The Art Institute

The Lurie Garden.

+1 for Art Institute if you like art, they have a world-class collection. Or if you want to see a real WW 2 German U-boat and many other interesting things, go to the Museum of Science and Industry, several miles south of downtown.

Not that much of an Art fan... think, I'll pass that, Terilyn.

Love the idea of Gardens, going to see now, where they are. Oh, just north of Buckingham Fountain... I have that on my radar... :) Cool! Thanks HoovB

I am actually staying with a cyclist north of the Science Museum. I had it on my radar earlier... but now... I guess, I will save it for my return, once I got around the lakes... Thanks, Elmer, but the WW2 thing is not my cup of tea... it reminds me of the fact, we were on opposite sides.... and of my dad as a young lad in WW2.

Oh, yeah, I am riding or taking public transportation depending on the traffic, east on Roosevelt, to the Lakefront Trail.

Adler Planetarium

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Lincoln Park Zoo

Navy Pier

Shedd Aquarium

If you are going to use public transit, and you like gardens.....head a few stops west on the Green Line (subway) train and have a visit/tour of the Garfield Park Conservatory. It was designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen and it's a great place to visit!

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/330.html

I vote for the Museum of Science and Industry.

Field Museum. Or take the architectural boat tour.

Architectural boat tour!

The museums are too time consuming. I'd vote for the boat tour... if you have time for that! In good weather, you could ride through the parks from the fountain and north. Going out on Navy Pier lets you look back at the city. Keep your Street Smarts activated and your eye on your bicycle. Your host should be able to give you good directions.

Reading this with great interest since I'll be going to Chicago in late July with my two brothers. Keep the suggestions coming.

When I was there in 2013 for a conference, a co-worker and I only had one free afternoon, and we went to the Art Institute. We were there for over three hours and felt we had to pick and choose what to see since they have so much. I was amazed at how many truly iconic artists and artworks they have that even I recognized.

Could you find my earring for me? It was my favorite and I still miss it (five years later). I was going all over town with Cooking Forum Annie. My favorite was a place in Old Town for different olive oils and vinegars (Old Town Oils). Loved the peach vinegar! Close to it is a spice store (the Spice House). I could stay in there for days. It's three miles from the Navy Pier.

The Field Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium by Grant Park are all within walking distance of each other.

I loved going on the Red line to Wrigley Field, it was a big thrill to walk around the stadium. They were renewing the infield and I stole a handful of Turface from the dumpster! A stroll through Millennium Park to see the Bean, walking across the river. Wonderful city.

Actually, I don't think a half day is going to give you much time to see much of anything in Chicago. But everyone has given some really good suggestions here. The Sears Tower is one of my favorite places to go when time is limited. Going to the top of the Sears Tower gives an amazing view! (Except on cloudy days.) Especially for someone like me who lives where there are no skyscrapers, no hills, everything if FLAT!

Rusty

True, Rusty. A very similar view from a higher height can be seen in the approach to O'Hare, if the flight patterns that day include a landing to the west. You fly out over the lake and then turn westward. The flight pattern passes just north of downtown, so if it's a westward landing pattern day, a very pretty view of the downtown buildings can be seen by those sitting on the left side of the plane.

That was my one of top favorites--flying into O'Hare over Lake Michigan. I was truly in awe

I am flying to midway international airport, not O'Hare... but who knows, I might fly over the sears tower area? I used google maps, and they call it the willis tower... and it sounds, like it will be under construction. This is what I found: Willis Tower Press Event February 1, 2017
Mayor Emanuel joined
Blackstone and Equity Office to unveil the visionary modernization plans
for Willis Tower.

Moni

You need a lot of time for the Museum of Science & Industry, but it's worth it when you have time to spare. Far more than just a U-boat! When I was a kid I would spend almost every day during summer vacation going through it.

It's probably what got me hooked on science and business, as well as history. Great place but massive - over 400,000 sq. ft. of exhibits on multiple floors.

There is nothing closed at the Sears/Willis Tower. They are changing the street level entrances - that's all.

that Museum of Science and Industry building was built as the Fine Arts Palace of the 1893 world's fair. It's the only building still standing from that fair. Most of the other buildings were temporary, but that building HAD to be solid because of the art that was on display.

With so little time, if the weather permits, I agree with Janie, do an architectural boat tour.

Again if the weather is nice, just stroll around Millennium Park and take pictures at "The Bean." (Actually Cloud Gate) Sometimes there are things going on there so you can just jump in and see something spur of the moment.

Like NYC, Chicago has a various neighborhood with ethnic food. Would you want to explore one of those?

What to do depends on your interests: animals, art, architecture, food, gardens, history, landmarks, monuments, music, religion, scenic viewpoints, shopping, sports, theater, water.

Born, raised, and live in Chgo; my single most favorite spot Buckingham fountain.

The lakefront at night:

We really enjoyed the Driehaus museum. It's just off Michigan Ave. It's a beautifully maintained/restored mansion that shows what life was like in Chicago for the wealthy during the gilded age. There is a lot of original finishings and art pieces and it's just really beautiful if you are into history and architecture.

mdln that is one spectacular photo! You have a great city.

We were there for a short time a few years ago. I also say the boat tour if it's a nice day and you only have time for one thing.

This is soo cool! Thank you everyone. I got so many neat things to check out, all going north bound near the lake. Not sure about the boat trip.. cause what would I do with my bike, and all the gear on it. I would not want to leave it for any length of time!!!

but here is my list:

I will head east on Roosevelt!

see
the Sears Tower, aka Willis building, (just east of the Union
Station, and north of Roosevelt, which means, I might save this for the return trip, as I
prolly go home via Amtrak)

see
the Buckingham Fountain

The
Lurie Garden

the
BEAN, aka cloud gate,

Navy
Pier

I
think, if I take all this in, I will have to find another host... or
cut all the visits short.

Oh, I am having fun, planning this!

Moni

The Museum of Science and Industry is high on my list. But, if I were you, I'd use the time to get out of town. Its going to take at least a day to get clear of the Chicago congestion and I predict that part of the ride will not be enjoyable. Taking the Lake Front trail is a good choice. The lake front is saturated with development all the way to the Wisconsin border.