Chicago trip help?

[4HppyCamprs]

I don't think you will have time for all of that in one Saturday. You can expect to wait in line for at least an hour for the Sears Tower (yes, we still call it that here in Chicago!), at least an hours wait for Ed's (ick anyway...I highly suggest eating elsewhere!) and the museum itself is several miles south of downtown and you can easily spend 8 hours there and still not see everything. There are SOOO many cool exhibits. None of these places you want to go are within walking distance of each other, so you will be getting back in your car, driving through Chicago traffic (scary!!!) and trying to find parking at each venue, none of which will be free or easy to find.

The Sears Tower is on the west side of downtown, and I'm sure you will be able to pay premium parking at a garage near there...right across the river is Union Station, so if you can rework your schedule, I would suggest taking a Metra train from wherever you are coming from.

Agree! Especially the parking and time things. It seems parking always runs about 26.00 downtown for us (when we don't take the train which we prefer) and we have been to the MSI several times and we never make it all the way through. It seems like 9-5 just isn't enough time. I think there is also a parking fee there. I believe if you park at ED's there is a parking fee there.

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[J. Galt]

Someone touched on this above but if you qualify the astc passport program is a great way to save on museum admission. Basically, you can buy a membership at a museum near where you live, making sure it is a member of the astc passport program. You then get free or reduced admission to tons of museums all across the country (MSI included). Your "home" museum has to be a certain distance from the museum you are visiting. I have a membership at the Milwaukee Public Museum and I can get in free (or at a reduced cost) at all participating Chicago museums.

 

[jahexom]

And to add to the always busy downtown, this weekend is the St. Patrick's Day greening of the river in the morning and parade at noon. Everywhere will be even busier than usual. Good Luck

 

[mom2cgj]

We went last year for spring break, taking Amtrak from central Indiana and used the buses to get around! I bought three day (72 hrs from first use) passes for $20/person and we loved it. CityPass was great for the museums. We stayed at Grant Park Best Western (cheap but wouldn't recommend it) and walked to the Shedd and the Field. Gino's east is the best pizza in town, we had Giordano's one night and were very disappointed.
Is there an extra charge for the Disney exhibit? I'm going to MSI on Monday for my daughter's field trip.

I agree...I love Gino's! Giordanno's is OK, but I'm not a fan.

Yes there is an extra charge for the Disney exhibit, and I would recommend pre-ordering your tickets as you will be assigned an entry time and if you wait to the day of you may have a hard time getting a time that works for you if you are on a set schedule with the field trip. If you already have general admission tickets, you will need to call instead of doing it online. Your tickets for the Disney exhibit will then be at the will-call desk.

 

[SEA333]

I agree...I love Gino's! Giordanno's is OK, but I'm not a fan.

Yes there is an extra charge for the Disney exhibit, and I would recommend pre-ordering your tickets as you will be assigned an entry time and if you wait to the day of you may have a hard time getting a time that works for you if you are on a set schedule with the field trip. If you already have general admission tickets, you will need to call instead of doing it online. Your tickets for the Disney exhibit will then be at the will-call desk.

Haha...all of the out of towners love the tourist pizza. LOL

Actually, the BEST stuffed pizza in Chicagoland *is* Giordano's, but I am not as big of a fan of stuffed pizza as I am thin, so we can all agree to disagree LOL

The best THIN is from Fasano's which is a little place in Justice IL - where tourists do not go! (I do not even go there except to get pizza now and then!). The 2nd best thin would be Home Run Inn, but you have to get it in the VERY SCARY original location for it to be the absolute best. We compromise and get it off of 290 and Manheim or REALLY compromise and buy the frozen version at Target when it is on sale.

OK, now I think we will get pizza for dinner....

 

[mom2cgj]

Haha...all of the out of towners love the tourist pizza. LOL

Actually, the BEST stuffed pizza in Chicagoland *is* Giordano's, but I am not as big of a fan of stuffed pizza as I am thin, so we can all agree to disagree LOL

The best THIN is from Fasano's which is a little place in Justice IL - where tourists do not go! (I do not even go there except to get pizza now and then!). The 2nd best thin would be Home Run Inn, but you have to get it in the VERY SCARY original location for it to be the absolute best. We compromise and get it off of 290 and Manheim or REALLY compromise and buy the frozen version at Target when it is on sale.

OK, now I think we will get pizza for dinner....

Ha! My husband would agree with you. For me, it's something about the sauce at Giordano's. Drive over to the Quad Cities and I'll take you out for some QC style pizza - thin crust, flavored with malt...sausage finely ground...mmmm....

OK, now we can give back the thread to those who don't want to discuss pizza!

 

[absolutkristee]

Just wanted to pass along my 2 cents worth. I live in Northern Indiana and visit Chicago a couple weekends a year. I would highly recommend staying downtown near Michigan Ave. It may be a bit more, but it seems you would waste so much time traveling. I hate dealing with the traffic in Chicago. My family personally loves Embassy Suites State St. There breakfast is great and they also include evening happy hours. It is within walking distance of Ed's and everything on Michigan Ave. including Hancock. The valet parking is around $50 or $60 a night . However, I have had a lot of success with spothero. It is a website that you pay in advance for parking. I use the 540 N. State St garage. I usually pay around $20 for a 24 hour period. This garage is actually used by several valets that charge twice that for the same time period.

Depending on the weather, Lincoln Park Zoo is a great option and it is free. There is a bridge at the zoo where you can capture wonderful shots of the skyline!

For pizza, I would choose Giordano's. There is also a pizza place near the zoo called Chicago Pizza Company. Interesting tidbit, it sits across the street from the site of the St. Valentines massacre. Also, don't leave Chicago without trying Garrett's Chicago mix popcorn!

Regardless of what you do, you will have a wonderful time. Chicago is a great city to visit!

 

[Small Town Princess]

However, I have had a lot of success with spothero. It is a website that you pay in advance for parking. I use the 540 N. State St garage. I usually pay around $20 for a 24 hour period. This garage is actually used by several valets that charge twice that for the same time period.

We are very small town so I am totally overwhelmed with how parking garages work. So on this website when I type in 540 N. State St. it pulls up 54 results. Could you give more details about how to select the best location from these 54 (most secure, safest, closest to Embassy Suites, etc.)? Do we just arrive at the garage and show them our paid receipt? Do I have to choose a lot space ahead of time or do they pick that for me? Thanks for you patience and help!

P.S. There are also two Embassy Suites listed in that area: Downtown and Downtown Lakefront. Is one better than the other?