TOOTSIE – Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL – (800) 775- 2000, broadwayinchicago.com
Q-tips say: See it! ” TOOTSIE ” tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until an audacious, desperate stunt lands him the role of a lifetime.
Many sub plots with up to date issues. Great choreography, stage sets, acting and several good sub plots. Sometimes the music is a bit too loud when actors are singing but an enjoyable play to see.
MILLER’S PUB – 134 S Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 263-4988, millerspub.com
Q-tips say: Nice decor but noisy. We had the Lamb with rice, mint jelly, Spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) and a diet coke and rolls & butter. A large drink menu – soft drinks, cocktails, beers galore, etc. The Mr. enjoyed the meal more than I did. It was ok but not that special. They were not that busy, perhaps it was just past lunch time. If there is another time, I’ll choose the Turkey or the Fried Chicken that takes a 25 min. wait.
Unfortunately we went on the day the hotel workers were striking at the Palmer House next door and it was noisy when walking past.
Pritzker MILITARY MUSEUM & Library – 104 South Michigan Ave., Ste 400, Chicago, IL., (312) 374-9333, pritzkermilitary.org
Q-tips say: A small museum with artifacts/photos, books/magazines/paintings from WWI. This exhibit was mainly about WWI. The exhibits do change from time to time and also offers “special events/speakers/Field Trips. We went on a FREE day so did not pay anything to get in. Admission to the Museum & Library is $5. Admission is free for memebers and all visitors with active military ID, Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. Mon: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Tue-Thur: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Fri & Sat: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 – 4:00 pm.
Mrs. Q says: They have various programs from their “Medal of Honor Series,” which highlights stories from the MOH recipients themselves. You will be amazed and surprised by the vast collection of books as well as memorabilia and artifacts. Have you ever seen those old fashioned recruiting posters or war bonds posters from WWII? This museum has the ORIGINALS hanging throughout. “Gee. if I were a man, I’d join the Navy!” and some really great ones designed to promote the WAVES. There are a number of artifacts from all eras of American History. Did you know that in WWI they separated the white soldiers from the black soldiers? Needless to say, ” the black soldiers were not treated with dignity.” Great library and museum for adults but not for little ones. The building, the “Monroe Building” was impressive.
Housed in the Monroe Bldg. – The Monroe Building’s banded multi-toned terra cotta exterior, with its decorative pilasters and overhangs, enhance the building’s rich façade. The gabled roof and dormers of green Spanish tiles complete the Monroe Building’s unique exterior.
The interior’s vaulted lobby is graced by one of the largest commercial installations of Rookwood tile in the country. A sensitive restoration by the building’s owner, J&J Arnaco, includes the restoration of the exterior terra cotta façade and Ludowici tile roof. Decorative cast iron entrances on Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street have been replicated from original photographs.
The restoration of the building’s interiors includes the restoration and recreation of original design elements including Rookwood tile floors, walls and vaults, decorative iron elevator grilles, doors and hardware, and lighting fixtures. Restoration of historic elements was informed by surviving original construction documents, early photographs, and much extant historic material retrieved from the site.
Edgewater Historical Society – 5358 N Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, (773) 506-4849, edgewaterhistory.org
Q tips say: A small museum like the Pizza Museum. When we went they had an exhibit about the 1968 Democratic national convention protests. A short video about Edgewater’s beginnings to now. Videos of the convention protests. It also has the history of Edgewater Beach Hotel. Look up and around for old items from years ago, etc.(baby buggy, etc.).
Mrs. Q says: IT WAS FREE – only on Sat. & Sun. It is a good thing, because those are also the only days they are open. Street parking on the main street is FREE. So if you really want to see it go, but don’t expect a large museum with many artifacts, etc. It is in an old fire station bldg. Did you know that Hillary Clinton and Clayton Moore (the Lone Ranger) are from Edgewater? Well, now you know.
LAKEBREEZE – 5701 N Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL – Edgewater
Q-tips say: This food stand is on Ostermann Beach. It replaced Nacho Mamas. They don’t have a liquor license yet, so it will be better for them when they get it.
The Mr. wanted to try the Nachos, he is on a Nacho quest. Disappointed with the Nachos – a lot of chips and smothered in melted cheese and some chopped tomatoes. He did not order one with meat. Next time we will try another item.
Lakebreeze has an eating area with sun umbrellas and a wonderful lake view directly on the beach. The weather was beautiful & a slight lake breeze made for a nice visit.
The Money Museum – 230 S LaSalle St., Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. (312) 322-2400 chicagofed.org Closed on the weekend. Be prepared to show ID (18+ only) and have your bags go through x ray machine and each person go through airport style metal detector. At 1:00 they have a speaker who tells a little of the museum & etc.
Q-tips say: It is all about money! Learn about our federal reserve and money. Good for kids over 5 or 6 because they have a “kids treasure hunt” and have many interactive exhibits. They can put their face on a $100. bill, test your skill on identifying counterfeit currency, see a cash vault window, etc.
Mrs. Q suggested, with a smile, “that since the museum is about money, they should have pay toilets.”
Then we were off to “Italian Village” restaurant for an early dinner.
Artfest Michigan Avenue – This three day fine art festival takes place on Chicago’s famous Michigan Avenue at the base of the iconic Chicago Tribune building overlooking the Chicago River. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.
About 120 juried artists will be featured at this “all art” show.
Michigan Ave, also nicknamed The Magnificent Mile, is an upscale section of Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue. The street is Chicago’s largest shopping district, occupied by upscale stores, boutiques, restaurants, luxury retailers, residential and commercial buildings, financial services companies, and hotels.
Q-tips say: Go and see it! Upscale art/crafts and on the Michigan Mile – visit a great restaurant or the many upscale stores, etc.
The Roommate – Steppenwolf Theater, N Halsted St., Chicago, IL, (312) 335-1650, steppenwolf.org
Q-tips say: Sharon is Midwestern nice. But to Robyn, her new roommate from the Bronx, that just means very nosy and very, very talkative. A comical mismatch leads to a surprising and touching friendship in this new comedy about how early-life choices lead to mid-life challenges and the unexpected rewards of bridging the divide.
The Roommate is a warm, funny story about a chance cohabitation that sets two lives spinning. Think The Odd Couple meets Breaking Bad.
Was ok. Funny in parts (one is a meat eater the other a vegan) but took a dark turn when Sharon looks thru Robyn moving boxes and finds many many driver’s licenses. Then Sharon wants Robyn to teach her some of her many making ideas. Oh! Oh!
Mrs. Q says: The more I thought about the play the more I found that to liake.
Oyster Bah – 1962 N Halsted., Floor 1, Chicago, IL, (773) 248-3000, oysterbah.com
Q-tips say: It was after a matinee Theater Performance. Good food, drinks & decent service. Arrived during “happy hour” which included special items marked w/ an anchor were 1/2 off. This included several appetizers, main entree items, drinks, etc. The Q’s enjoyed several small plates and drinks. West Coast Oysters HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS SELECT HALF PRICED OYSTERS ½ dozen…9 dozen …18. The Mr. had: some type of creamy soup, & SIZZLING GARLIC SHRIMP – garlic butter, Panko breadcrumb, grilled ciabatta bread 11.95 and one side of french fries. I had: LOUISIANA STYLE CRAB CAKE, Cole slaw, mustard mayo.
The abundant Sat. evening crowd was enjoying themselves. Also, kids 12 & under eat for free from this menu during our Oyster Happy Hour! Mon-Thu 5-6 pm, Fri-Sun 3-6 pm. What a bonus for families. It is a Lettuce Entertain you restaurant.
The music was not as loud as other times. So nice to see several families with little ones so others in the world have to eat and enjoy also. Have fun and enjoy!
McCormick Bridge house Museum – 376 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, lower Wacker Dr. (312) 977-0227, bridgehousemuseum.org
Q-tips say: See it. McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum celebrates the Chicago River and its world-famous movable bridges. Tons of photos telling the story of how the bridges move and also how they change the course of the flow of the water.
NOTE: It is FREE on Sundays. Mrs. Q says: FREE is Good!
