Tourist Season Approaches

So.  I have this friend Teri, right?  From college?  And she'll be here in about 10 days.  She's coming for a bunch of work seminars, plus some extra hang-around time with me and the Rev.  Hooray!

I plan to schlep her around Chicago, but my snow-addled brain is all out of practice on the taking-tourists-around-town thing.  Also, she's been here before.  So all the traditional spots (Hancock, Chinatown, Mag. Mile) are out or have been done.  I need some help.

Chicagoans, I appeal to you:  List five favorite very Chicago but not overdone spots, where you would take someone who is quite a bit like me.

Thanks!

Comments

[AmyWOMAN]

The Art Institute. The Museum of Contemporary Art, unless either or both of you hate contemporary art. An architectural tour on the river. Any of the museums like the Shedd, the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry. Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Any of the various poetry slams around here. Theatre. Second City, or any other of the comic improv theaters around here. The Heartland Cafe on a night with a good band, or maybe the Double Door or the Empty Bottle. I doubt you like dance clubs so I won't suggest those. Wrong time of the year, but Around the Coyote in Wicker Park. Blue Man Group. The skyline on the beach at night - Montrose is a good one for this. Thousands of great restaurants. Check out the Chicago 101 section of the Reader's website at www.chireader.com also.

So that was way more than five, but choices are good, yes? It was also just a start, but I hope some things on that list help.

[Heather]

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. I can't think of many other things that aren't weather dependent, but if it's nice out go see some public art (like in Oz Park, that's my favorite) or hang about in the Lakeshore Park and eat food from carts and watch soccer games (around Wilson Ave.) Shop for cheap saris and really good pastries along Devon. If you can shell out some cash, they have Segway tours downtown. That seems like a fun way to see the city even if you've seen it before. :)

[eighmie]

margie's candies western & armitage, nothing like a giant sea shell filled with ice cream and a side dish of xtra hot fudge, frank lloyd wright house in oak park, chicago cultural center, they have nice exhibits there, stained glass museum @ navy pier, ferris wheel there too, embrace your fear of heights and get a great view of city,

[Myke]

I'm probably too late to get my vote in, but Rachel and I took a walking architecture tour downtown last fall and thought it was fantastic. It was the "Historic Skyscrapers" I think. Not too many cities have such a wide variety of architecture in a small space.

[Myke]

I'm probably too late to get my vote in, but Rachel and I took a walking architecture tour downtown last fall and thought it was fantastic. It was the "Historic Skyscrapers" I think. Not too many cities have such a wide variety of architecture in a small space.

[Phillip]

Billy Goats underneath Michigan is always a fun one, if a bit touristy. I lived in Chicago for five years and would go there once or thrice a month.