http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32358 The remarkable and exciting architectural structure that is Millennium Park offers free concerts, exhibitions and tours for all of Chicago and boasts an amazing location for any event to be seen. Experiences that will not be forgotten as you sit and watch the concerts and plays in awe of the buildings and backdrop around you.
It is a lively place, flaunting stunning scenery and is a fantastic spectacle that represents Chicago at its best, promoting the varied culture found within the city as well as the clean, friendly and unique atmosphere. Millennium Park offers in my opinion the best setting for any theatrical play or concert to be held.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32358 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24484 Downstairs there was a gorgeous tapas restaurant which served an amazing fig and prosciutto salad - perfect after all those deep pan Chicago pizzas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24187 Goose Island is Chicago's only "craft beer" i.e. microbrewery and has been going since 1988.
They do brewery tours at N. Clybourn site on Sunday afternoons at $3 for a tour, full beer tastings and a souvenir glass to take away! Its ideal to have a leisurely lunch there (the food is also great, esp. the burgers) followed by the tour.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24187 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20760
Hyde Park has a number of bookstores - the most interesting to me are the Seminary Coop Bookstore at 5757 South University (new books and other locations) and Powell & O’Gara’s, 1501 East 57th Street (used books to get lost in).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20760 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20759
- Chicago Magazine (a mostly medium-to-upscale monthly)
- Chicago Reader (a free edgier Friday weekly)
- Metromix
- Chowhound’s Chicago Board (individual reviews and comments, but generally on target)
- WTTW Public TV’s Check Please (see restaurant list)

You can eat well and with a lot of ethnic variety in Chicago. There are too many good restaurants of all kinds and nationalities to name here. If it were up to me, I’d buy a copy of Chicago Magazine, check out Chowhound (which, by the way covers other areas in the US) and check out WTTW’s Check Please site if I was interested in eating well and interestingly (and I am).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20758
The highlights from my point of view, in no particular order:

Lake Michigan (including the Outer Drive and the many parks along it), ethnic foods and neighbourhoods, Hyde Park (yeah, yeah, we stole the name) and University of Chicago area, music of all kinds, architecture.

For many area and architecture tours, including the very popular Chicago River Cruise (seasonal, of course – brrrr!), and for architecture information, see the Chicago Architecture Foundation which has an office at 224 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s downtown (not technically in Chicago’s famous Loop which is defined by the elevated train tracks downtown). They are in the Santa Fe building; while in the downtown area see the Rookery (in both it and the Santa Fe building be sure to see the lobby areas inside), Monadnock Building, Carson Pirie, Scott Building.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation 'tour' pages will give you plenty of ideas for visits and their tours are high quality and reasonably priced.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20755
Capital Grille and Chicago Chop House really have to be experienced! Try the dry aged beef...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20755 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20720 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20720 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20708 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20708 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20691
On the way out ladies must go and powder their noses for the most spectacular views ever from a skyscraper bathroom.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19735 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19735 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19481 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19481