Chicago and Chicagoland area must dos?

[Kitzka]

Hi everyone

So, it turns out wwe will be hitting Chicago/Schamuburg for a dance competition just after July 4th. I have been Chicago a bunch for work but we are usually near the McCormick center and never out of the city itself.

Aside form the usual navy pier, field museum, shedd aquarium what are some must dos in Chicago and what about some places we must eat. We will be staying in Schaumburg and will prob only have time to get into Chicago propeer one day but if therre are any must dos in the Schaumburg area please send along your suggestions. We will have a rental car and would love to know where the locals eat in Schaumburg rather than chains.

Thanks!

Lara

 

[southbarringtonjen]

The must do's for Schaumburg? There are none. You can see the headquarters for Motorola. Visit Woodfield Mall, which at one point was the world's largest. IKEA and Legoland seem to draw the tour buses in.

Schaumburg is one giant chain restaurant, but if I was forced the best of the best are...

Yu's - probably the best local restaurant. http://www.yusrestaurant.com/
Wild Fire. Yes it is a chain, but still a favorite.
Seasons 54. Just different enough to make the list.
Ti Amo - which is hit or miss, but rarely packed. http://www.tiamoitaliano.com/

The standards you can't go wrong with are Shaw's Crabhouse, Mortons, Magiannos, and Sam and Harrys.

Venture 15 minutes west and visit my neighborhood.
Ruths Chris and Cooper's Hawk Winery are weekly destinations in my household. The best restaurant of the list may be http://www.leiffelbistrot.com/.

 

[KNJWDW]

If you like pizza, try Lou Malnati's. There is a location in Schaumburg, it looks like a house. Nothing fancy, but the food is really good!

 

[Sandy321]

Dance competition - have fun!

Schaumburg can be a drive to Chicago depending on Traffic. IKEA is an amazing shopping venture (http://www.ikea.com/) I do like the little things for under $5... and their food! Best bargains to be had (top floor) Breakfast, lunch and dinner - then you go the first floor (more food, mostly fast food type) to buy the awesome cinnamon rolls, and other Swedish goodies.

Driving into Chicago, keep in mind to park in one of the large underground spaces is cheapest (http://chicagoparkingmap.com/) We usually park at the Millenium underground garage (http://www.millenniumgarages.com/) then we take advantage of the busses in Chicago - we get a daily bus pass and use it to get on and off http://www.transitchicago.com/ This link shows how you can best use it in the "Plan your Trip" option. Since its still early I'd take advantage of the "buy online in advance" option (http://faremedia.chicago-card.com/)
(we buy our cards at the CVS store after coming into Union Station on the train)

Now that you want to visit the sites - I'd say use City Pass if you plan on visiting more than one museum. (http://www.citypass.com/chicago)

I personally would skip the double deck tour buss - yes, I've been on it, taken out of towners on it, and it provides a HUGE laugh because its so bad - so slow, and so random in its awfulness! but I know in other towns, its a good bet to go on!

For Chicago - do the boat tour instead! Wendella tours is our favorite - its family owned http://www.wendellaboats.com/ On a beautiful day, it really compliments the city! Goes down the river, talking about the famous architecture, and heads out to the Lake to show off the skyline.

I also would skip Navy Pier, currently its a huge disappointment, not much there but a few shops, a few restaurants, the Children's Museum and Shakespeare Theatre. If you have plenty of time to wander, it is a nice area, but, if time is short - this is one you could miss - imho.

Willis Tour (ie, the old Sears Tower) is great when it is a clear day - but if you buy the city pass - and stay downtown on Michigan Avenue, you are just fine going up the John Hancock (and for those that want to skip the lines and dont have the ticket to go up - you go around to the elevator to the 95th Floor for a lovely cocktail - higher views, and the best bathroom view in Chicago!!)

http://www.signatureroom.com/ (put your cursor over the different options to see the views!!) IS on the 95th floor of John Hancock - we love getting a cocktail at night as well to see the lights of Chicago. We've taken dd and her friends for a kiddie coctail, its nice to sit and relax and look all around out the windows!

Across from John Hancock, and on the "Mag Mile" (Michigan Avenue) is the shopping destination - Water Tower Place,(http://www.shopwatertower.com/) now home of American Girl Doll... further down on Michigan Avenue The Disney Store! In Water Tower is a unique Food Court - you get a ticket wander around order from the different venues, and pay as you leave. (http://www.shopwatertower.com/dining-entertainment/foodlife)

 

[bettymae1121]

The must do's for Schaumburg? There are none. You can see the headquarters for Motorola. Visit Woodfield Mall, which at one point was the world's largest. IKEA and Legoland seem to draw the tour buses in.

Schaumburg is one giant chain restaurant, but if I was forced the best of the best are...

Yu's - probably the best local restaurant. http://www.yusrestaurant.com/
Wild Fire. Yes it is a chain, but still a favorite.
Seasons 54. Just different enough to make the list.Ti Amo - which is hit or miss, but rarely packed. http://www.tiamoitaliano.com/

The standards you can't go wrong with are Shaw's Crabhouse, Mortons, Magiannos, and Sam and Harrys.

Venture 15 minutes west and visit my neighborhood.
Ruths Chris and Cooper's Hawk Winery are weekly destinations in my household. The best restaurant of the list may be http://www.leiffelbistrot.com/.

I grew up in Schaumburg, I agree with all three of those restaurants. I live 30 minutes away now and still drive in to eat at these three places. Cooper Hawk's isn't bad either, but between that and Wild Fire I'd choose Wild Fire.

If you can only eat at one place though, eat at Yu's. Best. Chinesse. Ever.

 

[teCh0010]

If you've already done the Field Museum try the Museum of Science and Industry.

 

[jacksmomma]

Schaumburg has a lot of the chain places that downtown has but without the parking hassle! (Completely worth it in my book!) We always go to IKEA, be sure to eat at least lunch there. (Nothing great, but super cheap!) If you have kids they will want to go to Rainforest Cafe. Go to Gino's East in Rolling Meadows...Best pizza ever! There is also a Portillos which is a good Chicago style dog. Get the chocolate cake there...yum!

As far as in the city, go to either the Sears Tower or The Handcock. Do not waste your time with Navy Pier. If you are so enclined, the American Girl store in in the Water Tower Place shops. Also, we LOVE the museum of Science and Industry!

 

[Kitzka]

Thanks everyone!

Lara

 

[BethanyF]

Pilot Pete's at the Schaumburg airport is one of our favorite local places. Yummy comfort food at reasonable prices. Plus it's just a fun place
http://pilot-petes.com/

 

[Kitzka]

A follow up question- does anyone know anything about the embassy suites in Schaumburg? The studio is looking to stay there when we are there but some of the reviews on trip advisor seem a bit sketchy....

Thanks!

Lara

 

[SoonerSarah]

We haven't been back in years, but we always seek out a Gryo place since they are few and far between down here.

In downtown Chicago, for fun with kids we eat at Ed Debevics.
http://www.eddebevics.com/flash.html

And across the street is Al's Italian Beef, which we love as well. DH particularly.
http://alsbeef.com/

 

[daughtersrus]

Brookfield Zoo is very nice but it's about 25 miles from Schaumburg. About 15 miles from Chicago.

If you go to Chicago, be sure to pick up some pop corn at Garrett. It's wonderful!

 

[Sandy321]

A follow up question- does anyone know anything about the embassy suites in Schaumburg? The studio is looking to stay there when we are there but some of the reviews on trip advisor seem a bit sketchy....

Thanks!

Lara

In August I went to a "knitting convention" that was held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center - basically around the corner from the Embassy Suites -

I ended up staying at a Comfort Suites further away - and while it was worth $39 a night - it was a $39 a night hotel! From what I remember I wished I had stayed at the Embassy Suites or the other hotel (which I cant remember - search isnt showing it, its across from the Renaissance Center) I had checked roomsavers.com and had a great rate, anyway,

I wouldnt worry about Embassy Suites - its a good location (close to that IKEA we were talking about ;-)

 

[Kitzka]

In August I went to a "knitting convention" that was held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center - basically around the corner from the Embassy Suites -

I ended up staying at a Comfort Suites further away - and while it was worth $39 a night - it was a $39 a night hotel! From what I remember I wished I had stayed at the Embassy Suites or the other hotel (which I cant remember - search isnt showing it, its across from the Renaissance Center) I had checked roomsavers.com and had a great rate, anyway,

I wouldnt worry about Embassy Suites - its a good location (close to that IKEA we were talking about ;-)

Thanks! people are just worried because we normally do these competitions at a beach type area and people are grumbling about going to Chicago which is not a beachy/resort type area.

Lara

 

[FINFAN]

well, you will be hitting Chicago during the Taste...that in itself is a crowd- mashed- fried -food extravaganza. While not a tropical beach town, you can still have a fun day at Oak Street or North Beach..Lincoln Park zoo is free. Maybe the kids would want to hit Great America? You can spend a whole day just at the water park section.

 

[ckpoodge]

I put in my vote for Lincoln Park Zoo. Best of all - Free Admission.

As far as eating - we go to Texas de Brazil in Schaumburg at Woodfield Mall. Also while you're in the area, you can check out the Disney Doorway to Dreams.

If you are going to venture into the city, then try to go to the Taste of Chicago. It's usually jam-packed, but it is something that's really fun to do - at least once.

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks! people are just worried because we normally do these competitions at a beach type area and people are grumbling about going to Chicago which is not a beachy/resort type area.

Lara

I can imagine their expectations will be high, and Schaumburg is a ways from Chicago - getting to Chicago and finding parking, and paying for parking, and then trying to get around - all can be a nightmare if you have no idea what to expect.

Traffic can be a nightmare - one accident, or if they decide to do construction - or it can be a breeze, and you wonder why people complain.

Museum of Science and Industry is south of "chicago" (ie magmile, Grant Park where Taste of Chicago will be) http://www.msichicago.org/

In July the weather can be very HOT and Humid, or it can be chilly (esp off the lake) http://gochicago.about.com/od/tasteofchicago/p/taste_chicago.htm

I agree with a PP that hitting Great America, and that water park might be a good idea - but again, expect huge crowds, and a traffic jam near Great America http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx

Going to Lincoln Park Zoo can be fun (my son lives near there - a few blocks away) its across the street from the Lake - again, parking can be a huge problem at times...http://www.lpzoo.org/

Brookfield Zoo is in the suburbs, and its larger, more spread out, imho able to handle crowds... http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home

The tournaments we've been to (years ago) we stayed closer to the event - but being so near Chicago, I cant imagine not coming into the city...

Good Luck!