Help! Chicago friends

[whirlsy]

Hi~ I was wondering if anyone from the chicago area or anyone familiar with the chicago area could help us plan a two day trip to chicago with two children ages 7 and 3. I need a nice ,safe, fun ,hotel close to everything. Let me know both best value and the best to stay at, any information would be great. thanks

 

[Bob O]

We have had good luck staying at a hotel in the merchandise mart, a Holiday Inn hotel. A nice hotel, not too far away with a nice indoor pool which is hard to find in the area unless you want to pay big bucks!!!
A not to be missed place to visit is Navy Pier!!!! They have alot for kids to do. more to do in summer but good year around!!! They have a great kids museum that is free on thursday nights from 500pm to 800pm!!! There are also several great museums, a nice aquaruim and a nearby zoo(Lincoln Park) which is free and a very nice Zoo. For eating my kids always like going to hardrock cafe and their is also a Rainforest cafe nearby.

 

[December99]

Do you have a "cap" on the amount for a hotel???? Try looking at www.877chicago.com. They have rates for hotels and where they are located. Plus they have a listing of things to do. My recommendation for that age, if the weather is nice I agree with Bob O - Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place and better yet...IT'S FREE!!!! There is also the Children's Museum which is suppose to be great at Navy Pier, the Shed Acquarium (which as an adult I still like), and the Field Museum. There is also the Science and Industry Museum but your 3 year old might get bored there.

There are alot of great hotels along Michigan and State that would be close to things. Don't be afraid to use public transportation. From May to September there are free trolley's and outside of that there are the "trolley tours" which drop and pick up at various attractions. I always use the busses. If you get to a bus stop and aren't sure which bus to take, just ask one of the drivers - they have helped me learn the system!!!!

PM me when you find some hotels that might look appealing and I'll let you know if they are good ones to stay at (there are some that the price is appealing but might not be good ones for the kids - no pool, very businessy, etc.). The Chicago Hilton and Towers is one that I like but I can't remember if they have a pool. Also the Hyatt is another great one and that does have a pool. There are others that will be more reasonably priced but if you want a pool you need to check the list of amenities because not all the hotels have a pool. Just let me know if I can help you any further.

 

[Jeafl]

Are the kids boys or girls? If they are girls, don't miss American Girl Place.

 

[newmousecateer]

And there is always Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry

 

[Dopeygirl]

I really liked the Children's Museum at the Navy Pier. We took my cousin last fall (she was 5) and she loved it. So did I. And as Bob said, they offer free admission Thursday evenings. The Navy Pier is one of my favorite things to do. If you'll be there during the summer, they offer AWESOME firework shows twice a week.

Another vote for Lincoln Park Zoo. Or the Shedd Aquarium. The Adler Planetarium is also really nice, if you enjoy that.

The free trolleys offer weekend service September-May. We've used them a few times and really liked it. Sure beats the driving!! Free Trolley Information

 

[Dopeygirl]

Sorry about that double post...

 

[whirlsy]

thanks guys I knew you would come through for me, I have a dd who is 7 but not much for dolls, probably would feel different walking into the american girl store, is that located within the shopping area, I only remember Nike town and FAO, I have only been there once and it was a long time ago, I am going to look into the Hyatt right now, I was in the Omni Hotel website last night but it looks a little too fancy for us.

 

[whirlsy]

how is the Holiday Inn Chicago City center it is located on Ohio st. I believe and it seems very close to the navy pier and everything we are interested in. Thanks for any feed back.

 

[Doctor P]

Holiday Inn City Centre is a relatively new hotel as I recall, and it is well located. Depending on the rate you can get (I would not pay over $129 for any hotel in downtown Chicago--you can get some of the best hotels for that rate or less typically).

Here is a list of hotels that I have personal experience with in the recent past. An OK in parentheses means that I would not hesitate to stay there.

All of the following are OK (or better):

Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago Renaissance Hotel (good rates available often)
Palmer House Hilton (good rates available often)
Chicago Hilton and Towers
Westin Michigan Avenue (good rates if you watch)
Omni Chicago Hotel
Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart
Westin Hotel River North

Hotels I have stayed at in the recent past that I would not necessarily recommend:

Lenox Suites
Congress Hotel
Essex Inn

If you need more feedback about location and things to do in a particular area of downtown Chicago or about a particular hotel, don't hesitate to PM me (or December99 who can get on my case!!) Either I or the family spend 6-8 nights a year in downtown Chicago, and another 10 days or so on day trips, so we can probably give you lots of up to date tips and advice. Good luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few links which may be of help to you.


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

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/index.html

 

[MarkRG]

I've stayed at the Hyatt before, nice hotel, good location on Michigan ave.

You're good and close to the shopping district too.

When are you planning this trip for? We could let you know more about what's happening locally while you're going to be here.

 

[whirlsy]

Hi~ we will be there for just two nights in May 20-22. Doctor P I send you a pm. thanks everyone I was beginning to wonder if I was going to find a hotel for under 200.00.