Notice that there is a rack to the right of the check-in desk on the second floor of the hostel, where there are written directions about how to get places from the hostel. You can also ask at the desk (or at the little information desk, if it's staffed).
Art Institute of Chicago. 111 S. Michigan. Hours: M-W, and F: 10.30-5..Thursdaydays are free and the museum is open till 8. 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.
Buddy Guy's Jazz Legends, 754 South Wabash. One of the most famous blues clubs in Chicago, easy walking distance from our hostel. . Must be 21. Cover charge.
B.L.U.E.S. and Kingston Mines. 2519 N. Halsted, 2548 N. Halsted. Live music 7 days a week, beginning at 8 p.m. (you'll probably want to share a taxi home). Come early to get seating. 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. Music starts at 8 on Thursday at the Kingston Mines (typically just piano) , but not till 9.30 earlier in the week and always 9.30 at the Kingston mines. 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 I think tickets to "Wicked are 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 number one rated graduate program in sociology 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 strange reflecting scupltue.
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.
(Goodman Theater. 170 North Dearborn, between Randolph and Lake. One of Chicago's premier theatres.
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. Admission may be free or by donation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Exhibits of Jewish history, religion, art and culture. There's an Ann Frank exhibition while we're there in 2006. 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.