Im goint to Chicago next week....What is a must see...

Get pizza at Gino's East on Superior. (Wear loose pants!) Visit the Harold Washington library and the Sears Tower; fascinating architecture. See the famous and beautiful Buckingham Fountain. Walk up and down the Magnificent Mile for cool shopping. Visit Rush Street at night for some great live jazz. Soldier Field (Bears football stadium), the planetarium, and the aquarium are all near each other.

Go to Navy Pier and Ed Debevick's. There's a nice cake supply shop called cakewalk chicago that's off of 99th street on the south side.

Go to Navy Pier and Ed Debevick's. There's a nice cake supply shop called cakewalk chicago that's off of 99th street on the south side.

I love Lou Malnatti's pizza!

Gotta see the "bean" at Millenium Park.

Gotta see the "bean" at Millenium Park.

Have the ritzy (but more affordable than dinner) lunch buffet at the 95th floor restaurant in the John Hancock Bldg..... Get a window seat!!!!

I just looooove Chicago!!!!

Buckingham Fountain has a fantastic light show in the evening -- so try to catch it then.

Try this website -

http://www.choosechicago.com/Pages/default.aspx

Theresa

I don't know if it's still open to visitors or not, but the Sears Tower is somewhere to visit (if they still let you go to the top) And definitely Navy Pier.

OK, there are lots of things tourists do in Chicago, but when I go into the city, one of the places I love to stop for lunch (or even breakfast) is a great gourmet grocery/bakery/cafe called Fox & Obel. It's close to Navy Pier, and I'd say about half a mile, maybe from Merchandise Mart, where you have your class. There are all sorts of gourmet and international foodstuffs that one only finds in true gourmet food shops. And the food is to die for. Definitely worth a stop.
http://www.fox-obel.com/index.asp

It will be one of the most beautiful in terms of fall colors next weekend, and if you can *possibly* fit it in, I highly recommend the architectural tour on the river. I know when someone recommended it to me, I thought, "Meh." However, it was truly wonderful, and made me appreciate architecture in a way I never had. I *think* the tour guide I had was the author of a book on the subject, Jennifer Marjorie Bosch. She's very knowledgeable, and adds tidbits about the architects and calls attention to repeated motifs. Try to get her tour, if you can. As a caker, I know you have an artistic eye, so I highly recommend fitting it in. I'd try to call and reserve ahead, because they'll be booked because it'll be so beautiful.
http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=8

Finally, if you've read "The Devil in the White City," you might want to peruse Graceland cemetery, or the old World's Fair site. Those are best done by tour guide, however.

And, it's just my humble opinion, and probably because I've been there so many times, I recommend skipping most of the museums (Art Inst of Chicago excepted), and going on a food tour of some of the neighborhoods. There are ethnic food tours, Chicago-renowned foods tours, and even a tour of chocolatiers. That gives you a real "flavor" of the Windy City and its peoples.
http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/html/public_tours.html#near_north_food_tour
http://www.ethnic-grocery-tours.com/
http://www.chicagochocolatetours.com/

I absolutely love Chicago! I was there for a few days last weekend for my birthday and I also recommend an architectural tour. A friend recommended it to me and it was awesome! Take a jacket and scarf though.

Have fun!

The Chicago Marathon is this weekend on sunday. Navy Pier has their Hancock Halloween celebration going on called Navy Fear. I love the Art Institute, and it is right next to Millennium park. But it really matters what you like. there are a number of zoos, museums, restaurants, bars, and theaters. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you enjoy your stay! I love the city, it's beautiful!

FYI, the John has a better view than the Sears Tower

DITTO! Best pizza in the world. I like Lou's way better than Gino's. We drive down there about once a year to stock up on their frozen pizzas. If you go, make sure to get the butter crust.