A few days of leisure for first-time USA visitor - Chicago or LA?

[wafliron]

I'm heading state-side for a conference later this year, and will take a few extra days for some leisure time.

The conference is in Chicago, and I will be transtting through LA, so either of these are obvious options for where I spend my leisure time. The conference schedule is pretty jam-packed so I won't get to see much of Chicago during the conference. Which would all your well-travelled AFFers recommend as the better destination for someone who has never been to the USA before?

In case anyone thinks that it matters, I'm late 20s but past my "partying" stage - I much prefer wandering around a city, seeing it's sights and what it has to offer than sleeping all day because I've been out all night Not so much into the retail therapy either.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[RB]

Well it is Chicago for me!. We used the Chicago greeter service that was fantastic-I could email the contact details of our guide if that suits. I love a beer, but am also past the "waste a day" stage. I am not a shopper but found heaps to see.
I loved the Embassy Suites that we got on Priceline

 

[drron]

Depends a little on the time of year and whether you are prepared to drive.
Chicago in winter could be miserable.Autumn/fall and totally different.Also much easier to get around Chicago than LA.I find it much more interesting than LA and the Theme Parks/hollywood attractions.

 

[wafliron]

Well it is Chicago for me!. We used the Chicago greeter service that was fantastic-I could email the contact details of our guide if that suits. I love a beer, but am also past the "waste a day" stage. I am not a shopper but found heaps to see.

Great - thanks for the opinion. A PM with your guide's details would be appreciated, if you don't mind.

I loved the Embassy Suites that we got on Priceline

Heh, not being familiar with the USA version of Priceline, that statement took me a few minutes to figure out

Depends a little on the time of year and whether you are prepared to drive. Chicago in winter could be miserable.Autumn/fall and totally different.Also much easier to get around Chicago than LA.I find it much more interesting than LA and the Theme Parks/hollywood attractions.

Woops, forgot about the time of year - it'll be in June, so I'd imagine it'll be hot and sticky in both Chicago and LA. Re driving, I'm happy to do that. Do either of those change your opinion?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[cove]

We like both Los Angeles and Chicago. In Los Angeles you hire a car to do all the sights and do not bother with going into nor staying in the central business district.
Los Angeles is not a sticky place as it is a desert climate.....warm and dry. If you can,stay close to the beaches rather than inland as the difference in temperature in June could be like 95 F in Anaheim versus 70 F at Santa Monica.

 

[sydfflyer]

I lived in Chicago for a year - it is a fantastic city, especially in summer (when you would be going).

You could easily spend a whole day doing the architectural boat tour (it's about 2.5 hours and leaves from downtown) then you can join a free walking tour of the historic buildings.

You can also visit Wrigley field (home of the Chicago Cubs), spend a couple of hours walking up and down Michigan Ave (Chicago's equivalent of Rodeo Drive, but much cooler I think).

Then there's the Aquarium, Field Museum (massive natural history museum), plenty of art places, a zoo, a Chicago museum and plenty plenty more.

I think Chicago is massively under-rated as a city - it would be my pick!! Plus, the people are friendly, and the Aussie accent goes a long way...

 

[Ewing]

Which would all your well-travelled AFFers recommend as the better destination for someone who has never been to the USA before?

Having been to both, as a 27 year old definitely Chicago. I'm not really a fan of LA at all.

In addition to what's been suggested, you need to make sure you go up to the 103rd floor of Willis (Sears) Tower. The view is amazing, and if you're not afraid of heights you can go out into the cubes with a glass floor and walls (here's a photo of me there).

Don't pay to go up to the observation deck in the John Hancock center. Instead, go up to the bar on the 96th floor (Signature Lounge). It's free entry, and you can savour a few decent coughtails as the sun sets. I only had to wait 10 minutes to get up there and get a seat at the bar.

The Art Institute of Chicago was amazing. I spent about 5 hours there, and only left because there were other things on my list to do.

The architecture around the city is amazing. Plenty of opportunities to walk around and take photos.

 

[BVT]

Having been to both, as a 27 year old I definitely Chicago. I'm not really a fan of LA at all.

In addition to what's been suggested, you need to make sure you go up to the 103rd floor of Willis (Sears) Tower. The view is amazing, and if you're not afraid of heights you can go out into the cubes with a glass floor and walls (here's a photo of me there).

Don't pay to go up to the observation deck in the John Hancock center. Instead, go up to the bar on the 96th floor (Signature Lounge). It's free entry, and you can savour a few decent coughtails as the sun sets. I only had to wait 10 minutes to get up there and get a seat at the bar.

The Art Institute of Chicago was amazing. I spent about 5 hours there, and only left because there were other things on my list to do.

The architecture around the city is amazing. Plenty of opportunities to walk around and take photos.

Many thanks for this. I am off to the Windy City in June, also. Some great tips, here. The architecture tours are must.

 

[BAM1748]

Either is good for a first time visitor, if you choose LA hire a car though.

Matt

 

[drron]

If you wanted to visit LA you really need to have a car.There are a lot of interesting things to do if you have wheels.The Getty museum or the Presidential libraries-Reagan and Nixon.Al though it seems daunting with the traffic most of the freeway transit lanes only require you to have 2 in the car-you often end up whizzing past the car park of vehicles with a driver only.
Chicago you can spend a few days without needing a car.Once again though there are plenty of options nearby if you do drive.As it is your first visit this can wait until later.You may be bitten by the bug.I initially never wanted to visit the USA but mrsdrron insisted.So we went in 1981 and are back every year.Been to all 50 states-most multiple times but still get enjoyment and find new places and things to do.

 

[Maca44]

If you are going to be in Chicago then I would concentrate on that city. I have been there several times and the waterfront area is really great, not to mention the activities mentioned by all the other posters. Also, should you then decide the visit LAX on a different trip, it will be cheaper for you to get there, but whilst in ORD do it.

 

[Ewing]

I initially never wanted to visit the USA but mrsdrron insisted.

I was the same until I had to go to Washington DC for a work trip in 2009 and realised that I love it over there.

Since then I've gone over a number of times, and have been to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, New York, Washington DC and others. I have two visits already planned for this year, and it looks like I'll be making at least three trips over next year.

 

[QF029]

Another good reason for Chicago this time is that LA is generally easier to get to from Australia so if you come back on another trip you can easily stop over there or target the west coast.

 

[drron]

The SMH must have been reading this thread.An article on Chicago today-
First stop is Second City

 

[wafliron]

I don't want to clutter up the forum replying to everyone individually just to say "thanks", so here's a group one: thank-you all very much for the opinions and suggestions on things to see/do - greatly appreciated.

Sounds like the majority opinion is Chicago... I haven't decided for certain (want to do some more reading about the two cities independently), but that certainly sways me in the ORD direction!

Now, to address a few specific comments / ask a few extra questions:

You may be bitten by the bug. I initially never wanted to visit the USA but mrsdrron insisted. So we went in 1981 and are back every year. Been to all 50 states-most multiple times but still get enjoyment and find new places and things to do.

I was the same until I had to go to Washington DC for a work trip in 2009 and realised that I love it over there.

Since then I've gone over a number of times, and have been to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, New York, Washington DC and others. I have two visits already planned for this year, and it looks like I'll be making at least three trips over next year.

Wow, those are some pretty stong endorsements for the USA as a destination I must admit it's nowhere near the top of my list of next-holiday-destinations, but am still glad for the opportunity to visit through work. Maybe I'll change my mind after June...

I am off to the Windy City in June, also.

Work or pleasure? If the former, are you going to IRCE (which is why I'm going)?

 

[blackcat20]

Wow, those are some pretty stong endorsements for the USA as a destination I must admit it's nowhere near the top of my list of next-holiday-destinations, but am still glad for the opportunity to visit through work. Maybe I'll change my mind after June...

I've visited the US twice (22 states) and I adore it. Haven't done Chicago yet, it's on the list, but it's definitely a country you can keep going back to.