Question for all you Chicagoans!

Bagheera

Bagheera

New Member
Original Poster
We've just decided to fly out to Chicago to visit my brother and sister-in-law in August. (He invited us for the Air and Water Show.) We'll be there from mid-day Thursday, August 14, through mid-morning Sunday, August 17. We're planning to stay at the Marriott Downtown. (Michigan & Grand)

My question would be, what kind of stuff would be good for us to check out during the day on Thursday and Friday while they're working? It has to be something that would interest our 4.5YO son. At this point, I'm thinking the Aquarium and/or checking out Sue at the Field Museum, but I'm really not sure.

Opinions anyone?

btw, I'd love to get together with folks, but the evenings and Saturday are booked with my brother, and I'm not sure whether my wife will be feeling social during the day. Of course, I may be able to sneak out after they go to bed. (They go to sleep by 9:30-10:00, and I'm a night owl.) :D
 
Bagheera

Bagheera

New Member
Original Poster
Oh, also opinions on getting around, and to/from the hotel and O'Hare. I'm assuming that, like NYC, having a car in downtown Chicago is more of a liability than an asset?
 
Bagheera

Bagheera

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks!

Erika, MSI does sound interesting. The train and space exhibits might go over. I'll talk it over with wife and kid.

Eric, thanks for the link to the thread. The list of stuff to do was pretty good.

Keep 'em coming, folks! And once I get a better handle on the schedule with family, I'll let you know if I'll have any time to meet any of you wonderful folks!
 
GenerationX

GenerationX

Well-Known Member
You're right, Bagheera, in assuming a car will be more of a liability than an asset downtown. You're much better off with public transportation.

Since you were already looking at the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, you may also want to look at the Adler Planetarium. The three museums are all on one campus.

While your 4.5 year old may not appreciate it, the Art Institute of Chicago is on Michigan Avenue and has an extensive collection. It includes the famous Seurat painting featured in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".

For relaxation, there's always the Oak Street Beach. :cool:
 
careship

careship

New Member
Our personal favorites in Chicago are the zoos. Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo. We have spent alot of time at the Museum of Science and Industry, it's fabulous. The Aquarium is wonderful as well. We used to go to DisneyQuest, but that's not there anymore. If you like to shop, hit the Michigan Mile and make sure you eat at the CHeesecake Factory there. Navy Pier is fun to check out as well. Navy Pier had a Children's Museum that was wonderful when my kids were that age. Not sure if it is still there. There are some quaint little playgrounds you'll find around the apartments and hotels. The beach is a nice place to just hang out and relax as well.
 
DisneyCP2000

DisneyCP2000

Well-Known Member
Hmmm... let's see.

I highly suggest taking the public transportation around chicago. Although you'll be paying $10.00 for complete transportation all over chicago, it save you big time overall! The average price for parking downtown is $10 for for the first hour. OUch! Another benefit of staying downtown are the free trolley that run around nowadays. They're located at ALL the popular sites and they're completely FREE. It's pretty sweet and they're usually someone to man the bus stop so crowds don't get out of control (not that i've ever seen it happen though).

Places for the kids:
Kohls Children's Museum
Field Museum (SUE)
Navy Pier (IMAX)
Shedd Aquarium (NEW Shark exhibit)
Adler Plantarium (small but okay)
Museum of Science and Industry (A lot of hands on stuff)
Chicago Historical Society
McDonalds/Hardrock/Rainforest/Portillos @ Ontario St.
:slurp:
Michigan Ave & State Street(shopaholics dream)
Sears Tower/John Hancock (great views up in the sky)

I'll try and dig up a map of where all the places are.
 
EpcoTim

EpcoTim

Well-Known Member
Considering the kids and wife thing, that may not be possilble....a few good suggestions I have.....
1. walk Lake Shore Drive. Its wuite a hike, but absolutely beautiful. Edpecially at dawn and dusk. and the beaches......oak street beach is always fun, and then theres Belmont harbor up north, where I used to live, where they have a dog beach.....the kids always love that.
2. Navy pier, lots of neat little shops, boats, ferris wheel.
3. Lincoln park zoo, said before, but worth another mention. And you can tell the story of how the gorrillas busted out of the gorilla house about 10 years ago.
4. The museums, as stated, are all great. The kids would love either one.
5. Take them to Ed Debevics to eat. They will love it. Its like the 50s primetime cafe, but a bit more outlandish. The shakes and burgers are top notch also. Eds is near clark and ontario, a fair cab ride away.
And i beleive when your going is the art fair in Lincoln park, thats always interesting.

And check just walk around, Chicago is one of the most well kept and beautiful cities. Its the little things that get overlooked.
 
RickEff

RickEff

Active Member
I spent a week driving in Chicago one day. DON'T EVEN CONSIDER DRIVING.

Chicago is one of my FAVOURITE cities in the US. No matter what you do, I guarantee you'll have a great time!
 
DMC-12

DMC-12

It's HarmonioUS, NOT HarmoniYOU.
Hmm... Its always a good time to hang out on the Red line EL platform at 35th and the Dan Ryan Expressway :lol: j/k.... Oooo and North Halstead street is a blast to (so I hear)...:lol: ;)

Just messin with ya... I will might be at the air and water show to... dunno what day yet ...depends if I will get vip passes again for this years show from the Airforce/Thunderbirds... (hope I do!)

Anywhoo.... Marriott is a great hotel.... I used to work right accross the street from it.... Tons of great places to eat around there.... The Shed Aquarium has a brand new tank/display they added... very nice from what I hear. The Field Museum is good to... Its just 15ft from the Shed. Take the free trolly from Michigan Ave…. its cool and FREE! :)

You are better off with public trans in this city though... you WILL get raped by parking garage fees... Just Take the Blue Line in from O'Hare... get off downtown... and take a cab to the Marriott.... Or... you could just take a cab from O'Hare it might cost ya $20-30... I forget...

If you do drive into the city from O'Hare... Stay on the Kennedy Expressway 90/94... Take that all the way downtown.... Get off at the Ohio Street Exit... take Ohio all the way east down to rush st, make a right... and you are at the marriot.

If you need any info on anything… let me know… :) :wave:
 
Bagheera

Bagheera

New Member
Original Poster
How, thanks everybody! Great ideas all!

I'll print out the list and discuss with my wife. We'll put together a tentative game plan and, after my brother gets his schedule for that week, we'll know when the family obligations will be. Then, we can plan where to go, and maybe (if the timing works out), if anybody wants to get together, I'd love to meet any of you in person. (Of course, my wife always holds the veto on gatherings.....)

Oh, and Jerry, since the Marriott is three blocks from a red line stop and my brother is two blocks from another red line stop, we'll probably be riding it. Thanks for the warning to avoid the stop at 35th and Dan Ryan, though I don't think we'll be going there anyway. And the trolley looks like it'll take us pretty much anywhere else that we need to go, tentatively.

And maybe, if I get lucky, my brother or sister-in-law will be off work and will give us a lift to the hotel. Long odds on that, though.

Anyway, thanks again, everyone! :wave:
 
E

Erika

Moderator
Somebody brought up the Magnificent Mile- that is a good idea but would probably be boring for your son. If you go, a trip to FAW Schweetz at Watertower Place might be in order :slurp: He'll get a kick out of the odd-colored M&Ms.

Did FAO Schwartz across the street close, or did I imagine that? :veryconfu I haven't been down Michigan in a while.
 
DisneyCP2000

DisneyCP2000

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by Erika
Somebody brought up the Magnificent Mile- that is a good idea but would probably be boring for your son. If you go, a trip to FAW Schweetz at Watertower Place might be in order :slurp: He'll get a kick out of the odd-colored M&Ms.

Did FAO Schwartz across the street close, or did I imagine that? :veryconfu I haven't been down Michigan in a while.
Click to expand...

They kept saying they were going to close but I don't think they ever did.

Plus there's a BIG OL Disney store a couple of blocks from there. They sell everything in there unlike the mall stores.
 
E

Erika

Moderator
Originally posted by DisneyCP2000


Plus there's a BIG OL Disney store a couple of blocks from there. They sell everything in there unlike the mall stores.
Click to expand...

I completely forgot about that place! I smell a shopping trip coming soon :D
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom