I'm a single woman traveler, going to Chicago for the first time in August. Any suggestions on what to see and do? Thanks.

Welcome to Flyertalk...and welcome in advance to Chicago.

The answer to your question sort of depends what your interests are. If you're like Mrs. Cyberdad, you'd want to find a hotel in the North Michican Avenue "Magnificent Mile" area and "shop til you drop". Lots of superb restaurants in the imediate area along with theatre, nightclubs, etc. close at hand. You're also handy to the lakefront with beaches, Navy pier, Millenium Park, as well as several museums and other attractions (Aquarium, Planatarium).

I predict you won't get bored! Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

And don't miss the Roman column located on Chicago's waterfront, which was donated to the city by Mussolini in 1934. It's certainly one of Chicago's more unusual landmarks.

Welcome, zippee. Check out the Chicago forum for lots of help.

The King Tut exhibit is at the Field Museum through the rest of this year. If you have not seen it, that would be worth a visit.

I also recommend the Shedd Aquarium and the view from the Sears Tower.

Also, an interesting trip in Chicago is historic wrigley field - the worlds largest bar. Picture 40000 people...drunk...out to have a great time regardless of whether the team wins. Plus the streets around it with the neighborhood charm is just the epitomy or residential chicago.

Oh...I guess for the average woman Michigan Ave shopping is more fun...

When are you coming here? I do recommend first week of July for...

TASTE OF CHICAGO

Gary

Enjoy great views of the North side of the city while enjoying cocktails at the Signature Lounge (96 floors up).

Also, check out the thread about Chicago's best burger in the Chicago forum.

If you can afford it (or if you're lucky and get the right rate), then I'd recommend either The Drake (just off Michigan Avenue) or The Intercontinental (on The Magnificent Mile).

Enjoy a long walk northwards along the lake front, starting at Navy Pier.

Oh, and I can't believe I forgot to visit the Art Institute (home of the painting featured at the start of Desperate Housewives).

Being from Chicago one tends to take things for granted....there are the obvious museums, sporting events, etc. I tend to always suggest a tour of the Brookfield Zoo. It is an award winning zoo, very large and "animal friendly". The primate house is a huge open area with large "trees" and tropic rain storms to mimic their natural habitat. Birds fly around free.. anyway, you get the idea. It's an easy trip down 290 W and follow the signs! Or use the Metra train system. The Shedd aquarium is also great. Also, for really upscale dining, try Charlie Trotters, but make a reservation in advance.

Have fun!

vurban1

I'm sorry, but I can't help chuckling and thinking about how different the responses would have been if the OP started with "I'm a fat, twice-divorced old man and I'm going to Chicago...."



"Wrong Forum!"

"There's a link at the top of your screen called 'Search'! Try using it!"



(And by the way - Welcome to FT )

The Chicago Forum: http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=511

--

Where is this? I've been along every inch of the lakefront (or at least from McCormick Place up to Foster) and never noticed this.

Except there's no foie gras!!!

Haven't been back to look at it in years, I believe it's been restored (the foundation stones were shifting badly). It has a wonderful inscription in English and Italian:
Theres plenty about it if you google it.
A few years ago I showed it to some Italian friends, they flipped; it talked about the glorious fascist nation of Italy.

Are you already locked into a specific weekend or do you have some flexibility?

If you have flexibility, then I'd build the trip around the Cubs and King Tut.

Other'n that, Field Museum (in general, not just the Tut part), Art Institute, architecture river cruises, a morning run along the lake up through Lincoln Park Zoo (stop and say hi to the seals, please), and just hanging out in Grant Park are my recommendations.

For nightlife, it can go any one of a million directions. Chicago is probably the best eatin' town in the world - just pick your favorite two or three unusual ethnic cuisines and go from there. Hit the basics - deep-dish pizza, a Chicago dog, a great burger, etc. - for lunch, but go for something more eclectic for dinner. Definitely explore some of the neighborhoods outside of the Mag. Mile area.

I'm sure many will disagree with me on this, but I honestly didn't find the Magnificant Mile shopping all that interesting or unusual. Big department stores, a Crate & Barrel, a big bookstore, a bunch of high-end clothing and jewelry retailers, etc. Stuff you can find in any other big city in the world. Not many uniquely Chicago boutiques. If you like shopping, maybe try the Maxwell Street Market (although I haven't personally been to it in many years) on Sunday. There's a little more weirdness there. Plus plenty of streetfood.

DH and I just returned from the Windy City and trekked through three museums (Art, Fields and Science). Of the three, definitely the U-Boat exhibit in the Science and Technology Museum topped everything. Poignant and personal. The exhibit made you almost able to smell the stench of diesel and cramped living conditions (one head for 69 souls until enough food was eaten to allow access to the second head/storage area). The Museum transported the entire boat from the shores of Lake Michigan and then built a building around the boat at great expense and logistical nightmares. This was one of the most memorable exhibits I have seen besides the palaces of St. Petersburg. Our second strong favorite was the Impressionist paintings in the Art Institute Museum. Wow, Chicago was the bomb.