I would suggest Pizzeria Uno/Pizzeria Due. Same pizza, they just expanded and added the second location (Due). As others mentioned above, I highly recommend the architecture boat tour.

I highly recommend the CAF cruise, although I strongly recommend wearing a wide brimmed hat; I got royally sunburnt on a 5:00 pm cruise in mid July.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is on the agenda for my next visit in mid September, it's a five minutes walk from my daughter's apartment.

BTW, I love The Art Institute of Chicago, it is one of the greatest museums in the world.

As far as a 6pm departure from the North River area for an 8pm flight from O'Hare, that's beyond my risk tolerance. It is probably doable on the Blue Line, which takes approximately 45-50 minutes from the Loop to the airport, however, if you're planning to ride a cab or Uber/Lyft, traffic on the Kennedy Expressway can be quite miserable in that direction at that time of day.

Agree
 

1) 6 pm is too tight a window for that time of day. Try 5 if you are Lyfting. You can thank us later :)

2) All are great bets. I live near MCA and am a member but I would say the Art Institute and/or CAP River Cruise should be priorities. The River Cruise is wonderful.

Thanks! Will likely plan out my itin next weekend. Was hoping to squeeze in a Blackhawks game, but no such scheduling luck.
Any comments on the Westin?