LindainOhio

I decided last Wednesday to visit Chicago--kind of last minute, but my 4 "shopping cousins" were going to be there Saturday and Sunday. If I had planned ahead, Southwest's Ding had offered $77 flights (that included taxes)from Cleveland. I love that Ding.

My daughter has lived in Chicago for a little over a year and worked there for the 2 summers before she graduated so we have made several weekend visits.

We usually get a hotel downtown for the weekend. My daughter, Colleen was working the Fiesta del Sol this weekend though (what a weekend to celebrate the sun!) and her employer paid for her stay Thurs.-Sun. at the Sofitel. She doesn't have air conditioning at her apartment.

I arrived at Midway Friday at 4 p.m. and took the shuttle to the hotel. It's $20 for a single rider but it was hot in Chicago and I opted for the air conditioned door-to-door service.

The Sofitel is a beautiful, contemporary designed hotel right by Water Tower Place. My cousins had reservations at the Whitehall, which was right around the corner. We didn't even plan that.

The lobby is really lovely--fresh flowers, great couches, even little blocks of light in the floor that change colors. It is beautifully lit at night.

The rooms are not large but they have the most comfortable beds--feather bed toppers with a wonderful duvet, great linens. Our room on the 20th floor had a wall of windows that looked right at the Hancock Building (and a huge crane). Great marble bathroom. No coffeemaker---Why do the luxurious hotels think you would rather call room service for a pot of coffee? I don't do room service.

My daughter used room service. After working outside in the heat, taking a shower and eating in the room was a treat. The meals arrived quickly and had an orchid on the tray. She loved the fact that they used her name when she called. "Can I help you Miss Hart?"

My daughter had to work on Friday until 9:00 so I got a sandwich at the food court in Water Tower Place and shopped Michigan Ave. It was hot!

Saturday morning, we walked next door to have breakfast at Tempo. They have a nice area for outside dining but my daughter wanted to stay in air conditioning as long as she could. She had to work at 11:00. Their popular breakfast is an omelet on hashbrowns served in a skillet--very filling. Colleen and I could have split it.
After breakfast, Colleen was off to work (after stopping at Home Depot for fans) and I hopped on a Michigan Ave bus to meet my cousins at Marshall Fields.

At Marshall Fields, we stopped at the 7th floor to pick up our discount coupon, shopped, and ate lunch at the Walnut Room--used the coupon for the free slice of delicious Frango pie. We expected great bargains since the store is becoming Macy's in a few weeks, but no great bargains here.

We went to the matinee of Wicked. We bought the tickets late--were in the second to the last row. The acoustics are great in the theater though. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. If you enjoy musicals--go, even if only bad seats are available. We all thought the show was great. I do take my mini binoculars to shows when my seats aren't ideal.

More shopping after the show(which was a great escape from the HEAT)and then check in for my cousins.

We have stayed at the Whitehall before. It is an older, boutique hotel. They had a nice corner room with 2 queens, nice, smaller bath. I remember our room here was quite small.

We walked over to Bistro 110 (one of the closest restaurants to out hotel--with the heat, we weren't walking anywhere far)with no reservations, had a drink at the bar and enjoyed dinner here. My daughter joined us. She had Chicken Fricasee, I had pork tenderloin and my cousin had a mushroom ravioli--there was also a beef and fish on the menu. Don't recall what everyone ordered.
Entrees were about $22-$27.

Sunday morning, after coffee at Starbucks, we went to Mass and then had breakfast at the Sofitel. I enjoyed this breakfast more than yesterdays. Coffee and juice are included with your order and a wonderful basket of pastries. The coffee is served in a French press.

My cousins, who had spent Friday shopping at the outlets in Michigan city left to take the train back to Michigan City where they had left their car. Colleen and I checked out and took a cab to Lincoln Park--she had several bags from work to transport.

Colleen was working the festival later today, so we called and got tickets to Putnam County Spelling Bee. We needed to escape the heat. It is a fun show, lots of laughs. There are several sexual and ethnic jokes. If you find those offensive you might not enjoy the show. There is a song called "Erection". There were also 3 members of the audience chosen to be in the show--I believe you volunteer in the lobby. If you volunteer though, be prepared to be "roasted". A Middle Eastern looking man was asked to spell "Taliban". There is a discount drawing for this show--there is also a discount drawing for "Wicked" that enables you to buy 2 Tickets for $25. I believe they also offer tickets to Spelling Bee at Hottix.

We shopped the rest of the afternoon. Stopped at a Corner Bakery for a salad and sandwich--I like all the sandwiches and salads here. We took the bus back to Lincoln Park, daughter did laundry and was off to work to tear down their booth. (When she wasn't back by midnight I was calling her---just like th old days--thank goodness for cell phones)

Monday morning, Colleen was off to work and I took the bus to the Field Museum. Took the bus from Lincoln Park to Michigan Ave---really lovely bus ride down Lakeshore Dr and then transferred to #146 which goes to the Museum campus. It's really easy to get around in Chicago and the bus drivers are very helpful--there are a lot of visitors who don't know where they are going.

I did not have a reservation for the King Tut exhibit but I did stop in to see the next available entry time. I arrived at 10:30 (forgot to mention I had coffee and a bagel at Panera's in Lincoln Park)and the next available entry was at 2:30. I bought a museum only ticket for $12 and will do the Tut exhibit another visit. It believe it is there until Jan.

There was a guided Highlights Tour at 11:00 which was really enjoyable. I would recommend it. It lasted about an hour. It ends at the Evolving Planet which I did on my own--checked out a few other exhibits and then took the bus back to Michigan Ave. to meet my daughter at 1:30.

We shopped a bit more and then stopped at the Atwood Cafe for an early dinner at 4:30. They don't serve until 5:00 so we had a drink at the bar and then our favorite meal of the weekend.

The Atwood Cafe is a small resaurant attached to the Hotel Burnham. Colleen had the chicken and I had the pork tenderloin with grilled peaches that was delicious. They also serve the bread with a wonderful garlic/artichoke spread.

Tuesday morning I planned to do the Art Museum on their free Tuesday but free Tuesday is now free Thurs. and maybe Fri. evening. I discovered this after walking, not a cloud in the sky, not a shadow to be found,3 blocks---It was a long, hot 3 blocks.

I did stop in the Chicago Cultural Center and was "wowed" by this beautiful building. i would love to do the free tour they offer here. Beautiful mosaic walls and 2 stained glass domes that were magnificent. It was built as a library---what a fabulous buiding.

Lunch with my daughter and then a 2 block shaded walk to the Orange Line to take the train back to Midway--what a nice easy way to get to the airport.

I am not a big city lover but Chicago is wonderful. My daughter is in love with Chicago. I'll be back soon.

JJ5

LindainOhio, next time you come to Chicago stop in for a look/see at the Harold Washington Public Library. It's not far from where you were this time at all.

Like the Cultural Center but better, IMHO. As you go up the escalators the marble changes and when you get to the top it's all open room atrium type space. GREAT for a meeting place or just to cool off. LOL!

I liked your report, especially about the Fields' sales. I too thought they would have some meaningful sales. SIGH! The day I went to see Wicked a year ago May, I bought 3 coats. Now, zilch. I am SO sorry it is going to be a Macy's.

I too loved Wicked and like the Atwood. Recently there have been mixed reviews, but I have not had that experience and my Grand daughters like their salad choices.

Next time with the cousins/ladies especially, also try Trattoria #10 on a theatre day. It's downstairs and quiet- a real refuge, so a great place to chat. 10 N. Dearborn, right cheek to jowl with the theatres.
Great specialties and salads- better for lunch than dinner, IMHO.

I like the ding too. A lot. I imitate it. They HAVE allowed me to move about the country. I've hit about 11 cities with them from Midway, just for baseball.

LindainOhio

I would have loved to have eaten at Trattoria #10. It was on my list and I think I also read that they have a nice Happy Hour.

I also found Heaven on Seven--another restaurant that has been recommended on this board. That was right in the neighborhood.

With the temps close to 100 degrees everyday, we seemed to choose the closest restaurant.

I saw the Washington Library--will check it out. I would love to do one of the architectural walking tours. Last weekend, with the heat, the tours must have been miserable.

Vittrad

It has been miserable hasn't it? The heat has finally broken, but I've been sweltering. I'm glad you guys were able to enjoy our city, even if it was hot.

I only have a small window unit in my apartment and that poor thing has gotten a workout over the past few days.

I love the Cultural Center too, it is a beautiful building.

cheribob

Lindainohio,

I have a little story to relate to you about the Chicago Cultural Center (formerly the Chicago Public Library).

After the Library was moved there was a plan to tear down this gem of a building. Cis Daley (wife of the late Richard J.) never involved herself in Chicago politics. However, when she heard that the old library was going to be torn down she told her husband no.

And that is why this beautiful building with the Tiffany ceiling is still standing.

LindainOhio

Imagine destroying such a beautiful building. Great story. Will try to do a guided tour next visit.

I really enjoyed hearing the stories on the Highlights tour at the Field. The taxidermist, Ainsley--he only signed one exhibit, his wife (and others, I would think) hand dipped 10,000 leaves for the 4 seasons, deer exhibit; how the museum acquired Sue; the man eating lions of Tsavo and Patterson.

I haven't been to a museum in years. After several visits to Chicago, this was actually my first museum visit.

I met one family that told me they had just spent 2 days and 11 hours touring the Museum of Science and Industry---my family would have revolted. Then again, it was air conditioned.