Help needed for family weekend in Chicago

[Sydnoahmom]

We are taking the kids, DD13 and DS9 to Chicago March 28/29. I haven't made reservations yet, but will probably book the Fairmont for $97. The kids wanted Embassy Suites, so I may consider that as well, but it's $50/night more.

DD and I have tickets for matinee of Mary Poppins on Sat and DH and DS will go to the Field Museum.

Where should we eat Sat night that is kid friendly. Kids really aren't into deep dish pizza. We have done Ed Debevics and Bubba Gumps. Any suggestions?

Also, what can we do on Sunday? Summertime is no problem, but I can't come up with anything for March.

Thanks!

 

[astine75]

I'd take a stroll down Michigan and window shop. Clark is good for this too. Chicago's Art Museum is awesome depending on the age of your kids. If you go to http://www.choosechicago.com/attractions/Pages/default.aspx you can use the calendar to see what is going on the days you are there too. For food, I'd still head towards Clark and try some of the indep owned places. There are some tasty places. Enjoy and take a parka to fight the wind.

 

[Tiggerish]

If the Embassy Suites is only $50 a night more and includes their cooked to order breakfast and the nightly snacks and drinks, that may be the better deal. My family finds that the breakfast, particularly eaten as late as possible makes it possible to skip lunch and do the manager's reception for drinks and snack before a later dinner.

 

[Sandy321]

go up to the Signature Room at the John Hancock (by pass the line for the observation deck) cocktails are about $10 - kiddie cocktails are less - and the views are spectacular (must check out the view from the bathroom too!!)

Rainforest Cafe may be another choice - we like Italian Village
http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/

you can go to www.betterbidding.com and click on the hotwire hints for Chicaog to see if you can get a specific hotel for cheaper...

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd definitely pick ES - large rooms, free reception and breakfast. How about the aquarium?

 

[erin327]

We love the Museum of Science and Industry.

 

[Vijoge]

Grant Park, especially if the weather is nice. . The Bean. . .love the bean.

 

[rebecca314]

The Brookfield Zoo is amazing and is open year round. (I know, it'll be cold but we love to do zoos in the winter.)

There is American Girl - if DD is into that. If you are an Apple family, you would definitely have to visit the Apple store on Michigan Avenue - we spend a lot of time there every trip.

Here's a show I put together from one of our trips:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVtE_r3hzkM

Have fun!

 

[Kallista]

My oldest loves sharks, so we love the Shedd Aquarium.

The Field Museum is especially nice, if you have kids that like dinosaurs. There is a kids' section in the basement, that has exhibits the kids can touch and play with. (More like a children's musuem.)

There is a nice hands-on children's musuem at Navy Pier.

Lincoln Park Zoo has an exhibit called "Farm-in-the-Zoo" which is sponsored by John Deere. John Deere also sponsors a farm equipment exhibit at the Musuem of Science and Industry.

It's small, but my kids (boys ages 6 and 3.5) enjoyed the Legoland Discovery Center at Woodfield Mall.

A couple of hours shopping in Chinatown is always fun, too.

Chicago has tons of great food everywhere. There are a lot of small local places.

My kids like to eat at Leona's. They have a several locations, and have decent Italian, in addition to Pizza. Giordano's has several locations, too, and the best stuffed pizza and good pasta.

If you're out at Woodfield, there's a Sweet Tomatoes ( a soup and salad buffet.)

If you like Greek, you might want to try Parthenon in Greektown.

 

[Tam1067]

I'd do Embassy Suites as others have suggested.

There's a Lego store inside the North Bridge shops (the Nordstrom shopping center) on Michigan.

Places to eat at include Rainforest Cafe or perhaps Portillo's which has Chicago style hot dogs and beef sandwiches. It's not table service though, but my kids love it there. My kids also really like Greektown, too, and that's a very unique Chicago experience. It's not within walking distance of where you'll be staying though--but a cab would cost about $10 one way. Watertower Place has a really nice food court type of thing if you want that sort of food. Or you could upscale it and eat at Spaggia where the Obamas go when they're in town

Also, the Field Museum has a new large pirate exhibit visiting. Some friends of ours went there and liked it a lot. A Harry Potter exhibit is coming to the Museum of Science and Industry, but I don't believe it'll be there when you're in town yet.

My kids also enjoyed the river cruise we took my dad on a few years ago. If the weather is nice, you might try that. They take you down the river and then out onto the lake, and it's quite beautiful.

 

[mtblujeans]

We're thinking of taking a long weekend in Chicago in July...I'll keep an eye on this thread for ideas/planning help.

ETA: Sydnoahmom, which Embassy Suites location are you considering?

 

[derrickmom]

We ALWAYS do American GIRL

 

[Iott Family]

We found out with out Indiana State Musuem membership we can get into shedd's and a few other places in Chicago for "free". HTH somebody. Entrance fees add up fast!

I was pricing hotels and the $$ per night is just outrageous! We would need two rooms as we are a family of 6. Where would be a good place to stay in the out laying areas? Thanks!

 

[Tam1067]

I was pricing hotels and the $$ per night is just outrageous! We would need two rooms as we are a family of 6. Where would be a good place to stay in the out laying areas? Thanks!

Tinley Park is right on the Rock Island Metra train, has a number of hotels, and costs less than downtown. The best train station to use if you're interested is the 80th Avenue station on the Rock Island line. If you prefer to drive downtown from there, you'd take I-80 to I-57 and then the Dan Ryan in. It's about 40 minutes.

If you want to be around more fun stuff, you can stay in the Schaumburg and Woodfield area which has many hotels in all price ranges. However, if you're coming from Indiana, Tinley Park will be more convenient because it's right by I-80.

If you're looking for hotels in the Tinley Park area, you can also expand the search to include Orland Park because some of the hotels might officially be there as well--I get mixed up about where the towns change. Between these towns you'll find Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Country Inns and Suites, Hampton, Wingate, La Quinta, Fairfield, and a few more I'm missing.

 

[Iott Family]

Tinley Park is right on the Rock Island Metra train, has a number of hotels, and costs less than downtown. The best train station to use if you're interested is the 80th Avenue station on the Rock Island line. If you prefer to drive downtown from there, you'd take I-80 to I-57 and then the Dan Ryan in. It's about 40 minutes.

If you want to be around more fun stuff, you can stay in the Schaumburg and Woodfield area which has many hotels in all price ranges. However, if you're coming from Indiana, Tinley Park will be more convenient because it's right by I-80.

If you're looking for hotels in the Tinley Park area, you can also expand the search to include Orland Park because some of the hotels might officially be there as well--I get mixed up about where the towns change. Between these towns you'll find Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Country Inns and Suites, Hampton, Windgate, La Quinta, Fairfield, and a few more I'm missing.

Thanks so much Tam! Great info!

 

[Sydnoahmom]

We're thinking of taking a long weekend in Chicago in July...I'll keep an eye on this thread for ideas/planning help.

ETA: Sydnoahmom, which Embassy Suites location are you considering?

I hadn't really picked one over the other-both were the same price.

We actually got back today. Mary Poppins was AWESOME
If you have a chance- I highly recommend it. I believe it's here until 7/19.

We stayed at Hilton Garden Inn at a rate of $107. Perfect location, corner of State and Grand. Horrible beds-unless you really like a hard matress. Weber Grill was great (in the hotel.) Kids meals are an exceptional deal- 4 chicken fingers, tator tots, brocoli w/ cheese and fruit salad for $5.95. Oops, forgot ice cream sundae. DS9 was too full to eat it so we took it up to the room and he ate it 15 minutes later when he was starving The adult entrees all had sides come with them, which is rare for downtown Chicago. I had an appetizer (french onion soup) and the brisket, DH has full slap of ribs and DD13 had beer can chicken. Meal started with pretzel bread. We all had soft drinks. Total with tip was $100.30, which I didn't think was too bad for downtown.

We left and went to Joliet to shop today instead of staying in the city to walk around-it was snowing.

Can't wait until June. DH and I are going for 3 days with 2 other couples. We have ressies at Palmer House for $137/night.

Have fun!

 

[figment41]

Dick's last resort is a fun restaurant similar to Ed's but a little crazier

We love American Girl the restaurant is nice too