Things to do in Chicago?

[nicksan]

I'll be Chicago visiting my brother for 4 nights.

What are some of the must sees?

(I am in NYC, so Chicago equivalent of the typical stuff...Status of Liberty, Empire State Building, Museums, bridges, etc.)

I'll probably have 2 days of free time. I'll be with my wife and mother so I probably won't have any dedicated shooting time.

[FocalPrincess]

Sears Tower. Riverwalk....google will be your best friend. ;)

[BrokenRoad]

sears tower, museum of science and industry, shedd aquarium, the field museum, alder planetarium, navy pier. Um that is what comes to mind when I think about it.

[gary88]

The view from the top of the John Hancock center is much better, and tickets are cheaper!

Other things:
-Navy Pier
-Millennium Park
-Magnificent Mile
-Lincoln Park Zoo
-Tons of great restaurants (Ditkas :cool:)
-Adler Planetarium
-Shedd Aquarium
-Museum of Science and Industry
-Art Institute

[nicksan]

Awesome people!
Any short road trips around that general vicinity?

I'll probably have 1 day for Chicago, then another free day.

Thanks!!!
Nick

[Chris]

I would start out early one morning at the Adler Planetarium for sunrise. You may get lucky and have some great cloud formations to help with the sunrise. Also turn around and get some shots of the early morning sun shining on the skyline.

Then go over to Millenium Park and go over to Cloud Gate "The Bean" before there are a bunch of tourists there. You can find a lot of interesting shots there. You can do this before your wife even wakes up.

After breakfast take your wife up Michigan Ave. a little bit north of Millenium Park to see all the shops on the magnificent mile. You will also see some great architectural shots on your walk. And don't forget to stop at the old water tower!

I agree with the John Hancock over the Sear Tower-cheaper and you don't have to sit through their presentation before going to the top. Maybe even wait until evening for some spectacular night shots, or go to the restaurant at the top of the Hancock for a drink (10 bucks-ouch) and dessert and get the same views you would get from the observation floor.

On your free day you could drive up north to the Botanic Gardens-very pretty right now but the leaves are falling fast.

First shot is from the Shedd Aquarium looking west to the skyline
Second shot is at the Botanic Gardens

[Chris]

And here is what Cloud Gate looks like if you didn't already know. It will be jammed with people if you don't go early. This shot was taken on a Saturday morning around 7 am.

[nicksan]

Thanks for all this.
Actually, looks like my brother lives in a place called Mount Prospect. Familiar with this location?

[FlyingPhotog]

You could go take a bat to Mayor Daly for closing Meigs Field illegally...

Just a thought...

[nicksan]

Funny...looks like it's going to be a wash out...rain, rain, rain...until I leave Chicago next Tuesday that is. Then it's all sun...

Figures...:(

[57hardtop]

Wow, small world...I grew up in Mt Prospect. I live about a half hour away from there now. Not much there that's interesting to shoot...especially this time year. Have your brother take you to Busse Woods. It's a HUGE forest preserve near Woodfield mall in Schaumburg. My friend was there last weekend and got some incredibly awesome shots of the trees in full color. Hopefully they will still have most of there leaves and you can get some nice shots (if you're into nature shots).

[Familiaphoto]

Being in Mt. Prospect will limit your options. You are close to Schaumburg which has a great mall, but there isn't much strolling options around there. If you have a day to drive get in your car and go downtown.

[nicksan]

I plan on taking public transportation into the Chicago area and take in the sights.

Yes, I was looking at Busse Woods. Anything interesting there other than foliage? Any wildlife, etc?

Just trying to figure out whether bringing one of my Tele's would be worthwhile then...

300L F4 IS or 70-200 f2.8 IS...


Being in Mt. Prospect will limit your options. You are close to Schaumburg which has a great mall, but there isn't much strolling options around there. If you have a day to drive get in your car and go downtown.

[angryhampster]

Photography Museum. :D

[gary88]

I plan on taking public transportation into the Chicago area and take in the sights.

Yes, I was looking at Busse Woods. Anything interesting there other than foliage? Any wildlife, etc?

Just trying to figure out whether bringing one of my Tele's would be worthwhile then...

300L F4 IS or 70-200 f2.8 IS...

The 70-200 will make for some great street photography

[nicksan]

Prefer not to bring it unless neccessary.

Not sure how much Street shooting I can do over there...beside my street shooting usually consist of static stuff, not people...

Right now I am packed for the 16-35L, 24-105L, 35L, and 85L and my bag is stuffed. I'm trying to keep things at a minimum....not even checking in luggage, All carry-on stuff.



The 70-200 will make for some great street photography

[57hardtop]

I agree...70-200 should be long enough. Only wildlife you may see will be some deer and your everyday stuff like squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc. In nicer weather, there are some herons and egrets, but they may have moved on to somewhere warmer by now.

[locky]

If you get the chance go see the play "Wicked" I do believe it is still playing at the Ford Theatre. I have been to a few plays and this has been the best yet. Also if you see a street peddler dressed up as the Tin Man feel free to take a picture and then knock him on his ass. Tell him it's from the guy who hit him last year for lunging at my Daughter for taking his pic.

[tomjd]

I'm not sure if they run this late in the season, but If you have time to get on the water, There are a couple "tall ships" The Windy I and Windy II that do cruises for about an hour on Lake Michigan from Navy Pier. You can get some great skyline shots from out on the water depending on the time of day. There are also "Architectural" boat tours on the Chicago River.

[gary88]

Also if you see a street peddler dressed up as the Tin Man feel free to take a picture and then knock him on his ass. Tell him it's from the guy who hit him last year for lunging at my Daughter for taking his pic.

I know who you're talking about, he's always on Michigan Avenue. He demands money if you want his pic. Yet another reason to bring a 70-200.

[Chris]

At the intersection of Arlington Heights Rd. and Higgins there is an open field with a half dozen or so bull elk that backs up to the forest preserve. Huge racks. They have a tall chain link fence around it so you either have to put your lens right up to the fence or bring a small step ladder to shoot over the fence.

I agree about Busse Woods. Actually that forest preserve with the Elk might be part of Busse Woods. If you are reading this you are probably already in Mt. Prospect. I hope you brought your tele as the Elk will usuall be in the back part of the field by the trees

[Chris]

Here is a picture of the Elk from that field with my old 70-300 IS at 300mm shooting through the chain link fence

[Jeff]

I'd say 16-35L, 24-105L is all you'd need if you want to pack light.