<p>I have to ask - is there no interesting attraction (besides the rock shop 
) in Evanston itself? No campus museum, for example? No great restaurant?</p>
<p>Northwestern has the Block Museum of Art and Evanston has a historical museum in a grand old mansion. Downtown Evanston is full of shops and restaurants - see [Metromix</a> | Your Restaurants, Nightlife & Events Guide](<a href=“http://www.metromix.com%5DMetromix”>http://www.metromix.com) to search by suburb. There are two additional small shopping districts near Dempster street and Chicago Avenue, and Main and Chicago, but these are not what they used to be. Still, you can find some offbeat things. Wilmette, the next town north, has the Bahai Temple, a truly unique building with gardens. The beaches in both Wilmette and Evanston are nice to visit, although they are not free.
BTW, although we enjoyed Million Dollar Quartet during its long run, the original cast has moved on to New York City and the show is continuing here with a new cast.</p>
<p>Midwesterner, I was under the impression that the Bahai temple isn’t open to visitors–can you confirm? The building is spectacular.</p>
<p>Yes it is open to visitors (well, at least it last time I went which was a year or so ago), but with very strict rules (silence when there are people in there meditating). And no going in during their services, unless you plan on participating in it. The grounds are lovely, too.</p>
<p>Thanks, nice to know about the historical museum.
[Evanston</a> History Center About](<a href=“http://evanstonhistorycenter.org/about-us]Evanston”>http://evanstonhistorycenter.org/about-us)</p>
<p>[Baha'i</a> House of Worship for the North American Continent | Bahai Faith | Baha’i Faith](<a href=“http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple]Baha’i”>Bahá’í House of Worship – Baha'is of the United States)</p>
<p>OMG - thanks for all the tips… I knew CC would come through.<br>
It’s gonna be a great 50th.</p>
<p>I second the riverboat architectural tour. Make sure you book it through the Chicago Architecture Foundation; they have the most informed docents.</p>
<p>It is almost always possible to get into Frontera Grill if you are committed to it. It opens at 5, and if you are in line at that point, you are likely to get a table immediately. There may be days when that’s not true, but for the most part, the line at 4:50 doesn’t overflow the restaurant. Lunch on weekdays is also a good bet if you get there by 11:30. Bear in mind that they are only open 5 days a week. Historically, I have not had trouble making reservations at Topolobampo for weekday lunches (it was a favorite destination for summer associate recruiting meals back in the olden days when such things existed).</p>
<p>KathyC:</p>
<p>We have a weekend place in Chicago in River North, Grand and Orleans, and we try and go at least twice a month. When we come in on Friday night I order a deep dish pizza from Lou Maltinati’s; stop at Binny’s for some champagne along the way; and then bring it all back. It’s a great way to start a weekend. We pretty much shut the lights off, pull up the shades, and look at all the lights in the skyscrapers and towers. We have a dead on view of the Trump Tower (still not many lights on in the condo portion) and can also see the Merchandise Mart, which it lit up for Christmas. We also have a tiny, tiny view of the Lake between the high rises. Sometimes we can see the fireworks if they shoot them up high enough so they clear the buildings.</p>
<p>We noticed that Hot Tix had discounted seats for 39 Steps this weekend. We saw it in London last summer and it was a hoot. Two actors(?) played over a hundred parts with all the costume changes. We also saw Billy Elliott in London, and I agree with terwitt that it is a must see.</p>
<p>Excellent, tsdad, I will mention 39 Steps to my husband. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to talk my him into Billy Elliott (the legacy of being a dance parent for 15 years!) We’re still trying to figure out if we’ll be able to see the fireworks at Navy Pier–we’ve had conflicting reports.</p>
<p>Conflicting reports: You mean because there will be three locations for Chicago fireworks this year?</p>
<p>Evanston: I second Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop. I also like Ayla’s Beads, sort of a bead museum. I did not realize the Dawes Mansion was still operating, I thought it closed down. </p>
<p>Best Italian beef: Roma’s on Cicero near (south of) Montrose.</p>
<p>In Chicago, I would love to try Moto once, if someone was treating me to dinner.</p>
<p>Here’s something fun no one has mentioned: Thursday-Sunday at the bandshell in Grant Park, on Michigan Ave., they have dance lessons (a different variety of regional popular dancing each day, like salsa, or bhangra, or two-step) followed by a related concert. All free. A ton of fun. The schedule for this summer: <a href=“http://www.explorechicago.org/etc/medialib/explore_chicago/dca_tourism/summerdance.Par.99729.File.dat/SummerDance2010schedule.pdf[/url]”>http://www.explorechicago.org/etc/medialib/explore_chicago/dca_tourism/summerdance.Par.99729.File.dat/SummerDance2010schedule.pdf</a></p>
<p>Restaurants:</p>
<p>We went to Alinea when my daughter graduated from college. Definitely an experience, as much theatrical as culinary. Definitely an extravagance. Very unique – great for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The menu probably doesn’t help. Our dinner featured two courses (among many many) that had exactly the same menu description, and were totally different. It’s all very playful, that wasn’t the only joke. The food was great, no question, but that was just one element of the show, not all of it.</p>
<p>For a great meal, a little out of the way, and not in the Charlie Trotter / Alinea / Blackbird price stratosphere, we love Lula Cafe on Logan Square. More about great, local, seasonal ingredients and good preparation.</p>
<p>cottonwood, I didn’t realize that there would be 3 places for fireworks–I’m just talking about Navy Pier.</p>
<p>Are you going to be based in Evanston or in Chicago? If the former, on a nice day, the walk along the lakefront / Sheridan Road from the NU campus up to the Bahai temple is very pleasant. Wilmette’s harbor is also in that area. </p>
<p>And you will then have to drive south on Sheridan, which turns into Lake Shore Drive, and have this song playing: <a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Shore_Drive_(song[/url])”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Shore_Drive_(song)</a> </p>
<p>Have a picnic on the lakefront museum campus (where the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum are located). Even if you don’t go into the actual museums, the area around there – also Northerly Harbor – is nice to walk or bike around.</p>
<p>I second intparent’s suggestion to look at everything embedded in the Tribune building. </p>
<p>I assume you’ve already done the typical Michigan Avenue tourist shopping? The downtown Northwestern campus is just east of there, though honestly I don’t know if there is really all that much to see unless it’s directly relevant to your son.</p>
<p>Today is an absolutely beautiful day in Chicago – makes the winters worthwhile. I hope you have wonderful weather for your trip!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The big attraction is Northwestern, not Evanston itself, IMO. How much time have you spent on the campus, Kleibo? I think it’s quite possible to be a parent moving a student in, etc., and not have a feel for how extensive the lakefront area is.</p>
<p>Here’s all the info on Navy Pier fireworks:</p>
<p>[Historic</a> Navy Pier is Chicago’s lakefront playground - Fireworks](<a href=“http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html]Historic”>http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html)</p>
<p>And here’s the story on the fourth; </p>
<p>[Fourth</a> of July fireworks shows by City of Chicago 2010](<a href=“http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1406-Chicago-Community-Life-Examiner~y2010m5d26-Fouoth-of-July-fireworks-shows-by-City-of-Chicago-2010]Fourth”>http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1406-Chicago-Community-Life-Examiner~y2010m5d26-Fouoth-of-July-fireworks-shows-by-City-of-Chicago-2010)</p>
<p>Fireworks will be viewable at:
Downtown: Navy Pier and surrounding area.
North Side: From Foster to Montrose
South Side: From 63rd Street Beach to Promontory Point</p>
<p>FYI if you do decide to do Charlie Trotter’s - note that Trotter has a life-threatening allergy to perfume and scented things, so you can’t wear anything like that.</p>
<p>Another recommdation for Billy Elliot. My nephew (age 20) saw it in London and loved it. And he is not particularly a theater or dance guy, either.</p>
<p>A few more restaurant choices in the Loop/South Loop that are (far) less pricey than Alinea/Trotters and are favorites of local foodies: Avec (no reservations, communal seating, small plates), Veerasway (absolutely fabulous Indian), and Custom House (contemporary American). Maybe consider a play at one of Chicago’s many mid-sized or storefront houses. You can access current reviews on Time Out Chicago online. We just saw Farnsworth Invention at Timeline Theatre – stunning.</p>
<p>A few Chicago favorites:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Wrigley Field. The definitive northside Chicago experience</p></li>
<li><p>Outdoor music festivals and concerts. The Mayor’s Office of Special Events keeps tabs: [Mayor's</a> Office of Special Events](<a href=“http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/mayor_s_office_of.html]Mayor’s”>http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/mayor_s_office_of.html)</p></li>
<li><p>Theater. Second City is great, but there’s so much more. After New York, Chicago is probably the strongest theater town in the country, and it’s got its own distinctive, raw, gritty style. Current listings and reviews at chicagotribune.com or suntimes.com </p></li>
<li><p>The Blues. Of course. Blues legend Buddy Guy is reopening his venue—named Buddy Guy’s Legends, naturally—in the South Loop with a stellar line-up. Or check out the New Checkerboard Lounge in Hyde Park, an updated and relocated descendant of the legendary South Side club where the Rolling Stones once jammed with Muddy Waters. </p></li>
<li><p>The lakefront. Bike, stroll, rollerblade, sunbathe, swim. On a warm summer day you’ll forget you’re not in Rio.</p></li>
<li><p>The Art Institute. Spectacular collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, and much more.</p></li>
<li><p>Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour. Unforgettable.</p></li>
<li><p>Vibrant ethnic neighborhoods and authentic ethnic eateries. Try Devon Ave for Indian, Pilsen/Little Village for Mexican, Lawrence Ave for Korean, Ukrainian Village on the near northwest side, Argyle St for Vietnamese, Albany Park for Middle Eastern, to name a few. Or pick an exotic cuisine and search it out; you’ll find just about everything here. Where else are you going to find Assyrian, Bosnian, Czech, Egyptian, Filipino, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Romanian, Serbian, South African, and Tibetan eats?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Enough for one weekend?</p>