Near wedding site:
Louis Joliet Mall-
next to host hotel, along with a variety of other shopping and restaurants.
Harrah's Riverboat Casino
-just blocks from the Rialto Square Theatre. Boats available 22 hours a day for slots, blackjack, and poker.
Empress Hotel and Casino
-another wholesome way to spend your days and nights. Empress also has their own hotel on site.
They are also instituting a shuttle that will drop off and pick you up from the host hotel, area restaurants, the casinos, the Rialto, and other area establishments. More info on this will be posted later...
In Chicago:
Call 1-800-226-6632 for a free tourism information packet. The Tourism webpage is www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism. For starters:
MUSEUMS/SITES:
-
Art Insititute of Chicago,
S. Michigan and Adams St.
Buckingham Fountain/Grant Park-
free concerts all summer long
Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, all on "Museum Campus" on S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (7:30-3:15), or Chicago Board of Trade (9-12:00), or Chicago Stock Exchange (8:30-3:30). Experience the craziness of trading stocks and commodities.
Sears Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr. The 2nd tallest building in the world.
John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave. Great view of the lake from the 94th floor.
Navy Pier, Grand Ave and Lakefront. Giant ferris wheel, fireworks, restaurants, lake cruises
Lincoln Park Zoo, 9-5:00, free zoo in the middle of Lincoln Park.
SHOPPING:
Specialty stores on the Magnificent Mile (all on N. Michigan Ave.) include:
- Niketown
- F.A.O. Schwarz
- Crate and Barrel
- Sony
- Viacom Entertainment Store
- Marshall Field's
- Lord & Taylor
- Bloomingdale's
RESTURANTS:
-
Billy Goat Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Ave. Famous for the SNL skit "cheezborger, cheezborger"
-
Michael Jordan's Restaurant, 500 N LaSalle St.
-
Dick's Last Resort, 435 E Illinois St. Live music, just like a frat party.
-
Maggiano's Little Italy, 516 N Clark St.
-
Big Bowl Café, 159 W Erie St. Yummy Thai food.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Boat Tours (leave from Michigan Avenue Bridge area)-can get advance reservations:
Mercury Chicago Skyline Cruises-90 minute river cruise, about $12, (312)332-1353
Wendella Sightseeing Boats-- river and lake tour, from $10-$14,(312)337-1446
Chicago Architecture Foundation Boat Tours, $15-17, (312) 922-3432
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets Game, Wrigley Field: Sunday, Aug. 1, 1:20. (312)404-2827
Second City, 1616 N Wells St., (312)337-3992. Great comedy/improv. See Main stage show.
Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach for your sunbathing pleasures on Lake Michigan.