shedd aquarium: Hello all. I'll be heading out to Chicago for a conference and I'll have the weekend of August 25th, 26th, and night of the 27th open for play and exploration. I'll be staying within a few blocks of the Tribune Tower/ Navy Pier. I'm curious about the weather at the end of August (heat and humidity this time of year). I'm also curious about crime, especially in the area I'll be staying/playing in: I know that I'll head down to Shedd Aquarium/Planetarium/Natural History Museum, as well as spending some time in Navy Pier, a Lake Michigan Cruise, a river cruise, and probably hit some of the local restaurants and bars in the evenings. If you have any recommendations on restaurants/ fun local bars in the area I'd love to hear 'em! One final teaser: My conference ends about 5pm on a Tuesday evening. I know that Ohair is only 18 miles from my hotel. Do you think it a problem for me to just pick up a taxi at 5pm (ish) and make it to the airport by 6pm? (I know this is during rush hour).|||Weather: Hot and humid. Our summer really starts to pick up around August and into early September. For instance, in the next few days it's supposed to hit the 90s. Crime: Yes we have crime (surprise!). That being said if you're staying near Tribune Tower/Navy Pier, you have very little to worry about. That is one of the major tourist areas in the city and the cops cruise it constantly. It's always crowded and unless you go exploring under the dark recesses of lower Wacker Drive or something, you'll be fine. Bars/Restaurants: You might like the House of Blues' Foundation room, a restaurant in the House of Blues in Marina city that also features free live blues while you dine. It's a pretty eclectic place with lots of authentic blues memoribelia on the walls, an interesting souvenier shop. If you're into jazz/lounge music check out either Andy's Jazz Club or The Redhead Piano Bar. Andy's features live jazz beginning at NOON and into the wee hours of the morning. There is a cover charge however. Redhead has no cover and is a swanky but semi-casual piano bar. You can take a seat at the bar or sit around the piano. If you feel like venturing away from the tourist area a bit, head over to the Old Town/Wells Street area. Lots of great bars (Old Town Ale House, etc.), great restaurants, and it's the home of the Second City improv group and Zanies standup comedy shows. If you feel like checking them out while you're there, I'd recommend going on line and buying tickets first. Second city also has a free improv set after the main show every night except Friday (I think) at about 10 p.m. Finally, making it by cab to O'Hare in less than an hour during rush hour might be tricky but I think it can be done. Just be prepared for a crazy cab ride if you tell the driver to step on it. Another alternative might be catching the nearest Blue Line train and riding that out to the airport (it's at the end ofthe line) but since you'll be hitting it during rush hour it might be kind of crowded. and I can't vouch for the time factor if you take the train. But it is only $2. P.S. I've seen the Cirque Shanghai show and it's pretty good. I'm a big fan of the unicycle riding panda bears!|||Check the 5-10 day forecast before you leave but typically the weather would be hot and humid!!|||If you have a good cab driver and give him an extra tip, you're bound to make it.|||there is not much crime by navy pier. if u want to see crime try Los Angelous or New York more crime than chicago. And the end of August is still pretty warm around ranging from 78-even 90.|||The reason I miss Chicago is these people here, who are some of the nicest I've met in large cities. I'm not native to Chicago but I lived there for many years and am now considering moving back. Take the blue line to O'Hare. I used to take it every day to go to school and back. You'll see a lot of people like yourself, going to the airport, and you'll probably even strike some conversations with some. Most people are friendly. Traffic is bad and you'll save a few bucks. There's an Indian proverb - believe in god, but lock your doors. Chicago isn't that scary. When I lived there Cabrini Green was an area one avoided. Just be careful, that's all. As far as the weather goes, there's something my neighbor used to say: "Welcome to Chicago. If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." (it will change)|||wre|||I highly recommend for you to go to Navy Pier on a saturday. I hear they have fireworks then. I advise you to go to the John Hancock tower and go to the 96th 97th 99somethingth floor. There they have a lounge like restaurant where you have a great view of the city. If you go to the Sears Tower you have to pay admission and all you get at the top is a gift shop. I'm sorry to say but I'm not sure about your timing question... Rush hour is a long process to get through..|||Welcome to the Windy City!! The area you're staying in is great. You won't have to worry about crime. You will probably see more homeless people at night though. They don't bother anyone, just ask for change. It's not like you're going to be walking all over them either. It's kind of a shock to some people to see homeless folks though. As for a great place to eat and watch a baseball game or something, Jefferson Tap! My cousin owns it. It's on Lake and Jefferson. You can totally cab it. The address is 325 Jefferson Street. They have a website so you can check out their menu. It's very reasonable and they have amazing food! As far as your trip to O'Hare, you're probably going to be better off catching the blue line (the electric train system, or the "el") to O'Hare. Traffic is a nightmare on I-90 during rush hour. I'm not exaggerating either. It's horrendous. I'm in it everyday. Harry Cary's Restaurant is great too. They have a fine dining section that's very fancy, or you can sit at the bar and enjoy some delicous homemade potato chips. They have the ball that Bartman caught. Well, they have what's left of the ball...it's been blown up. They also have a "holy cow" there. Harry always used to say that! HOOOLY COW!!! *sniff, we miss Harry, sniff* Oh, one more word of advice...I would skip out on Navy Pier if you don't have time to see everything. It's not all that everyone thinks it's cracked up to be. There's the big ferris wheel, but that's seriously one of the only fun attractions there. I hate going there b/c it's over crowded with little to do. If you're into architecture, there's several architectural tours along the river. They are the best! I highly recommend them.|||As far as weather, only god knows. (Plan on the opposite of what the weather people say) One day might be 95 and the next could be 70. It would probably be around 80-90 in august|||End of August can be down right hott and humid,(dog days) most of the time. However, some years, we do get a cool spell. So, bring summer clothes, and a wind breaker. Ur area is a good one, it is considered the southside , most of the southside, is ghetto, however, downtown is ok. Unless ur on state street at night. The museum campus is great. If it is ur first time at Navy pier, it wont be dull. ITs beautiful at night time, on the Ferris wheel. Seeing the lake and downtown. The inside is like a mall. Shops, restaurants, and an indoor tropical garden. Outside also has food, and carnival favorites, like funnel cakes, and they have boat rides, and virtual rides. Chicago is known for pizza, so dont forget to try some. Ginos East is good, and Unos. It may be a problem to get to O'hare in one hour, during traffic hour. So, I would try to leave a little earlier. If there is a thunderstorm, traffic will be slow. O'hare is on the northwest side of Chicago, u will be south. Lots of traffic downtown, especially during the summer months. I would say dont forget to see our famous airshow, but that is August 18th. Do, go visit Buckingham fountain, its really nice, and millennium park. Ps. If u do decided to take the blue line subway to O'hare, make sure u leave 2hrs early. There is a "Slow zone" going on, and once the train hits it, it goes really slow, really slow, a usually 10mintue strech of track, takes a good 25 mintues.