"Fall in Chicago" a Chicago Travel Page by Dabs

I'm having fun in my hometown of Chicago. Summer is my favorite time of the year in Chicago, the city really comes to life from Memorial Day until Labor Day with a multitude of festivals every weekend, the lakefront is jammed packed with bicyclists, walkers, joggers and roller bladers, the al fresco dining areas are open, it's perfect weather to hop on a boat and go for a ride on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River or catch the Cubs at Wrigley Field or the White Sox at Cellular Field.

I've had the pleasure of entertaining two of my favorite VTers in Chicago this summer, Jo (jo104) was here in early June and Ed (Kaspian) FINALLY booked that flight to Chicago in early August. I had a blast showing them both around and even tried a new soul food restaurant, a gangster tour, visited the legendary Pump Room and took a water taxi for the 1st time

Current/Coming Soon Hot Events in Chicago

Everyone likes free things to do, especially in this economy, here's a list of FREE THINGS TO DO

If you can't get it for free, 1/2 price is nice too, here's a bunch of coupons good on everything from attractions, museums, dining and entertainment Chicago Coupons good through April 10, 2010

A couple of other places that you can sign up to receive daily or weekly discount offers on everything from dining to entertainment to facials is Groupon, I've bought several of them now and they are a great deal!

One to see discounted entertainment options for specific dates is Goldstar, I just bought my 1st tickets through there for Wait Wait Don't Tell Me in October

If you are looking for some ideas on what to do in Chicago for the holidays, have a look here

Fall is merging into winter, here are a few of the festivals left for the rest of the year
**Chicagoween Franken Plaza October 23-31, 2009**Magnificent Mile Lights Festival November 21-22, 2009**

Special Exhibits at local museums

Field Museum-FREE general admission AND FREE admission to all of the specially ticketed temporary exhibitions on the second Monday of each month through December 2009. Real Pirates runs from February 25-October 25, 2009

Art Institute Thursday evenings from 5-9 pm are free; between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Friday nights are free too. The new Modern Wing opened earlier in 2009.

Museum of Science and IndustryNo current special exhibits

Shedd Aquarium the Oceanarium has reopened and there's a new live animal show called Fantasea debuting on October 16, 2009.

Hot theater tickets

Through January 3, 2010, Million Dollar Quartet is playing at the Apollo Theater, it's a high energy show that tells the story of an impromptu recording session with Elvis Presley, Johhny Cash, Carl Perkins and a then unknown Jerry Lee Lewis

Final block of tickets on sale through January 10, 2010 Jersey Boys, have seen this one too, not recommended for younger children, a fair amount of profanity

November 13, 2009 - January 10, 2010, the pre Broadway run of "The Addams Family" with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth is at the Oriental Theater

I've lived in and around Chicago since I was 8 years old and like many Chicagoans love this city and can't imagine living anywhere else (just don't ask me that question in February when the wind chills have dipped below zero!!!) My Chicago page has turned into a monster page, since joining VT I keep finding things that I want to share with all of you-interesting architecture, neighborhoods to explore, restaurants that I want to try...

I've tried to organize the tips into sections to make it easier to navigate if you use author's order

Must Sees
Top 10 which is what most visitors to Chicago will see, I know there are dozens of tips on these but I wanted to have a complete page
Art Institute, Cultural Center, Shedd Aquarium, Hancock Building, Architectural River Cruise, Buckingham Fountain, Lincoln Park Zoo, Museum of Science & Industry, Sears Tower, Field Museum

I guess I could even make it a top 15 since I've left out seeing the Cubs play at Wrigley Field, Blue Clubs, shopping on Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier and Pierogi Fest :-)

Architecture which is one of my favorite things about Chicago, here's a few of my favorites
Chicago Tribune Tower
Wrigley Building
Carbide & Carbon Building
Rookery

Public art the major public art in the city
Misc things that don't fit anywhere else

Food

I've tried to identify the neighborhood that the restaurants are in, the NMA (North Michigan Avenue), River North and Loop restaurants are the most centrally located and I've located them together if you use author's order. If I've made a more recent visit than the tip, I try to remember to note that at the top so you know if the information is current. Here are a few of my favorite spots:
Italian-Rosebud on Taylor
Greek-Greek Islands
Spanish-Cafe Iberico
Steaks-Wildfire for more casual, Chicago Chop House for a special occasion
Pizza-Lou Malnati's, Edwardo's
Seafood-Joe's Stone Crab
Dim Sum-Shui Wah
American contemporary Atwood Cafe

Off the beaten path
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods that Chicago visitors often don't get a chance to see as they are outside the central area. If you are staying longer than a weekend, venture out into the neighborhoods to have a meal at one of the terrific ethnic restaurants throughout the city, take a free tour with a Chicago Greeter or one of the excellent tours offered by the Architecture Foundation. Here's a couple of my favorite neighborhoods:

Hyde Park
Pullman

Chicago is often overlooked as a tourist destination for overseas visitors, it's the 3rd largest city and yet is only the 9th popular for overseas visitors, partially because of it's Midwestern location and partially because people thinking of visiting a large US city choose New York. Here's my top 10 list of reasons to visit Chicago:
Chicago Top 10

Best websites on Chicago:

metromix
Explore Chicago
Chicago Reader
Center Stage
Chicago Loop Alliance Loop walking tours
Yelp, user reviews
LTH Forum dining reviews