Hello, Chicagoland!

[Danno]

Any suggestions for a car/fire apparatus/model junkie to do in Rosemont/Des Plaines/O'Hare area with which to kill an empty-agenda day?

I have a 'down' day next week.  I had a plan, but then was bummed out to find (1) the Original McDonald's Museum is closed on Tuesday ~ and, it's really NOT a museum one can tour anyway - shocker - I didn't know that ~ (2) Giordano's doesn't allow you to take up residency in a booth for the whole day, no matter how many Chicago pies you order, and, (3) the Pristovnik Museum of Fine Art and Extraordinary Brass Era Models is booked solid for the next two years for drop-ins.  I hear there's an engraved invitation included with my MCM Issue# 202, but I don't think it will get here before Tuesday.

So I find myself with a day on my hands and nothing to do.  Any suggestions for things to do and/or killer places of repast near the Loew's Rosemont (Chicago O'Hare)?

 

  

[Joe Handley]

Not sure, I usually tried to say away from that whole area unless going to iHobby or the World of Wheels.

[Danno]

I probably would, too, if not for a business requirement. 

I'm not particularly attracted to the Bloomingdale's Outlet Store. 

[Joe Handley]

Can you make it into the city?  The Museum of Science and Industry had all sorts of interesting stuff, but you have to go into Downtown Chicago to get to it.

 

[Harry P.]

You will miss the "Exxxotica" show at the Rosemont Convention center by just a couple of days. Bummer. That would have held your attention for the day, for sure!

Nothing scheduled for the Convention Center the day you will be there... and besides the shows and events at the Convention Center, there's not a whole lot of anything going on in the Rosemont/O'Hare area.

If you want to take the time and trouble to go downtown, however, there are tons of things to do. The Skydeck in the Sears Tower... Navy Pier... shopping on North Michigan Avenue (the "Magnificent Mile")... the museums, the Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium. But one thing's for sure... taking a cab into the city and doing any of those things ain't cheap. Chicago is $$$$$ no matter what you do. The cab ride into the city alone will set you back 50 bucks. Sorry I don't have any better suggestions for you.

[Harry P.]

Here's a thought... if you wanted to rent a car for the day, a drive to downtown and a ride along Lake Shore Drive would be fun. Downtown Chicago is spectacular... the architecture will blow you away. Just a fun drive down the Kennedy X-way to downtown, get off at Ontario, head east to LSD and go south. And bring a camera, because downtown Chicago is just that good. Or get off the Kennedy at Addison and head east towards the lake, til you get to Wrigley Field. Always a cool place to see for an out-of-towner. You could even stop into one of the many bars/pubs/restaurants around Wrigleyville for lunch, then head back to your hotel. Might be a fun way to spend the day.

[cobraman]

Navy Pier that Harry mentioned is a cool place to go.

[Harry P.]

Lots to see and do at Navy Pier. Also a great place to drop a few bucks really quick! It's Chicago's #1 tourist attraction. This is from out in the lake, looking west towards downtown...Sears Tower at the extreme left (the black building with the white TV antennas)...John Hancock building at extreme right (the one that tapers as it goes up)... Lake Point Tower condos (the black building in the center with the rounded sides)...and yes, that's a Ferris wheel you see near the entrance to the pier. If you don't mind dropping a few bucks, it's a fun day.

[Agent G]

The Volo Auto Museum is worth the trip. 

G

[Harry P.]

The Volo Auto Museum is worth the trip. 

G

Absolutely! But it's quite a haul from the O'Hare area. Volo is just south of the Wisconsin state line. But definitely worth going out of your way to see. I bought my '67 Impala there.

[Danno]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions.  I'll take them all under advisement and research them further. 

Any 'can't-miss' hobby shops?

 

 

[High octane]

While I don't know for sure, it seems like most of all the "can't miss" hobbyshops have gone by the wayside. Of course if you'd like to drive to southern Wisconsin, the Model Empire is a can't miss hobby shop and I'll be goin' there this week myself.

[madhorseman]

 

You will miss the "Exxxotica" show at the Rosemont Convention center by just a couple of days. Bummer. That would have held your attention for the day, for sure!

Nothing scheduled for the Convention Center the day you will be there... and besides the shows and events at the Convention Center, there's not a whole lot of anything going on in the Rosemont/O'Hare area.

If you want to take the time and trouble to go downtown, however, there are tons of things to do. The Skydeck in the Sears Tower... Navy Pier... shopping on North Michigan Avenue (the "Magnificent Mile")... the museums, the Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium. But one thing's for sure... taking a cab into the city and doing any of those things ain't cheap. Chicago is $$$$$ no matter what you do. The cab ride into the city alone will set you back 50 bucks. Sorry I don't have any better suggestions for you.

NHRA Nationals are at Route 66 Raceway this weekend as well.

[charlie8575]

 head east to LSD and go south.

So you say it's a real good trip, eh?

I was in Chicago in 2000 visiting a friend from home and checking out grad schools. It really is a neat city. If they can get the morons presently trying to turn it into a 300 square-mile Boot Hill under control, I would very happily go back to visit. I'd still love to go to a Cubs game.

Charlie Larkin

[Danno]

Oh, wow.  Dinner at Gibson's Steakhouse.  Amazing! 

 

Apparently there's a nearby Brazilian steakhouse on the agenda tomorrow.  My colleagues like to eat.  Fortunately, I'll be flying back in a Boeing 737 'wide body.'  

[mikemodeler]

Oh, wow.  Dinner at Gibson's Steakhouse.  Amazing! 

 

Apparently there's a nearby Brazilian steakhouse on the agenda tomorrow.  My colleagues like to eat.  Fortunately, I'll be flying back in a Boeing 737 'wide body.'  

Yeah, one thing to do in Chicago is fine dining! The biggest thing we miss since moving away 11 years ago is some of the food and places to eat, nothing comes close here in Charlotte, although we have found some great BBQ here!

[High octane]

Yeah, one thing to do in Chicago is fine dining! The biggest thing we miss since moving away 11 years ago is some of the food and places to eat, nothing comes close here in Charlotte, although we have found some great BBQ here!

When I was in Charlotte seven years ago, I didn't have time to eat as I was there on business and it cost me a lot.I flew in, hopped a cab, conducted business, got a ride back to the airport and hopped on a plane to Cleveland and then a connecting flight to Milwaukee. It was a long day.