OT - chicago advice

[CoP Luv]

I love the architecture tour!! There is a lot within walking distance and you could always get a CTA pass for unlimited rides for either 3 days or 7.

Make sure you get some Garrett's popcorn and have some Giordano's pizza! YUM!

North Ave. beach is the nicest, but most crowded. Oak St. beach might have a changing place/bathrooms, but I don't remember where they were. There is also a nice beach not too far from Navy Pier. It's completely out of the way (east of Lake Shore Drive), and not as crowded as the other beaches.

You can rent bikes or even take a Segway tour!

Enjoy your time in Chicago!

 

[LizinSTL]

We pricelined a hotel near Ohare (Rosemont Hyatt for $50/night) and bought passes for the CTA. The 3 day pass is actually good for 72 hours after first use so it lasted us for the entire 4 days we were there. There was no charge for parking at the hotel in that area. My sister pricelined a hotel downtown for $50.night also- it was gorgeous but she ended up paying $25/night for parking.


When we went to the Navy Pier you could get a family pack of tickets- It was way cheaper than paying per ride/attraction. I seem to recall it working out to almost half off each ride/attraction.

A previous poster said something about reciprocity on museum memberships. That's something that can be a huge huge savings. Look into it for your area.

 

[tink fan]

The Children's Museum at Navy Pier had a free evening as well. I think it was Thursday, but check on the web site.

Also, teachers get into the aquarium for free, so if you are a teacher, make sure to let them know.

The reciprocal membership works great! We used it for the Children's museum, Field House, and the Museum of Science and Industry (which was also my children's favorite).

If you want a "budget" ride on the lake, there are water taxis that run from Navy Pier to the museum complex (aquarium, Field museum). I think kids were $3 and adults $6. We went to the aquarium first, then the Field museum and then took the water taxi to the Navy Pier. It was a lot of fun.

Inexpensive things my kids loved were riding the elevated trains, the old fashioned McDonald's by the Rainforest Cafe, wading in Lake Michigan, the bean in Millenium Park and the fountains there! They were soaked!

More expensive things they loved were American Girl (lunch was wonderful, but a little pricey), the Hancock Tower, and shopping on Michigan Ave. There's a Disney Store and Lego Store there!

I have a coupon (maybe two) for a free child's admission with paid adult for the Lego Discovery Center in Chicago. If you would like it, send me a PM.

Have a great time! We loved our trip last year.

 

[Nik's Mom]

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).

I just wanted to say that your travel blog is great! What a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing all of the great tips!

 

[JoyG]

I just wanted to say that your travel blog is great! What a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing all of the great tips!

Thanks for reading it!

 

[cindycastle30]

Check out Navy Piers website for specials and coupons, they sometimes have some good deals. The last time we went, this past December, we stayed out by Ohara, our hotel had a shuttle to the airport so we could take the train into the city. This worked out great. Don't miss the Disney Store on Michigan Ave, that way you can sneak a little Disney into your trip!! Have fun.

 

[HERSEY]

Don't miss the Musuem of Science and Industry. Right now through october I think, they have the Harry Potter exhibit which is awesome .

 

[MelAnderson]

I would avoid the Taste on both July 3 & 4 (especially the 3rd because of the fireworks). It is typically crowded and unfortunately there is an increasing amount of trouble (gangs, fights, pot smoking, etc.) that goes on that they really don't talk "about". And due to the economy this year, the Taste is much smaller than we've been used to.

An alternative activity might be to go to Lincoln Park and check out the Peggy Nobartebaert Nature Museum (http://www.naturemuseum.org/), try the boats at the zoo and then get some cupcakes from Swirlz (http://www.swirlzcupcakes.com/). Lincoln Park zoo is super small, but can easily be done.

You can also people watch at North Avenue Beach which is easy walking distance from Lincoln Park.

Have fun and hopefully, it'll be warm when you're here!

 

[fakereadhed]

Check out all of the museums websites- most of them have a free night.

If you do the museum of science and industry tour it like WDW- the coal mine is slow loading- head there at opening and be first in line!

I know you have 4, but for larger families we got a great park and stay rate at the Parker House downtown At Hilton kids stay free and they didn't care that we had 3 kids even though the room slept four. Only place that didn't limit the room to 4 for without upgrading to a suite or getting two rooms- just a tip for larger families.

A cheap, fun thing to do is take the Brown line around the city- especially if you have a train fan.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and we loved it!!! We spent the whole day there.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Do they still do the free Monday once a month at the Field thanks to Target?
Science and Industry will keep you busy all day and well worth it!
Navy Peir (like everyone else said)
Trolly/Boat tours
AG
Window Shopping
Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock
City Parks
TASTE!!!

 

[LKHomemail]

Travel Zoo has some deals listed for Chicago. Cirque de Soliel SHanghai is at Navy Pier on sale for 10.00. Great show and deal.

Six Flags 27.50 per ticket , buy one get one free. This is located far from Chicago. If you are thinking of doing this, get a room at Gurnee one of the nights rather than try to go back / forth to City.

Also so a listing for a brand new Comfort Suites Hotel , Suite Room with Breakfast for 100 , I think it said ? Also consider bidding on priceline for better rates on rooms. Chicago hotels are cheap right now. Worth shopping to save you $$$

Have a great time!

 

[MelAnderson]

The Field Museum has very specific free days http://www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/free_days.htm

 

[kydisneyfans]

We're also going over the 4th and found free admission to the Shedd with a Bank of America credit or debit card. There is a link to dates and museums at the Bank of America website.

We are staying beyond OHare as the Lego Discovery Center and Gurnee are on the visit list. We booked a 3 1/2 star Sheraton Suites in Elk Grove for $35 a night and free parking through Hotwire, plus a $10 rebate. I know we'll pay at least $25 to park for the day Saturday in town, but it is still much a much cheaper option for us.

 

[Sunshineminnie]

This is so incredible. Thanks SO, SOOOO much. There is so much to do. Sounds like there is no trouble keeping busy!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Southwest does not fly into O'Hare. Is there any reason not to fly into Midway? We are staying downtown. Pros? Cons?

And the big question - who has the best Chicago style pizza within downtown walking distance?

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

Southwest does not fly into O'Hare. Is there any reason not to fly into Midway? We are staying downtown. Pros? Cons?

And the big question - who has the best Chicago style pizza within downtown walking distance?

Flying into Midway is much easier than flying into O'Hare. You can take the Orange Line and will be downtown in about 45 minutes.

Gino's East on Rush Street has the best Chicago style pizza IMO.

Have a great trip!

 

[Nik's Mom]

We're also going over the 4th and found free admission to the Shedd with a Bank of America credit or debit card. There is a link to dates and museums at the Bank of America website.

We are staying beyond OHare as the Lego Discovery Center and Gurnee are on the visit list. We booked a 3 1/2 star Sheraton Suites in Elk Grove for $35 a night and free parking through Hotwire, plus a $10 rebate. I know we'll pay at least $25 to park for the day Saturday in town, but it is still much a much cheaper option for us.

Hi Kydisneyfans,
That is a great deal for Shedd aquarium. Where did you get the information from? I can't seem to find it on the BofA site.
thanks!

 

[FLAngie]

We will be making a stop at the American Girl Store for tea. I am not sure I want my kids dragging their dolls all the way to Chicago just for tea. I saw on the website that they have extra dolls if you don't bring yours. I have also heard that it is a rental. Does anyone know if they do rent them and how much it is?

 

[Nik's Mom]

Ok, I found it. Here is a link if anyone else is interested. http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

Great find, kydisneyfans !

 

[JoyG]

That Bofa deal on the Shedd Aquarium is a reaaaalllly good deal!

I browsed some of the listings, they've got some really good deals in NYC too.