guide to Blogher - what to do in Chicago (FREE)

First of all, all you party girls are going to want to know where you can get your beverages. If you are staying at the Sheraton, these are less than a mile walk or a really quick cab or bus ride.

Ben'Z Liquors - 0.7 miles away
15 East Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-2505

Binny's Beverage Depot - 0.9 miles away
213 West Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 332-0012

Rothschild Liquor Marts - 0.99 miles away
55 W Van Buren St # 350, Chicago, IL
312-427-0334

If you are a chocolate freak (who isn't), be sure to stop at the Hershey Store at 822 North Michigan Avenue, (312) 337-7711. Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 8pm, Friday & Saturday: 10am - 10pm. Or try Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop at 830 N Michigan Ave # 1, (312) 337-9330. Sadly, Ethel's Chocolates is no longer in Chicago and is no longer on the first floor of 900 North Michigan Avenue. They were awesome and used to be my Friday fix.

As far as restaurant recommendations go, one of my favorites is Baisi Thai. It is in the 900 North Michigan Avenue Building, 6th floor. They have a lunch buffet (Monday-Saturday 11:30am-3pm) that is awesome. I used to work in the building and it was really hard not to go more than twice a month. Tucci Benucch is also on the same floor and has excellent Italian cuisine. For a complete guide to what is in Chicago's Loop, check out Chicago Dining Guide - Chicago's Loop. Included are high-end restaurants, restaurants by type of cuisine, as well as the fast food chains. Also Starbucks.

Want to get around on the cheap and need to know what bus or el train to take?
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) or call 1-888-YOUR CTA. Click this link for the route. If you are staying at the Sheraton Chicago, type that as the "From: Attraction". Then type in the name of the attractions you want to visit. Select Train, Bus, or Driving. (There are also tabs for each, when you get your route. Select the appropriate tab.) The Directions will also include the Bus/Train fare amounts.

Free Tourist Type Stuff:
Art Institute of Chicago - Free Admission - Thursday, Friday evenings only 5pm-9pm.
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600

Museum of Contemporary Photography. July 23rd at 5:30pm there is an EXHIBITING ARTISTS TALK: Curtis Mann, John Opera, and Stacia Yeapanis.
600 S. MICHIGAN AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60605
(312) 663-5554

Buckingham Fountain. The Fountain runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily,
Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park
Chicago, IL
(312) 742-PLAY

Navy Pier.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-PIER
(800) 595-PIER

Lincoln Park Zoo.
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
Millennium Park. Visit the Bean Sculpture. The Park is open daily from 6am - 11pm. Millenium Park Walking Tour downloadable for your MP3 Player.
201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago IL 60601
(312) 742-1168


Chicago Greeter Program. Free guided walking tours for parties of 6 or more. Call, or register online.
(312) 744-8000.

DuSable Museum of African American History. Free admission every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. (Admission Tuesday - Saturday $3 per person, hours 10am-5pm.)
740 East 56th Place
Chicago, Illinois 60637
(773) 947-0600

Garfield Park Conservatory. Open 9am-5pm daily. Thursdays, open until 8pm. Open 365 days of the year. Free admission.
300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
(312) 746-5100

Chicago Summer Dance Festival at Grant Park. July 23rd, 6pm-9:30pm the dance group is Kokolo. A free 1 hour dance lesson is followed by 2 hours of dancing.
Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden
601 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

Have fun!

If you're going and will be twittering, follow "lolasdiner", if you aren't already, so I can get your tweets. And leave me a comment to let me know you're twittering.

(By the way, just 3 shopping days until my birthday.)

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