H and I are going to a relative’s wedding in Beloit, Wisconsin in October. We’re flying to Chicago and arriving early in the morning. We will go to Wisconsin with my brother and his wife (they live in the Chicago area and can’t leave until 5 pm). Any suggestions on how to spend the day in the city. We haven’t seen Millenium Park so we will go there. We have been to Chicago before and have done the museums and the aquarium. Open to ideas on sites to see or interesting places to eat.
Have you taken the Architecture tour along the river? Weather permitting, of course…
https://www.wendellaboats.com/Boat-Tours/Chicago-River-Architecture-Tour
So on what day of the week will you be driving to Beloit after 5 pm? It can take a long time to get there from Chicago at rush hour, especially on Fridays. Is your event the next day? Bring money for the tolls unless your brother is driving you.
Second the architectural tour, if weather is cooperative. Also consider visiting the nearby suburb of Oak Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright museum and/or house tour.
Although Navy Pier is pretty touristy, they DO have a new, much larger ferris wheel that is supposed to give a great view of the city (I haven’t done it yet). If you’re at Millennium Park already, walk over to the lake and walk up and down its path for however long you wish. Lots of boats will still be in the harbors.
Would you have any interest in visiting any of the many ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy, Andersonville (Swedish), Polish village, etc.?
http://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_trip/arts_culture/city_weekends/ethnic_chicago.html
If you decide to go anywhere that might take you near Wrigleyville, before your visit, check the MLB schedule because if playoffs are going on, and the Cubs are in town, you will want to stay far away from that area!
How about getting some deep-dish Chicago pizza for lunch and visiting the Art Institute?
I spent a couple of days in Chicago visiting relatives a couple of years ago, and of the various activities they were kind enough to plan, those were the two I enjoyed the most – and I don’t usually have much enthusiasm for art museums. But the Art Institute is something special.
bookmarked for ideas of things to do next summer in case D and I go to see Hamilton in Chicago…
If you are in Beloit on Saturday morning, they have a lovely small town farmers market.
I like the Architectural boat tour but if weather doesn’t permit maybe the Chicago History museum. It’s on north Clark Street- so not part of museum campus- in Old Town neighborhood. In terms of restaurants what kind of food do you like?
For interesting places to eat, you might book a food tour. We did one with Chicago Food Planet a few years ago. In addition to the food you get some history and fun facts about the neighborhoods you walk in.Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes and don’t eat before you go!
We are leaving for Beloit on Thursday evening. Like the architectural tour suggestion, but if weather doesn’t cooperate we will definitely visit the Modern/Contemporary wing at the Art Institute. (We have been to the museum on past trips.)
H is a foodie–will go for anything that’s interesting, different, and high quality. He wanted to go to The Girl and The Goat but it isn’t open for lunch–we leave the city before dinner. Have done pizza–my family usually takes us to Nick and Vitos; we have also been to the Deep dish places.
Which one of the Food Plant tours did you do Fallgirl? Quickly looking at website, my guess is H would go for the Chinatown one. Couldn’t find info on the length of the tours. Do tou remember?
We did the Near North Food Tour - Gold Coast/Old Town and ended up in Lincoln Park as I remember. It was about 2 1/2 or 3 hours long.
It’s hard to make suggestions not knowing your tastes, but I’ll throw out a few ideas…btw, yes, on the architectural boat tour if it’s nice out.
You could try one of the Rick Bayless restaurants (if you like Mexican food…we like Topolobampo) or RPM for Italian. I haven’t been to the latter yet, but friends have said they like it. Then if you’re going to walk around there’s Eataly, Garrett popcorn, the Blackhawks store 
and the Tribune Tower (exterior) which are interesting.
I don’t know your interests, but if you like Gilded Age mansions, Tiffany Glass and gracious living from another era, The Driehaus Museum on Erie just west of Michigan Avenue is stunning. Admission isn’t cheap, but audio tour is available and for a small price, a guided tour. The docents are generally very good. It’s the kind of place you could easily see in an hour leaving time for lunch, Art Institute, shopping or whatever. In additional to the architectural boat tours, there are walking tours and often free lectures that you can check on the Chicago Architecture Foundation website for your date. Full disclosure, I am or have been a member of the CAF, Driehaus, Art Institute and other major Chicago museums for years!
Thanks for all the suggestions!