Chicago travel questions, from a Chicagoan (me) for someone else

[Dan Murphy]

Got an email from a long-time, though infrequent DIS'er, regarding an early January (6th and 7th) trip into Chicago, flying into Midway; himself, wife, kids, 4 and 8 years old. He had several questions (listed below) and since I am not a visitor to my city, having a hard time answering them, especially regarding the young kids. I did send him some answers, best I could, but told him I would also ask them here for him, hoping to get some further opinions from those who do travel here (and I know it is quite a few who have). So, what do you guys think?

We are working on an itinerary: Sears Tower, Marshall Field's, Navy Pier, & maybe the Disney Store if there's one near by.

1. Where would you suggest staying (in the Loop or closer to Navy Pier)?

2. Transportation: From the airport , should we take the El or Taxi? How safe is the El at night?
Once we're in the downtown/Loop area, which is better: El, Taxis or on foot? Again, how safe is it to wander around at night? Ex: Ferris Wheel @ Navy Pier or Marshall Field's window display.

A friend of mine will be providing me with a map of the CTA (It appears a taxi may be the best option to get to the Navy Pier?)

3. If we do take a taxi, will my 4 yr old son have to ride in a booster seat? If yes, is that something a taxi would typically provide?

4. What restaurant would you suggest?

5. I know there is going to be some walking, but do you think a stroller would be more trouble than it's worth?

 

[Ava83]

We are working on an itinerary: Sears Tower, Marshall Field's, Navy Pier, & maybe the Disney Store if there's one near by.

1. Where would you suggest staying (in the Loop or closer to Navy Pier)?

I would stay at the Hyatt on michigan ave

2. Transportation: From the airport , should we take the El or Taxi? How safe is the El at night?

The orange line is great, take it.

Once we're in the downtown/Loop area, which is better: El, Taxis or on foot?

Depends where you are going to be honest, I like walking, but it can be tons! The trolley system is good also.

Again, how safe is it to wander around at night? Ex: Ferris Wheel @ Navy Pier or Marshall Field's window display.

Pretty safe

A friend of mine will be providing me with a map of the CTA (It appears a taxi may be the best option to get to the Navy Pier?)


3. If we do take a taxi, will my 4 yr old son have to ride in a booster seat? If yes, is that something a taxi would typically provide?

I have never seen a booster in a taxi, but never had my child in one.

4. What restaurant would you suggest?

There are so many, check out www.metromix.com for reviews.

5. I know there is going to be some walking, but do you think a stroller would be more trouble than it's worth?

Take the stroller!

 

[Beth76]

Well, Dan, first of all I would tell him to pack warmly and bring winter apparell. It looks like you guys are going to be getting some snow those days. I've never been downtown during snow, so I don't really know how easily it would be to get around.


1. Where would you suggest staying (in the Loop or closer to Navy Pier)? I would suggest staying close to Navy Pier. There's a ton of stuff for kids there, so they may spend the bulk of their time there. I think the closest hotel is Embassy Suites.

2. Transportation: From the airport , should we take the El or Taxi? How safe is the El at night?
Once we're in the downtown/Loop area, which is better: El, Taxis or on foot? Again, how safe is it to wander around at night? Ex: Ferris Wheel @ Navy Pier or Marshall Field's window display.

A friend of mine will be providing me with a map of the CTA (It appears a taxi may be the best option to get to the Navy Pier?) Not sure on all this since we drove our car

3. If we do take a taxi, will my 4 yr old son have to ride in a booster seat? If yes, is that something a taxi would typically provide? Legally, yes the four year old would need a booster/carseat. I very much doubt a taxi would provide one. Perhaps if they hired a car service, they might be able to get a carseat. My 4yo sits in a backless booster which is about the size of a phone book and is easy to carry around. They may want to look into that. They're about $20 at Target.

4. What restaurant would you suggest? Ed Debevics, possibly. I haven't been there in years and people said it was still a good place to go, when I was planning my trip. We unfortunately didn't make it. Next time we will. There's also a Johnny Rockets around there somewhere. Dan, I think you can suggest the best pizza place-would that be Gino's?

5. I know there is going to be some walking, but do you think a stroller would be more trouble than it's worth? I would not take a stroller for my four year old. He had just turned four (a month earlier) when we went and he did just fine without a stroller.

 

[Ava83]

best pizza place-would that be Gino's?

Many prefer Lou Malnatis. I personally dislike Gino's but there are people that swear by it.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/