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ken krouse's Traveler List
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Write a thankful note to show in this member's profile.Compliment ken krouse

Just the two of us

Ask this member a question. ken krouse small town Wisconsinites enjoy Chicago
31 Mar 2007
3.0 of 5 stars based on 4 votes
Just sharing some thoughts on our first trip to chicago and oak park
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois
  • Category: Recent trip
  • Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Never been before
  • Appeals to: Couples/romantics
  • Seasons: Spring
  • Tags:
1. Club Quarters Wacker at Michigan
River Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d250023?src=GoListDetail&fromServlet=GoListDetail&Action=QC_Button
Ave price: $161
A maybe not "so" special hotel and yet a "not at all" run of the mill hotel either
Great location - room was a bit smaller than most maybe but just fine for us with a great view of the river - cost seemed to be pretty good compared to others
I never heard even a peep in the hall all three days and nights! That was refreshing!
They serve cookies in the afternoon, have internet access (3 computers), a nice lobby with coffee and ice water out all the time, and a fast elevator
We will very likely stay here again
2. Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, Illinois
Nice relaxing walk - large variety of plants/flowers - we took the green line from downtown (on our way to Oak Park) - we got there a little before nine - waited in the lobby a bit and I believe we were the only visitors there that Thursday morning - We were a bit concerned about safety (because someone said he's a tough neighborhood) but it seemed just fine to us - the Conservatory is a very short walk (200 yards?) away from the El
3. Oak Park
Oak Park, Illinois
The Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio tour ($12 each) was very enjoyable and interesting as was our walk around the neighborhood to see some of his other creations - the highlight was checking out his Unity Temple ($8 per person) - we got to Oak Park around 10 - checked out the Oak Park Visitor Center which is on the way to the Home tour first and saw some of his other houses after the visitor center and on the way to the Home tour - beautiful little town with lots of cool churches and buildings - it might have been smarter to visit the Unity Temple first (it opens at 10:30 weekdays) to enjoy the Temple for 20 minutes or so more on our own (guessing it would be less crowded then) and then you would also have the option of coming back after the 11 am Home tour
4. Millennium Park
Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois
I read a lot about how cool the "bean" (Cloud Gate) was - it didn't sound to me like it would be a highlight of our trip - I was wrong - I enjoyed it a lot - wish I would have spent more time checking out the different reflections - the Crown Fountain big screens were not as enjoyable but there were technical difficulties when we were there - one screen had nothing on it and the other one only had one man on it with little going on - we did not check out the rest of the Park - wish we would have walked on the Bridge at least
5. Trattoria No. 10
Trattoria No. 10, Chicago, Illinois
Definitely a highlight of our trip - fantastic food, service, and romantic atmosphere (ask for the back room) - we will definitely be back - I'll definitely have the butternut and acorn squash ravoli again and I'm guessing my wife will again order the ravoli with aspargas tips - they were the first two items on the pasta portion of the menu
They also have a $12 all you can eat buffet (for bar partrons only) which looked so good and tempting that we came real close to sitting ourselves down in the very nice and "not too loud" bar area (5-7:30 pm weekdays- $6 drink minimum) - Our bill with tax and 20% tip came to less than $40 (no drinks or dessert)
6. Auditorium Building
Auditorium Building, Chicago, Illinois
Basically - think of it as the Roosevelt U. building facing Michigan Ave. - nice interior plus a great view from the tenth floor library!! - You can't see the inside of the other side of the building (The Auditorium) without going to a show or taking a tour only offered on certain days
7. Russian Tea Time
Russian Tea Time, Chicago, Illinois
A good to very good dining experience
My wife had a "hearty bowl" of Ukraian Borscht ($8) - I had the Beef Stroganoff ($17.95)
8. James R. Thompson Center
James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, Illinois
It was interesting to see - I forgot to check out the artwork (largest collection of Illinois artwork anywhere supposedly) while we were there
9. Portillo's
Portillo's, Illinois, United States
Fine spot but wish we would have gone to a more unique, romantic, finer dining place - figured we "had" to have a Chicago hotdog
10. Giordano's
Giordano's, Chicago, Illinois
Same as above - fine spot but . . .
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois