4 or 5 nights to do Chicago, NYC and Washington DC- which cities and how long?

[GruntledEmployee]

We are thinking of Chicago, New York City and Washington - which combination would be the best

NYC - 2 nights, Chicago 2 nights
NYC - 2 nights, Washington 2 nights
NYC - 2 nights, Washington 1 nights, Chicago 1 night
NYC - 3 nights, Chicago 2 nights
NYC - 3 nights, Washington 2 nights
NYC - 3 nights, Washington 1 night, Chicago 1 night

What does Chicago offer over Washington? I would love to visit the Air and Space Museum and some of the capital buildings.
Thanks. We are not planning on doing too much drinking.

 

[p3200tmz]

NY 3 Chic 2

1. because im from NY

and 2. bars are open until 4am, i don't think that's the case for Chicago but I may be wrong.

 

[JohnL]

I'd do NY and Washington, and save Chicago for the next trip. I'd do 3 days in NY and 2 in Washington, to give you more time to see plays or concerts.

The Air and Space Museum is well worth a visit, both the original building on the Mall and the annex in a converted hangar at Dulles Airport. There's a shuttle bus between the two, and you can easily spend all day just at those two museums.