<p>It looks like my daughter and I will be able to visit the University of Chicago next Thursday (June 1). We are planning to fly into Midway and take a taxi to the school. In the morning, we will do the information session and campus tour and will have the rest of the day to look around. Any suggestions on things she should see or do? The best place to have lunch on campus? In the afternoon, she would like to see some of the city - is it possible to take the subway from campus into downtown for an hour or two? What's the easiest way to do a short trip into the city. I have never been to Chicago, so I do not know my way around at all. If she still loves the University, she will return in the fall for an overnight visit and interview. Thanks very much for any help.</p>
<p>Best place to visit?</p>
<p>Without doubt, the Oriental Institute. </p>
<p>To go downtown by subway would take a bit more than an hour round trip unless you got lucky. You'd need to catch a bus, the 55, to one of two stops. That can be a 10 minute wait for the bus, and a 10 minute ride, so there's twenty minutes right there. And, a bit of street smarts is not a bad idea, as the neighboorhood where you get the subway is, ah, transitional...</p>
<p>Better and faster alternative would be to:</p>
<p>Walk down 57th street to the Med for lunch - or noodles etc, a few doors down. Theyre both about 3 blocks from campus.</p>
<p>From there, continue a few more blocks to the metra station. Challenge is to decode the schedule. Here's the web site:
<a href="http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me.shtml</a></p>
<p>The METRA is much faster than the subway but does not run as often. You would get on at 57th.</p>
<p>From the Millenium METRA station, Millenium park is a few blocks south and worth a visit for a few hours. Or, walk north for some shopping on Michigan avenue...</p>
<p>But, if time is an issue, a cab would be better, but you need to call for one in Hyde park most of the time (except over by the hospitals - only a 5 minute walk.</p>
<p>Honestly, though, you might be better off spending the day in Hyde Park. Do lunch in the student cafeteria, Bartlett. Then go to Robie house (Frank Lloyd Wright) and the Oriental Inst. Then go into the Seminary Bookstore, right across the street from the O. Inst. (ask the OI attendant to point it out) Then do dinner at the Med or Noodles on 57th.</p>
<p>I concur with newmassdad, the Oriental Institute (58th and University) is a must see, as is the Seminary Bookstore. I would also visit the Henry Moore statue commemorating the first controlled nuclear reaction on Ellis near the Max P dorm. You may want to stop by the BJ Dining Hall, I think your daughter will get a kick out of it. If art is of interest the Smart Museum on campus is fun as well. Walking around and through the campus and medical center beyond where the tours typically go, especially if it is a nice day, is a good way to get a feel for how large the campus actually is. If the students appear to be a little preoccupied it is because finals begin the next week, and there is a lot of packing going on. Thursday & Friday are the end of quarter reading days as well, no classes are in session.</p>
<p>newmassdad gave perfect advice...</p>
<p>Thank you so much newmassdad, idad, and Blaze991! I'm going to try to get d to agree to stay in the Hyde Park area for the day - sounds like there is plenty to keep her busy. For some reason she wants to see downtown, which I think would be best left for another visit. I did notice we would be on campus during Reading Days but we didn't have much choice on the date due to d's schedule. We're trying to fit this visit in before she leaves for her summer programs. </p>
<p>Thanks again for the detailed advice. I'll be printing this out to take with us.</p>
<p>Hey, I might sound uninformed for asking this, but what exactly are "reading days?"</p>
<p>Is it another way of saying don't go to class- just study for your final?</p>
<p>-I am so out of the know nowadays-</p>
<p>robertsont06 -
yes, reading days are for reading (or playing Advance Civilization, LOL).</p>
<p>Mum07 -
here is a link to the calendar of various events and stuff:</p>
<p>There is tons to do in downtown Chicago too. That's what usually ends up selling the city to outsiders. If you have time check out the Sears Tower skydeck, Millenium Park, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Michigan Ave...</p>
<p>my favorite restaurant in hyde park is the nile, its small and cheap but the food is amazing!!! (also oriental, or arabic food, goes well with the oriental institute)</p>
<p>The Med and Noodles, Etc. are both excellent. The Med has great pizza and shakes, and my favorite dishes from Noodles are pad thai and yellow curry chicken.</p>
<p>You could also check out the Museum of Science and Industry. You can't miss it if you enter Hyde Park via Lake Shore Drive; it's the huge building with the sprawling yard.</p>
<p>The Seminary Co-op Bookstore is right across from the Oriental Institute and across from the main quads (and right next to a frat house, which I am sure you can't miss). It is the last building on the block, at the corner of 56th and University Ave. A must-see.</p>
<p>robertson-
Reading period is a specific time donated to studying for finals. During this period, there are no classes, and everyone heads for one of the many libraries and crams.</p>
<p>In case you haven't seen this yet, these maps can be helpful: <a href="http://maps.uchicago.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://maps.uchicago.edu/</a></p>
<p>sounds stressful (lol)</p>
<p>Since you are going during reading days, the atmosphere on campus will be more intense than usual. You'll probably want to take this into consideration as your D analyzes her visit.</p>
<p>I will be visiting this Saturday, and I was wondering if there was some stuff that they wouldn't normally show on a tour that I should check out</p>
<p>Thanks for the additional information, maps, and calendar. It's going to be a tiring day but we are looking forward to it!</p>