Traveling to- and around Chicago in June with Swisswife

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Swissman

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Hi dear community!

Swisswife wants to visit the USA. But not like all the standard Europeean-tourist she's very interessed to see Chicago and
something around it. Something like in the picture. Maybe
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she want's to sit in a airplane and fly to Minneapolis to visit the females Mekka: "Mall of America".

Now I was told to contact the forummembers to judge this idea. Any Do's and Don't's?

Thanks for any suggestion.

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Swissman
 
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I am sure someone here will be living in the area that you'll be able to meet!
I live in Pennsylvania where you cant see on the pic.
Have you been to America before?
If you were to visit my area, I'de be happy to meet you at the gun club!
Peter
 
That would probably make a nice driving trip in June. A similar trip, circling Lake Superior, is also popular, and would put you within reach of the Mall of America area.

The areas you are going to encounter in either trip are going to be mostly rural, and your wife may think, "A lot of nothing!
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" between shopping places.
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Wisconsin and Michigan both have scenic areas away from the shore of Lake Michigan. If you are coming to look around, don't limit yourself to just the lake area. Wherever you go, it WILL be different than Switzerland! I can send you a map that shows scenic routes, but it looks like your map may already have that feature. I note the "Baden" in the legend. Do not expect to see European style spas.
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I personally would not be caught dead in Chicago, or Detroit, except under force of necessity. Thinking about route #2, the north side of Erie, going through Windsor and toward Toronto, can be a nice drive too. Horse territory, IIRC - if your wife happens to be fond of horses.
 
Swissman:

You will love Chicago as will Swisswife. It's simply one of the greatest American cities.

If Swisswife likes shopping there is no need to go to Minneapolis. The Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) in Chicago is the best shopping district I have ever experienced. There is everything there 'cept for a gun shop.
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Stay in one of the hotels on Michigan Avenue. There are many from which to choose. Do plan a visit whilst the Chicago Cubs baseball team is in town...and make it a weekday daytime game, if possible. Even if you don't understand or like baseball you will love the experience in and around Wrigley Field. Not to be missed!!! They are home June 12-21.

Food is fabulous in Chicago. Many great restaurants and not all are terribly expensive.

I suspect some may try to warn you away from your visit to Chicago. Do not let them scare you away. Believe me, you and Swisswife will have a memorable visit.

Be safe.

PS:

Do you know anything about Prague? Will be there in late June.
 
1. Downtown during daylight should be safe. If you like architecture, you can just look at buildings all day.

2. There are boat rides on the Chicago River and into Lake Michigan. Wendella used to be the operator. If I remember correctly, you can get the boat rides where Michigan Ave. crosses the river.

3. If you like Chinese food, try Chiam's in Chinatown (22nd St.). If you like Mexican food, try Cortez in Blue Island. If you like Thai food, there's a Thai restaurant on nearly every block on the North Side. There's an EXCELLENT Indian restaurant downtown. I've only been there once and can't remember the name. If you're interested, I can get the name.

4. I haven't been to the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium or the Adler Planetarium in twenty years, but they were good for an occasional visit.

5. There's plenty of shopping, especially on Michigan Ave.

6. Drive. Stay off of buses outside of the Loop (downtown) and trains after dark.

I don't recommend that people go to Chicago, but you're from a foreign country and it's something unusual to do. Just don't draw ANY conclusions about the rest of the United States from Chicago.
 
You'll love the loop around Lake Michigan. Don't stop in Detroit or Cleveland, but some of the suburbs are nice. If you have any time while in the metropolitan Detroit area, let me know. Maybe we can have dinner or do some shooting.

You can spend a lot of money dining in Chicago. If you like seafood, Nick's fish is top of the line. I haven't been to Chicago in years, but my favorite restaurant (considering the price) was Gino's Steakhouse in Harvey (S. of Chicago). The vegetable tray, marinated peppers and chateaubriand were to die for (nice mob atmosphere, too)! I hope they're still in business.
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If I have the pleasure of meeting you, you better look like Al Bundy!
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M29 is right. A lot of people around here make the big lake "circle" trips.

Most of what you'll see is not "big city" living. Having said that, on the Michigan west coast, especially once you get north of Saugatuck, the beaches are very nice. Depending on the weather and the time of month, it may still be a little cold for swimming...but by Swiss standards, compared to mountain lakes, not too bad.

There are two neat ways to take a Lake Michigan trip. The first is to go all the way around, and I'd include Traverse City, Sleeping Bear dunes and Mackinaw City as stops. Cross over the Mackinaw Bridge, heading west on US 2, and on your left, just outside of Ste. Ignace, you'll see about twenty miles of white sand beaches. Pull over and enjoy. Continue on through the sparsely populated North woods until you get to Wisconsin. [I'll let the Wisconsinites tell you about their state...but you may want to take a look at Wisconsin Dells while you're there.]

A second, shorter route is to head north along the Lake Michigan shoreline until you get to Ludington. Hang out there for a while and work on your tan, then take the SS Badger ferry from Ludington across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc Wisconsin. It's about a six hour ride to go the whole way across.

I'm sure there are enough Michigan members to form a welcoming committee for you and your wife on our side of the lake. Let us know if we can meet you somewhere along your journey and buy you a beer!

Len.
 
I attended a college journalism convention in Chicago years ago. It was bad then, and is worse now. The people were mostly as cold as the wind off of their damned lake. Traffic was nasty, too.

Cities like Chicago and New York typify what is wrong with America.

I hope that you will visit elsewhere in our country. I'd like your memories of the USA to be happy ones.

And I'm only half joking.

T-Star
 
Originally posted by cmort666:
Just don't draw ANY conclusions about the rest of the United States from Chicago.
Click to expand...

PLEASE!!
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Even though half of Chicago seems to have migrated to Washington, D.C., the rest of the country is not like Chicago!

I've had no problems in Chicago. I like to walk around and simply watch people and see new places. However, I am very aware of my situation and what is going on around me. You're going to have to watch for two, as Swisswife will likely be taking in the sights. You've had training and know about being careful, so I'm sure you'll have no problems.
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If you like deep fried seafood, there's a little place at Canal St. and Cermak Rd. that always seems busy. Their sauce is a little spicy and is great. Sorry, I can't remember the name, but it's on the NW corner. Just under the railroad tracks from there and you'll be in Chinatown, which I think is a great place to walk around and see people. Just don't wander too far out of Chinatown, as you'll be in a pretty bad area. Don't ask me how I know this.

As for the driving tour, routes one and two will be nice. On number two, drive as fast as you legally can until you get to the east side of Toledo, then slow down and see the sights. I've taken Highway 2 along the lake several times, and it's always interesting to see the little towns, farming communities, lakeside tourist traps, etc. If you like amusement parks, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH is supposed to be one of the greatest in the world. Heavy on the roller coasters. Personally, I would skip route number three, but then again, I've seen lots of farmland. You might be more interested than I am.
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Whatever you decide to do, slow down, take your time, and enjoy our country. You're welcome any time!
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The map in the above post says "Kanada"
Why did you pick Chicago?
Peter
 
Swissman. if you should be in the Detroit area towards the end of June, the SWCA is having their annual meeting. Some of the finest and rarest Smiths in the world will be there.

If you should drive from Chicago to Springfield, you will come through my town. You are welcome to spend time with us and I can show you some Lincoln stuff here in my town.

I hope the trip works out for you.
 
Dear members,

Many thanks for all this good words and meeting-propositions. Swisswife don't know right now, how many post she'll had to study 'til now. You're all a great source of information and a real helpfull bunch. Thanks a lot.

I will come back later, after Swisswife has gone trough all this posts.

Swissman, the butler of Swisswife
 
If you do head for Springfield, let me know. Im just a few hours south of there. Portillo's italian beef sandwiches in Chicago are wonderful. I agree with going to Wrigley Field for a baseball game, even though I'm originally a Southsider. [White Sox and Cardinals fan]. Enjoy the city during the daytime, it is beautiful. Mkae sure to go to the Museum of Science and Industry, it's great. Also, the Sear's Tower is fun to do.
 
If you get to the Racine area look me up, I am about 60 miles north of Chicago. We can go to Shooters and the Shooters shop in West Allis
 
I understand the mall of america thing. It has been several years from my last visit to the mall. However, I used to like to eat at Atlantis in the mall. I have no idea if it is still in business. As far as Chicago goes. You could not get me to go there for pleasure. It has been my very unhappy duty to wok there as part of the region I managed and do yearly trade shows there. Flat out--- it sucks! By the way-- don't think of flying through there. In my last 13 flights connecting or ending in Chicago 11 lost bags, 1 destroyed bag and 1 successful flight.
 
Swissman, I think you and your wife will enjoy your trip very much.

May I add that going to Niagra Falls will be very interesting. Since you will be so close, my I also suggest going up to Toronto, Canada. This is a wonderful and beautiful city. Much to see there and you would enjoy it.

Also, on Route 2 in Ohio on the south side of Lake Erie, since you are a shooter, I suggest that you stop in at Camp Perry, which is about thirty or so miles west of Sandusky, Ohio at the town of Port Clinton.

This is the "Mecca" for service rifle competition in the U.S. There won't be anything going on there, however it is worth a visit. They have three, 1000 yard rifle ranges that each of 100 firing points. A lot of history has been made there.

Also, there are many more things to see on your trip.

I hope you have a wonderful visit.
 
Milwaukee has a nice museum or two, too.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has a WWII German U-Boat that you can walk through. They have enlarged the hatchways, so it's not so claustrophobic. It was actually captured at sea.

June in Chicago can be a bit warm sometimes, but it tends to be better near the lake.

I don't know if your wife likes architecture, but there is lots of interesting stuff in the Chicago area. In Oak Park, just west of Chicago, they have a good Frank Lloyd Wright tour.

There have already been mentions of good restaurants - you can probably find good restaurants in Chicago for about every style of cuisine.

If you like art, the Art Institute of Chicago has one of the world's best collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. By the time the Chicagoans finally got rich enough to consider buying art, the folks from New York, Boston, Pittsburg, etc., had bought up all the old masters. So they bought Impressionists. At this point, the French still considered them "les affreux sauvages", so they were relatively cheap.

I'll agree with the little lake cruise from Chicago.

I encourage you to look at the lakefront starting at North Avenue Beach all the way north into Evanston.
 
Cantigny Museum (First Infantry Museum) Wheaton Illinois. Near Chicago. Beautiful palatial setting with a garden.
 
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