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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 12, 2016 23:51:21 GMT
Son number three graduates his A-School at Naval Station Great Lakes on Friday. My mama and I are headed up there to see the ceremony and then he gets the weekend off with us. He just turned 21 less than two weeks ago so we have a hotel inside the loop in downtown Chicago to have a fun weekend with him. We've been there a few times having had two sons in the Navy go through boot camp and school there, but this is our first stay focusing just on the downtown area. We've done Navy Pier and a boat tour. What should we do this time? We plan to take him to the Signature Room for dinner and official birthday drinks. But what else? There's so much to choose from. Despite my research, I'm having a hard time narrowing down the must-dos. Anyone have suggestions or advice for us? I'd love to hear what others thought was definitely worth seeing as well as what you might think is over-rated and could be skipped. Thanks for your help! ---------------- UPDATE: We had a great time! Mama and I spent an afternoon at the Botanic Garden when we arrived.  My son was an honor graduate from his ET program.  Skydeck was a blast! On the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.  We ate at Lou Malnati's for deep dish, Eataly, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, and Cite on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower. We had drinks at sunset in the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. We visited The Bean. We took an architectural river tour. We strolled the Magnificent Mile. Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions. There's so much to do there it's impossible to include it all, but we thoroughly enjoyed everything we did. It was lovely just to get to spend so much time with this son who has been up there for almost a year between boot camp and school. He heads to Newport News, VA for his next posting. Much closer to home! |
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Post by dewryce on Apr 13, 2016 0:04:55 GMT
Congratulations!
We were there for a marathon years ago and didn't have much money to burn so I don't have any specific recommendations except that The Blackhawks are in the playoffs so if you can get tickets your son might like that. Enjoy your trip!
eta: Oh yeah, the Planetarium and Natural History museums might be something you all would enjoy. Or is it the Aquarium? We always visit those on our vacations and I'm trying to remember what we did there!
era again: And I love architecture so I would want to take a guided tour. We couldn't work that into our schedule but I have heard good things about them in Chicago!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 0:09:15 GMT
He went on his birthday weekend and watched the Chicago Bulls play the Detroit Pistons. He's a huge basketball fan.
But good idea!
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Post by dewryce on Apr 13, 2016 0:12:03 GMT
Us too but the Spurs weren't in town so we watched the Blackhawks and Redwings. The Chicago/Detroit sports rivalry made for a fantastic game and atmosphere, I bet he had a blast!
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zztop11
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,537 
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Post by zztop11 on Apr 13, 2016 0:15:16 GMT
Check out chicago.metromix.com for lots of ideas and info.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 13, 2016 0:25:08 GMT
I'm not sure these fall into the area you want to explore, but I highly recommend seeing a Second City show and getting Rail tickets if you can. We have taken a couple of food walking tours that are also really good and take care of lunch for that day. I can recommend both the Gold Coast & Old Town tour and the Bucktown & Wicker Park tours with Chicago Food Planet. A don't miss, beautiful building to explore is the Chicago Cultural Center and it always has free art exhibits. The best meal we had was at North Park (in Lincoln Park). Congratulations to your son! |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 0:28:11 GMT
I have looked at the metromix site, but nice to hear it recommended.
The food tour idea sounds great! We had considered Eataly, but maybe a food tour would be better.
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johnnysmom
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 13, 2016 0:28:51 GMT
Also check out living social and groupon. They both had lots of Chicago things to do listed.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 0:32:36 GMT
living social and groupon I had not even thought of those - good idea. |
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Post by danor98 on Apr 13, 2016 0:36:43 GMT
Rosebud RestaurantsOne of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. We went for our 1st anniversary (we still lived there then). I can still remember the food and atmosphere... 
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 0:39:17 GMT
There's a Rosebud location near our hotel. May have to check that out! The website is enticing.
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gsquaredmom
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Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Apr 13, 2016 0:42:36 GMT
You are coming for some of the nicest weather yet! It's supposed to be sunny and low 70s, although a little cooler by the lake. Do some outside things- the Bean and Millenium Park, walk out to the lake and check out the beach and look at the skyline. Will you have a car? The Indiana Dunes really are not far.
Which boat ride did you take? If you did the lake, do the river and vice versa. Go up into the Hancock or Sears/Willis.
There may be something like Blue Man Group or another show.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 0:48:30 GMT
You are coming for some of the nicest weather yet! It's supposed to be sunny and low 70s, although a little cooler by the lake. That sounds fabulous to this warm-blooded southerner. Lol. We will have a car so can get to most anything. The Bean is definitely on the list as is the Hancock Bldg. I did not realize about the river tours. We did the basic lake tour before. I'll have to look into that. Thanks. |
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moodyblue
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Apr 13, 2016 1:29:54 GMT
The Chicago Architecture Foundation river tour is great if you like that type of thing. We did a twilight tour and loved it and I would go again. It's really cool to see the city from the river.
Eataly is neat, although we were a little overwhelmed with all the choices. It was VERY busy around lunchtime.
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Post by ahiller on Apr 13, 2016 2:20:05 GMT
Another vote for Eataly. We loved it.
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Post by lumo on Apr 13, 2016 3:06:22 GMT
If you're adventurous eaters, The Purple Pig is amazing. Highly recommend. They dint take reservations, though, so get there early and prepare for a wait.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,710
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Post by anniebeth24 on Apr 13, 2016 11:42:43 GMT
If you haven't seen it, Blue Man Group is fun. The theater there is small and intimate. Can get 1/2 price tickets for same-day shows - I think the bargain ticket booth is at the Water Tower but I don't remember for sure.
Lou Malnati's or Geno's for pizza - deep dish!!!
Congrats to your son and to you!
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scrappinghappy
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“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
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Post by scrappinghappy on Apr 13, 2016 12:11:13 GMT
If the weather really is nice take a Segway tour along the lakefront
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Post by librarylady on Apr 13, 2016 12:25:26 GMT
Congratulations to your son. When our son graduated, someone in his group made the officer in charge angry about ?? Therefore everyone in his group (company? squadron? I forget the proper term) was not allowed to leave the base. So, our day of celebration was spent on a park bench on base.  We did get a lot of conversation in. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 12:34:14 GMT
If the weather really is nice take a Segway tour along the lakefront Well, that may not work for my 90-year-old mama, but I'm sure my son would love it. Lol. When our son graduated, someone in his group made the officer in charge angry about ?? Therefore everyone in his group (company? squadron? I forget the proper term) was not allowed to leave the base. So, our day of celebration was spent on a park bench on base. Yikes. I'm sorry that happened. Hopefully, ours will go smoothly. |
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raindancer
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Post by raindancer on Apr 13, 2016 12:56:09 GMT
The architecture tour is fantastic, but I would also recommend any of the museums or the aquarium. Check out Willis (Sears) Tower. If the weather is nice, the beach is nice. Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley? (We are Cubs fans, but this is by far the most fun we have ever had at a professional sporting event).
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 13, 2016 15:04:24 GMT
Rosebud RestaurantsOne of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. We went for our 1st anniversary (we still lived there then). I can still remember the food and atmosphere... I'll second the Rosebud in little Italy...fabulous! |
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 13, 2016 15:04:59 GMT
If you haven't seen it, Blue Man Group is fun. The theater there is small and intimate. Can get 1/2 price tickets for same-day shows - I think the bargain ticket booth is at the Water Tower but I don't remember for sure. Lou Malnati's or Geno's for pizza - deep dish!!! Congrats to your son and to you! Lou Malnati's for sure! |
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 13, 2016 15:07:16 GMT
The conservatory at Garfield Park is amazing. The fern room is my favorite. It might not be a young man's cup of tea, but you and your mom would probably enjoy it.
My favorite breakfast spot is a little out of downtown - Sweet Maple Café. The home fries are worth a trip to Chicago. It's all fresh, home style cooking.
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Post by Chips on Apr 13, 2016 15:43:13 GMT
If you're a foodie search restaurant locations at Check_Please. This is a local TV show that I love to watch where three people try three restaurants that were selected by each of them. Almost all of them of local neighborhood places that are delicious gems! |
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Post by missmiss on Apr 13, 2016 15:49:09 GMT
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Apr 13, 2016 15:53:20 GMT
You are coming for some of the nicest weather yet! It's supposed to be sunny and low 70s, although a little cooler by the lake. That sounds fabulous to this warm-blooded southerner. Lol. We will have a car so can get to most anything. The Bean is definitely on the list as is the Hancock Bldg. I did not realize about the river tours. We did the basic lake tour before. I'll have to look into that. Thanks. The architecture tour on the River is amazing, I have done it four or 5 times.. I learn something new every time. We had a blast at the gospel brunch at the House of Blues. The Chicago Public Library is interesting to visit. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Apr 13, 2016 15:55:29 GMT
If you're adventurous eaters, The Purple Pig is amazing. Highly recommend. They dint take reservations, though, so get there early and prepare for a wait. Love the Purple Pig!! |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 13, 2016 17:15:37 GMT
Well, I can see right now that we need a longer visit than we can pull off this time. So many excellent suggestions. Thank you all for your advice. It's nice to go with tried-and-true recommendations.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 19, 2016 11:26:38 GMT
Updated with pictures! Oh, and here's another quick pic. This is dining at Cite on the 70th floor overlooking Navy Pier.  |
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