Driving from Toronto to Chicago

[Binoo]

We are a group of 10 people (7 adults, 2 teen boys and 1 10 years old girl) and planning to go Chicago in July. This is our first time be there. Any good place to visit or shop? I heard the hotels in downtown are pretty expensive. Any suggestions? Thank you

 

[jba2]

I am currently in Chicago. We drove down on Saturday. We stopped at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI and did a tour of Rogue plant where they make the F-150's. We really enjoyed the tour. We then drove to Kalamazoo and spent the night. I could have driven all the way through to Chicago but I didn't want to drive in the dark.
We're staying at the Hotel Monaco, a Kimpton hotel right on the river a block away from Michigan Ave. So far we're loving the hotel and the location. Last year we stayed at the Palomar, another Kimpton hotel but I prefer the Monaco.
We recently discovered the Kimpton brand and so far love, love, love their hotels. You can sign up to become a Kimpton member and you get free wifi and a $10 raid the mini bar coupon. Also, they have a free wine hour every evening at 5:00. Look Kimpton up on line. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

 

[Binoo]

Thank you very much for your information. Have fun in Chicago and let me know if you find anything interested.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

also check to see if the Cubs are in town when you are there Wrigley Field is one of the most beautiful ball parks in Major League baseball. The Aquarium is also very nice too.

 

[jba2]

I'm sure the boys would enjoy a Segway tour.

 

[torontodisneyfan]

two words... Garrett's Popcorn! You can only get it in Chicago and New York. Try the Chicago Mix.

There is a store on The Mile and at Navy Pier

enjoy!

 

[greenclan67]

We drove to Chicago last year, but the Sault crossing! We loved Chicago, a very clean, walkable city! We stayed at the Four Pointes by Sheraton, 1 block from the mag mile. Loved it! Great location. I think our fam's fav thing to do was the Cubs game, what a great atmosphere. I have a 10 and 11 year old girls, and it was their first time at the ball game, and they loved it! We also did Shedd Aquarium, and the architecture tour on the boat. There is a great free trolley that takes you to Navy Pier as well! We also did the tower. It was a great city, with great restaurants as well. We liked Weber Grill for dinner, we visited it twice. The pitcher of Sangria was expensive but awesome. It is an expensive city, more so then even Toronto. We also got our hotel at the 4 pointes on a travelzoo special, it seems to come up often, not just that hotel, but many Chicago hotels! If you would like anymore help just let me know. I was doing the same thing last year, asking for info, if you do a search on these boards you may see some of my posts about it!

 

[Binoo]

Thank you for all the suggestion

 

[RCMommy]

We spent 5 days in Chicago in July, two years ago. We stayed at the Best Western River North Hotel. It was fantastic and is the ONLY hotel in downtown Chicago with FREE parking. There is even its own facebook fan page. They have the friendliest helpful staff. There is a Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest cafe, Eggsperience, and lots of other dining within a short walk. A trolley stop and bus stops are right near by. There is even a McDonald's right across the street.

We travelled with 7 yr old twins at the time. We did the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, both were great. We took a trolley down to Navy Pier and spent half a day. We also went to Michigan Avenue to visit the Hershey Store and American Girl Store. We also took the car and drove outside the city to see Medievil Times show and visit the Legoland Discovery Center.

Chicago is great. I remember a lot of cars and honking horns but it wasn't at us so I didn't care !

I highly recommend that hotel! We actually just booked to go back in July this summer and I didn't even look at any other places to sleep.

Be sure to go up Willis (Sears) Tower and do the glass observation deck, if you dare !