48 hours in Chicago – Weekend Edition
Chicago In Less Than 48 Words
The Windy City, as Chicago is often called, is one of the great metropolises in the world. Like New York, the city overflows with energy, with a vibrant artistic life and street life happening under the shade of awesome skyscrapers and near the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Chicago skyline from 96th floor of John Hancock (Photo by Eric Ward)
First 24 Hours
You can reach Chicago via the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located 27 kilometers northwest of the Chicago Loop (historical center of downtown Chicago). From there, you can take the “El” (elevated railway of CTA network), which can take you to major stations all over the city. Tickets will cost you around $1.75. You can buy an unlimited travel pass there for $9, which will last for 48 hours. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi, although this will cost you upwards of $40.
Chicago is a large and bustling metropolis, but it is surprisingly easy to navigate. This is especially true at its downtown section, where streets usually run north to south. However, it is still advisable to visit the main tourist office (163 East Pearson, 001 877 244 2246, website), particularly for first timers. It is open daily from 7:30 am to 7 pm.
CHECK IN: Get relaxed at the splendid hotels of Chicago
The Talbott Hotel (Photo from Google images)
Once in Chicago you can arrange accommodation at one of the excellent hotels around. One of the best in the city is the The Talbott Hotel (20 East Delaware Place, Chicago, IL 60611, (312) 944-4970, website). It guarantees a memorable stay, with its friendly and attentive staff, spacious and well decorated rooms.
A nice alternative is the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago (401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, 877-458-7867, website), which has a scenic location, fine amenities and a very warm and welcoming staff. You can also try out the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower (20 East Chestnut St – Downtown, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-324-4000, website). It has a fantastic location, top notch staff, and large rooms with excellent facilities.
WILLIS TOWER: Let’s take a view
Navy Pier (Photo by willowbrookhotels)
Perhaps one of the most popular landmarks in Chicago is the Willis Tower (233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606). You may know it better as the Sears Tower, a skyscraper that was once the tallest in the world with a height of 1,451 feet. Its “Skydeck” (001 312 875 9696, website) provides fantastic views of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana from its 103rd floor, with its boxes that extend from the sky deck’s side with views that reach 1,353 ft downwards. This part of the tower is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, and admission will cost you around $9.95.
NAVY PIER: Amuse yourself
One of the most known attractions in Chicago is the Navy Pier (600 East Grand Avenue, Near North 60611, (312) 595-PIER, website). It was built in 1914 that stretches 800 meters to Lake Michigan, and whose primary purpose is to serve as a cargo facility for lake freighters. Its outermost tip, though, is a place for public gatherings and entertainment.
The highlight there is riding its 15-story Ferris wheel, where you’ll have sweeping views of the surrounding areas. It also has an IMAX Theater, a stained-glass museum, and a Shakespeare Theater, as well as parks, gardens, shops, eateries, and promenades. The site is open from 10 am to 8 pm during Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 10 pm during Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 7 pm on Sundays.
QUICK LUNCH: Try the original Chicago deep-dish pizza
Try to make a quick stopover at the Uno Chicago Grill (29 East Ohio Street, 001 312 321 1000, website). Formerly known as the Pizzeria Uno, it is said to have been the birthplace of the Chicago deep-dish pizza. It now has a broad menu including grilled dishes, but still the main thing to order there is its gigantic pizza.
FIELD MUSEUM: Learn more about natural history
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Field Museum of Natural History (1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, 312.922.9410, website). It is a popular museum with a collection of over 21 million specimens, featured in various exhibits such as Nature Walk, Mammals of Asia, and Mammals of Africa. Perhaps its most impressive display is “Sue”, which is the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world. Another is the Tsavo Maneaters, a pair of notorious man-eating and mane-less lions who had killed over 35 Kenyans. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around $28.
Field Museum of National History (Photo by Joe H)
OAK PARK: Unwind, rewind
Then you can relax at the Oak Park (1010 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301, (708) 524-7800, website). It is a suburb spanning 4.7 square miles in area, and is a popular tourist destination because of its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings. Other attractions to see there are the boyhood home of Ernest Hemingway, the Ernest Hemingway Museum, and the home of Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan). Take a leisurely stroll down the picture-perfect suburb, take in the sights, and meet the people.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover the city’s other attractions on the second day. The first thing can be the Art Institute of Chicago (55 North Michigan Avenue, Loop/Downtown 60602, (312) 443-3600, website). It houses one of the world’s most diverse art collections (second largest in the country), ranging from Impressionist paintings to Post-impressionist art, including American art, Old Masters, Asian Art, European decorative art, and contemporary art.
Art Institute of Chicago (Photo by Wally Gobetz)
Some of the most notable works there are of Pollock, Warhol, Matisse, and Picasso. It is open from 10:30 am to 5 pm during Mondays to Wednesdays and on Fridays, from 10:30 am to 8 pm on Thursdays, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays. Admission will cost you around $18.
OLD ST. PATRICK’S: Let’s go to church
Another attraction in Chicago is the old St. Patrick’s Church (700 West Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312 6481021, website). It is a Roman Catholic parish often called the “cornerstone of Irish culture in Chicago.” The church is part of the US National Register of Historic Places, and is known for its Celtic revival designs and the two octagonal spires that symbolize the Western and Eastern Churches. The site also hosts one of the largest block parties in the world every year.
MILLENIUM PARK: A walk in the park
You must also visit the Millennium Park (55 North Michigan Avenue, Loop/Downtown 60602). It is the second most popular tourist attraction in Chicago, and covers an area of roughly 24.5 acres. It is also known as a center for music, architecture, art, and landscape design. You can see there the Lurie Gardens, McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, Harris Theater, Exelon Pavilions, McDonald’s Cycle Center and Frank Gehry’s innovative concert venue, among others. The most unique sight there is the Crown Fountain, a pair of 50-foot towers made out of glass block bricks, with high-tech LED video screens inside. When lighted, it will show the faces of nearly a thousand Chicagoans.
The Bean at Millennium Park (Photo by Ed Yourdon)
DINNER TIME: Discover Chicago’s restaurants
Dinner can be had at one of at the superb restaurants of the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the Hickory River Smokehouse (5101 W. Holiday Dr., Peoria, IL 61615, 309-683-1227, website), which offers delicious barbeque dishes and attentive service, at reasonable prices.
Fritz and Frites (Photo by Richie Diesterheft)
If you’ve got lots of money, you should head to Alinea Restaurant LLC (1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614-5501, (312) 867-0110, website). It is high-priced but has excellent wine selections and creatively-prepared and served dishes that explode with taste. Have a taste of France in Chicago at Fritz and Frites (317 N. Main St, Galena, IL 61036, 815-777-2004, website). It offers a fantastic Parisian atmosphere and serves outstanding French dishes.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Chicago’s vibrant nightlife scene
At last you can get a taste of the throbbing nightlife of the city offered by its bars and clubs. One of the most popular is Vision (632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-266-1944, website). It hosts performances from international DJs such as Armin van Buuren and Markus Schulz, with music ranging from house and hip hop to techno. A nice alternative is Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Chicago (622 N Fairbanks Ct, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-642-0700, website), which offers entertainment facilities such as video games, trivia games, and dartboards, with drink menu choices ranging from microbrews to domestic beer.
You can also try out Andy’s Jazz Club (11 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-642-6805, website). It is considered to be the ultimate jazz club in Chi-town, hosting live acts from noon to night, plus a complete menu.
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