2 hours in Downtown Chicago

[MUEng92]

I have "agreed" to drive my wife, daughters and mother-in-law down to Chicago tomorrow so they can go to the American Girl doll store.  Shockingly, I am not even remotely interested in the place, so I have 2+ hours to kill.

Any suggestions on something interesting to do in 2 hours?  I have been to the Shedd, Field Museum and MS&I fairly recently.  I haven't been to the Planetarium since the late 70's/early 80's, but I don't know if 2 hrs is enough to get your money's worth there (or if that is too much time for that matter).  Since the whole point of me going is to drive, I didn't think it would be a good idea to sit in a bar for 2 hours.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

strip club.

[reinko]

10:30 a.m: The Sears Tower Skydeck.
11:00 a.m: The Art Institute of Chicago.
Noon: Lunch at Chez Quis
1:05 p.m: Cub game at Wrigley.
2:00 p.m: The Von Steuben Day Parade

[shaquilvaine]

ESPN Zone

[MUEng92]

10:30 a.m: The Sears Tower Skydeck.
11:00 a.m: The Art Institute of Chicago.
Noon: Lunch at Chez Quis
1:05 p.m: Cub game at Wrigley.
2:00 p.m: The Von Steuben Day Parade

I swear, I almost closed my post with:  Anyone....anyone....Bueller...

[MUEng92]

ESPN Zone

Where is it? I didn't know Chicago had one.

[chapman]

strip club.

This.  Maybe the only place to go in two hours that makes up for driving a car full of women to a doll store.

[reinko]

Drive north, buy fireworks, go to six flags, and stop off at the Mars cheese castle.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Get a Pizza and a beer at Giorginos on Rush. It will take @ 40 minutes for them to make the pie and get you a table. Bring the rest home for in front of the TV

[4everwarriors]

Walk up and down Michigan Ave. and have a conversation with the panhandlers. You'll recognize the dude in front of Neimans as ZFB and the homeless-looking cat by Water Tower Place is likely to be Crean if it's a sunny day.
Once the ladies get done with you at the American Doll store, you won't have money for anything else.

[Clarence]

Get out on the water.  The architectural cruises are cool.  This is the best one http://www.chicagoline.com/ they serve drinks on board.

I would also recomend inviting my friend Mary Jane to go with you. 

[JWags85]

Where is it? I didn't know Chicago had one.

Its on Ohio.  Just west of Michigan.

They are going to take 2+ hours at just that store?  Dang.  Maybe roll over to Oak St/North Ave beach and enjoy the "scenery" if its in the 70s tomorrow.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I have "agreed" to drive my wife, daughters and mother-in-law down to Chicago tomorrow so they can go to the American Girl doll store.  Shockingly, I am not even remotely interested in the place, so I have 2+ hours to kill.

Any suggestions on something interesting to do in 2 hours?  I have been to the Shedd, Field Museum and MS&I fairly recently.  I haven't been to the Planetarium since the late 70's/early 80's, but I don't know if 2 hrs is enough to get your money's worth there (or if that is too much time for that matter).  Since the whole point of me going is to drive, I didn't think it would be a good idea to sit in a bar for 2 hours.

Jesus Christ...put 'em on the train! Better yet, why can't they drive themselves?! Your mother-in-law? Seriously? And if you go to ESPN Zone, it's even worse!

[Benny B]

Jesus Christ...put 'em on the train! Better yet, why can't they drive themselves?! Your mother-in-law? Seriously? And if you go to ESPN Zone, it's even worse!

It's times like these I'm grateful that I have the two best excuses for getting out of such trips - a son and a Metra station three blocks away.


But seriously -- Check out the new Trump Tower if you can.  It won't kill a full two hours, but it is the newest landmark and there's a bar a few floors up that overlooks the river.

[MUEng92]

This.  Maybe the only place to go in two hours that makes up for driving a car full of women to a doll store.

Just so it is understood, half of these "women" are 12 and under.  It's bad enough as it is.  I don't want everyone thinking I am driving a bunch of middle aged women to a toy store!

Truth be told, I enjoy going to Chicago, so I didn't put up too much of an argument (falls into the "choose your battles wisely" category!)  I just wish I had more time.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  

[GGGG]

Jesus Christ...put 'em on the train! Better yet, why can't they drive themselves?! Your mother-in-law? Seriously? And if you go to ESPN Zone, it's even worse!

I agree with this.  I'd rather wander around aimlessly than hang out at an ESPN Zone.

[augoman]

I drove down to Chicago Friday pm for an overnight at my daughter's (she has a great condo in the 'gold coast') for her birthday.  Dinner in boy's town, drinks in old town, a walk to the 'viagra triangle' to have a nice cohiba and coffee while watching the action, and I'm ready for bed.  Up early, brunch at the third coast, walk to the park for the farmer's market, ... wait a minute- did you say only two hours?  crap, go sit in one of the open air bars and watch girls.

[wyzgy]

10:30 a.m: The Sears Tower Skydeck.
11:00 a.m: The Art Institute of Chicago.
Noon: Lunch at Chez Quis
1:05 p.m: Cub game at Wrigley.
2:00 p.m: The Von Steuben Day Parade

never been to a 55 min. mlb game before-takes that long to stand in line to take a piss and maybe watch a couple knuckleheads duke it out in the concourse

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

never been to a 55 min. mlb game before-takes that long to stand in line to take a piss and maybe watch a couple knuckleheads duke it out in the concourse

Your response indicates the previous post was way, way over your head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC3EObh-maE