<p>Hey all, I will be visiting Northwestern for the Wildcat Day next Monday the 12th. Due to the flights being cheaper, I'm flying in with my dad really early Sunday morning (will land in Chicago around 8:30). Since we have all day on Sunday free, I was wondering if anyone on CC has any suggestions for some fun things to do in the city? I've never been. Thanks!</p>
<p>Ohh! You always have the option of some some great tourist sights. Sears/Willis Tower is a good one, and just walking around can take up a day on its own! Get one of those little tourist pamphlets or look up online some of the best sights.</p>
<p>If you want to spend a lot of time in one place, the aquarium (I’ve never been, but I’m dying to go) is supposed to be AWESOME. There’s also the Field Museum, which can be equally interesting!</p>
<p>Plus, get some deep dish pizza. You just have to.</p>
<p>Check out Navy Pier. Prices for rides/food/etc are a little high there, but I’m pretty sure there is not one person who lives in/near Chicago who hasn’t been there. Or you could just walk around there and enjoy the lake =)</p>
<p>Visit the Bean! I’ve (somehow) never been there (even though I definitely need and want to), but everyone I know in the Chicago-area has!</p>
<p>There’s the Science Museum, Field Museum, Aquarium</p>
<p>The BEACH</p>
<p>Sears/Willis Tower</p>
<p>I would highly recommend the Art Institute of Chicago, which has some amazing pieces. Also, you should check out Millennium Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Mag Mile, and the Shedd Aquarium if you’re willing to spend the money.</p>
<p>Hancock tower - great views not as crowded as sears.
The water tour tells you a lot about chicago and its architecture.
Museum of science and industry</p>
<p>Oh man if you go to the Hancock tower, walk over and eat lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. It’s so yumyum. Also, I would definitely second Navy Pier if its a nice day. There’s a lot of stuff there to do I guess. There are rides, exhibits, an IMAX, a theatre, food, and of course boats.</p>
<p>Museum of Science and Industry too.</p>
<p>ART INSTITUTE— best art. GO THERE OR PERISH IN THE CULTURAL WORLD! </p>
<p>And really just look around at the architecture of the buildings-- it’s beautiful and you will simply fall in love.</p>
<p>Have a pleasant trip!</p>
<p>The problem with spending a big chunk of time in museums is that you’d have less time to see the city itself. I would just walk around downtown and one or two local neighborhoods like Lincoln Park/Lakeview. This will give you a better picture of the city in such a short timeframe.</p>
<p>Slpxx, we plan on doing a little shopping while there on Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile. If you’re a shopper (or even a browser) set aside a little time; it’s pretty cool.</p>
<p>If you’re into baseball and feel comfortable navigating chicago public transportation there is a White Sox game that day – probably can find some scalpers. </p>
<p>If you really want to see “the city” as in the downtown part and like architecture, you could take a boat tour–I recommend Chicago’s First Lady (buy tickets and board at E. Wacker and Michigan). Personally, I’d opt for Lincoln Park Zoo since the weather will be sick. Just hang out there, maybe sit by the lake and just take in the view.</p>
<p>Depending upon where you are staying… Navy Pier, ride the ferris wheel, tremendous views of the city… take a river/architecture tour… they take off from the pier area… Shop.
Lincoln Park Zoo… go the park and see the Bean!!!. There is so much to do and not enough time. Take train to Evanston… walk… hopefully you will have one of those beautiful Chicago days. above all… go with the flow…</p>
<p>Haha, that depends on what interests you about a city…</p>
<p>When I go to a new city I like to pick up a Lonely Planet guide and see some of the more offbeat destinations. But, I like just walking around, exploring, and seeing things. A lot of destinations in Lonely Planet are more exciting for the time it takes finding them, then the actual end point haha.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be into museums, aquariums, zoo etc. because every major city has them 
But if you don’t live near a major city then those kinds of things are worth it I suppose. I will say the Art Institute was pretty cool, though.</p>