[coldupnorth]

I know this is not a tourism forum but I'll take a chance. I'm going to be in South Bend, IN as well as Chicago over the weekend. Are there any places of interest you recommend? Any local food I should try?

While I'm at it, any diecast shops worth checking out?

Thanks
CUPN

[parsig9]

It's not downtown Chitown but there is a place over that way called past-time hobbies. google it.

The College Football HOF is in South Bend as is the Campus of Notre Dame if you wanted to take a look. It's quite nice actually as is St. Mary's if you have a bike or roller blades you could check them out in short order.

Chicago food I'll leave to the more educated.

[mustangdriver]

Meigs Field would be cool... Oh wait it's not there anymore. Well be sure to check out the Museum of Science and Industry which has a real German U boat, as well as a Stuka, Spit, and several other aircraft in it. Also be sure to go to the park that used to be Meigs Field and see all of the drug dealers.

[Raven]

Definitely go see the U-505 display at the Museum of Science and Industry - well worth the price of admission!

A few other things to check out:

- Boat tours of Chicago river and Lake Michigan (look for them off of Michigan Ave on either side of the river)

- Navy Pier - do the Ferris wheel!

- Shedd Aquarium - neat stuff to see if you are interested

- Field Museum - see SUE the most complete T-Rex fossil, also some neat exhibits

- Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley if you can - how baseball should be played!

- Walk Michigan avenue and take in the neat stores and shops

I have been to quite a few cities and I think that Chicago is one of the most tourist friendly. Also check out a City Pass or Go Chicago pass, might be worth your while if you want to see a lot of attractions.

[coldupnorth]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely try some of your suggestions. I always try to book a business trip near the end of the week so I can spend the weekend in the area I'm traveling.

Cheers!
CUPN

[mustangdriver]

That is a great idea.

[wieh9995]

South Bend airport has a small military park on the way in if you get back early. There is also a Terrier SM2 missle hanging off the ceiling in the terminal, may be a Talos as well, I forget. Museum of Science in Chicago is beyond description, it takes 3-4 hours just to scratch the surface. The Stuka & Spit are hanging from the ceiling and they play a real BoB radio broadcast of them going at it over the channel. Have not seen the actual Uboat but the room leading up to it can consume a good amount of time. And if you like trains they have a HO scale display Chicago--> Seattle. When I was last there they had, I think, 1/4 of downtown Chicago reproduced in scale.

If you go through O'Hare don't forgot to fing/see the Wildcat, if you go through Midway there is a Dauntless hanging and a Battle of Midway display. Two really nice planes to see.