<p>Hey all...I'm visiting NU next week and will be in Chicago for a few days. I've never been to the city before, but I have only ever heard good things. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few things to do during free time? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I’m assuming you want more tourist-type activities?</p>
<p>Visit:
Michigan Ave
Millennium Park
Grant Park
the Sears Tower
Wrigley Field
the lakefront (particularly Oak St or North Ave beach)
the museums: Field Museum (has a kickass pirates exhibition going on right now), Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, the Art Institute
a water taxi on the Chicago river</p>
<p>Don’t forget Lincoln Park Zoo. You can also catch a Broadway show in Chicago. The city has a significant theater district. There are many malls (Water Tower Place and Old Orchard Mall near Evanston).</p>
<p>Add in:</p>
<p>Second City
Deep Dish pizza (Unos or Giordannos)</p>
<p>I’m going to second Second City… har har har… :/</p>
<p>I’ve visited most of the attractions in Chicago and the Sears Tower skydeck with the new observation boxes tops my list.</p>
<p>They also now give Segway tours of Chicago…I think that’s hilariously awesome.</p>
<p>Navy Pier might be something to check out, but it’s really not all that great unless there’s a special event of some sort while you’re there. </p>
<p>Broadway in Chicago shows are fun…but so are shows at regional theaters like Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Goodman, Timeline, etc. I’m not sure what’s running at those places, but you could check them out on their sites. </p>
<p>If you get a chance to catch a Cubs game, do it. Nothing in Chicago beats going to a game at Wrigley. Even the cheaper bleacher seats rock. You’ll have a blast.</p>
<p>Also, if you DO have deep dish, I strongly suggest Lou Malnati’s. House salad with vinaigrette to start, deep dish half pepperoni, half cheese (or whatever else your heart desires) for the main course, chocolate chip cookie pizza for dessert. Delish.</p>
<p>My son and I visited in June and did an Architectural Boat tour - that was a great way to see Chicago and learn some of the history as well as architecture. I’d love to rent bikes and ride along Lake Michigan (which I guess you can ride 12 miles from NWU to downtown Chicago along the Lake). We also saw “the Bean” and went to the Amphitheater and Grant Park. Do go to Wrigley if you can get tickets (stubhub.com) if you are a baseball fan. And the pizza and hot dogs are definitely a must while in Chicago.</p>