<p>Hey e1,
I am an EA app.. and I will be flying alone to Chicago from NJ the 29th for 4 days to visit the university and "hang out." Eventhough my cousin lives about 10 miles from the college.. i just want to hang out alone and explore for myself..</p>
<p>Please tell me the things I must do while I'm there.. for I do not know much about the city?! Any suggestions will be great.. I just dont wanna bore myself on the trip!</p>
<p>THank you!</p>
<p>Go to the Loop. Walk around. Absorb the architecture. It's some of the most interesting architecture in the world.</p>
<p>Take a tour by bus, boat (on the river), or both. I've seen tour buses leaving from Wacker Drive, which is on the south side of the river.</p>
<p>Go to the Art Institute. It has stunning collection of impressionist painters. Go to the Field Museum of Natural History. I'd skip the Sears Tower observation deck. It's expensive and not worth it, but just to the east of the Sears Tower is a Giordano's Pizza. Get a small, stuffed pizza there. Take a harbor tour if they're doing them this time of year.</p>
<p>Go to the opera house (on the west side of Wacker around Madison or so, where Wacker curves south). Find the deli on (I think) the 3rd floor or so. Eat a sandwich, and watch the artists there make a show out of making your sandwich. You can also get a tour of the Merc, which is right across Madison from the Opera House.</p>
<p>Go north of the river on Michigan to find the shopping there and see the water tower. Go to the Navy Pier. See the Rock 'n Roll McDonalds west of Michigan. See Rush Street and the jazz/blues bars.</p>
<p>Go to the Museum of Science and Industry near the U of Chicago.</p>
<p>Take in a show or two at Second City, Steppenwolf, the Goodman, or a touring show from New York.</p>
<p>Eat as many Chicago dogs as you can find (Vienna beef only, please).</p>
<p>Enjoy.</p>
<p>I'd HIGHLY recommend seeing a show at Second City. I've been to two of them and they were both absolutely hilarious. This is where so many comedians have gotten their start, and chances are some of the people you see in a Second City show will be on SNL in a few years or something. When I went Jim Belushi stopped by after the show and they did this late night improv show that was awesome. Go.</p>
<p>OH WOW! </p>
<p>Thank you very very much for the very interesting comment Tarhunt and esentman.. some of the things you've mentioned i did notk now about, and I just researched them and they sound wonderful! Especially the Art museum and Museum of Natural history!</p>
<p>I will most definately see a show at Second City (I LOOVE COMEDY!).. maybe I can get a date! haha</p>
<p>Well.. I am very excited to go to chicago! since I'm going alone, I have all the freedom I need </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>my cousin actually recommended sears tower... since he lives blocks away! and I will eat as many chicago dogs as possible haha</p>
<p>thanks agian guys,, very very helpful</p>
<p>Definitely stop in at Giordano's! It's fabulous!</p>
<p>Visit the Seminary Co-op.</p>
<p>If you want the kind of hip but unselfconscious neighborhood with cafes and odd shops, Belmont (around 2800-3400 N Broadway) is nifty.</p>
<p>Are you doing an overnight on campus? It deserves four days - Oriental Institute, SMART Museum, Renaissance Society, getting lost in the reg...</p>
<p>ty!</p>
<p>no, i'm not diong an overnight at the campus.. as much as i wouldve loved to.. as i understand, i had to contact them couple of weeks prior to my trip, which i was unable to do..
oh well, too late
but i will spend a great deal of time at the campus</p>
<p>Physics,
Call them and check...can't hurt! Do you know anyone there you could get crash space with? DS called a friend who's there and got floor space, but the overnight wasn't official. He did have his interview and arranged for appts with folks while he was there, though.</p>
<p>wow.. I will try to call them right now.. and i do not know anyone i can crash space with.. :( , either way it is fine..</p>
<p>I have recetnly been warned about the crime in chicago and in areas around U of chicago! I dont think it is as bad as everyone makkes of it.. and I do live in a rough city in New jersey
Any comments?</p>
<p>Just use common sense. Don't walk alone at night. Don't walk around oblivious to your surroundings (iPod, cell phone, drunk, etc.). Don't wonder too far off campus (past 61st street or west of Cottage Grove). Listen to your instincts.</p>
<p>i visited about a month ago. as much as i would have loved to, i was unable to visit millenium park. based on the pictures and research i've done on it though, it looks like it would be really fun to explore. plus, there's the bean!</p>
<p>I forgot the Oriental Institute. How could I? It's on the U Chicago campus and it has one of the most impressive collections from the ancient Near East anywhere in the world. I'm not kidding. There's a section of the wall from outside the Ishtar gate of Babylon!</p>
<p>Definitely see that.</p>
<p>Give yourself time at the Art Institute--it's worth it.</p>
<p>two words: Greek Town</p>
<p>best restaurants in town.</p>