Visiting Appleton and Chicago!

[Trigress]

Well, after letting the lovely KLM lady ensure me that I really will get into the US even though my surname can't be spelt exactly as in my passport due to weird-character-syndrome I have now booked my flight to Chicago.

I'm attending a wedding in Appleton (Wisconsin) and as we speak a friend of mine is telling me how beautiful Wisconsin is. So, this one goes out to you, dear TEs: what should I definitely not miss out on when in Appleton? Should I rent a bike and go for a ride? Should I take my hiking boots? Wetsuit?

I'm flying to and out from Chicago O'Hare, what do I really need to think about when getting myself a hotel in Chicago? Again, is there somewhere I definitely need to go? Should I rent a bike again? See Barack Obama's house? Get blown away in the windy city at some particular place?

Ok, ok, I know I probably ought to get myself a Rough Guide, but in general I think it's more exciting to hear from the locals where to go and what to see, what tourist traps are worth getting caught in and so on!

In advance, thanks for all suggestions and ideas!