Whether you're planning a trip to Chicago for the first time or for the 10th time, there will almost always be an attraction, exhibit, place to eat or show to see in the Windy City that you've never experienced. For Michigan residents, Chicago is an ideal destination for a weekend trip or weeklong vacation. And there are ways to get around without breaking the bank.
The Chicago CityPass is a convenient way of seeing the major attractions in the city at a discounted price. For $69, the passes are good for nine days. It lets you bypass long ticket lines at the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum & Underground Adventure, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science & Industry and the John Hancock Observatory or Skydeck Chicago and some even offer entrance to special exhibits.
Places to see
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• Shedd Aquarium: Your ticket is valid for aquarium galleries, special exhibits, Amazon Rising, Oceanarium, Wild Reef and 4D Theater. First incorporated in 1924, the aquarium is home to 32,500 animals covering 422,000 square feet from sharks to penguins. An underwater viewing area offers an even closer look at the animals in their surroundings. The Polar Play Zone of penguins, belugas and sea stars lets kids have fun with play areas where they can dress in a penguin suit or climb into a kid-sized submarine. More info: www.sheddaquarium.org
• Field Museum: The pirate exhibit is going on until Oct. 25. Buy your ticket (which is separate from admission to museum) early because they sell out - especially on the weekends. Another popular attraction is Sue, what the museum calls the largest, most complete preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. The museum also currently has on display a collection of photographs from the Civil Rights Movement. More than 150 photos, some more recognizable than others but all equally iconic, have been taken by amateurs, photojournalists and other artists and show the vision of activists and students who pioneered the movement. This exhibit lasts until Sept. 7. More info: www.fieldmuseum.org
• Adler Planetarium: Explore the universe and shoot for the moon at this astronomy museum. Along with the Shedd and Field Museum, the three attractions are part of Museum Campus, as three draws to the city. Museum Campus is a lakefront park that surrounds the three places. At the planetarium the theater plays two shows: "The 3D Universe," which is a musical tour of the universe, and "Fly Me to the Moon," which is in its final weeks of showing, and is a space adventure with the Apollo 11 crew. The planetarium is hands-on, as you'll look through telescopes and Moon "jump" on the Lunar Leap. More info: www.adlerplanetarium.org
• Museum of Science and Industry: More than 200 actual artifacts are on display at the Harry Potter exhibit in Chicago until Sept. 27, including Harry's original wand and eyeglasses and Gryffindor's school uniforms. It's an exhibit that requires a separate ticket that sells out quickly and time for this attraction is specific, so plan accordingly. The exhibit is making a U.S. tour, and Chicago is the only Midwest stop. The current movie out in theaters, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," also is being shown at the museum in Imax. Tickets for the movie is separate. More info: www.msichicago.org
• John Hancock Observatory and Willis Tower Skydeck: There's a way to visit both attractions without having to pay for both. The Signature Lounge at the Hancock's 96th floor is free admission - provided you buy a drink, which all are more than $11 for mixed drinks. But still, that's less than the price of admission if you also want to go to Sears Tower, and the view of the city and skyline makes it worth it. Be prepared to wait in a line, however. One floor below is the Signature Room restaurant, with 360-degree views of the city. You'll have to make reservations here. More info: www.hancock-observatory.com
Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the view of the city from the Willis Tower Skydeck is unparalleled. On the clearest of days, you can even see Michigan from the tallest tower in North America. The building's name changed just last month, as the new owners moved in - London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings. But if you talk to the people of Chicago, they're not calling it Willis Tower at all, at least not yet. More info: www.theskydeck.com
Places to eat
A trip to Chicago isn't complete without Chicago-style deep dish pizza or their hot dogs, loaded with mustard, onion, dill pickle, pepper and relish. Right outside the Field Museum, there's a hot dog stand that's perfect for a quick snack after your visit there. As for the pizza, Lou Malnati's won't disappoint. The Deluxe is a combination of cheese, sausage, mushrooms onions and green peppers. And the Lou combines spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes with mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheeses. They even offer your pizza crust-free. Wherever you go though for deep dish pizza, know that the wait time will be about 25 minutes up to 45 minutes.
If you're looking for something new, try these spots, where best of all, it won't hurt your wallet, not even for dinner:
• Joy Yee's Noodles: Located in the city's Chinatown neighborhood (and other locations in the suburbs), this is unlike any other Chinese restaurant. They have an extensive menu that combines different dishes and styles that you wouldn't expect to go together. For example, the Pineapple Boat combines chicken and shrimp fried rice and is served in a pineapple half. The pineapple pieces in this dish are warm and add a fruity kick. The presentation of their food is impressive. Other rice dishes are served in a bamboo pot, and the portions are large (splitting one entree is enough if you also order an appetizer) and the price are reasonable. Their menu also includes Thai dishes and appetizers such as onion oyster cake, lobster meatballs and butter fried squid. But their real speciality might be in their smoothies, bubble tea and other drinks. There's usually a line out the door for those who only want something to sip. They're served over a large glass that holds you over for your entire meal.
• Ann Sather Restaurant: With four locations in Chicago, this restaurant specializes in Swedish cuisine. It's the hotspot for brunch as their locations are open for half the day. For a little bit of everything, the menu item featuring one Swedish pancake, one Swedish meatball and one Swedish potato sausage is more than enough - especially since it (and most other items) come with two sides, ranging from homestyle potatoes to cinnamon rolls. Their eggs benedict offerings also range from the crab cake benedict (poached eggs, Cajun crab cake and Hollandaise sauce) and the smoked salmon benedict (poached eggs, Norwegian salmon, fresh dill and Hollandaise sauce).
• Joy's Noodles and Rice: Located in the Boys Town neighborhood, this BYOB spot is a place for good Thai. Dishes are divided into noodles, curry and rice. Recommended menu items include the chicken coconut curry, pad khee mao (stir-fried wide rice noodles with basil leaves, carrots, green beans, baby corn, tomato and hot pepper) and of course, the pad thai. A great appetizer item is the super combo, which offers fried shu mai (a type of dumpling), crab rangoon, fried won ton and fried tofu for $7.50. Don't forget the wine if you choose - they'll supply the corkscrew.
• Rock Bottom Brewery: Yes, it's a chain with locations across both coasts and the Midwest but, hey, there isn't one in Michigan. They only serve their own beer specialities that's brewed on site. There's also a rooftop bar but if you're hungry, eat first in the dining room and then make your way upstairs - their menu is limited to certain appetizers. Don't worry about finishing your beer either because they'll pour it into a plastic cup for you to enjoy on the roof.
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