Chicago for a family vacation?

[CharityLynn]

My husband has syggested we do Chicago this year for our first family vacation. We have 2 children 6yr old son and 3year old daughter.

What are not to miss in chicago? Restaurants attractions?

Any other suggestions as to a place to vacation, preferablly Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana

 

[Narvon]

We vacation in Chicago about once a year because we have family there. North Pier is fun - there is a children's museum and a HUGE ferris wheel. Shedd aquarium is great, but I think it's a little pricey. Our son (he's five) LOVES the Field Museum (Natural History) and the Museum of Science and Industry. The Brookfield Zoo is a world class zoo and not far out of the city, and there is a zoo in Lincoln Park right in the city.

Here are some links:

The Field Museum

Museum of Science and Industry

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago Children's Museum

Brookfield Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo

Hope this helps!

~Narvon

 

[Beth76]

Oh definitely! We just took our boys who were 3 and almost 1 this past May. It was beautiful! We stayed two nights downtown, so only had one full day to "play". We've been there a lot since I have family there, but this was the first time we took our boys downtown. You definitely need to stay downtown. You can get great rates on priceline, if you are so inclined. Between Mem Day and Labor Day they run a free trolley that goes to all the main attractions. We went just before Mem Day, so we weren't able to use that. Parking is atrocious downtown so it's best to just park at the hotel and use public transportation.

We ended up driving to the Aquarium. Stayed there for quite awhile and ate lunch there too at the nice restaurant (food court was a zoo). Then we took a water taxi over to Navy Pier. We spent only about an hour there because we had to go to the suburbs for dinner with my aunt. Wish we could have spent more time. There was so much to do.

We will definitely go back. My son still talks about it. He loved all the skyscrapers--we even went to the top of the Hancock building. Next time we go back we'll stay longer as we didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted. Plus the boys will be older and better able to handle it.

Some more links
Navy Pier
Trolley
Magnificent Mile

 

[WIcruizer]

Depending on when you're going...

Six Flags Great America theme park (Far Northern burbs)
Milwaukee is only an hour and 1/2 away- plenty to do there
Wisconsin Dells is about 2 1/2 hours away- #1 family vacation destination in the Midwest
That would also take you through Madison, plenty to see there

 

[angelam]

We just returned from a long weekend in Chicago. It was our second trip there with the kids (ages 6 and 10). I love Chicago!

We really like the Shedd Aquarium. They have a nice dolphin show with an amazing view of Lake Michigan. There are also Beluga whales and many other neat things to see there.

We went to Navy Pier. In December they have a Winter Wonderland Festival that has lots of beautiful Christmas decorations, ice skating, and other activities for the kids to do.

On this trip, we visited the John Hancock building and the views from the top were amazing.

The historical Water Tower is beautiful at night when it is lit up with lights (not sure if they do this in summer, as we have only gone in Dec.)

We ate at the Cheescake Factory for lunch and it was very good. The portions were huge- 2 people could have easily shared any of the meals that we got. They have about every flavor of cheesecake you could imagine.

We had lunch at "The Grill". I believe it was part of the Westin hotel. The portions were large and we all enjoyed our food.

I also went to Garrett's Popcorn shop. They are famous for their popcorn and people wait a line outside the door just to get some. It was worth the wait. It is all cooked fresh, and that is why it takes so long. They can't make it fast enough. They don't have a lot of flavors- just carmel corn, carmel corn with various nuts, cheese corn, butter and plain. I got the carmel and cheese corn. The carmel corn was still warm when I got it! YUMMMM!

There is the American Girl Store, which is a fun place to visit.

Before our first trip, I purchased "Chicago With Kids". This book highlights many great places that are fun for families, and gives you maps and loads of other info. It is by Frommers.

On our first trip we went to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The kids loved it!

We took the buses or walked most places. You can get a one day bus pass for $5 or 2 day pass for $9.

We stayed at the Four Points Sheraton on Rush and Ohio street. It is only a couple of blocks from Mag. Mile and close to many restuarants (Rainforest, Hard Rock, California Pizza Kitchen, ESPN, McDonalds- which has an escaltor with an dining area on the second level- the kids thought that was pretty neat, and some of the famous Chicago pizza places) The hotel was great. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The beds and pillows were SO comfortable. There is a nice pool, which isn't deep- about 4 feet or so, which makes it nice for kids). I reserved the room on Travelocity and the rates were about $139 for a standard room or $169 for a Jr. Suite (which really isn't a "Suite"- it just has a pull out sofa bed). Valet parking at this hotel was $36 per day, and that is pretty much the going rate at most of the hotels.

One of my favorite weekend trips in Ohio is COSI Science Center and the Toledo zoo. I am from Michigan also, and I think COSI and the Toledo Zoo are far better than ours here. We have been going there about once per year for awhile now. COSI is connected to the Wyndham Garden Hotel, and we usually stay there. You can walk right through the lobby and down a few stairs, and be at COSI.

Have Fun!
Angie

 

[American Scrapper]

Chicago has so much to offer for all ages. Depending on the time of year you plan on going, there are several different things to do. You can go to Millenium Park. They have the reflective Bean there and lots of open space for picnics or just to hang out. Michigan Avenue is always busy with people or State Street. In the summer, usually the week before 4th of July there is the Taste of Chicago. You buy food tickets and they have alot of food booths so you can try some of the most popular foods from various Chicago restaurants. Navy Pier is always fun, and like others have said, there are museums and zoos to visit. I prefer Brookfield Zoo, but Lincoln Park zoo is nice too, and right off the lake. There are beaches or just a walk down the lakefront is nice too. There is the American Girl Store and ESPN Zone, where you can eat and has a game room upstairs. Also there are several ethnic areas with wonderful food, Greek Town, China Town & Little Italy to name a few. You can take in a ball game, we have the World Champ Chicago White Sox (more of a kid friendly stadium with a kids fundametal section and half price Mondays) and that Northside team, the Cubs (I am a Sox fan, can you tell?). There is usually carriage rides on Michigan Avenue which are fun, especially for kids. And of course, you can visit the Sears Tower or John Hancock building & take in breathtaking views of the entire city. The city is, IMHO, one of the nicest & cleanest cities to visit with alot to do & see.

It is fun to read others comments, because I don't look at the city as a place to vacation because I work downtown and live about 35 miles south of the city, so we don't get there for fun often - but it really is a nice vacation spot and threads like this remind me of that.

I hope you decide to visit the city, I dont think you will be disapointed.

Kathy

 

[Dan Murphy]

These links should work, good info. Enjoy the town, it is a good one.

http://chicago.travelape.com/

http://www.chicago.il.org/default.html

http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/chicagoguide/

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_millennium_park.htm

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_special_events.htm

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

http://www.chicagogreeter.com/index.html

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/....do?entityName=Tourism&entityNameEnumValue=41

http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/

http://www.hancock-observatory.com/

http://www.millenniumpark.org/

http://www.museumcampus.org/

​

 

[CharityLynn]

Thank you guys so much.

We for sure plan on Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and have also been thinking about Brookfield zoo.

Thanks so much for your post angelam very informative.

 

[shortbun]

All the other stuff AND we LOVE the Art Institute!!!! Downstairs is a hands on exhibit and the minatures are amazing!!! The armour is fun for the little ones too, sounds weird but it's cool. I think Tuesdays are free.

 

[missypie]

We did a spring break vacation in Chicago...had a great time. We stayed at the Hampton Suites that were just a couple of blocks of of Michigan Ave. For some reason, they were only about half the price of the Embassy Suites.

 

[becka]

Thanks for posting this. DH really wants to go to Chicago with the kids next summer and it is nice to see that there will be plenty for us to do there. DS will be 4 and DD with be around 18 months.

 

[KarenC]

I live in the suburbs and work in Chicago. It's a great city. You may be interested in getting a city pass which provides admission to a number of museums for a reduced price.

http://citypass.com/city/chicago.html

The pass includes:
• The Hancock Observatory
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Field Museum
• Shedd Aquarium
• Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry

The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and fun to do. There are also fun, but not as well publicized things to do in the suburbs too. You might get some ideas from the Chicago Parent magazine. Here's their link:

http://www.chicagoparent.com/

Have fun!

 

[BelleMcNally]

If you will be in town during the week, some of the museums offer free admission on certain days. (I know The Art Institute is free on Tuesdays). The Lincoln Park zoo is free...and it shows a little. A friend of mine jokes that it's "where the animals come to die". Of course, that's not true, but Brookfield is much nicer.
That said, if you can take time to stroll through Lincoln Park, do so. It's gorgeous...especially if you happen upon the lily pond!

I work downtown and can see nearly everything that's been mentioned if I turn to look out my window right now (I'm at the top of one of those skyscrapers); I never get tired of this view!

 

[Nickunited]

Wrigley Field - My dad and I went out there just to go to a game - it was great - anyone can appreciate it!