Things to do in Chicago

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Joe,
Are you planning on flying out of Chicago or is this a driving vacation? Do you want cheaper hotels or do you want to stay downtown? The Museum of Science and Industry is on the south side but easily reachable by car from anywhere. Plan on a whole day and include the Coal Mine, and Omnimax movies. I think there is good price break if you buy all on one ticket.
White Sox park is right next to the expressway across from IIT campus. Not as far south as the Museum. The Field Musuem is also a good one day but is on what we call "Museum Campus" in that the Aqaurium and Planetarium are within walking distance and can give you a great view of the skyline. The Skydeck at Sears is currently under renovation but might be finished by that time. It is good when the weather is clear but is pricey. Gino's, Lou Malnotti's and several other places have good deep dish pizza and have outlets all over the place.

Make up a list of things you want to see or would be interested in. Then find me at IRI and we can talk it over. You can cut the museums down to half a day and miss some stuff if you need to. The Omnimax and coal mine could easily take a few hours out of the day but don't miss the U505 submarine exhibit. It is newly renovated and well worth the hour you will spend there. At the Field Museum if you don't walk through the "dead zoo" you can spend more time in the Egyptian Exhibits and dinosaurs.