as someone mentioned above...the loop closes down around 9, and so do the commuter trains. i had no idea that was the case, and my girlfriend (now wife) and i almost got stranded in the city (we were staying in glen ellyn) for the night.

-do the sears tower. i know i know. but when you're a tourist, you're a tourist. it's pretty cool.

-championship vinyl. check it out.

-go back during baseball season and catch a day game at wrigley field. i hear if you wait until the fifth inning or something, you can pay $5 bucks and get standing room to watch the game. eat a hotdog while you're there. nothing tasted sweeter to me than that hotdog.

-since it's not baseball season now, head up to wrigleyville anyways and just walk around. there's some really cool thriftstores, used bookshops and music stores up there. that was the first place i went when i visited chi the first time. it was great. saw the Field and bought some cool vinyl.

-ride the el's after dark. find a quiet car, and let the guy's voice hypnotize you: "Adams and Wabash is next..."

-check online before you go. we called the chicago transit authority and told them we were visitors. they mailed us some "visitor passes." we paid a small fee and got unlimited rides on all public transport. you're only going for a weekend, so it may not be worth it to you.

-go to navy pier, but don't stay long. maybe ride the ferris wheel. i didn't really like it that much. the best part was the view of the skyline from the water.

-stand on one of the bridges over the river and pretend you're in perfect strangers.


i dunno.

maybe listen to that sufjan stevens song when you get there.