Things to do in Chicago (weekday early morning edition)
October 30, 2024 4:05 PM Subscribe
My family is visiting Chicago for the day tomorrow and we just realized a lot of what we want to do won't be open before 10 or 11. I'm sure we could easily find some ways to kill time, but it would be better if we could find something nicer than walking around Target :)
We're planning on getting breakfast in Chinatown when we arrive around 8 AM and then we were planning on the Art Institute, but it doesn't open until 11. It's supposed to rain in the morning. One of my family members wants to do some shopping for a purse and shoes, but it seems like a lot of stores also don't open until 10. So let me know if you know of anything more exciting than Target that does!
I see that Shedd Aquarium opens at 9, so that may be our fallback plan. Feel free to suggest anything really, especially since this is such a last minute request.
We're planning on getting breakfast in Chinatown when we arrive around 8 AM and then we were planning on the Art Institute, but it doesn't open until 11. It's supposed to rain in the morning. One of my family members wants to do some shopping for a purse and shoes, but it seems like a lot of stores also don't open until 10. So let me know if you know of anything more exciting than Target that does!
I see that Shedd Aquarium opens at 9, so that may be our fallback plan. Feel free to suggest anything really, especially since this is such a last minute request.
If you want to see some amazing public art, go see Chagall’s “Four Seasons” mosaic. Then go see Chagall’s American Windows at the Art Institute, my very favorite thing there.
posted by mai at 4:34 PM on October 30, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by mai at 4:34 PM on October 30, 2024 [2 favorites]
I think 10 is earliest for shops and museums. If you need to get out of the rain (it may not be that bad), you could hang out in a hotel lobby like the Palmer House or the Chicago Athletic Association.
The Cultural Center opens at 10. Beautiful old building to explore that always has art exhibits.
If you stay in Chinatown until 10:15, you could take the Water Taxi to the Loop.
posted by Xalf at 7:23 PM on October 30, 2024 [3 favorites]
The Cultural Center opens at 10. Beautiful old building to explore that always has art exhibits.
If you stay in Chinatown until 10:15, you could take the Water Taxi to the Loop.
posted by Xalf at 7:23 PM on October 30, 2024 [3 favorites]
If the rain isn't too bad, there is lots to be seen just walking around the Loop, and there are all sorts of guides available. You can go into almost any building's lobby to dry off, enjoy some cool architecture , and plan your next steps. Many even welcome visitors.
If the rain is bad and you're feeling adventurous, you could explore the underground Pedway system.
Or ride the front cars of the loop trains around the Loop for some elevated sightseeing. The Brown Line and the Purple Line (rush hour only) make the full loop, so you could get on at one station and ride until you exit the Loop at Merchandise Mart, get off and cross over to the other platform to take the same line again going back into the Loop, and continue on to your original station. (Some, but not all stations allow you to switch platforms without paying a new fare. The Green, Pink, and Orange lines will not do the full loop.)
posted by hydrophonic at 9:58 PM on October 30, 2024 [3 favorites]
If the rain is bad and you're feeling adventurous, you could explore the underground Pedway system.
Or ride the front cars of the loop trains around the Loop for some elevated sightseeing. The Brown Line and the Purple Line (rush hour only) make the full loop, so you could get on at one station and ride until you exit the Loop at Merchandise Mart, get off and cross over to the other platform to take the same line again going back into the Loop, and continue on to your original station. (Some, but not all stations allow you to switch platforms without paying a new fare. The Green, Pink, and Orange lines will not do the full loop.)
posted by hydrophonic at 9:58 PM on October 30, 2024 [3 favorites]
Definitely take the water taxi, as Xalf says.
Also, the Chinese American Museum, which is in Chinatown, opens at 9:30. You could go there, then take the water taxi up to the Loop.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:19 AM on October 31, 2024
Also, the Chinese American Museum, which is in Chinatown, opens at 9:30. You could go there, then take the water taxi up to the Loop.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:19 AM on October 31, 2024
(Some, but not all stations allow you to switch platforms without paying a new fare. The Green, Pink, and Orange lines will not do the full loop.)
Minor correction: in normal service, the Orange line does do the full loop (it's sort of like a reverse/mirrored Brown Line -- the Brown Line comes in from the northwest and does the loop counterclockwise, the Orange Line comes in from the southeast and does the loop clockwise. You would get off and change directions at Roosevelt instead of Merchandise Mart.)
posted by andrewesque at 9:51 AM on November 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
Minor correction: in normal service, the Orange line does do the full loop (it's sort of like a reverse/mirrored Brown Line -- the Brown Line comes in from the northwest and does the loop counterclockwise, the Orange Line comes in from the southeast and does the loop clockwise. You would get off and change directions at Roosevelt instead of Merchandise Mart.)
posted by andrewesque at 9:51 AM on November 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by TedW at 4:24 PM on October 30, 2024 [1 favorite]