What would you do in one day?

Hello - we are coming to the US in May for a holiday from Australia. We are exploring the idea of stopping over in Chicago for 3 nights on our way to NYC from Las Vegas. This will only give us 1 full day really.

I have read on this forum the CAF cruise is worthwhile. I was wondering if I could have some suggestions for a one day and night itinerary including this cruise. We won%26#39;t be renting a car (unless we really have to).

We are a married couple 50 ish. Are there any other tours (road perhaps) for us to get the most out of our short visit? We like history, architecture, lovely views, fun, good entertainment. (Husband also loves cars and motor bikes but let%26#39;s not go there for one day! I am prepared to bypass shopping and leave that for NYC)

Also I have read the Ambassadoor East is a good hotel with character. Any other suggestions in terms of location and character to see the sights? Budget $150-$200 pn I guess.

Many thanks for any suggestions.

What would you do in one day?

Addit: sorry - reread my post - meant to say staying 2 nights not 3.

What would you do in one day?

http://www.wendellaboats.com/

They do combined lake and river tours, so that is a good way of doing an architecture tour down the river, and getting great views of the skyline - in one go.

By the way, there is a Harley store just off the Magnificent Mile.

Shopping wise, maybe do leave it to NYC. Chicago shopping is very good (and I prefer the fact that it%26#39;s more %26#39;compact%26#39; in Chicago). But with higher tax in comparison to NYC, and time being an issue for you, that is one thing you could leave.

I will let the locals do the real advising!

My views are that of a tourist to both Chicago and NYC.

www.explorechicago.org and the Visiting Chicago section on this web site are good resources to help plan you itinerary. For entertainment options - www.chicagoreader.com and www.metromix.com are good sites to do some research. Theater information - www.chicagoplays.com

Hotel deals - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/

I would actually save shopping for Vegas. It%26#39;s a lower tax rate than both Chicago and NYC and they have everything under the sun. The Shops at the Forum have everything and it%26#39;s also great fun to shop around the Venetian--from Vosages Chocolates to Jimmy CHoo to Burberry plus watching the gondola%26#39;s cruise around the ';canal'; is always interesting. Plus, since Vegas is pretty lacking in anything like culture, you just spend the morning shopping, afternoons at the pool, evenings at the casino/shows. In Chicago and NYC, there are museums to see, architecture to admire, tourist spots like Empire State or John Hancock, etc. I love Ambassador East, it is more in a neighborhood but it is tucked away, off the beaten path and a little further from the tourist spots. If you want to be in a charming oldstyle hotel with character, plus be in the middle of it all, try the Knickerbocker.

If you would like a walking tour, check the architecture foundation at www.architecture.org

Chicago is also a great theater town. See www.chicagoplays.com for listings, and www.chicagoreader.com for reviews. The reader also has excellent music listings, although not far in advance.

As much as I like the location of the Ambassador East, it isn%26#39;t really central. If you want to make every moment count, look downtown within a half-mile of the intersection of Lake Michigan and the river.