Five hours in Chicago?

**Pinner** · 08-21-2007, 01:42 PM

Flying into Chicago Friday morning and don't have to be at the rehearsal dinner in Rockford until 7:00 or so. How would you kill a few hours in Chicago with your Mom and 87-year-old aunt?

**Odin** · 08-21-2007, 01:44 PM

Drinking: It's not just for youngsters anymore!

**truth** · 08-21-2007, 01:57 PM

MDW or ORD? ORD makes it tough to get to the city unless you use the train, MDW would allow for a few hours exploring Millennium Park and the Mag Mile if the weather is good.

**PassTheDutchie** · 08-21-2007, 02:03 PM

Keep in mind: the traffic on Friday afternoons going west on 90 (or going anywhere) is going to be shitty. RCKFD is only about 70 miles from downtown, but it will likely cost you c. 2.5 hours+ with Friday rush hour traffic.

**Shredhead** · 08-21-2007, 02:12 PM

One of the museums? Problem is, it might take 3hrs+ to get to Rockford from downtown during rush hour. You might just have to drop them at Woodfield Mall and park yourself at a bar.
There is a Riverboat Casino in Elgin, if the old bags are into one arm bandits.

**up an down** · 08-21-2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pinner

Flying into Chicago Friday morning and don't have to be at the rehearsal dinner in Rockford until 7:00 or so. How would you kill a few hours in Chicago with your Mom and 87-year-old aunt?

take train from o'hare to downtown is my suggestion, but the weather is supposed to be on and off showers, maybe not so great for strolling, or biking on the lakefront.... rockford has a great japanese garden...www.andersongardens.org.... i live in rockford, if you have time to kill there i can make a few more suggestions

**Buster Highmen** · 08-21-2007, 02:49 PM

Chicago Art Institute. Fucking killer exhibits.

Either that or get ready for rrrrRRRRRRROCKFORD.....

**up an down** · 08-21-2007, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Chicago Art Institute. Fucking killer exhibits.

Either that or get ready for rrrrRRRRRRROCKFORD.....

i think reo's hometown is champaign..definitely not rockford. maybe you were thinking of cheap trick?

**Millsie** · 08-21-2007, 03:07 PM

You won't have time to go downtown. You will fight traffic the whole way down and back. I second Woodfield Mall and surrounding area. It is between O'hare and Rockford.

**Buster Highmen** · 08-21-2007, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by up an down

i think reo's hometown is champaign..definitely not rockford. maybe you were thinking of cheap trick?

At Summerfest in the early 70's the announcers, who always told the truth always announced them as being from rrrrrrrrRRRRockford, Illinois.

**FrankZappa** · 08-21-2007, 03:17 PM

Check to see if in fact there is Baloney between Plano, IL and Sanwich, IL.

**up an down** · 08-21-2007, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

At Summerfest in the early 70's the announcers, who always told the truth always announced them as being from rrrrrrrrRRRRockford, Illinois.

i was at summerfest in '74 and '75.. can't seem to recall any details about the acid quality

anywho , cheap trick is from rockford, 3 of the members still live here. reo is from champaign, but illinois maps printed in wisconsin are blank starting 30 miles south of the border

**Core Shot** · 08-21-2007, 03:39 PM

Are you nuts!

You have got to head straight to Rockford - that's where all the fun is !!

http://www.specialtyscrew.com/

http://www.rockfordballscrew.com/

http://www.midstatesscrew.com/

Oh, and don't forget http://www.cheaptrick.com/

**Buster Highmen** · 08-21-2007, 03:41 PM

Slice on by DeKalb and pick up a few pieces of sportwear emblazoned with the flying corncob!

**Core Shot** · 08-21-2007, 03:43 PM

Hey PINNER!

What the fuck is up with you not allowing any PM's ??

You got some past issues and experiences you would like to share?

I was just going to give you some tips, but fuck it.

http://rockfordspeedway.com/

**Big Hit77** · 08-21-2007, 03:43 PM

Reo is definitely from Champaign. We even have a street that was renamed REO Speedwagon way!

**mavrick** · 08-21-2007, 04:25 PM

it all depends on how you are getting to rockford? if renting a car, be leaving the city by 2pm and not a minute later or risk sitting in rush hour for about 3 hrs.

If your mom/aunt like to shop, woodfield mall offers some of the best shopping in the entire midwest. lots of good restaurant's (and pizza) in the area, you could also catch a movie.

**i live 5 min from woodfield mall so if you have any questions shoot me a PM**

**Buster Highmen** · 08-21-2007, 04:39 PM

While my geoplacement of REO Speedwagon may suck, my reading comprehension doesn't.

He's flying in Friday MORNING.

He's due for dinner in Rockford @ 7:00.

So there's at least 5 hours to blow in a great city.

See Amtrak.com : There's a 4:45 leaving Union Station that gets into Rockford @ 6:50 for $52. Perfecto, providing they have cabs in Rockford.

**up an down** · 08-21-2007, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

While my geoplacement of REO Speedwagon may suck, my reading comprehension doesn't.

He's flying in Friday MORNING.

He's due for dinner in Rockford @ 7:00.

So there's at least 5 hours to blow in a great city.

See Amtrak.com : There's a 4:45 leaving Union Station that gets into Rockford @ 6:50 for $52. Perfecto, providing they have cabs in Rockford.

amtrak scheduler must have a supply of '70s acid ... there is no amtrak station in rockford.. no train service here whatsoever.

**Core Shot** · 08-21-2007, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by up an down

amtrak scheduler must have a supply of '70s acid ... there is no amtrak station in rockford.. no train service here whatsoever.

Its a VanGalder bus that shows up on the Amtrak schedule

Best way into Roqufort from Chitown is to take the CTA to O'hare and then the Rockford-Ohare bus. $1.50 for the train and prolly $10 for the bus ride. Buses leave almost every hour so easy to catch them.

**GoldMember** · 08-21-2007, 09:17 PM

Don't worry about how to spend the time. My experience in Chicago this summer tells me you'll barely make your dinner. O'Hare is the worst airport in the country to get in to and out of. Good luck on getting there.

**Crass3000** · 08-21-2007, 11:48 PM

The Shed Aquarium is pretty cool. I'm hoping to have the time to hit it when I'm in Chicago (just for the day

)for work next week.

**Chitown Pow** · 08-22-2007, 10:07 PM

pin,

my GF is the head horticulturist at Millenium Lurie garden, old aunts dig gardens and plants...if the timing works out she could show her around.

Traffic between 10 and 3 is OK, I drive the burbs everyday. Midway or Ohare? Midway would be better for millenium.