Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire A few hours in Chicago

I'm flying into O'Hare Friday to take my son to visit a few colleges in Iowa and I'll have a few hours to blow before we have to head west.

Is it worth trying to see something for a few hours or should we just put the Windy city in the rear-view mirror?

Looks like the weather's gonna suck. Windy and rain.

You have until Friday to practice dropping and laying flat on the ground.

Please do good at it.

You could go to the West Side and watch the gunfights. Just don't get caught in a cross-fire.

When I lived in Chicagoland 25 years ago the gunfights were mostly on the south side, not the west. What's up with that?

I don't know if you can get it done in the time you have, but the U boat display at the Museum of History and Industry is definitely worth it. Will give you a perspective on what the WWII sailors went through.

Historically that's been the case, with the South Side having one of the highest murder rates in the country. Recently I read an article about the murders moving toward the West side. I'm wondering if that's now the more lucrative drug territory? Drug dealers trying to go upscale and the murders following?

Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Natural History, and the Art Institute are all worth seeing. A trip to the top of the Hancock Building is cool - I was told it's better than the Sears tower. There's a a restaurant at 2121 Clark Street which is across the street from where the St. Valentine's massacre took place.

It's been 17 years since I've been there, but I think it was lakeshore drive that everyone raced on. Could rent a car and try it.

Skip Museum of Science and Industry and the Aquarium unless you have kids Jr. High and younger with you.

I'd hit the Art Institute or the Field Museum. Then I'd get some Chicago deep dish at Uno's or Giordano's (or if you want to get outta town hit the Giordano's in Rockford on your way west if you're going to Galena). I'd try and hit Galena, IL on my way west if you can make it. Google it. Neat old town with a bunch of shops and historical POIs, Grant's birthplace.

My sister and her husband live in Iowa City and the BIL works at the University of Iowa. Sis is a graduate there. If you have trouble getting any questions answered about University of Iowa let me know and I'll get them answered.

Also, IMO, I'd just head west direct from O'Hare and skip the museums. You're going 30-45 minutes in the wrong direction from IA to get downtown. Once you cross the Mississippi it's pretty much corn and soybeans until you hit a big town.

If you do go that route then get your tickets for the U-boat in advance. Last time I was there (a year ago) they were sold out day-of.

Oh, and if you're visiting Iowa City there's 2 stops you need to make for food:

-Pizza at the Wig and Pen tavern- get the Flying Tomato pizza
-Burgers and Beers @ Red's Alehouse

If you only have just a few hours between flights it probably wouldn't be worth the effort and risk to try doing anything much other than maybe eating at a restaurant or something real close to O'Hare.

Counting travel time to and from O'Hare you really wouldn't have the time to do any of the more interesting sights justice.

Get tied up in Chicago traffic or lost or whatever you could miss your next flight out.

As always, YMMV.

Many things to see - but the Museum of Science and Industry will shoot a day or three.
The Shedd Aquarium is good for at least a full day.

Both well worth the time, in my experience.

Hmmm... hadn't thought of that joken.

Wyo, you flying west to an IA airport or driving?

We're flying from Denver to Chicago then driving to two schools in Iowa and one in western Illinois before we fly back out. All small colleges.. Cornell, Luther and Knox.

Luther. All I'll say is I knew a chick from Luther for a while. Good times. I grew up in Freeport, Illinausea.

If you drive through Freeport, IL on your way in or out of state I highly Suggest Cannova's Italian Restaurant. Pizza fair to middling but their pastas are excellent and their red sauce I have learned to mimic thanks to Linda (half-owner). Cannova's is closed on Monday nights but the only other good sit-down place that isn't a bar is Fieldstone and it's next door- get a burger or steak.

If you get stuck in Freeport and want pizza hit Joe's on Stephenson or Maria's on business 20.

Near Galena there'a a western style firewatch tower. You can head up and look over the "driftless" part of NW Illinois where the glaciers didn't flatten it to a seemingly infinite plateau.

Fugitaboutit..not enough time. Bring a puzzle book go to the bathroom ..load up on snacks.. then watch the TSA slowasses (work?)..people watch..count the muzzies you see in the airterminal and report back

West End Ioway has the Heebert Hoober presidential library..
the outhouse in back was my choice for the Obongo crypt and presidential library..go see it...its on the way

They tore down many of the "projects" in Chicago, relocating the fine upstanding citizens around the city.

Interpretation; they left the inmates out and they scattered with the wind.

This same plan has been replayed across the country. Now, instead of havin concentrated bad areas, whole regions get to experience the "Hood".

I'd rather schitt my britches every hour on the hour than even think about going to Chicago! New Orleans the same way!!

Just study some of the charts on here and you will know just how much fun you can have while you are in Chicago. The Shot-In-The-Junk-O-Meter is a really fun one.
http://heyjackass.com/

Museum of Science and Industry.

Go watch them shoot each other up

It's Science & Industry and you're right it's awesome.

They have the only U boat on this side of the pond and you can walk through it.

The Feild Museum is awesome IMHO.

Wife talked me into going to Chicago for Spring Break which sounds like torture to me but gotta do stuff she likes once in a while I guess.

Going in the off season (like now) can really be enjoyable.

There is a New Orleans-style restaurant called Heaven On Seven that's incredible.

Lunch at Trump Tower...

Can't ask for a better time.

Definitely.

Museum of Science & Industry and Field Museum- Tsavo lions are there.

My dad watched a U-boat captured in WWII. Getting depth charged in tight steel chamber had to suck. Worth doing for the boat if its the only thing you can squeeze in

Aquarium is great, too

Not enough time IMO.




Dave

Life is full of risks, once you're dead you can relax

The west side has been exciting for a long time.

The places way south like Englewood are even worse. But it's all relative I suppose.



Dave

All BS aside, a plane ticket in and a car rental out could be a vacation.

Being stuck in Chicago traffic from rush hour or a wreck, and having to get on a plane...

If you have time, go to dinner at Lawry's Prime Rib downtown.

It's on Ontario, just off Michigan Ave. across the street from the Marriot Hotel.

MM

I believe it's the Museum of Science and Industry, but well worth the admission. A couple hours is light, though.

Ahh the Motherland
So many people go there often because it is a nice place to enjoy

Its a nice place to visit just know where you are going
I understand those who choose not to go because they have seen the headlines etc. Its sad that such a great city has such a rep

The dont let crime happen in the tourest areas too much money flowing

The problem only a few hours you have an hour in and an hour back. The airport was annexed into Chicago many years ago for taxes its not in the heart of Chicago by any strech,but not nearly like Denver.

INHO not enough time to enjoy anything

But near Ohare is not Disneyland but plenty of good resturants that will be very worth going both joints for a Hot Dog or maybe some great Italian or Steak and Chop house

Just be aware of where you are and Chicago is a large City but ultimatly has that Midwest hospitality

Hank

Not to mention certian areas around the airport crime is not allowed because certian groups dont want crime in their nieghborhood unless they allow it they have it undercontrol

This.
Save the Chicago attractions for another time when you don't need to be on a schedule.

There's an Al's Beef about five minutes from O'Hare.

Get a combo w/peppers. Dunked.




Dave

If you go see u-99, say hello to my uncle Glenn. He's in the picture.

Yup, figure 3+ hours per museum to see everything.

When is Chicago's 'high season' for tourists?

Your timing might be dicey as the NW half of Iowa from Thursday into Friday is under a winter storm watch for 6-10" in the NW corner with rain south and SE of the snow line. And strong winds 25-40 mph for all. So depends where you are headed. It might be a day to forget Chiraq and get to where you are going or re-evaluate your plans altogether. Take care.

But the Museum of Natural History is a definite if you have the time. Those remarkable scrawny lions of Tsavo are there -- the ones that lunched on some 100+ railroad workers.

What schools will you be planning to look at?

Correction: "Science and Industry."

Summer.

And over the big three holidays.




Dave

Get a double order; finish it on the run back to the ticket counter, quickly board, then submit to the effects of any turbulence.

Headed for Luther on Friday and Cornell on Sunday, Knox (Ill.) on Monday. I'm thinking now just to grab a signature pizza or Sammich and head west.

You should be ok weather wise on that end of the state. Both have good rep's I think but am more familiar with Luther which in the past anyway had a strong science and music rep. Nice town too.

Decorah is in or close to the Little Switzerland part of the state with wooded hills and limestone cliffs, turkey, good deer hunting, grouse, trout fishing, and of course not too far from the Mississippi.

'Course if he goes there he'll be studying. 😉

Why go to college in Iowa? Just curious - unless he loves to pheasant hunt but I am guessing that is not the reason.

Great idea make it a combo (sausage also) with sweet and Gardinar (peppers)
Wish I had one right now
Hank

Because Colorado has horrible financial aid programs. There's been a big shift over the years in how education is funded and it squeezes the middle class hard. If you are poor or rich, you are set for college. If you are middle class, you get screwed by the FAFSA EFC number. For us, our EFC is about $23,000/year. That's how much the government attributes as our "family contribution" to our son's education. That ain't happening. We've saved for college, but not $200,000 (total EFC for both kids)

He's worked hard to get great grades, has accomplished a lot in leadership, music and has high test scores. That and $23,000/year will get you into almost any school. But we don't have that kind of dough and won't go into that kind of debt.

But there are still some small colleges out there that grant merit scholarships for academics, music and leadership. Right now, we're looking at $11,000-$16,000 per year to go to these very expensive private colleges. That's less than what I would have to pay for him to go to any state school here in Colorado and even less than my alma mater, Wyoming.

I knew a truck driver from Chicago 25 years ago. He immigrated from Beirut Lebanon. His mother, still living in Beirut, always worried about him living in Chicago.

Erik, after C'Springs don't know if your son will like the Midwest "climate", etc. but, given the circumstances, I think you are making some wise educational choices. There is quality (of education and social environment) to be had in schools like those you are visiting - I happen to have special personal liking for Luther.

From O'Hare you are probably best just setting off westward rather than trying to squeeze something in - for Chi. I'd wait until you have time to pick/choose and do the good places justice. Having time to leisurely look at college towns/environments seem more valuable in this case.

Might be good to have some great CDs, books on CD or good conversation topics planned as the drive west from Chicagoland is boring when compared to your Rockies.

It is great that you are doing this - fortunate son.

Lots of place to eat in O'Hare but my choice would be a deep dish from Pizzeria Uno. Amazing pizza! I know they have at least one location in O'Hare.

Thanks Paul. Midwest winters will be a challenge. I think his plan is to move right back to Colorado after college. At least I don't have to worry about him going to college and falling in love with Iowa... (No offense to you Iowans). We're going to listen to a lot of music and talk. I'm looking forward to it! Just the son and I on this trip.

Well, Iowa does have its own beauty if not the iconic natural wonders. Strange as it may sound people do land here for one reason or another... and then stay.

Yeah, college costs have gone over the top. There are two small, very good, liberal arts colleges in my home town and another similar town just fifteen minutes away where we live now. My alma mater is at ~ 40k+/yr and the other is similar I'm sure. They both have been fairly highly ranked among the nation's colleges.

It's not Iowa that you have to worry about! Watch out for the girls.

Google earth and take a virtual tour of Chicago while you're waiting for your car rental..for comfort rent a Caddy.
FYI the best pizza and hot beef/sausage sandwiches are on the South side..PizzareoUno is krap and North side pizza is for gays and liberals..If you pass any deli's have them make you a couple Italian submarine sandwiches with olive oil.
Have a Good trip!

How was your trip?

Still on the road. Knox College today. Back to O'Hare tomorrow.

Coming back from a salmon trip in SE Alaska some years ago the wife and I had a 5 hour layover at O'Hare. Decided that was plenty of time to get on one of the trains that run out of the AP to grab some grub, a few pops and just to check out some local stuff, whatever that may be. Got off God knows where after 10 or 20 minutes or so, as I saw some crappy neighborhood as we were pulling into the station that looked about as good as any for a bite and drink. Had a fairly busy main strip that didn't look too bad (only 60 percent black in my keen-eyed estimation, which is on the cusp but under my personal threshold).

Decided to pop into some nearby dive bar close to the station, with the wife a bit nervous, but in looking in the window at a couple of guys bellied up to the bar and those milling around shooting some stick, decided it looked OK. Ordered up some drinks and was asking the barkeep about where to grab a good, quick sandwich. Friendly dude, gave us a couple of suggestions and asked where we were from. About that time some local monkey in army pants sidles up to us from behind on my wife's side, puts his arm on the back of the bar stool she's on and looks across her front to say to me, "this here's my bar, and there's a tax on out of town folks trespassing without an invitation. Double tax for couples".

I smiled and gave my wife the nod and the look, and after a sideways glance to check that he wasn't part of a group and that no one was hurriedly leaving, locking any doors or pulling down any shades, I said to the dude, "well that's an interesting comment. I have to say that I don't like the idea or your tone, but if that's the case come on over to my side of the bar and I'll buy you a drink; how's that sound?"

"You don't like my TONE, huh?", he said, getting a little excited and swaying, but not moving away from my old lady. I told him, "nope, I don't. I understand that some places have their local traditions and all, and I'm happy to oblige you, out of respect and as a guest in your city, but if you don't move away from the lady there in about three seconds I'm going to be forced to take your f**ing head off". At that, all 8 or so of the other patrons in the place, along with the bartender, started laughing.

I heard a guy at the pool table say something like, "Chicky done it now, that big old Hawaiian dude gonna' f*kk him up, watch!" About that time the bartender started in, looking pissed off and talking about, "Chicky you just got off being barred from here for the tenth [bleep] time. These folks don't want no trouble and neither do I. You don't stop this bullshyt right now I'm not gonna' step in when he commences to mopping the place up with your guts, and I'll make sure no one else does either!"

That pretty much ended that little bit of drama, though old Chicky mumbled something about this not being over, that we'd have to leave at some point. Whatever. A drink or two later I'm going over some pics I'd taken in AK, and the guy one stool over from Mrs. KG overhears me telling the wife that she did a great job shooting, and that when we got home I was going to see about getting her a rifle of her own. Long story shorter, the guy was a train conductor and while born and raised in the area, had always wanted to go to a place like AK and to be able to hunt and fish and stuff.

We hit it off well, and he was a pleasant guy to shoot the breeze with. I shared some pics and some thoughts on guns and whatnot. After some time I told the wife that we ought to start heading back to get our flight home. Being that Chicky was still there though, who I'd been watching in the mirror behind the bar the whole time, looking mad about his dressing down and being maybe embarrassed in front of his buddies, I said to this nice guy that I was going to leave an extra fin for the bartender, but I was going to take my empty beer mug with me as we left, just in case old Chicky decided to follow us out.

"Oh, don't worry about nuttin' like that, my man. I'll make sure he doesn't try any stupid shyt." I looked at him, mostly wanting to believe he would, but my standard suspicion told me to make sure I wasn't in a position where I had to rely on anyone else to watch out for my lady's well being. He must've seen that I wasn't entirely sold on his promise, and after a moment smiled wide at me. "I know what you're thinking, my man. I mean what I say and say what I mean, though. I can tell you grew up in the city. So, here's something to put your mind at ease. As I said, ain't nobody gonna' mess with you two. You got my word on it". He then leaned forward and with two hands reaching behind him, brought these little babies out.

I laughed my ass off, and shook his hand. I left an extra 20 bucks on the bar on top of a proper tip, and told the bartender to take care of this dude for the next round or two, on me.

I like some of the people in Chicago.

"That's not a knife ! Here's a fookin' knife !"

Go out to the old Navy pier at night.

Doubt that either you or your son will be impressed with Galesburg. But do take the time to visit Simpson's.

Decorah is a beautiful area. I fish and camp quite a bit up there...

Ask to see the Luger room at Simpson's...

Alas - Simpson's was closed on Monday. Aargh - I spotted that place before I saw your post. Closed on Sunday and Monday. Galesburg was ok - nothing special. The history of Knox and Lincoln was cool but not a good fit. Cornell was way too progressive and my son went without a shower that day due to the "gender neutral" bathrooms in the dorms.

Luther looked to be a good fit. Beautiful area. Didn't at all look or feel like when "Iowa" comes to mind.

That's now his first choice if we can make the scholarships and financial aid work out.