[FaithS]

I would like to take a trip to Chicago, this fall, to celebrate our 25th anniversary. DH doesn't want to go. He isn't thrilled about cities, although he'd be willing to go to Denver, because it's closer.

But, I've never been to Chicago, and I think it would be fun. I imagine we could get some cheap flight tickets, if we looked for them.

His impression of Chicago, from when he was there decades ago, was that it was loud, crowded and busy.

I'm sure I could find some fun city things to do (the Zoo, walking around downtown, etc.) I'd need to look for inexpensive things, to get him to agree to go, so additional suggestions would be welcome.

However, what I'd really like is some ideas of some "un-city" type things to do, too, that might appeal more to him. Like, are there are nice rural areas to drive through, or any outdoor/farming/testosterone type of attractions? (DH & I do not farm, but he grew up on a farm, and we live in a small Kansas community.)

Anyone from Chicago out there, or familiar with Chicago places to visit that has any ideas? His ideas (if I rule out dirt-biking, which I don't do) include staying in a cabin, or something. If there was a way to somehow combine both our interests, I'd like to figure out how.

Vacations, for us, usually just involve driving 2 days to visit relatives in Canada. We don't often have the opportunity to plan a vacation for just us. (And, as you can see, we're not very good at it.)

~ Faith

[Kitty]

I don't live in Chicago but maybe look up the Chamber of Commerce website and see what they have.

Good luck and I hope you have a nice vacation....wherever you end up going!

[watsonsh]

I lived in Chicago for four years and loved every minute of it.

The new millenium park is supposed to be amazing (it was built after I left). You will want to see the new cloud gate sculpture, it beautiful.

You have to walk Michigan avenue for the shopping and be sure and stop to get some Garretts popcorn...the best especially the caramel.

One of my fave things to take visitors on was the architectural boat tour. Its a lovely way to see the city via the river and very educational and nice to sit on the boat and watch the sights and people.

And Chicgao has a great threater district so you might want to check and see what broadway shows are playing.

And maybe you should entice him with some sports and get bleacher seats to a Cubs game. Or is you are going in the fall check out the a NFL Bears game - I hear the new soldier field is great.

Take the elevator to the top of the JOhn Hancock building...the view is amazing on a clear day. So the Sears tower.

A little out of the city os the museum of science and industry - great museum to walk around. There is also the museum of art in millenium park called the Art Institute of Chicago (its world class) and the modern museum of art near the Hancock tower. OMG and how could I forget the field museum and Shedd aquarium right off Grant Park.

The Lincoln Park zoo if fun to walk around and be sure to go to Old Town a great quaint are to walk around with great restuarants.

And check into getting Oprah tix.

And there are a ton of great restaurants!

If you are in the city on a Wednesday or a Sayurday be sure to go to the Navy Pier for the fireworks. I used to live right near there and could watch em from my apartment.

FOr an out of the city drive take a ride up to Lake Geneva not far from the city but great in the summer and I am sure there are some lovely inns to stay overnight there.

Take a ride to Milwaukee and take in a Brewers game or tour one of the brewies there. I also hear there is a great museum up there but I cannot remember the name.

Here's a link to the visitor bureau

http://www.choosechicago.com/Pages/default.aspx


Those are my thoughts.

[FaithS]

Kitty, Shelly --

Already checked out the Camber of Commerce site (choosechicago); thanks.

DH isn't real into sports, so that wouldn't be somtehing for us to spend time with.

Shelly -- you have lots of good Chicago ideas; thanks so much! Those are the kinds of things that I would love! (He might like some of them, too.) Any ideas for out of town kinds of things, that are more rustic, or outdoorsy?

Am looking into some cabin ideas, just outside of Chicago, "in a friendly quiet country setting", that offer a shuttle into Chicago. I'd rather do the hotel thing, but we can do that when I go for my 6 month check-ups with the MS specialist in KS City. If staying in a cabin might get him to agree to the trip, that would be a concession I'd be willing to make. No tents for me, though!

~ Faith

[Debbie D]

I grew up in Chicago and live in a western suburb...the first two weeks of Oct. are beautiful here...downtown is fun on the weekends, with Navy Pier, and walking in Millenium Park. There are many old buildings downtown that have beautiful artitectural designs on them. There are many museums in Chicago, too, but you have to pay to get in. Look on line for things to do in the city.
But you could stay out in the western part of the area and take a train downtown; that way you're not staying in the crowded area (where it's also expensive). In Naperville, there's Naper Settlement, which is a historic site that has buildings from the 1800s...such as a school room, a log cabin, and a fort. The volunteers dress up in period dress. There's also a mansion that is set up from the same time period. We also have a historic farm in Naperville. I'm sure if you go on Naperville's website, you can see some of those things.
There's Morton arboretum nearby (in Lisle), and Brookfield Zoo has areas that are natural habitats for certain zones, such as tropic world for apes/monkeys.
Starved Rock state park is about 1-2 hrs from Naperville; it is a beautiful park.

There's many things to do in the area...just go online and you'll be informed...

[FaithS]

Originally Posted by Debbie D

I grew up in Chicago and live in a western suburb...the first two weeks of Oct. are beautiful here...downtown is fun on the weekends, with Navy Pier, and walking in Millenium Park. There are many old buildings downtown that have beautiful artitectural designs on them. There are many museums in Chicago, too, but you have to pay to get in. Look on line for things to do in the city.
But you could stay out in the western part of the area and take a train downtown; that way you're not staying in the crowded area (where it's also expensive). In Naperville, there's Naper Settlement, which is a historic site that has buildings from the 1800s...such as a school room, a log cabin, and a fort. The volunteers dress up in period dress. There's also a mansion that is set up from the same time period. We also have a historic farm in Naperville. I'm sure if you go on Naperville's website, you can see some of those things.
There's Morton arboretum nearby (in Lisle), and Brookfield Zoo has areas that are natural habitats for certain zones, such as tropic world for apes/monkeys.
Starved Rock state park is about 1-2 hrs from Naperville; it is a beautiful park.

There's many things to do in the area...just go online and you'll be informed...

Thanks so much,
Debbie. Yeah; I've spent quite a bit of time online, and found lots of things to do in the city, and some possible lodging options elsewhere. But, I didn't really know where else to look. Naperville does sound like another good option; is the historic farm that you're referring to the Abe Lincoln Family Farm?

~ Faith

[agate]

A third-generation Chicagoan here though I haven't been back there in many years now. I do keep up with some developments there, and I understand that the parks are still here.

Lincoln Park is a great park (north side) and has two splendid ponds or lagoons.

It also has this Lily Pool (which I think was called the Zoorookery years ago--looks like the place I remember):

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/i....natureOasis06

Jackson Park on the south side has a wooded island, just south of the Museum of Science and Industry. The island is a fairly sizeable chunk of nature kept free of anything manmade. You can see many birds there if you're interested in birds.

This tells about it and there's a photo:
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/i....natureOasis16

Somebody mentioned the Morton Arboretum--another great place for nature though it's a distance to travel.

[Debbie D]

The farm is McDonald Farm in Naperville, part of the Green Earth Institute.
http://www.greenearthinstitute.org/

[FaithS]

Talked with DH, this evening, about some Chicago options that I found online, and that you suggested.

He really doesn't want to drive in Chicago (we'd probably fly there), so, rather that rent a car, we might try to do mostly public transportation. We'd have to figure it out, but I hear that Chicago has a good bus system. (Do you experienced ones think that could work?)

Because of that, he's not interested in the cabin option that I found, or out of town things. I'd rather stay in a Chicago hotel, anyways. If we Priceline it, we can probably get a good price, both on airfare and lodging. We've done that for hotels before, but I've never tried it for flights.

But, he sounded interested in the Museum of Science and Industry, the zoo, stuff around the lake and piers (architectural boat tour, etc.), and some parks, and he'd be willing to do some downtown stuff with me, too.

I might like the Oprah tickets idea. Her website was down today when I tried to look into it. DH watches Oprah sometimes, and has even taped it occasionally. Isn't terribly interested in going to her show, but would be willing to.

Thanks for all of your ideas.

~ Faith

[SandyC]

Lived here all my life and we actually stay away from the city. LOL BUT, as a tourist it is great! You have to go to the Field museum and Shed Aquarium as Shelly stated. They are right across the street from Soldier Field. The Planetarium is cool too. The Art Institute is nice but they just raised the price to $16 a person to get in so go on their website and see which day is the free day. Navy Pier is fun and don't forget to take a dinner cruise and see the city skyline. If your feeling daring stroll out to the lighthouse and just sit there and look at the city. Very pretty.

Depending on how you feel about ghosts, they have a fun three hour filled ghost tour that is said to be one of America's best top ten tours. Lots of history and you can choose which tour you want to see. They pick up in Chicago downtown area. Check out their site: http://www.chicagohauntings.com/ Also check out Rock and Roll McDonald's. It is near the pick up for the ghost tour.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications is fun if you like old TV shows and stuff. Sears Tower is now the Willis Tower so don't be surprised when you don't see it named Sears Tower. Don't forget to have hubby lie down on the sidewalk and get a pic of you standing near the tower! If he doesn't feel comfortable doing that just ask anyone to take the pic for you. And place both hands on the building. You can actually feel it move especially on a windy day.

Even if your not going anywhere stroll down below to the "L" station and just walk a little. It's where the "heart" of Chicago is. Many of bands, singers and local talent abound down below the city. Just be sure to go during the day when it's not rush hour.

A short ride right passed the post office will get you to Little Italy near the University of Illinois Chicago. It's on Halsted. China Town is great too.

If pizza is to your liking check out Gino's. They have two locations. They may not have the best pizza but you get to leave your name on the wall. That's right, they allow graffiti and encourage it!

And even if you don't like sports, Wrigley Field is a great historic place to visit. Call ahead of time and ask for Jan in the disabled ticket office. Tell her Jim and Sandy referred you and ask if you can get a tour of some type. If you need my last name Pm me.

There is so much to see and many more. If I think of any I'll come back. If you decide to venture out of the city go check out Ronald Reagan's hometown in Dixon.