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Chicago vacation ideas

20 years ago

My sis and I are taking our annual vacation to Chicago next month.

I've been looking on some sites of fun things for us to do.

Does anyone have any ideas for me?

Hotels, food, entertainment, shopping, museums, etc.

We are trying to get Oprah tickets, but that will be a bonus.

Thanks for any help.

Jewels

Comments (4)

nedraw
20 years ago
Jewel,

My favorite museums are the Art Institute and the Shedd Aquarium, followed by the Field Museum of Natural History. If you like German food, eat at Bergdoffs (I think that's it). Great food, beer and Manhattans.

Nedra
janMD
19 years ago
Took a Sat morning cooking class with my daughter at the Calphalon school (1 blk from Oprah's studio). That was different and fun. If you haven't seen Blue Man Group, that is a fun evening. Art Institute is one of the finest museums anywhere. Also, architectural boat tour is very relaxing and you see Chicago in a 'new' way.
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Annie - I also was going to suggest New Mexico, as it didn't appear on your list. That looks to me like a very good tour by Taucks - it covers exactly the places i would suggest, Taos, Bandelier, Georgia O'Keeffe's homestead, the pueblos... It would also be nice to have the lectures and special visits that come with the trip. However, NM is a state very oriented towards visitors, and is easy to navigate by yourselves, especially if you explore it on the internet and do some reading in advance. Santa Fe, e.g., has some gorgeous inns and hotels, and excellent restaurants with varied cuisines, not to mention a stunning collection of art galleries (do not go to this city without a credit card). Several years ago DH and I made a special trip to NM to spend a week in Los Alamos, as DH is beyond fascinated by the story of Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. We had a great time, searched out his house, visited the fascinating museum, explored the unique bookstores, drove along the perimeter of the National Laboratories - a huge area, and drove to various pueblos and Bandelier while there. That could be a good overnight for someone interested in the story of the Project. But the tour also looks fine. I also second the suggestion of Israel (where I lived for several years), a tiny country, the size of New Jersey, with an incredibly diverse population, and an excellent sense of preservation of historic sites, ranging from 5,000+ years ago up to the present, and very friendly people who like Americans.
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DH and I are planning a one week trip to Asheville, NC and Pigeon Forge, TN in May. We need to be in PF on Thurs afternoon and Friday for a family event, but are open to ideas for the remainder of the time. Our interests include traditional music, southern folk art, southern food (DH), farm to table restaurants (me), moderate hiking. I’m open to any ideas for places to stay in Asheville, as well as restaurants and places of interest in the area. We’ll be renting a cabin in PF to be near family. Here are our thoughts about itinerary. Sat – Travel to Asheville Sunday – wander around Asheville including flea market (compromise with DH), folk art gallery, possible city hike? Monday – Biltmore Tuesday – Travel to PF, stop at Waynesville and Cherokee along the way. Weds/Thurs – Hiking, Dollywood, Gatlinburg? Thurs afternoon/Friday – Family event Saturday – WDVX Blue Plate Special in Knoxville, Travel home Thanks in advance for all comments and recommendations. Lisa
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Christy_NE
19 years ago
DH and I went to Chicago a couple of summers ago. It was a great time (unfortunately we were only there 3 full days). The German restaurant referenced above of The Berghoff, and it is WONDERFUL!! We went on a Friday night at about 4:30-5:00 pm and got right in w/o a problem.

If you want authentic deep dish Chicago style pizza, I would suggest Pizzario Uno (the original site is great). Pizzaria Duo is the same thing, I think, just their second location right around the corner.

JanMD suggested an architectural boat tour. That was by far the best way to see and understand Chicago, from Lake Michigan. There are several different types of boat tours that emphasize different aspects of the city, such as architecture, history, etc. Definitely worth the time and $$.

We stayed down near the Shedd and Natural History Museum and right across from Grant Park. There was a Jazz and Blues festival going on the whole time we were in town, so we headed down there each night. It was great, and I think that there are festivals almost every weekend in Grant Park all summer long. Ravenia Music Festival is quite a bit north, but also very good.

I'm not much of a shopper, so we didn't go to any of the high end fancy shopping (but we did take pictures of PETA in front of Norstrom's protesting fur coats).

I'm jealous--have fun!!
cjills
19 years ago
I was in Chicago this past Friday and Saturday on business but I did have some pleasure. I bet you've enjoyed a walk down the Magnificent Mile but did you stop at Garrett's for the yummiest caramel popcorn and cheese popcorn? Have you been to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building? The view is super!! Have a great trip!!!

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