We'll be in Chicago for a 3 day music festival next week. Inbetween checking out the music, what are some must-sees in the big city?

The Shedd Aquarium was one of my favorites. Navy Pier is fun if it’s nice outside – you can take architectural boat tours through the city. I liked the science and industry museum too.

Dick Butkus, too funny

I was just home, and my parents took me to Russian Tea Time, a nice little restaurant right by the Art Institute. It has been around for ages, but this was my first time going. Fabulous. Just fabulous. I can’t say enough about it. And, it is so close to the Art Institute, you just have to go. Check out the new modern wing, it is great.

There are tons of things I could recommend, but I love the Art Institute, so I had to suggest that.

Thanks! My partner and I had talked about going to some art museums. We went to the Shedd around New Year’s (loved it!), but, the plan is to check out the Navy Pier (weather permitting). Keep the ideas coming! :)

One of the best things about Chicago is its great neighborhoods. Hyde Park has some fun restaurants and hang out places like bookstores and coffee shops.

Plan to shop? Hit State Street.

I also second the suggestion regarding the Museum of Science and Industry.

Nice. A definite contender.

When I was home, we also went to the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was awesome, but I was really upset at how expensive the museum has gotten. It’s about $25 per person. Just to let you know. Bring lots ‘o’ money. It’s a great museum (although, my favorite is the Field Museum), but man those prices were high.

Yeah, that is a bit high…

My g/f loves Frank Lloyd Wright, so, she wants to check out this near Hyde Park.

@jmah: The Robie House is in Hyde Park (it is awesome), but his home and studios are in Oak Park, which is a ways from Hyde Park. Still, not difficult to get to if you are renting a car, but it could be a pricey cab ride. Having said that, the Home and Studio is amazing. If I could go to either the Robie House or the studio, I’d go with the studio, but pick whatever is most convenient for you. The best part of the home and studio is he did a lot of houses in that neighborhood, so you can get a map and just walk around the lovely neighborhood checking out the houses. Just be warned, people live in them and aren’t too fond of people walking too close or taking too many pics, so just give them a bit of privacy. Good choice, though!

Go to Navy Pier, get a genuine Chicago style hot dog. Take a boat tour of the river and get off to go to Lou Mitchel’s, an awesome breakfast place on the river. The House of Blues under Marina City is fun, and definitely get some authentic pie there.

The Museum of Science and Industry is amazing. And one of my favorite things to do there is sit in the park by the old Water Tower and just people watch. It’s fascinating.

A heads up: The Art Institute is open late on Thursdays, and (I believe) it’s free after 5 p.m. It’s definitely one you can do in a few hours.

You can rent bikes and ride the lakefront.
South gets you to Hyde Park and the Museum of Science and Industry (about 7 miles S. of Grant Park)
North of Navy Pier it’s car-free for miles, just beach and park and thousands of beachgoers.

Bike Chicago has a bunch of locations, including Navy Pier, and online reservations.

McDonald’s Cycle Center is in Millennium Park and has phone reservations.