Chocolates, dinosaurs and museums...

I lived in Chicago for 10 years and I moved to Florida three years ago but I miss Chicago a lot! It's a vibrant, clean, midwest-feeling town. The loop (downtown) is a wonderful area full of worldclass shopping and museums. I heartily recommend any plays or musical productions which are as good as any in the world. The Producers musical premiered there a few years ago. Any museum is superb.

The Field Museum downtown is not to be missed and contains the dinosaur named Sue found in South Dakota a few years ago - the largest T Rex skeleton ever recovered. There is also an excellent Egyptian exhibit and a captured German submarine on permanent display (you can actually walk around in it). The Shedd Aquarium is nearby and world class. -- the views of Lake Michigan from the whale exhibit are worth the price of admission. Further south, the Museum of Science and Industry is wonderful. For food I recommend Vosges Chocolates which have a few locations downtown -- from my point of view, they're the best chocolate anywhere. The restaurants are many, varied and excellent. I would rave on and on but must stop somewhere. Mass transit is excellent and clean. Taxi cabs are everywhere. Good traveling to all!
Barb, Florida, USA

Free Walking Tours and yummy popcorn...

Get a free two-four hour tour of Chicago from an enthusiastic city-wise local who volunteers to share their knowledge and love of the city through visits on foot and public transportation. Navigate the City with your Greeter on complimentary public transportation for the ultimate Chicago experience. Explore a specific neighborhood or one of the 40+ special interest areas ranging from Fashion and Film to Ethnic Chicago and Public Art, there's something for everyone! Chicago Greeter website: http://www.chicagogreeter.com/ I had a great time on my tour!
Tawney, Milwaukee, USA

I agree. As one who lives in the downtown area called Streeterville and a Chicago Greeter my suggestion is that visitors get on the Chicago Tourism website and ask for a Chicago Greeter. This is a free tour of any part of Chicago with a volunteer who is very knowledgeable about the area. My area is known for the high end shopping, great places to eat, Navy Pier with the famous Ferris Wheel from the Columbian Exposition of 1893, wonderful Chicago Pizza. Chinatown and a great ethnic areas, the Art Institute, the Museum Campus and the Museum of Science & Industry. If your looking for it we have it. That's what so wonderful about living here.
Sarah, Chicago, USA

While in Chicago, you must try the world's best gourmet cheese and caramel popcorn from Garretts Popcorn Shop. The lines at this store are usually out the door but the wait is well worth it. You'll finds Garrets on almost every main street downtown -- you can't miss it. Order a gallon to take home and you'll be very popular with your family. P.S. The containers are beautiful and decorative with Chicago's scenery. Website: http://www.garrettpopcorn.com
Carmen, Chicago, USA

Cool ice cream parlour in Chicago...
When I just visited Chicago a few years ago, I was taken to a very cool ice cream parlour called Margie's Candies (they also make and sell candy). These people make their own ice cream and all the sundaes are served in big, plastic half clamshells. The booths at Margie’s are gold vinyl and there are lots of interesting things hanging off the walls and perched on shelves. If your adventuress radar is sensitive enough, you'll definitely get a blip on your screen where Margie's is located -- roughly on Western Ave. and Armitage Ave., just outside the Western El stop, northwest of downtown. I think the area is called Bucktown. Tel: 773.384.1035
Erica, Minneapolis, USA

Horses plus theatre...

In Chicago, check out the Noble Horse Theatre for one of its seasonal attractions. In the fall, we saw an adaptation of “The Headless Horseman” on horseback and their winter offering is “The Nutcracker on Horseback.” Noble Horse Theatre is non-smoking, BYOB, and there's free parking in the lot. At the end of every show, the audience gets to pet the horses and meet the performers. They offer matinees and the evening show includes a catered meal. If you love horses, you won’t want to miss this. After the show, you can make your way to Division Street and visit some of the wonderful and unique shops along the way. Their website is: http://www.noblehorsechicago.com/
Mary, Chicago, USA

B&B & Benedictine Monks...

There is a wonderful B&B run by Benedictine Monks at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in the Bridgeport area of Chicago. It's very close to the loop and easy to find. Here is a blurb from their web site: Benedictine B&B offers a comfortable, spacious, private suite of rooms within the grounds of a real urban monastery. Monks have been welcoming travelers for centuries and you will be given the same warm welcome by the monks of the Monastery of the Holy Cross. Tucked away in a newly renovated area of the monastery, whose buildings date to the late 19th century, you will find all the comforts of home. Accommodations are provided in a completely private seven room loft apartment. Our guests love it! This cozy space includes 2 bedrooms [double beds], kitchenette, dining room, living room, bath, study w/ telephone (data port), fax machine, fully air conditioned, TV/VCR, private entrance, free off-street parking the Monastery's lot. Delightful free breakfast prepared fresh by the monks each morning. We get rave reviews on such menu items as the piping hot muffins or the sour dough pancakes smothered in hot Michigan maple syrup. Booking well in advance is advised. Website: http://www.chicagomonk.org/loft.phtml.
Betty, Berwyn, USA