What To Do in Chicago in the Spring?

[Jenny]

I'm staying at the Sheraton Four Towers on the Magnificent Mile. I have an upgraded room with a "comfy bed."

what kind of bed would you have had if you hadn't upgraded?

[skatingfan5]

what kind of bed would you have had if you hadn't upgraded?

I'm not sure if this is Matry's hotel (it's the Sheraton Four Points, not Four Towers) which says it features:

Our signature Four Comfort Bed A cozy cocoon designed to pamper you: plush mattress, oversized pillows, classic cotton-blend sheets and a plump duvet.

The Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers, also just off the Miracle Mile, on the other hand, offers "Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Beds, featuring crisp sheets, plush blankets, and soft pillows." Both hotels seem to have the same beds for all levels, but the upgrades involve room size, bathroom amenities, etc. I don't think Matry would have been sleeping on an army cot even if her room hadn't been "upgraded."

[Myskate]

I love the Museum of Science and Industry but it took my family 3 trips just to see it all! That was when they had the lego city in the lower area.(Do they still have that there?) I think one afternoon of window shopping is in order too. It doesn't cost anything to look and if you buy something-even better.

[rfisher]

It would take me 3 days just to see the Field Museum alone. Two of those would be in the anthropology exhibits. The other in the palentology exhibits. Hmmm....I'd need a week to see everything.

[Matryeshka]

Yes, yes, yes a meet-up

Stefanie, highjack all you want. Tis expected.

Cubs=no. I hate baseball. The Sears Tower is out--I discovered last spring I have extreme vertigo; I had to be escorted down by medical staff from the Top of the Rock in New York It might have been a one-off, as I've never had a problem with heights, motion sickness of anything like that, but it's something I never, ever, never want to experience again. New Orleans has its own world-class aquarium and zoo, so I'm going to give that a miss. Blues is one of those things I feel like I should like, but I don't.

skatinfan5--my convention ends on Thursday, but I'm staying till Sunday! So Art Institute is in!! I definitely want to see The Cloud too.

My interests are museums (clearly), architecture, shopping, walking tours, drinking. I want to see something that's unique to the area, that you can't see anywhere else.

[Southpaw]

It would take me 3 days just to see the Field Museum alone. Two of those would be in the anthropology exhibits. The other in the palentology exhibits. Hmmm....I'd need a week to see everything.

I took a nap in the Field Museum back in, oh, 1992 or so. I had just come in on the Amtrak from Newark. 19 hours on a train. Didn't sleep a whole lot. Was in Chicago meeting my boyfriend at the time because he was there on business, but I couldn't meet him until 5. My train got in at 8am. So I walked from Union Station over to the lake and tried wasting time in the Field Museum but I ended up conking out on a bench instead. I think it was a marble bench. Then I left the museum and took a boat ride out on the lake and I fell asleep in the sun for while.

Downtown Chicago was the first time I ever saw a Starbucks. They were everywhere. And I said what is this....this....Starbucks?

[Spinner]

Yes, yes, yes a meet-up

I definitely want to see The Cloud too.

Thank you for not calling it "the bean".

[ballettmaus]

Cubs=no. I hate baseball. The Sears Tower is out--I discovered last spring I have extreme vertigo; I had to be escorted down by medical staff from the Top of the Rock in New York

That's too bad because the view from the Hancock Tower is fantastic, too. Especially at night. It's located at the North of the city so you've got the entire skyline. But...

I second or third or whatever the architectural cruise! Definitely worth your money!

And I was actually surprised to find that there are restaurants in the Michigan Ave area (State St and side streets) which had fairly decent prices. (though I guess it all depends on what one's used to paying for dining out anyway).
Uno's is usually packed, long line at dinner time! When a friend visited last summer we went to Due which is just a block away and offers the same and was less crowded.
You can also find quite a few restaurants in Old Town (N Wells St) I have no ideas about the prices though.

I really enjoy just walking around the city. With its architecture I never tire of that.
Also, if the weather's nice, walking along the Riverwalk can be nice, if you get on it by the Vietnam Memorial which is State Street and then walk towards the lake.

As far as uniqueness goes, I'd say the entire city is unique

[Nomad]

Another vote for the architectural cruise.

[agalisgv]

My interests are museums (clearly), architecture, shopping, walking tours, drinking. I want to see something that's unique to the area, that you can't see anywhere else.

Some things that haven't been mentioned:

There's the DuSable Museum of African-American history. That's one museum where it's helpful to have a guide. It's not far away from the Museum of Science and Industry (in Hyde Park).
http://www.dusablemuseum.org/

Also in Hyde Park is the Smart Museum of Art--they showcase contemporary art.
http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/

While in Hyde Park, I recommend a tour of Rockefeller Chapel. It's the only true Gothic Cathedral in the Midwest I believe.
http://rockefeller.uchicago.edu/

And don't miss Robie House--famed house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (practically next door to Rockefeller)
http://gowright.org/research/wright-robie-house.html

There's also the National Museum of Mexican Art. Another museum where having a tour is very helpful. They are small, but have amazing artwork there.
http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/

This is for the literary/academic geeks: the Newberry Library has outstanding archival materials if you're interested in some research areas. It's within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile:
http://www.newberry.org/

For perhaps the best meal of your life, try Charlie Trotter's
http://www.charlietrotters.com/countdown.asp

or Arun's
http://www.arunsthai.com/

Both of the above are $$$, but they are world-renowned, Top Chef quality restaurants that are simply beyond words.

[dinakt]

Chicago, you'll love it, such gorgeous architecture. Probably my favorite US city.
My favorite walk close to you: exit the hotel, go south on Michigan, explore Millenium Park Park ( Navy Pier is blah, but millenium Park/Grant Park is glorious- don't ignore the Cloud Gate sculpture, the twisted bridge etc), cross back to Michigan, sneak peak into the interior of the Fine Arts building at 410 South Michigan ( gorgeous Art Nouveau interior), notice if Art Museum Lions are wearing anything unusual ( like the Bears uniforms, though it'll be past the football season), keep walking South meandering through Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain should be working in late April, with flowers all around, pass by the Field Museum, Planetarium and Acquarium, walk on the boardwalk by the lake near the Acquarium ( that's quite a long walk).

If you are into art at all, the Art Museum is not to be missed; it's much more compact than the Met but incredibly impressive.
Symphony is awesome, as well, if you are in a concert mood.
Restaurants- not cheap ( but not backbreaking either) and not quiet, but Frontera Grill, at 445 North Clark Street- Rick Bayless' gourmet Mexican, absolutely delicious and justly famous ( mezcal margaritas, oh my).
Wacker Drive is beautiful; it's another great walk just to follow it from Michigan Ave. west as it curves.
You can't lose, really. Chicago is very special.
BTW, there is a lovely Nordstroms on Michigan probably across from your hotel

There are numerous posh hotels on and near Michigan where it's fun to go into a bar for a drink- the Drake at the North End of Michigan Ave, for example.

[flyingsit]

You can also find quite a few restaurants in Old Town (N Wells St) I have no ideas about the prices though.

I spend a lot of time in Old Town as my brother and his family live there. There's a really nice French bistro called Bistro Margot; prices are reasonable and the staff is so friendly it's unreal. If you happen to be on Wells Street there, make sure you go into Kilwin's. They have the best peanut brittle I've ever eaten (and I'm not typically a fan of peanut brittle). They also make really good ice cream.

If you like sushi there's a place on Wells called Kamehamachi (sp?). I've not been but my brother loves it.

[Kruss]

Wacker Drive is beautiful; it's another great walk just to follow it from Michigan Ave. west as it curves.

Quick warning - Wacker Drive is under construction. While the bulk of it is closer to Union Station, I am not sure if there is anything being done on Wacker on the Michigan Avenue end of it.

There is also an architectural walking tour available, if you like to walk and explore. But honestly, you can probably wander on your own and view our beautiful architecture. The Cultural Center (across from Millennium Park) is a beauty - the former Chicago Library, it's very historical, was restored some years back, and has some beautiful features inside.

Really sad is that so many historical buildings were razed in years gone by - in the early days, Chicagoans didn't see the value of keeping some of the older buildings, so we lost some gems. But what is left is still breathtaking.

I'm really enjoying hearing everyone's impressions of this beautiful city.

[Orable]

I'm loving the Chicago love in this thread Matry, if you like improv, you should try to catch a showing of Second City - generally, a really great bet for a fun evening.

[emason]

Another vote for Rick Bayless' restaurants, either Frontera Grill or Topolobampo. Also, another vote for the Field Museum.

I've been to Chicago 4 times on weekend getaways and I have loved it each and every time. I think it is a super city in which to vacation.

[znachki]

For perhaps the best meal of your life, try Charlie Trotter's
http://www.charlietrotters.com/countdown.asp

If you even think you want to go to Trotters, you need to make a reservation now. He is closing the restaurant in ugust, so I suspect that reservations will be increasingly hard to come by.

[ballettmaus]

Quick warning - Wacker Drive is under construction. While the bulk of it is closer to Union Station, I am not sure if there is anything being done on Wacker on the Michigan Avenue end of it.

So far the Wacker Drive that winds along the river is still without construction. They start somewhere around Randolph St.

[manleywoman]

I spend a lot of time in Old Town as my brother and his family live there. There's a really nice French bistro called Bistro Margot; prices are reasonable and the staff is so friendly it's unreal.

LOVE Bistro Margot.

I'm loving the Chicago love in this thread Matry, if you like improv, you should try to catch a showing of Second City - generally, a really great bet for a fun evening.

Agreed.

[Matryeshka]

I love improv; I totally forgot about Second City. Maybe I'll skip the convention. Although I will NOT be visiting an hookahs! Orable, yes, I'm looking at you.

[PrincessLeppard]

Have Orable take you to the restaurant where she took Spinner and me. It was fab.

Wait, you hate baseball. Don't go there. It was awful.