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[avidrunner]

So an unexpected and (therefore) unplanned visit brings me to Chicago for a day. I have free time between 12:30pm to 4pm before catching my return flight to spend in the city. But I have no plans of what to do! Folks who have a better knowledge of the place please suggest some fun things to do. Museums excite me a lot. What would be a good way to spend these few hours? The last time I visited (about five years back) I went to the field museum. Thanks.

[larryc]

The Art Institute is a place of wonder.

[systeme_d_]

Lots of Chicago museums have free admission on Tuesdays.  Just FYI.

The Chicago Athenaeum.  http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/

The Museum of Contemporary Art.  http://www.mcachicago.org/  You can get a great lunch there, too.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography. http://www.mocp.org/

The DuSable Museum. http://www.dusablemuseum.org/

The Oriental Institute Museum.  http://oi.uchicago.edu/

I could go on, but I don't know your particular interests!

[fast_and_bulbous]

The Art Institute is a place of wonder.

Absolutely, and a walk through Millennium & Grant Parks, just nearby, is very much worth it. You must take a picture or two of yourself reflected in the giant shiny bean.

[avidrunner]

Thanks all for your replies. Systeme_d_ I like more of historical stuff (Renaissance art for instance). Something friendly for the wallet is particularly welcoming.

[avidrunner]

May I also add: could you suggest a good place to eat in and around Michigan Ave just north of the river? Not one of the regular restaurant chains but something which is unique to Chicago.

[larryc]

May I also add: could you suggest a good place to eat in and around Michigan Ave just north of the river? Not one of the regular restaurant chains but something which is unique to Chicago.

It is a cliche buy have you had Chicago deep dish pizza? If not there is no other option. Except maybe a Chicago style hot dog.

[madhatter]

May I also add: could you suggest a good place to eat in and around Michigan Ave just north of the river? Not one of the regular restaurant chains but something which is unique to Chicago.

It is a cliche buy have you had Chicago deep dish pizza? If not there is no other option. Except maybe a Chicago style hot dog.

Agreed. In that vicinity is the original Pizzeria Uno (and its sister restaurant, half a block away, Pizzeria Due.) Do NOT confuse them with the Uno's Chicago Grill chain out there, which licenses the name and is otherwise an abomination. Also close by (and just as good) is Gino's East (a bit north) and Lou Malnati's (a bit west). Since you are tight on time, be aware that Chicago deep-dish pizza takes about 45 minutes to cook -- however, you can call ahead to have them start your order before you arrive.  Get the sausage, which is a seriously good topping in Chicago. It's the only place in the country where sausage is more popular than pepperoni.

Also nearby is Frontera Grill, Rick Bayless' original restaurant, and Topolobampo, his slightly more upscale restaurant. Those are pretty unique to Chicago.

As far as museums, three of the well-known great ones are close to each other -- the Art Institute (also adjacent to Grant Park and the interesting architecture/outdoor sculpture of Millennium Park), and the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium on the "Museum Campus" on the lakeshore. You could easily spend an entire day or more in any of these. The Museum of Science and Industry is also fantastic, but that's further south, in Hyde Park.

Do be careful with your timing. None of these museums are particularly convenient to O'Hare (Midway is a bit better). On a weekday, you'll hit serious rush hour traffic if you are trying to leave downtown around 4:30. You can avoid that by taking the Blue Line to O'Hare, but that's not a fast ride, either.

[firecracker]

Chime on the deep dish pizza recommendation and to sausage. Also, if you go to Lou Malnati's, say YES! to the butter crust. The closest stop is Harrison on the red line, and then it's a few blocks walk (toward Balboa Street).

The Field Museum has a special exhibit on the horse currently.

[dr_alcott]

Walking around Millennium Park is an absolute must, as far as I'm concerned. After you've checked out the bean, Pritzker Pavilion, and the Lurie Gardens, you could take the new bridge on the south end of the park right to the new wing of the Art Institute. From there, you could walk a bit further southeast to see Buckingham Fountain and the lakeshore.

I second the recommendations for deep dish or Frontera. If you're a sports fan looking for burgers and such, Harry Caray's is a popular spot as well.

[dr_strangelove]

I second the recommendation for Millennium Park/Art Institute; they are right next to each other. For food, I suspect Frontera/Topolo won't be open while you're there, but you could try Xoco, also run by Rick Bayless (and right around the corner from the others), which is more of a sandwich shop (tortas, actually), and will be open.

But I would recommend eating eating closer to your other destinations, 3.5 hours is not much time. There's a new restaurant at the Art Institute, Terzo Piano, which is good and open for lunch. Also, the Park Grill in Millennium Park is pretty good.

[sugaree]

If you end up at the Art Institute (which is amazing, BTW) and in the Millennium Park area there is an excellent restaurant just across the street (that street being Michigan Ave.) called The Gage. It's one of those new fangled "gastro pubs" but don't let the trendiness scare you. The food is amazing, albeit a bit pricey.

If you are interested in shopping, the "miracle mile" of Michigan Ave. is north of the river (as opposed to the Art Institute and Millennium Park, which are not). Coco Pazzo Cafe is 1 block east of Michigan Ave. (St. Clair) at Ontario St. in Streeterville. Great Italian food, and it seems like a world away from the shopping crowds as the street is so quiet, even though it's only a block over. Another great Chicago institution "fast food" is the Italian beef sandwich and Al's Beef is the best! There are several locations, one at 601 W. Adams, which is only a few blocks off of Michigan Ave. Get the sandwich dipped - this is food of the gods!

[fleabite]

It's been some time since I visited Chicago, but I remember going on a truly wonderful walking tour of architecture in downtown Chicago, given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation: http://caf.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=592

It looks like they have a lot of different tours, so maybe something will fit your schedule.

[profwannabe]

Seconding concern about timing here: you should allow for at least 45 minutes to get between downtown and O'Hare by car/taxi. I haven't taken the Blue Line in a while, but it will probably take the same amount of time-- no traffic, but lots of stops. So, you might only have about 2 hours. I'd recommend taking the Blue Line to Jackson, walk straight down Jackson to Michigan Ave, one block over to Adams where the Art Institute is located, then spend 2 happy hours in the Art Institute. Grab a sandwich there or while walking back to the train. The CTA has a nice website to help you figure this out. This is making me miss my hometown!

[dr_strangelove]

If you are interested in shopping, the "miracle mile" of Michigan Ave. is north of the river (as opposed to the Art Institute and Millennium Park, which are not).

The Miracle Mile is in Los Angeles. In Chicago, it's the Magnificent Mile (or the Mag Mile).