[ot] Chicago

[Charles Steinkuehler]

Jason Clinton wrote:
> I'm going on vacation to Chicago next week and am wondering if anyone 
> here has any good or bad experiences with tourist-type things they may 
> have visited in that area or on way. Anyone have any recommendations for 
> things to visit?

My wife and I love doing any of the various AIA (architectural) tours. 
We typically like to stay at the Plamer House Hilton (you can usually 
get good weekend specials), which happens to be just across the street 
from Carson Piere Scott, a fun old-fashoned department store (more than 
worth a visit if you like shopping).

We also try to get to the botanical gardens whenever we make it to 
Chicago...it's in the suburbs, but you can take a train there if you're 
willing to walk about 1/2 a mile from the train stop to the garden 
entrance.  We never rent a car, and always take the train from the 
airport to downtown (faster & cheaper than a cab).  For wandering around 
downtown, just hop on the Ell.

If you don't mind gaining a few pounds, you can visit Uno's (the 
original, quite different from the chain stores that have been poping 
up) and/or Eli's (make sure you get the cheesecake mushed together with 
ice cream!)...and there's the Russian Tea Room for something a bit more 
out of the ordinary.

For touristy stuff, the Sears tower is pretty awesome, and if you're 
there durring business hours, the commodities trading floor is pretty 
amazing to watch.  Then there's the art museum, the aquarium, etc, all 
of which is pretty much worth doing at least once.

Have fun!!!

/me - turns green with envy

-- 
Charles Steinkuehler
charles at steinkuehler.net