Hi,

Please help me plan some activities for my 3 day trip to the windy city! I had only been to Chicago once last year and I only had 2 days so I didn't see very much!

I am thining about trying some chicago dogs and pizza. I tried Giordano's last time but I didn't really like it that much although I loved the fact that I felt like I was eating a large cheese ball . I am thinking about Lou Malnati's this time. Good choice?

I want to try Superdawg, but since I won't have car, my ability to travel will be limited to foot and train. I think it's going to rain/snow this weekend with temp in the teens so I don't know what I am going to do.

I'll be staying in the River North area (Westin) and will probably go shopping on Michigan ave and check out a couple of museums..like field and contemprary art. I went up to Sears Tower last time...

Where else should I/must I go? Any recommendation is appreciated!

There's a lot to do here, even in the winter and even if you don't have a car.

Do you have any special interests, besides pizza and hotdogs?

How about a tour?

A tour sounds like fun! I might do that. I'm up to anything fun. I like visiting museums, watching shows, food etc I am planning on doing those things but are there anything that you'd recommend as a must do in Chicago?

The Westin? I thought the W Lakeshore had your undying devotion, Bliss!

That's a good location for transit: the Red Line is a block northeast (Grand/State, in front of the Rock Bottom pub), and the #22 bus stops right in front (well, at Bin 36 across the street). The #22 runs north on Clark to Wrigley Field and some great neighborhoods. Hema's, my favorite Indian restaurant in the city, is on Clark just north of Fullerton; most of the city's smaller theaters lie north of Wrigley in Lakeview and Uptown; and always charming Andersonville (with Swedish bakeries, Belgian brewpub, and feminist bookstore) is past Foster. The Westin's also closer than the W to more good restaurants; the ones by Navy Pier don't have to try very hard for customers.

The big Loop theaters are just a few blocks south, as well.

It had??

Actually I was going to stay at W City Center but the rate was too high at $189/night. Westin RN was $139/night so I bit my tongue and booked it

Thanks for the bus and train info though

A "short" list of quality Chicago museums:
- Adler Planetarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago History Museum
- DuSable Museum (black history)
- Field Museum (natural history)
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Science and Industry
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- Oriental Institute (archaeology)
- Smith Museum of Stained Glass
- Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven

Any of these are potentially enjoyable, again depending on your interests.

Malnati's is not a good choice, it's a great choice

If it's not crappy out, it's not that bad to get to. Blue line to Jeff Park, then 56A weekdays or pace 270 or cab to Superdawg. Not recommended in bad weather though, as the dawg does not have inside seating.

Yeah, we're expecting Bear's Weather.

If the dawg is out for climate reasons, these have indoor seating:

Murphy's dog's (not to be confuse with Murphy's Bleachers), 3 blocks west of the Belmont Red/Brown line review: http://gochicago.about.com/od/chicag...ys_redhots.htm

or Gold Coast Dogs: at Wabash/Randolph, Clark/Fullerton, ORD T3 or Union Station (the original location was real close to your hotel, but is now gone) http://www.goldcoastdogs.net/

and RIP Demon Dogs

Just kidding about the W -- just remembered your review from the SPG board?

Malnati's is quite close to the Westin and gets my vote, anyways. That stretch of Wells Street around Grand has many great restaurants in a nice setting. Most of the galleries along Superior and Huron should be open this weekend, even if it's not the right week for the opening receptions -- check the listings in the Reader.

For a trip in January, I highly recommend you try to catch Buddy Guy's homestand at his club.
http://www.buddyguys.com/

There's a thread that I noticed today that was relatively dated; however, the advice/ideas in the thread are good.

The thread is at:
<http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=624995>.

I'd add (for something closer to downtown)... taking a train ride to Chinatown can be fun/good.

I enjoy a walk through the Lincoln Park Conservatory...then hike down Fullerton and then do shopping/eating along Clark St.

I believe Chicago has the largest aquarium in the country, and its location provides a great view of the skyline.

My other favorite is the Mexican Fine Art Museum.

I would recommend the Shedd and Field museum.

You can take a tour with the Chicago Greeter program. I took one a few years back and found it very interesting and different. You can customize the tour to what you like, and best of all, it's free. Check out the website for more details.