Long weekend in Chicago

Prairie restaurant in the Hyatt on Printers Row is fantastic. Theme is cooking using ingredients found throughout the midwest. Simply delectible. Museum of Science and Industry is quite fun. Lots of hands-on exhibits that would probably appeal to kids. Admission is free on Thursdays. Magnificent mile is also a must see, even if you are just window shopping. Field museum appeals to those that like the physical sciences. Museum can be quite packed on weekends and weekday mornings (school children abound). Art Institute of Chicago has large collections of impressionist paintings, American paintings and other neat stuff. It all looks the same after 2 or so hours (unless you're a heavy duty art fan) so multiple visits over a few days may be in order.

Quick Tips:

The Navy Pier during the week during the offseason was not very active. Not very impressed with the Museum of Contemporary Art. For the admission, you are much better off going to the Field Museum, Museum of Science & Industry or the Art Institute of Chicago. A large part of the collection was closed to the public due to remodeling during our visit (10.00).

Best Way To Get Around:

We found that the best way to navigate the city is by purchasing a 2-day ticket from the Chicago Trolley Company (for pp for 2 days or pp for a single day pass - although I don't think the 2-day pass is available on weekends). Trolley's travel along a circular loop and stop at about 10 major attractions throughout the city. It's a good way to hit these major attractions and get around the city (avoids having to take 3-4 cab trips throughout the day. You have to wait for the 'trolleys' (which generally come every 15-20 minutes) and you path may not be as direct as compared to a cab but the narration is fairly good along the way. I highly recommend this bargain. Operates during daytime hours.

Small and intimate hotel. Ceilings are 12 foot high in all rooms. Hotel was overbooked upon arrival. We were sent to the other Hyatt in the city (Yeech.... much too big and impersonal for my tastes) and they picked up the tab. When we returned to the original property the next day, we were given a suite and a complimentary fruit and wine. The Hyatt chain takes care of its patrons!

Theme of restaurant is all of ingredients come from the midwest (corn, beef, game etc.). Result was simply delectible. Tomato onion soup was to die for.