<p>10 am today, Saturday…come downtown and watch the river being dyed green.</p>
<p>I am still in Ca. The state where you would never get away with adding dye to any body of water.</p>
<p>Agree with Hanna on the river tour. The buildings are spectacular from that vantage point.</p>
<p>Will the River still be green next Friday? I’m arriving late Thursday night (17th) and I managed to miss the green all three years I was working in the Loop.
Also, my understanding (correct me if I’m wrong) is that the River tours start May 1.</p>
<p>Kathyc - Wendella is running tours now, weather permitting. While I preferred the one run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, they do not begin running until May 1, I believe.</p>
<p>Teri, thank you for the clarification. We will have friends in town off and on all through November, so this is good info on the river tours.</p>
<p>We have an in-town in Chicago. The river tour is absolutely the best touristy thing we have done in the two plus years we have been going there.</p>
<p>I could be mistaken about this, but I think the CAF is the only group that does all the branches of the river with its tours.</p>
<p>It is a must do.</p>
<p>CAF tours resume 4/30.</p>
<p>Since I am going next week the CAF tour is not an option. Would the Wendella tour be worth doing?</p>
<p>I have not been on the Wendella tour. If the weather is nice, I don’t think it would be a waste of your time. The appeal of the CAF tour is the knowledgeable docents who give a mini seminar on Chicago architecture. I don’t know the emphasis of the Wendella tour, but I would try it.</p>
<p>I think the Wendella tour would be fine. Again, the docents aren’t quite as knowledgeable, but there’s just so much information to be gleaned from these tours that even Wendella would be fun. You just really get a different perspective of Chicago that you can’t get from the roads (or even trips to the top of the Hancock Building or Willis Tower).</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wendellaboats.com/[/url]”>http://www.wendellaboats.com/</a></p>
<p>River tour:
If it is cold and damp, realize that the river will be even colder, so plan accordingly.</p>
<p>If this is your first trip to Chicago a visit to the cocktail lounge at the the top of the Hancock Building is a good idea. Is it still called the Signature Room? I think we called it the Top of the ****. The best views are from the ladies room!!!</p>
<p>A better, panoramic view, can be had from the restaurant, but I have never eaten there. I tend to think that the prices at such spots reflect the view and the food is not as good as it could be, but, as I said, I have no first-hand knowledge.</p>
<p>ETA: **** = co*k. SO funny. The * is a c.</p>
<p>The tourism-company boat tours are entertaining, but they sometimes get their facts wrong. If you are a serious aficionado of architecture or urban history, this is a drawback. If you’re looking for a fun afternoon enjoying the views in the city, then bundle up and have a great time.</p>
<p>I went on a Wendella cruise as part of a work group last summer and had a great time out on the water enjoying the view. The guide’s jokes were lame, he couldn’t identify a couple of major buildings, and he identified one incorrectly (I started correcting him). But I loved it anyway and I’ve lived in the Chicago area for over 35 years.</p>
<p>I always enjoy Navy Pier for the views and stained glass museum if nothing else, plus now they have a Garrett’s. The view from the Signature Lounge at the Hancock Building is fabulous. People seem to like the lunch buffets; we’ve only eaten there for Thanksgiving. The lounge does have light snacks and desserts. And yes, by all means check out the view from the ladies room on the lounge floor.</p>
<p>For dining near the Hotel Allegro, you could try Petterino’s - might not be quite as simple as you like but large selection and good food.</p>
<p>Have fun packing layers! Highs in the mid-40’s to high 50’s and lows in the mid-30’s to mid-40’s. Might rain; might not! Wednesday looks like the best outdoor day.</p>
<p>I was just at Navy Pier for the flower show on Friday. I took the CTA blue line and transferred to the Navy Pier bus at Grand. Another chance to enjoy the stained glass. There is a shuttle bus running back and forth on the pier, you don’t have to walk aaall the way back to the entrance. </p>
<pre><code> Did we mention it would be windy on the river?
</code></pre>
<p>I am laughing as my D just called and told me to bring lots of layers and something to cover my ears. She is beginning to sound like her Grandma. I don’t really care much about the weather as long as the airports are all running. This trip is really about spending time with my D. It is rare that it is just the two of us.</p>
<p>In the big, expensive show category, HAIR is in town. Closing next weekend, I think.</p>
<p>God of Carnage just opened at the Goodman. Haven’t read a review, but I saw it in NY and liked it.</p>
<p>You usually can’t go wrong with anything at Steppenwolf. </p>
<p>Merchant of Venice is opening this week (with F Murray Abraham).</p>
<p>For something very cheap, hip (oops), and quirky, try the show at Neo Futurists. Thirty plays in 60 minutes. Unique and fun. You roll dice to determine your ticket price.</p>
<p>Million Dollar Qartet is billed as a play, but is more a musical review. Crowd pleaser. </p>
<p>For anyone traveling with a young girl, the show at the American Girl store is cute.</p>
<p>Just came back from the trip.
Mom60’s D is right, layers and layers is the best way for this weather.
Warm (even hot) inside but cold chilling wind outside.
Protect your head and ears when you walk outside. Very windy.</p>
<p>Peoples are so friendly. We got some very help info from hotel front desk.</p>
<p>Find an small restaurant in E Ontario/N Michigan, Quartino. Excellent food, not expensive, right portion…</p>
<p>^^^ mehappykid, do share your other activities. I agree, the Chicago residents are so friendly! Sending my son, living in Lincoln Park area, your restaurant suggestion.</p>