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Chicago

Weekend in Chicago

Picture of the Field Museum before enteringMore Photos

by timmcgrawfan17f

An October 2005 travel journal

Last Updated: November 9, 2005

Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
7
Reviews
8
Photos

Walked in downtown Chicago, Art Institute, and Field Museum

We arrived at our hotel late, but the beds were very comfortable, and the staff was very nice. Definitely recommend this place just for the beds. We had two full beds and then a pull-out couch. We had a refrigerator and a hair dryer in the batroom. The rooms were very nice. About 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. We rode the Metra into Chicago. The Metra is about 10 minutes from the hotel. They have a pool, hot tub, and a fitness room.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Springhill Suites Marriott
8535 W Higgins Rd Chicago, Illinois
773/693-4444

Giordano's

Restaurant

Very nice, casual atmosphere. Good pizza pies. We had an 1 1/2-hour wait to eat, though. As soon as you get there, they will take your order before you even get seated because it takes so long to make the pizzas. Then you are seated after about 1 1/2 hours, and they bring the pizza out about 20 minutes later. Long time waiting but definitely worth it. Good pizza. Would suggest not going on the weekend.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Giordano's
730 North Rush St Chicago, Illinois 60611
312/951-0747

Picture of the Field Museum before entering
Went to the field museum on Saturday. I was pretty hesitant about going and really didn't think it would be interesting. But I actually surprised myself and enjoyed it a lot. I paid about $9 and got to see a lot of stuff; I could have spent a lot more time there, but we had to get moving. Definitely recommend stopping, especially if you like museums.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-9410

The downstairs gallery
Sunday we hit the Art Institute. If you like art, this place is for you. I wasn't too sure if I was going to like the place because I'm not really into art, but it was actually pretty neat. I'm glad I went. If you go, plan to spend all day there because there is so much to see and take in.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 443-3600

One word.... WOW! The girls and I went to Ethel's Chocolate Lounge as a treat. There were four of us, so we decided to all pitch in and buy the chocolate fondue. It came with seven things to dip in the chocolate: marshmallows, strawberries, bananas, pretzel sticks, graham cracker sticks, ginger snaps, and shortbread cookies. I highly recommend doing this with your girlfriends - the chocolate is fantastic! I also bought a couple candy bars to take home. I bought Creamy Caramel in milk chocolate, mint in dark chocolate, and a plain dark chocolate bar. WOW! The chocolate is amazing.

I definitely recommend taking a day and going shopping with the girls and stopping off at Ethel's for a little snack. Ethel's is located in North Bridge Mall, so you can shop after or before stopping.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Ethel's Chocolate Lounge
520 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 464-9330

H & M

Activity

If you have an individual style and like to keep up on trends, then H & M is for you. I, however, like to wear my plain ol' jeans and a T-shirt, so I was not too impressed. However, it is popular, because there was a 30-minute wait just to try on clothes! Absolutely crazy! They are also very reasonable on their clothes, so if you are looking for something fabulous and trendy, then go to H & M.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

H & M
840 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 640-0060

This fountain is absolutely gorgeous! Set in downtown Chicago in a park, it is so big that you can see it from really far away. When they have the water going, it is beautiful. What a sight to see! If you are walking the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, definitely stop and take a look at this fountain. It will take your breath away!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by timmcgrawfan17f on November 9, 2005

Buckingham Fountain
500 South Lake Shore Dr Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 742-7529

About the Writer

timmcgrawfan17f
timmcgrawfan17f
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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