First Time in Chicago: Suggestions?

So my wife is going to a conference in Chicago for work, so I figured that since hotel and airfare is covered for the wife, I might as well tag along. I'll have 8-noon and 1-5:30pm to myself every day and don't mind doing random shit. Anything I absolutely have to do? I don't care if it's ultra touristy or ultra weird. I like it all.

The one thing I have booked is the river architectural tour at night. When it's just me I'm hitting a couple of breweries (Half Acre, Revolution) and probably the zoo. Definitely going to hit one of the famous Chicago dive bars (Rossi's) but other than that, wide open.

The Field Museum is pretty awesome

Don't know if your into baseball...I personally think its great live because its all about drinking outside with a strangers...but Cubs and Whites Sox fields are suppose to be great

I did one of those double decker bus tours there, touristy AF but who cares, it gives you a good tour of the city and you can hop on and off when you want.

Nice. The bus tours, during the day? Different ones and if so, which one did you do?

And I checked into baseball and the Cubs are actually in DC playing the Nats. Have you been to the White Sox stadium? Worth seeing?

Nice. The bus tours, during the day? Different ones and if so, which one did you do?



And I checked into baseball and the Cubs are actually in DC playing the Nats. Have you been to the White Sox stadium? Worth seeing?


It was a day bus tour, I don't remember which one exactly, sorry. Both the Sox and Cubs were out of town when I went so I didn't get to go to a game.

Soldier Field is over in the same area as the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, pretty sure they do tours.

Definitely check out one of the skyscraper observation decks, the city is amazing.

I was there last year for a conference. The river walk is a very nice way to take in some sights on your own. The lakefront trail is really nice to walk, too.

https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/the-lakefront-trail/

It's 18 miles long, but sights along it include:

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
Theater on the Lake
Soldier Field
South Shore Cultural Center
Museum of Science and Industry
McCormick Place
Grant Park
Monroe Harbor
Navy Pier
Jackson Park
Belmont Harbor
Burnham Park

Also you gotta get the deep dish. My favorite was this place:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ord-pizzeria-chicago?osq=best+deep+dish+pizza

I've got an old neighbor into model trains, and I remember one time he recommended checking out the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, supposedly they have a really huge exhibit there along with some other neat exhibits. I can't say I know much about it but I put it on ice in case I ever find myself in Chicago with nothing to do lol. I like the ideas so far though, I'd probably visit Wrigley Field just for the experience and the zoo is always neat. Having never had an authentic Chi-style pizza that would be on my list too.

I've always wanted to check this out:
https://imss.org/