Going to be in the Chicago area.

[mark]

Actually Oak Brook to be specific, on Sept. 13 and am looking for advice on what to see and do.

I am there for work but things end around 4:00 pm.

How expensive an area is this, anyway?

 

[blaze-on]

Expensive is a relative thing, so can't help you there.

The City, if it were me:
If you can, hit the Museum (Art Institute) and lakefront area (Navy Pier/Natural Museum), Michigan Ave (shops & food Ent), and take a walk down Adams (West ) which goes straight to Grand Central (about 8-10 blocks). Lots of amazing buildings and things to see. Across the Chicago River (old town) there are lots of galleries (the funky little ones) with interesting stuff.

Been awhile for me, so don't hold me liable.
Enjoy! To me, one of the best large cities in the country to visit.

You might check out what's showing (special exhibit) at the Art Institute online and whether they require tickets or not..

Former Kankakeean (an hr. so of Chi-town)
Matt

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, Mark,

I have no idea what your photographic interests are, but the McDonald's campus ("Hamburger U"), located in Oakbrook, is an attractive location.

Konical

 

[mgb74]

I've spent a lot of visiting time in Chicago, but don't consider myself an expert. None the less, here's my take:

Oak Brook - been there but it's typical suburb. Not much to see/do. Best thing to do there, IMHO, is to get on the train downtown.

Downtown - love it. The area just north of the river is vibrant in the evenings and, from what I could tell, safe (though I'd be careful). Lot's of restaurants, music, etc. I've never been to Navy Pier, but I guess it's popular. Photographically, the most interesting thing to me are the bridges over the river. I think they were actually used in one or more the the Batman movies. There's art deco architecture. And of course the Art Institute (but with a 4pm start, and the travel time downtown, you'll be pressed for time). Area south of the river seemed dead after the workday when I was there last.

Evanston - home of Northwestern University. I remember seeing some interesting homes of the 20s and 30s. The lakeshore can be interesting too.

Food - get thee to www.chowhound.com and check out the boards. It's been a while since I was there for dinner, so any of my recs would be out of date. The area north of the river is chock full of restaurants. But I always try to make it to a Chicago Dogs location for a Chicago-style hot dog.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit.

 

[Monophoto]

Mark -

I lived in Chicago many years ago, and in the Fall of 2001 spent a couple of months on a special assignment in the Oak Brook area.

The first thought that comes to mind when I think Oak Brook is "velveetaland". I know that's not complementary - but the place is the epitome of suburbia - lots of mcmansions, lots of perfect green lawns, lots of strip malls with fast food restaurants, etc.

When I was there, I opted to stay in a less expensive Holiday Inn Express - not elegant, but convenient to where I needed to be. I was on expense account, but am naturally frugal, so I was able to find some reasonable places to eat. One of my favorites was a "mongolian barbecue" at the Oak Brook Mall; there is a branch of just about every fast food outlet and "family restaurant" chain on the planet somewhere along 22nd street.

Someone suggested going into town - I would agree with that. The Art Institue, the photography gallery at Columbia College, just walking around in the Loop, Central Photo (one of the worlds great camera stores - hasn't changed significantly in decades), the Near North and Old Town, the south side, University of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum of Natural History, Evanston and the Northwestern University campus, etc. Chicago is actually quite well known for its architecture (we all know about Frank Lloyd Wright, but his teacher, Louis Sullivan was a major influence on the city), and its neat just walking around looking at some of the older buildings. One architectural specialty in Chicago is churches - one could do a fascinating tour of the various architectural styles in the city's places of worship.

From Oak Brook, it will take you about an hour to drive into town - fortunately, the dominant traffic at 4:00pm will be outbound, so the drive won't be bad. Unfortunately, that won't leave you a lot of time to do much before things in town start closing down.

 

[mark]

SO this sounds really bland. Will I be able to catch public transport into the city easily? I won't have a car.

 

[Mark Fisher]

There is a train line not too far from there so you should be able to hop a Metra commuter train downtown. Another closer choice might be the Morten Arboreteum or possible the Frank Lloyd houses in Oak Park.

Mark