Windy City Entertainment?
July 7, 2010 7:30 PM Subscribe
My sister is traveling to New Jersey in a week or so. She has this question: Myself and two others traveling by bus later this month and we have an 11 hour layover in Chicago, starting at about 5 in the morning on Tuesday. So I was wondering if there is anything really interesting to do while in Chicago for that time that is very inexpensive (Perhaps less than $5.) or free. (Free is always good. :) )
I've seen the zoo, and I thought that looked like fun, but the park looks very large the zoo not easily accessible by bus, and I think we'd be doing a lot more walking than viewing.
Millennium park looks interesting and that was where I was thinking of going until I saw they currently predict a high of 91º and humid. Not good park weather.
So I'm also looking for indoor ideas in case it really is as bad as they say. Or things not mentioned by google.
I like the contemporary photography museum, because I really like photography. But I know at least once person in my group won't like it that much.
Then, I thought I saw something about a free science museum, but I can't find that, and I know that everyone else would really like that. Not that history is bad either, but science is really good.
Also, we'll be need places for breakfast and lunch that are around the bus stop. (An average prices of the mentioned restaurant would be appreciated. )
The bus stop is at 630 W HARRISON ST Chicago, IL, so food around there.
Thanks all.
I've seen the zoo, and I thought that looked like fun, but the park looks very large the zoo not easily accessible by bus, and I think we'd be doing a lot more walking than viewing.
Millennium park looks interesting and that was where I was thinking of going until I saw they currently predict a high of 91º and humid. Not good park weather.
So I'm also looking for indoor ideas in case it really is as bad as they say. Or things not mentioned by google.
I like the contemporary photography museum, because I really like photography. But I know at least once person in my group won't like it that much.
Then, I thought I saw something about a free science museum, but I can't find that, and I know that everyone else would really like that. Not that history is bad either, but science is really good.
Also, we'll be need places for breakfast and lunch that are around the bus stop. (An average prices of the mentioned restaurant would be appreciated. )
The bus stop is at 630 W HARRISON ST Chicago, IL, so food around there.
Thanks all.
Sadly Thursdays are the Art Institute's free days, but you are in luck 'cause the MUseum of Contemporary Art (MCA) looks to be free. I would double check for the day you'll be in town
Also I'd like to +1 on the Millenium Park suggestion.
Other things you can do is look online for a free self guided tour or podcast and explore the architecture of the city. You can also hit the beach and see the buckingham fountain along the way.
There are a ton of food options available for cheap. Let us know and we can help point you in the right direction. One option is Billy Goat Tavern where you can get a dbl chezborger for about $5 and relive an SNL skit.
posted by cuando at 8:53 PM on July 7, 2010
Also I'd like to +1 on the Millenium Park suggestion.
Other things you can do is look online for a free self guided tour or podcast and explore the architecture of the city. You can also hit the beach and see the buckingham fountain along the way.
There are a ton of food options available for cheap. Let us know and we can help point you in the right direction. One option is Billy Goat Tavern where you can get a dbl chezborger for about $5 and relive an SNL skit.
posted by cuando at 8:53 PM on July 7, 2010
47triple2: "free science museum"
The Museum of Science & Industry is indeed awesome, but sadly it doesn't have any more free days until the very end of August.
posted by IndigoRain at 9:02 PM on July 7, 2010
The Museum of Science & Industry is indeed awesome, but sadly it doesn't have any more free days until the very end of August.
posted by IndigoRain at 9:02 PM on July 7, 2010
Also for a delicious breakfast, check out Yolk, which is about a mile from the bus stop and very close to the museum campus.
posted by alygator at 9:03 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by alygator at 9:03 PM on July 7, 2010
The bus stop is right behind the CBOE and the Chicago Board of Trade. I would see if they have a mini museum or a tour or something like that. Walk to Water Tower mall and stay cool while window shopping.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:03 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:03 PM on July 7, 2010
Who knows what the weather will be like in Chicago "in a week or so." Our motto here is, "If you don't like the weather, wait an hour and it will change."
posted by Joleta at 9:38 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by Joleta at 9:38 PM on July 7, 2010
Millennium Park is probably your best bet. It's not a very big park and there are places to hide if it starts getting too hot. Your 11 hours is going to get severely reduced with waiting around at the airport, sitting on the train to and from the city and a couple of meals. If'n it was me, I'd hit Millennium in the morning, eat lunch, and then reassess and see what's nearby and what you have time for. The Art Institute is a short walk down Michigan from Millennium. A few blocks North from Millennium is also a neat place to walk around.
People love to complain about Chicago's weather. It will be the middle of July. I can pretty much guarantee it will be 91 and muggy. If you are lucky, the winds will be off the lake and it will be much nicer downtown.
posted by gjc at 4:29 AM on July 8, 2010
People love to complain about Chicago's weather. It will be the middle of July. I can pretty much guarantee it will be 91 and muggy. If you are lucky, the winds will be off the lake and it will be much nicer downtown.
posted by gjc at 4:29 AM on July 8, 2010
One thing to take into consideration is whether they will be able to store their luggage whilst traipsing around.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:15 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:15 AM on July 8, 2010
CTA day passes are $5.75, not $8 or $9 as quoted above.
Lincoln Park Zoo is okay, especially given that it's free. I prefer hanging out at the conservatory just north of the zoo, though.
I believe Union Station has lockers where you can leave your suitcases, &c. while you wander -- but I could be wrong about that.
I second the recommendation of the Cultural Center. It's also right at the beginning of the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) which has a ridiculous amount of retail shops if you're into the window-shopping (or tourist-mocking) thing.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:25 AM on July 8, 2010
Lincoln Park Zoo is okay, especially given that it's free. I prefer hanging out at the conservatory just north of the zoo, though.
I believe Union Station has lockers where you can leave your suitcases, &c. while you wander -- but I could be wrong about that.
I second the recommendation of the Cultural Center. It's also right at the beginning of the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) which has a ridiculous amount of retail shops if you're into the window-shopping (or tourist-mocking) thing.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:25 AM on July 8, 2010
We are now able to confirm that Union Station, which is a couple blocks north of the Greyhound station, has lockers for $3/hr or $4/hr, $9 or $12 daily maximum (depending on the size).
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:34 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:34 AM on July 8, 2010
Everyone is right on about the Cultural Center. The Tiffany stained-glass dome is really beautiful, the ongoing art exhibits are often quite good, and everything is free, including wifi. Lincoln Park is great, but it's probably not worth the hike, since there's plenty to do downtown. You should go to Millennium Park, even though it will certainly be hot. (There are the famous spitting fountains! You can take off your shoes and cool your feet off in it!) If you are there at noon, you'll catch the daily open rehearsals for the Grant Park Music Festival. It's oddly easy to miss making your way over to the lake, but you should definitely do so, if only to enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures.
A neat free thing I did when my sister was in town was to wander into the lobby of the Palmer House Hilton, which has been restored to its opulent 1920s glory. (You can also grab an over-priced drink at the lounge, if you so desire, but we just wandered around and ogled.)
A standard Chicago tourist recommendation is to get lunch at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building. Lunch will set you back about $12 - $15 bucks, plus you get an awesome view (especially if you are lucky enough to get a south-facing window seat).
If you don't do that, I personally think the best, cheap lunch in the loop is Oasis Cafe, a Lebanese place in the back of a jewelry store near Adams and Wabash. You'd be hard pressed to spend more than $10 and you will eat very well.
Other cheap loop eats ideas:
If you want to try "Chicago-style" anything, skip the pizza and get a hot-dog instead. You can still find hole-in-the-wall, totally greasy and sketchy burger & hot joints in the loop and any one of them would be fine. Chicago hot dogs with everything rule and they are, like, $3, so why not?
If you end up in River North, you could get an Italian Beef from the Al's Italian Beef on Ontario, near LaSalle. (The Rick Bayless restaurants are near-ish to there too, and are quite reasonably priced, but I'll let other people tell you how long you have to wait for table these days...) If you do this, be sure to ask for it dipped.
El Cafecito! I love this place. You can get a Cuban sandwich and a Cafe Con Leche for about $8. It's not so heavy, has breakfast, and is vegetarian friendly. It is on State Street, a few blocks south of Grant Park, near Columbia College. It's also near the Harold Washington Library, which you can duck into for a few minutes to cool off and maybe check out the Winter Garden on the 9th floor.
posted by thewrongparty at 9:06 AM on July 8, 2010
A neat free thing I did when my sister was in town was to wander into the lobby of the Palmer House Hilton, which has been restored to its opulent 1920s glory. (You can also grab an over-priced drink at the lounge, if you so desire, but we just wandered around and ogled.)
A standard Chicago tourist recommendation is to get lunch at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building. Lunch will set you back about $12 - $15 bucks, plus you get an awesome view (especially if you are lucky enough to get a south-facing window seat).
If you don't do that, I personally think the best, cheap lunch in the loop is Oasis Cafe, a Lebanese place in the back of a jewelry store near Adams and Wabash. You'd be hard pressed to spend more than $10 and you will eat very well.
Other cheap loop eats ideas:
If you want to try "Chicago-style" anything, skip the pizza and get a hot-dog instead. You can still find hole-in-the-wall, totally greasy and sketchy burger & hot joints in the loop and any one of them would be fine. Chicago hot dogs with everything rule and they are, like, $3, so why not?
If you end up in River North, you could get an Italian Beef from the Al's Italian Beef on Ontario, near LaSalle. (The Rick Bayless restaurants are near-ish to there too, and are quite reasonably priced, but I'll let other people tell you how long you have to wait for table these days...) If you do this, be sure to ask for it dipped.
El Cafecito! I love this place. You can get a Cuban sandwich and a Cafe Con Leche for about $8. It's not so heavy, has breakfast, and is vegetarian friendly. It is on State Street, a few blocks south of Grant Park, near Columbia College. It's also near the Harold Washington Library, which you can duck into for a few minutes to cool off and maybe check out the Winter Garden on the 9th floor.
posted by thewrongparty at 9:06 AM on July 8, 2010
Oops, El Cafecito is near State Street, it is on Congress.
posted by thewrongparty at 9:08 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by thewrongparty at 9:08 AM on July 8, 2010
Oooh, if you want Al's Italian Beef, there's a new one that just opened at the corner of Jefferson and Adams -- so, about 3 blocks north of the bus station.
posted by devinemissk at 9:34 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by devinemissk at 9:34 AM on July 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
As for food, you can have breakfast at Lou Mitchell's -- it's just a few blocks from the bus station and is a great, well-known breakfast spot. If you're there on a weekend expect a long line; during the week, there will probably still be a line, just not as long. You can get a solid breakfast for about $10 there.
For lunch, you can walk a block or two west, over the expressway, and north a couple of blocks to Greektown (if you like Greek food). If you don't like Greek food (I don't), there's a ton of good food in the Loop, including near the Cultural Center and Millennium Park. A lot will depend on how much you want to spend. I like to recommend Epic Burger -- though a combo meal will put you back about $12, it's a great burger. It's basically a mile due east of the bus stop.
Another option for lunch that's much closer to the bus station is Korean Seoulfood, on Van Buren just east of Jefferson (just a block or so north and one block east of the bus station). I think most of their meals run $11-$15, but you can share or do family style.
(Just a note -- it's really hard to get a solid meal in or near the Loop for less than about $8, and the cheaper meals will be at chain places. You can, of course, always get a $5 footlong at Subway -- they're all over the Loop -- but be more adventurous!)
Really, though, you have 11 hours and you're laid over at the bus station, not the airport, so you can really travel a pretty far afield. If you walk a few blocks to Union Station, you can buy a CTA day pass so you can take the el and buses all day for a single price (I think it's $8 or $9 now). You can easily get to Lincoln Park to the zoo on the 151 bus, which stops at Union Station, if that's something you want to try (and, of course, the zoo is free).
posted by devinemissk at 8:05 PM on July 7, 2010