There is also a lot of information posted on the second floor of the hostel, and whoever is at the information desk is usually a good source of suggestions and directions.
Art Institute of Chicago. 111 S. Michigan. Hours: M-W, and F: 10.30-5..Thursday days are free and the museum is open till 8. In 2011, the Museum is also free on the first and second Wednesday of each month (which includes the our Wednesday). Other days, admission is $12, Straight up Michigan about a few blocks on the right(look for the big stone lions), this museum has a wide variety of art from ancient to modern, from weapons to sculpture to paintings and photography. I'd suggest that many of you would probably enjoy the impressionists, so that might be an area to ask about (the museum is huge with a big addition just a few years ago).
Buddy Guy's Jazz Legends, 701 South Wabash. One of the most famous blues clubs in Chicago, easy walking distance from our hostel. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. . Must be 21. Cover charge in the $10 range, though you can usually get in free sarting at midnight. (2011: something extra expensive starts Wednesday so Monday or Tuesday might be the day to try this place).
B.L.U.E.S. and Kingston Mines. 2519 N. Halsted, 2548 N. Halsted. Live music 7 days a week. (you'll probably want to share a taxi home). Come early to get seating but music doesn't reallys tart until 9.30. . The whole neighborhood on N. Lincoln and N. Halsted, from Armitage (2000 North) to about W. Wrightwood Street (2600 North) is an area of live-music spots, jazz clubs, dance clubs (Esoteria), theaters, and restaurants. Again, you need to be 21. Cover charge.
Broadway in Chicago. These shows appear at some of Chicago's most historic theaters; I would especially recommend going to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/ Oriental Theater, where the decor and architecture is just amazing, though the shows there are usually expensive. .
DuSable Museum of African American History. 740 East 56th Place. At the edge of the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park on Chicago's south side. Perhaps combine a visit to this museum with an exploration of Hyde Park neighborhood and the University of Chicago, birthplace of American sociology (and still the ibe of the top graduate programs in the country). Admission is pretty cheap and hours are 10-5.
Grant Park: Take Congress Parkway straight toward Lake Michigan and walk past the statues and over the bridge. When you get to the Park, watch for Buckingham fountain, which does water shows every hour on the hour for twenty minutes; beginning at dusk each night, the water show will also be a light and music display. Grant Park is a great place to stroll, throw a frisbee, or get over to Lake Michigan where you can walk, bike or rollerblade. If you continue north in Grant Park, you eventually reach Millenium Park, which is definitely worth a visit. Look for the famous reflecting "bean," and there's a stage where I've seen some amazing concerts... so you may want to check it out early in the week.
Field Museum of Natural History.1400 S. Lake. Hours: 9-5. $14 (11 with student ID). .. Perhaps a mile from our hostel, this museum features anthropology, archaelogy, geology, and biology. A wonderful display on ancient Egypt. Don't miss the display on Sue, the largest dinosaur ever discovered (fossilized bones reconstructed and huge). This is my favorite of the Chicago museums, and in 2011, it's free June 7.
(Goodman Theater. 170 North Dearborn, between Randolph and Lake. One of Chicago's premier theatres. "Stage Kiss," which has played to good reviews(it was described in the one I read as a "farcical comedy of manners" and "uproarious comedy of superlative wit), is closing June 5, 2011.
Harold Washington Library. 400 South State Street. This is the gorgeous building across from the hostel with the amazing "wings" on top. The upper floor is a good place to spend a little quiet time during our visit, and there is a display on the life of Harold Washington, Chicago's first (and thus far only) black mayor. There are sometimes exhibits on the lower level.. (in 1997, for example, some of us saw an exhibit called "A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution" about the World War II internment camps in the U.S., with someone who'd been in these camps on hand offering her thoughts and feelings). Stop by early in the week to get a Calendar of Free events for the month, showing films, art exhibits, and other programs.
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum. 1852 W. 19th, in the Pilsen neighborhood. Tuesday-Sunday, 10-5. Current special exhibit is Mexicanidad, which shows art highlighting three historical periods (Colonial, Independence-Revolution, and Revolution-Present) plus the Mexican Experience in the United States. The largest such museum in the country . Admission is free.
Millenium Park You can walk north on Michigan Avenue till you see Millenium Park to the right, or you can go into Grant Park (take Congress toward Lake Michigan, continue till you get to Buckingham Fountain, and then walk north). The city's web site for the park says they host over 525 events per year, and I can personally testify that there are some great concerts held there. 2011, Monday, June 6 in the May Pritzger Pavillion: a concert in the Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays series, starting at 6.30 p.m. No tickets required; I've seen the seating all filled and a huge overflow crowd of people standing, picknicking on the ground, etc. and I've seen it half empty.
Museum of Contemporary Art. 220 E. Chicago (1 block off Michigan). 10-8 Tuesdays(free day), 10-5 other days. $10 ($6 students). Free on Tuesdays.
Museum of Science and Industry. 57th and Lake (near Hyde Park and the University of Chicago). 9.30-5.30. $13. One of Chicago's great museums, but pretty expensive. 9.30-4.00. (in 2011, it's free June 7,8,9, though there's a charge for some attractions like the German World War II submarine).
Navy Pier. A popular center of entertainment and dining.
Oriental Institute. 1155 E. 58th, in the Hyde Park/University of Chicago area. Tuesday and Thursday, 10-4; Wednesday, 10-8.30. Newly renovated displays of the ancient near east. It's free, although there's a suggested donation. It's a little "dry" but you certainly get some ideas about the Assyrians in all their glory. (or should that be "gory")
Second City Comedy Club. 1616 North Wells. Phone: 312-337-3992. . Take the Brown Line north from Adams and Wabash (there may be a closer stop on Van Buren near the library--ask at the HI desk) and exit at Sedgewick. Exit to the left for North Avenue and take a right on North 2-3 blocks to the intersection with Wells. Their "Best Of" show is Mondays (some favorite bits from past shows and an improv session at the end). (in 2011, their "South Side of Heaven," which has good reviews, runs Tuesday and Wednesday at 8, but be sure to call first for tickets). Comedians getting their start here include: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and more.
Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium. 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive (near the Field Museum). All access price: $23.. The oceanarium duplicates a Pacific coast environment, with tidal pools and foliage. Penguins, dolphins, killer whales, and a show several times a day. Wild Reef: Sharks at Shedd is the most recent addition. I love to see the kids of many races and ethncities at that dolphin show. (free days June 12-17; you'd have to stay over at the end of our field trip).
Smoke Daddy, 1804 West Division Street. Kotlowitz, in his Walk in Chicago, refers to Smoke Daddy as "a rib joint (which despite the fact that it is trendy, has some of the best ribs in the city, along with occasional llive blues bands). It's very small, though there's space outdoors; if it's a nice night. check it out at this online review.
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S. Michigan, Open 10-5, Monday-Thursday. On the first floor in 2011, there's an exhibit called Uncovered & Rediscovered: Stories of Jewish Chicago that's free to the general public (I plan to go). Exhibits of Jewish history, religion, art and culture. . General admission: $7, students $5. Free on Tuesdays.
Steppenwolf Theatre. 1650 North Halsted. One of Chicago' s most famous theatres, with a reputation of the same order as Minneapolis's Guthrie Theatre. Take the Red Line north from Harrison and State; exit at North and Clyborne and walk north a block on Halsted. Check out the Chicago Reader's Guide for reviews of plays and the like. .
University of Chicago Campus Calendar of Events
Water Tower Place. 835 N. Michigan Avenue. 7 story shopping atrium, with waterfall, and more than 120 shops. Some of the fanciest shopping in Chicago.