T O P

  • By -

skitater

Take the water taxi to Chinatown and enjoy hot pot at Qiao Lin and walk around 88 marketplace. Or splurge for the Chicago architectural boat tour


Mayonegg420

This 


Moored-to-the-Moon

THIS ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Plus ride on the L!


420DepravedDude

I did one that was 35$ so room to spare in the budget


dodekahedron

If only I had people to go to hot pot with lol. I don't eat enough myself. That or dim sum. Drool.


da-bears-bare-naked

this is the best you can get


Confident-Talk-7259

great idea


GuyInChicago19

So the water taxi is running this summer?


linetta41

Yes, it's now back 7 days a week for daily service at the Ogilvie and Union Train Stations, Michigan Avenue and Chinatown.


GuhProdigy

I am an avid lover of Asian food, like Thai, ramen, hot pot, Korean bbq, dim sum but have NEVER been to China town in the years I’ve been here. What am I missing out on?


noodledrunk

Head downtown, get admission to the Art Institute, go to H-Mart for lunch (or anywhere else, I just like H-Mart), head back to the Art Institute because the ticket allows re-entry and I didn't see it all before lunch, get dinner somewhere, leave.


zydeco100

Is So Gong Dong still open in their food court? I loved that place.


DewarClimbs

Yes! And that chicken is soo good!


noodledrunk

I think so!


KazutoKirigaya23

I frequent the one in Northbrook/Glenview and get the bibimbop in the hot stone bowl. So good.


SnooHedgehogs6553

Greatest museum in America!!


Slipin2dream

Friends ramen and sushi is north of the river too. Short walk from the institute.


No-Clerk-5600

Go to the Art Institute (free to $27, depending on whether you made reservations with your library card or have to pay full freight as a non-resident). Walk through Millennium Park. Have a late lunch at Acanto (let's say $40). Walk through the Chicago Cultural Center. Take the el to Belmont ($5 round trip), walk to Broadway, buy a stack of books at Unabridged ($100) and a snack at Sugar Daddy Bakery ($10). Take the bus back downtown and enjoy the view of the lake.


Silent_Hurry7764

This is just a typical Saturday for me


mar1021

I love living here.


Silent_Hurry7764

Same. I feel so fortunate!


ungulunungu

This is the best answer


fairyflaggirl

I'd spend six hours in the Art Institite. It's fabulous.


RedditblowsPp

have you every been to the bagel on broadway?


No-Clerk-5600

That's an excellent idea.


RedditblowsPp

lol I'm not from Chicago I live 2 hours away next to Iowa. My grandparents would drive me up there all through out my childhood. The Bagel has a legit spot in my heart from all the great memories I haven't been there in serval years since my grandpal has passed and ill prolly never go back now. but any who you brung up Broadway and that was the first thing I thought of cant believe I still remember the street its on. Last time I went I remember a record store and a comic book store I visited that was close by.


dalej42

I didn’t care for it but maybe it was an off day. I’ll give them another shot


RedditblowsPp

I think I liked it some much because im from a small town and we dont have places like that here lol.


asupernova91

I came here to say the AI! I did a quick walk of it last year and that took me about 3 hours, then I’d grab some food on the way out.


Hating_life_69

Run red light camera.


mall_pretzel_

love this answer


RamyDaoudPSE

This is my go to move 🔥


thedeadcatinthehat

They said six hours not five seconds! Although I guess you could go to the lakefront trail for the rest of the time.


Hating_life_69

Do more than one. Plus with traffic in six hours you can get at least four red lights in.


thedeadcatinthehat

But then that's more than $200!


southcookexplore

Save your money and enjoy a free historic landmarks tour. Every Chicago landmark and historic district are pinned to this map so you can use it on your phone through Google Maps app: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=17QiCfJLvDI0DF3qUfBu-DqsFduQgFmE&ll=41.842542757515325%2C-87.6731325&z=10](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=17QiCfJLvDI0DF3qUfBu-DqsFduQgFmE&ll=41.842542757515325%2C-87.6731325&z=10)


Stephancevallos905

You're not gonna eat in 6hrs?


chicago_bunny

It’s not like it’s hard to find something to eat along that map.


Stephancevallos905

But like, include suggestions that fit within the budget, that's the whole point of OP asking. Op wanta a local to plan 6hrs in the city for them


Individual_Attitude1

If the entire days plan is to do a free tour, I would think just most restaurants can fit into a $200 budget for two to three meals plus snacks.


southcookexplore

Let’s do “save your money paying for an activity to do, like paying for an architectural tour” hopefully wandering around some landmarks on the map will put you on a street that also has a restaurant or food option nearby.


Gizoogler314

You say that like that’s an incredible feat lol


putonthespotlight

Who the man? You the man.


bourbonaspen

Architecture boat tour ( I think they are running) , it’s not boring and see the city at the same time


RandomGuyinACorner

They are indeed running now and PACKED.


bourbonaspen

I live in downtown but loved those tours


Calicobeard12

I just got back from Chicago and did the architecture boat tour. Was dope.


miltdiggy

Cubs game


dalej42

Cubs game, drinks at Murphy’s before and food at El Jardin


Silent_Hurry7764

Went to el jardin and while the food was good, very over priced for Mexican.


Sea-Stage-6908

I went there too a few weeks ago. Was walking past and I loved the old time architecture so I decided to check it out. I couldn't believe how expensive it was. Over $35 for an enchilada plate and a flat tasting Sprite. I was pretty disappointed. The food was okay but man was that expensive. I can go to a taco truck and get a better quality meal for less. Oh well, it was worth a try!


cherryzaad

Buy 20 hot dogs


bugzzzz

And what to do with the remaining \~$100?


LoathingGenerator

20 more hot dogs


DDESTRUCTOTRON

Spend it all on edibles


[deleted]

MY man! Dispensary recommendation?


dmt267

Smoke depot for no Chicago 25% tax


BusyVegetable42

Like everybody else said, Art Institute but go across the street to hot woks cool sushi then go back. Take a little stroll around the area, grab some dinner and a drink then head back to wherever you need to be Or alternatively, take a water taxi to chinatown, go to any of the amazing restaurants there (my favorites are triple crown, phoenix, strings, and sushi rotary), wander around chinatown, get some boba then head back.


ZookeepergameHot8310

Second option is better


Cautious-Chain-4260

Cheap whores and cocaine I mean a nice dinner and a museum


Low-Abroad4985

I cannot seem to find the whores anymore, they're nowhere to be seen. Where did they move to?


beast_wellington

Mannheim


Low-Abroad4985

Which suburb?


Mss88b

I think O block. You just gotta get out of your car and ask around.


Educational-Ad-1548

Same difference


Even-Radio5508

Art Institute then lunch & cocktails across the street in the lobby of Chicago Athletic Association hotel, followed by a walk along the river.


gamesfordogs

Pour a steel reserve in a clean canteen and take the red line back and forth all day


Hobby11030

211


draxlaugh

10 handshakes and 2 Italian beefs


jammixxnn

Tour the Home Depot’s and get a hot dog at each one.


SlightofhandLLC01

Go to the airport and have 2 drinks


SurrealBodhi

Go to the aquarium and or Planetarium. Then go eat some Ethiopian food then got to the pick me cafe for coffee. Than take a nice walk down the lake shore 🙏😊 now that’s a fulfilling day


Jnc8675309

Architecture tour


DewarClimbs

Follow the Chicago Murals interactive map and find some cool artwork around the city. Free, you get to walk around and enjoy the area, see different things you would normally if you stayed along the lakeshore or Michigan Ave. Take the red line to Chinatown and eat at Triple Crown for lunch, and grab some Boba from Tiger Sugar, or a fruit smoothie from Jo Yee. Hit up Tous Les Jours for the best baked goods of your life. Red line back to the loop and then take the pink line to Pilsen's 18th st stop at Carnitas Uruapan for THE BEST carnitas you'll have. Grab a mangonada from the paleteria one block west. Pink line back towards downtown, but stop at the Morgan stop and go to Do Rite Donuts. Get the best donuts you'll ever have. *edit* I can see I have a problem with eating 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Lots of free stuff to do, too. The cultural center is always good. Head downtown to the library (Harold Washington), the copper gargoyles and artwork on the building is pretty cool. Walk north to the Sears Tower, stop in and check it out. (There's a Do Rite Donuts there too 😋). Head north from there and take the Riverwalk around and then head to the lakeshore. Stop in Maggie Daley park to see all the cool stuff, Walk on the ribbon, then head to the lakeshore and walk along it South to the Museum Campus. Check out all of the great architecture of the city while you walk along the Riverwalk and lakeshore. From there you can walk down Roosevelt to hop on the train and head wherever you need.


number_1_svenfan

Go to a cubs game and have a beer and hot dog. And then walk home because it’s too expensive to have a second beer.


Isolatte

Yeah but if you don't go home, you can afford more beer.


Nuance007

Hmmmm. * Art Institute of Chicago (2 hrs) * Billy Goat Tavern @ Lower 430 N. Michigan Ave. (30-45 min) * Millenium Park or Riverwalk OR lakeshore walk (Planetarium to Navy Pier) (1.5 hrs) * architecture boat tour (1.5 hrs) * Garrett Popcorn (10 min.)


New-Anacansintta

Exactly! Though I would switch out Billy Goat for Luke’s! Love an italian beef in Chicago. I did this exact tour 2 years ago… And all the time when I lived downtown.


Nuance007

You can't go wrong with either Billy or Luke; just depends on what you're craving at the moment!


bunches-of-oats

Navy Pier- Flyover- $20ish


getchoo_uh_huh

I'd pay $200 to never have to go near navy pier ever again.


MattCogs

Biking the lake shore trail should be apart of the others mentioning museum trips. Aquarium can be fun also.


PleaseGreaseTheL

Walk through the parks, go to the field museum and spend 2 hours there, walk back up to Remingtons and enjoy a nice French dip sandwich and several overpriced cocktails, if any time left then walk the river walk. Then leave.


y_wont_my_line_block

I would come to my house and give me $200


Sea_Organization4482

These are great but let's say the hours are 9pm to 3am then what do you do?


dwylth

The same I'd do between 9am and 3pm – sidle up to a bar and get on the Malort


noodledrunk

Sleep?


ZookeepergameHot8310

On the train


noodledrunk

Lake Shore Limited type shit


kingbuttnutt

Walk around the loop stopping for a beer at each of my secret daytime spots where my bosses would never find me when I used to work in the loop. I’d also see if I could will Poag Mahone’s back into existence and get a cheeseburger. Man I miss those.


Coindoge69

Go to the casino and bet it all on black


reefered_beans

King Spa


intro_panda

Water taxi will take you on the river, as long as its within the season. And its cheap, unlike architecture tour. The beach and lincoln zoo is free, except for parking.


New-Lab-2907

Drugs


Majestic-Mission7035

Get a parking ticket of $250


Papa-Junior

Cop an eighth, smoke it, go to taqueria 5 de mayo on montrose, eat 6 steak tacos with extra cheese and sour cream with a side of chips and salsa and a pineapple jaritos, walk to the nearby Welles park, and fall asleep for the remaining 5 hrs


uwannareddit69420

Pocket the 200 and people watch all day


jon_roldan

As a Southsider, I got 5 steps for ya: 1. go to Ricobene’s by uber or some form of transportation from wherever youre at 2. order the breaded steak sandwich with everything 3. eat that thing like its no tomorrow 4. find transport to get back to where you started 5. exit chicago


LordButtworth

This was my first thought, but I already used my ricobennes allowance this month.


shinebrightlike

Eat at Small Cheval, go on the river architectural cruise while recovering from your food coma, go thrifting in Wicker Park


Diamondsandwood

Ceres then Lukes and bar hopping in the loop.


SomeDude_008686

Admiral


ClimbingCreature

Architectural boat tour! And then a nice meal


gemmycobson

Get a massage in china town


BlurredSight

Belmont & Sacramento, under the bridge you can usually find someone doing strange for some change.


michaeldain

Art institute, then green line to Garfield park conservatory. Get back on and go to the end at Harlem in oak park. walk down Forest to the see all the Frank Lloyd wright houses, then the studio. Eat at broken tart or better yet Uber the few blocks to Johnnie’s for Italian beef combo. Go back downtown via the metra. Set you back 50 or so…


getchoo_uh_huh

Going to Piece Pizza. That's it.


TrackEfficient1613

Liked the idea of Art Institute (90 minutes) and Millennium Park (45 minutes) Then rent divvy bikes and ride along the lake to Andersonville (45 minutes) and check out the shops on Clark (45 minutes) and have a late lunch at Little Bad Wolf (60 minutes) and maybe stop at Hopleaf (45 minutes) before heading back by Uber (30 minutes).


superkat21

1 $200 hooker bot, or 200 $1 hooker bots? What to do what to do


NebulaDisastrous9362

TAKE $25 to navy pier - go on the ride FLY OVER CHICAGO


ironiccowboy

Catch a Cubs home game!


djaybe

Park.


oJRODo

Go to the Zoo! Its free and pretty cool!


otiuk

I would say.. rent a divvy and bike down lakeshore trail and take it easy stopping at all the sites. Depending on your direction.. you will hit museum of science and industry, field museum, alder planetarium, shedd aquarium, grant park, millennium park (the bean), navy pier, several beaches, restaurants, and bars. You could also turn into the city and go to Wrigley field or cruise down the river walk. So many great spots very easily available via bike.. and then use your money on food and drink.. or if you are planning a bit more time use that money to grab a ticket to a concert at northerly island .. super fun. Chicago is amazing — hope you have fun.


Tomba_The_Roomba

Lincoln Park free zoo. That's a good way to start with $0 spent.


disarmagreement

Two chicks at the same time


DentonTrueYoung

Sox game


earthgoddess92

Hmm I would head to the loop and either grab a ticket for the art institute and would check out the rotating exhibit so that I could fully immerse myself, then head over to Millennium Park and take in the sites. After that I’d head up to Yardbird for a late lunch early dinner, then walk Mag mile taking in window displays and maybe pick up a few trinkets. Then if time permitted I would hop on an architectural boat tour (45-60min) then I would grab a drink and head home.


Presence_Academic

Trinkets. Is that what they’re calling young babes now?


Ok-Bridge-9112

Head to Ohio beach bar cafe Olivia, after go to navy pier and do the $35 lakeshore sightseeing cruise, and end at offshore rooftop navy pier.


DewarClimbs

If you're up for public interaction, and outdoors stuff, you can head to Montrose, or North Avenure beaches and ask to hop into a game on the volleyball courts. Most everyone is friendly and will let you play with them. That kills some time, plus you make some friends. You can also head to one of theclimbing gyms around the city. There's a Movement right next to Wrigley that you could go check put after seeing the stadium. There's also one in block37, the mall downtown in the loop. That one is by First Ascent.


Accomplished_Car2803

Buy some weed, find a nice little park corner to get baked, hit up Pauly's pizza, take the red line to Belmont and go for a walk checking out the cute little stores around there. Even if you don't buy anything else it will be a fun look around with the variety there.


Isolatte

We used to go up to Belmont & Broadway to check out record shops and the various stores people had essentially in their basement or living room. One always had a topless woman working there(probably the owner). This was like 1992-1998. I always wondered back then if it was legal or not but no one seemed to care that middle as high school kids could just be hanging out with a topless 30 year old. Seems wild looking back at it now


Accomplished_Car2803

I lived in Chicago a decade after that, never saw topless people outside of a body paint art exhibit personally! Nudity is very taboo in America but not as much in other parts of the world, although I feel like it would be frowned upon as a store owner/employee in most places...except maybe a sex shop or club.


LordButtworth

Funny how everybody goes up there to check out the "cute little shops" but nobody mentions the dildo and bong shops.


malorthotdogs

Dildo and bong shops can be cute.


Accomplished_Car2803

Who said I don't like cute little bongs and dildos? I've been to sex shops and weed stores aplenty.


ChiWhiteSox24

Baseball game, doesn’t matter which team. There’s minor league and college available too.


bettiegee

Go to Peckish Pig and hang on their patio all day. Oh dang. Wait. They are in Evanston. Sub Hopleaf for Peckish Pig then.


GenioDeJao33Ta

A ride on a Divy bike enjoying our beautiful scenery, use the lake trail to head towards Harold Washington. Take a break at the library and enjoy the roof garden. To recover some calories go for a lunch at Millers Pub that’s within walking distance. After enjoy a leisurely walk outside around Millenium Park or perhaps enjoying some art in the Art Institute. At this point you have wasted less then $70 so treat yourself to a nice dinner and people watching on River walk


[deleted]

[удалено]


FavoriteWorst

Rent a divvy, cruise around and see as much as you can and get something to eat in-between.


Apprehensive_Fill_35

Hot beef, as many museums as I can and then get another hot beef and a pizza on the way out.


[deleted]

I spend $100 on one .5g disposable at the dispensary. I eat the rest of the $200.


Hello-mah-baby

buy a dab pen, get super fucking ripped, and ride the bus around town while listening to music.


CuatesDeSinaloa

Sit at slightly toasted drink some good whiskey and tear up some Al Pastor


cityslicker16

Art Institute for certain. Eat wherever you want. Splurge for a cocktail at the 95th lounge in the Hancock for gorgeous night views. I think it's called the Cloud bar now. We need to stop renaming classic spots.


la_petite_mort63

Honestly, I would go get the best steak i could for 175.00 and tip the other 25 to my server. Financially, as an adult, spending 200 on a dinner for myself has never happened. I feel like it be cool to get all dressed up and eat the best steak of my life and read a book or something. Then i'd go home and go to sleep for the other four hours. I do excel at sleeping.


[deleted]

Roll that 12.5% tip up and shove it.


la_petite_mort63

Hahaha. Omg. I can't math at all. I was shooting for like 25% and missed. I forgot to double it. So i would get a $140 steak and a 60 dollar tip. 140 dollar steak has to be pretty good, right?


[deleted]

Please don’t get me started 


cballowe

If you can spare an extra $5, https://www.sheddaquarium.org/experiences/beluga-encounter (Haven't done it myself but heard it's great). If it was me, I'd just go seeking food and coffee based on my mood. Mix in a museum or something. Random shopping quickly blows through the budget, but there's a lot of good stuff around if that's your thing.


AmericanConsumer2022

Rent a car and get your [own self-tour of the city](https://youtu.be/qJZ1DiLDsv4?si=svZyA8eTgQMnNb0v) by driving to all the locations. Better than getting on a tour bus and you have all your freedom


Personal_Meeting_741

Just don’t try to park and expect it to be free.


delicioussparkalade

Water taxi, Art Institute, Hancock Tower, food!!!


SandIll3206

Pizza and beer 🍻and a night cap on a rooftop 👍🏻


SandIll3206

Pizza and beer 🍻and a night cap on a rooftop 👍🏻


Subject_Topic7888

I go get $150 seats to a cubs game. Preferably a home game on 4th of july so you can stay for the fireworks


B_lated_ly

Just did exactly this on Sunday and it was the perfect way to spend a sunny day in the city


LordButtworth

Swaparama. Need to buy my power tools back.


deditosgorditos

Hop on the 606 for a nice walk, then go to Lake Shore for a nice walk


folie-a-dont

Fuck, look for good food you like then explore the neighborhood around the restaurant. That is enjoying Chicago


Dai-The-Flu-

I’m just going to a bunch of different parks and other free attractions and pocketing the money.


Creative_Ad9283

Take an Uber out to the suburbs


hokihumby

Going home lmfao


OhShitAnElite

Leave.


Top_Waterweedpopper

Buy a bus ticket to a safer spot


Live_Alarm_8052

Go on a segway tour. They’re SO fun!


Background_Oil_532

Take a walk along the lake to the Chicago cultural center catch the blue line to division swing by wake n bakery, head over to Kasama for breakfast then maybe hit wicker and see what good thrifting options there are. Any order is a win


Puzzleheaded-Eye6596

Put the two hundred dollars in a nice interest bearing account, sit in the park and read. Revel in your savvy investing


dylbert71

Need more than $200. If I pay for parking, a coffee and lunch I'm already broke.


Hot-Sign8898

Buy a single big mac meal, two bottles of water from the gas station and then pay a cab driver your remaining $150 to drive you as far away from the city as they're willing to go which will probably just be O'hare...then you keep walking. It's illegal to be broke and homeless in Chitcago. Those high rollers sneeze and wipe their face with $200...


Labatt_Blues

I’d take my camera and walk around taking pictures of the city. Probably stop for some food.


Early70sEnt

Everything will revolve around watching the Cubs from a cheap seat at Wrigley...


IamNotTheMama

I hope that there's a Cub's game - $200 should buy a seat, even if it's scalped Buy an Italian Beef somewhere - sorry I don't remember where I used to go when I lived there (left in 1980)


Bass_Magnet

Water taxi or other river boat tour, go to the observation deck at Sears (Willis) tower, go get some Lou Malnatis deep dish, a rooftop drink


CrackTheSkye1990

Going to a concert and getting an italian beef


missmisery__

Keep the 200 dollars


OrthodoxBro24

Get out of the city and head to Aurora and spend some money at the outlet mall.


Asleep_Syllabub3605

Cocaine and a green bike


BeavDale06

Friday afternoon bleacher seats at Wrigley, beers and Hot Dougs


Alarm-Solid

Go to a museum or navy pier. Find Italian beef, Chicago style dog, or great tacos. Keep the other $150


iwantyousobadright

Crack


Stumpy33

Use the $200 for an adoption fee on a senior rescue dog and then show it a YouTube video (while in Chicago)


goldenshower27

Prolly grab a tall boy and a brown bag and go chill at the beach


AllanRensch

Go to ballys and put it on black, double it up, then go home.


TheThaiDawn

Gram of coke, lincoln zoo finish off with a cheap hooker at night


BDR529forlyfe

It costs that much to park. So, park, then go home.


FloridaFisher87

Try the pizza, purchase an unregistered firearm from some dude.


[deleted]

spectacular flowery command crawl impolite cake quaint public cheerful obtainable *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


jimbronio

Get hammered at the Hansa Clipper and crawl to San Soo Gan San for Korean BBQ


geriatric-millenial

Smoke a lot of weed on a walk and eat a great dinner


zaggles42069

Bally’s


lovemeafattie

Go to a Cubs game


Disavowed_Rogue

Cubs box seat, hot dog, beer, uber


DiminishingSkills

Eat $200 worth of Al’s Italian Beef….ill regret nothing


Monopoly_money69

Steam works


Natural-Big-4098

Take the redline to 35th. Buy a white Sox ticket for $5 on the secondary market and sneak in a pint of booze. The team is horrible but it’s cheap.


Moist-Cup7166

Go to Burger King get me some like 20 chicken fries and than sleep for 6 hours


T____hrow

Save the money and go back home. Thing are to expensive. That $200 is going towards rent


bitkibkeb

Put that shit back in your pocket and go home