OT - chicago advice

[Sunshineminnie]

Well, due to budget, Disney is out this summer but got some WAY cheap flights to Chicago, so heading there.

I am looking for an advice anyone is willing to share.

There will be a family of 4 going. 8 and 13 girls and Mom and Dad.

What is a great place to stay that you can walk places? What are some fun things to do (budget minded but can splurge a little.)

Any other tips to share?

Thanks so much!

 

[figment41]

Chicago can be so much fun you just have to look. there are certain days that museums are free. Look into a city pass that will give you lots of options for discoounts on things such as Sears Tower and museums. Lincoln Park Zoo is free and nice.

Not so free is American Girl Place your girls that age could love it. They have a nice restaurant that you can eat with a doll rented or your own at your table. Very Cute

Navy Pier is nice

Shopping on Michigan Avenue is always not so cheap

In Gurnee about 45 min from city is Siz Flags Great America there are also some water prks in that area too.

Beaches in Chicago are nice

There are lots of festivals at Grant Park

Baseball games Wrigley Field CUBS or US Cellular for Sox

If you get a hotel near Michigan ave there are or used to be some free trolleys to Navy Pier etc.

If I think of more I will let you know

Have a great trip

 

[ceecee]

Our budget Chicago trips always end up costing more. It's only a four hour drive for us so we don't have plane tickets, are you near an Amtrak? Of course the AG place is a must and that's quite a bit of $! Stay downtown so you can walk everywhere, the parking fee at our hotel was $20.00! Navy Pier is fun, but also you can end up spending a lot there as well.

 

[FLAngie]

Hi! We are planning a trip to Chicago this summer too. There is a great thread of people living in Chicago.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32309466#post32309466

We ended up booking at the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North. AAA has a special rate of $99/night. It looked nice, was remodeled recently, and compared to other hotels around it budget friendly

The CityPass looked like a good deal too, if those are places your are interested in seeing.

I didn't know the zoo was free. That may be a stop we need to make!

We are also going to the American Girl Store (a splurge). DD7 has been saving for another doll. I have heard that they rent dolls if you didn't bring your own and want to sit with one.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

We live about 1-2 hours south of Chicago & make a trip 1-2 times a year.

1st - the free trolley has stopped - due to expense of course. But they do have buses that you can get passes for that is inexpensive - or other trolleys that cost.

We have done the Shedd Aquarium - that is very nice. You can go through & be done by 1ish or take your time & make it last longer.

Navy Pier has a Children's Museum - you would have to look online to see if anything would even interest your kids ages.

Depending on when you go: there are plays (Mary Poppins, Grease, etc) to get tix to. Took my then 6yr old to Wicked & she loved it - BIG Wizard of Oz fans here. There are festivals, etc as well.

They have the Zoo as mentioned & its free - very nice, again you can be done by 2ish or take your time & make it last.

They have public beaches - but no where to change, go potty, shower, etc.

They have several other Museums. I looked before for hotels w/museum packages - they are cheaper that way, so thats a thought.

Good luck And have fun

 

[BCV2003]

1st - the free trolley has stopped - due to expense of course. But they do have buses that you can get passes for that is inexpensive - or other trolleys that cost.

I was just there a few weeks ago and they do still have a free trolley to Navy Pier. I know there are stops on Grand Avenue, not sure if it stops anywhere else but I do know it only goes to Navy Pier.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

I live in downtown Chicago. Welcome to our city! What dates will you and your family be here?

Summer is one of the best times to visit Chicago. There are a lot of events coming up that I can share with you, if you're interested. Everything is pretty walkable, and I can share a few tips from my daily commute.

 

[drinkme]

The Art Institute is free on Thursday and Friday nights in the summer from 5pm-9pm. Plan on going one of those nights. Then it's just a very short walk (a couple of blocks) down Michigan ave to Millennium Park for free summer music concerts. Check out the Millennium Park web page to see who is playing.

HTH

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

I was just there a few weeks ago and they do still have a free trolley to Navy Pier. I know there are stops on Grand Avenue, not sure if it stops anywhere else but I do know it only goes to Navy Pier.

Thats right, the Navy Pier one still runs downtown, but the other Trolley's to the Museums, Zoo & Ballfields stopped - right? Sorry....

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Wow! You guys are the best! Thanks for all of the tips and advice. Looks like there is a lot to do!

 

[Chicago526]

Be aware that Chicago can get very HOT and HUMID, we can have heat waves that rival Orlando. So far we've had a cool spring/summer but that could change. Check the Chicago forcast while you're packing, and if it looks to be really bad while you'll be here, you'll want do plan more indoor activites than outdoor, at least during the day. Also, we tend to have sudden thundersorms, and while they tend to be relatively brief, they can be intense and not safe to be outside, so have some indoor activities as back up for rainey days as well.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We're going to be in Chicago during 4th of July weekend. I know, it's going to be insanely crowded due to Taste of Chicago, but we'll make the best of it. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that we got a great deal on a hotel through Travel zoo.com We are paying $129 a night at Hotel Sax, including parking. If you will have a car with you, be aware that the parking is very expensive at all of the hotels. That's why we jumped at the Hotel Sax offer. Plus, it's a 4 star hotel for just over $100 bucks. Here is the travel zoo website. Check it out. There are several other hotels with great deals offered.
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/

 

[mommyrants]

We're going to be in Chicago during 4th of July weekend. I know, it's going to be insanely crowded due to Taste of Chicago, but we'll make the best of it. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that we got a great deal on a hotel through Travel zoo.com We are paying $129 a night at Hotel Sax, including parking. If you will have a car with you, be aware that the parking is very expensive at all of the hotels. That's why we jumped at the Hotel Sax offer. Plus, it's a 4 star hotel for just over $100 bucks. Here is the travel zoo website. Check it out. There are several other hotels with great deals offered.
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/

The Taste isn't too bad on the 4th, but the 3rd is when we have our fireworks and it is ridiculous. Over a million people crowd the lakefront. I've gone a few times, I wouldn't recommend taking the kids to it.

Hotel Sax is GORGEOUS. I stayed there last fall and I was in love with my room.

 

[Nik's Mom]

The Taste isn't too bad on the 4th, but the 3rd is when we have our fireworks and it is ridiculous. Over a million people crowd the lakefront. I've gone a few times, I wouldn't recommend taking the kids to it.

Hotel Sax is GORGEOUS. I stayed there last fall and I was in love with my room.

The real reason why we are going is because my kids are museum nuts and they want to hit both Field museum and Shedd aquarium. We really don't want to hang out at the Taste event at all. But that is the only weekend we can go before the kids go back to school.

So here is my dilema. Will the aquarium and museum be crowded on the 3rd? We're supposed to visit a friend on the 4th, so that leaves the 3rd as our only option. Or do you think it's better to go to the museums on the 4th?

 

[mommyrants]

I think the museums will be ok. The Shedd gets much busier than the Field. Get there first thing in the morning.

 

[Chicago526]

The real reason why we are going is because my kids are museum nuts and they want to hit both Field museum and Shedd aquarium. We really don't want to hang out at the Taste event at all. But that is the only weekend we can go before the kids go back to school.

So here is my dilema. Will the aquarium and museum be crowded on the 3rd? We're supposed to visit a friend on the 4th, so that leaves the 3rd as our only option. Or do you think it's better to go to the museums on the 4th?

Well, I've never been to any of the museum's over a holiday so I can't swear to it, but I would think with the huge crowds at the Taste, that the museums shouldn't be any busier than any other summer day. But be sure to check the museum's websites to make certain they will be open on the 4th (and even the 3rd, for that matter). And if the websites have a phone number or an email contact, you can always call/email the museum and ask about anticipated crowd levels.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just checked and it looks like they will be open. I will be sure to be at the aquarium first thing in the morning. Thanks for the tips!

 

[tazdeb]

Take a Wendella Boat tour of the city. They leave just under the Michigan ave bridge on the chicago river. The tour takes you up and down the river for a unique view of the city and tells you all about the history and architecture (sp?) of the city. It is a very interesting way to spend a few hours and is a hidden jem in the city. If you cant do this go on a boat tour at navy pier. These go out on Lake Michigan for other great views of our city. You also should try some deep dish pizza and stop at the Billy Goat tavern under Michigan ave for some Cheeezeburgers. The beaches in Chicago DO have changing facilities, some even have bars/resturants. The one at north ave beach is the nicest. As mentioned above millenium park with the bean and the interactive foutains are a must but will be packed over the 4th. Lincoln Park zoo is free and the Chicago historical society museum is right there also to see great Chicago fire stuff and Lincoln artifacts. As a lifelong area resident Chicago is a great place to visit.....Have fun

 

[JoyG]

If you have a local science museum where you live, you can join and get in free at several museums in Chicago. I spent less than $50 for my family membership to the Buffalo Science Museum and got in free at the Field Museum, the Children's Musuem and the Museum of Science and Industry (which was our favorite).

I have more hints/ideas/and a trip report in my travel blog (link below).

 

[Chicago526]

The beaches in Chicago DO have changing facilities, some even have bars/resturants. The one at north ave beach is the nicest.

Just a quick note, sometimes the beaches do close due to poor water quality, usually happens after heavy rains. Be sure to check before planning a day at the beach!