Chicago?

[lulugirl]

Anybody here from Chicago? Dh will be attending conferences there this July. I've always wanted to visit Chicago so I was thinking of meeting him there for the second half of his stay.
I think he will be staying at the Hyatt that is next to the McCormick conference center. Is that a convenient location to area attractions?
Any thoughts on what we should see and do? It will be me and 7yr.old Dd, I'm not really into shopping (although I heard there was an FAO Schwartz...sp?), we love museums and good food. I heard something about a water taxi that takes you around town? That sounded like fun.
Any thoughts on "must-sees" in Chicago?

-Elisabeth

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I wouldn't call myself a Chicago expert, but I can tell you what our family has enjoyed on our visits.

If you could only do one thing, I would recommend the Museum of Science & Industry. You can easily spend a whole day there. It's south of downtown, right off of Lakeshore Dr. Not too far from McCormick Place.

Our family has also really enjoyed the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. If you go to the aquarium, make sure you visit the Oceanarium. It's definitely worth the price of admission!

We have not had an opportunity to visit Millenium Park yet, but that looks like fun.

I think you'd also enjoy Navy Pier. There are several rides for kids. The highlight is the giant ferris wheel. I can't remember how tall it is, but it's the biggest ferris wheel I've ever ridden! You can also take boat rides off of Navy Pier.

There is an FOA Schwarz, I'm pertty sure it's on Michigan Ave. There's a lot of great shopping and eating on Michigan Ave. If you're DD is into American Girl dolls, there is an American Girl store downtown.

If I had to rank our family's Chicago favorites it would probably go like this:

Museum of S & I
Wrigley Field for a Cubs game
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier
Field Museum

Hope that helps!

 

[Beth76]

Oh you should definitely go. McCormick Place isn't exactly the center of it all, but it will do. The pp mentioned alot of my favorites. The water taxi that you mentioned goes between The Aquarium/Field Museum and Navy Pier. It's a fun little ride and you get some great views of the skyline. Once at Navy Pier you should take a ride on the Seadog. And I bet you might take a liking to shopping (or at least window shopping) when you start walking down Michigan Avenue. Gino's is my favorite place for pizza, but there are so many places--Giordano's, Due's, Lou Malnati's (sp?). Oh I could go on all day about Chicago. I'm hoping to take another trip there this summer.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Sorry folks, no more FAO.

We do have the original American Girl Place, though.

The hotel you'll be at isn't close to downtown, but we've got great public transport.

You've got great recs so far. Chicago in the summer is super fun!

 

[eeyore45]

Navy Pier can be fun for a 7yr old, there is a Children's Hands on Museum, the Science and Industry has lots of hands on exhibits (Coal train, plane, submarine et el)

My favorite tip is the city pass!! http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html
This is for the bus pass, it becomes really easy to get around by bus!! (and no lines like the "free trolley") I do not reccommend the double decker pay to see the sites trolley as it can get long and boring!!

Here's the Shedd :
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/guide-to-chicago-shedd-aquarium.htm

aha FOUND THE BEST DEAL THERE IS!!

http://www.affiliate.viator.com/bro...1010&PRODUCTID=1016&CODE=2640CHI_TR&AUID=2819

I love this deal - we love going to the museums tho!! You get into the Science and Industry + the Omni theatre - the Hancock is all the way up Michigan Avenue by Water Tower Place (and Hershey's Chocolate Store - good time!!) Its not as tall as the Sears Tower, but the views are fantastic!! (and the price is included in the city tour - again, you have to plan your days to see if you would go to these - I believe they are good for 3 or 5 days?)
This link at the top of the page will get you to other areas of interest also!!

Have FUN!! Sometimes just going to the hotel, and a different view is a vacation for sure!!

You may also want to check out the Lincoln Park Zoo (free again, far north) Brookfield zoo is larger, but in a suburb, you can take a train there, which is a fun and exciting thing for a 7yr old!! http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/
(the zoo site will give a link for transportation, which you can get the metrail link to tell you which train)

I love the transit system in Chicago!!

 

[KarenC]

There is a Chicago architecture tour by boat that is offered by the Chicago Architectural Foundation. It's very interesting and more fact-based than some of the trolley tours.

McCormick place is very near the Field Museum/Planetarium/Aquarium museum campus. Not much nightlife nearby that hotel though. My kids love to go into town to see Comedy Sports and Blue Man Group.

Near Water Tower Place are Ghiradelli and Hersheys chocolate shops.

 

[lulugirl]

Thanks guys, you provided me w/ some great suggestions!
I'm getting very excited about the trip!

 

[MassJester]

Love Chicago!

I get out there on business quite a lot (and I applied to 4 different law schools in the city when I was trying to decide where to go).

The only things I would add to the list of suggestions are:

• Ann Sathers (Breakfast restaurant--there are 3 different locations) Great Cinamon Buns!
• Wrigley Field--right of the red line and a superb place to see a ball game (particularly if you have

a fondness for the Cubbies)

 

[kassreese]

If you do the Shedd or any other museum make sure to arrive early as they get more crowded as the day goes on and sometimes sell out.

American Girl Place is a lot of fun, but make reservations very soon. They fill-up fast for their seatings. We took my DD6 last year and she loved it. We went to tea and dinner (her godmother's treat).

Have a great time!

 

[Bunchkin]

Staying near McCormick place will not put you in the middle of all there is to do in downtown Chicago, so you will need to rely on a taxi or bus to get you where you need to go if you won't have a rental car.

Lots of good attractions have been listed here.

Even though we live near Chicago we do go downtown often, here is our favorites:
Navy Pier - navypier.com There is so much to do there!! Children's Museum, theatre, concerts, lots of restaurants, shopping, the ferris wheel and other rides, and since you will be in the city when it is warm there will be all kinds of outdoor entertainment as well. There are boat tours to take from there as well, and the previously mentioned Seadog ride.

Adler Planetarium - adlerplanetarium.org

Shedd Aqarium - sheddaquarium.org

Field Museum - fieldmuseum.org

Don't forget the theatre disctrict, you and your DD could go see Wicked!!

American Girl Store, off of Chicago St. & Michigan Ave., nearby is the Hershey Store and Ghiradelli Chocolate! americangirl.com

Lego Store at 520 N. Michigan Ave.

Hancock bldg (hancock-observatory.com) and Sears Tower ( theskydeck.com) both have observations decks.

There is so much to do and see!!!
Have a great time!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

The Hyatt you are staying at is verrry nice! I love it there! i was there on business right after opening, and it was the last time i was there, but it's a nice hotel! have fun!!