Questions about Chicago

[cynsaun]

We are planning on taking the girls to the American Girl Store in Chicago in August, and I was wondering what else we should do while we are there.

Any recommendations? How about for eating?

Thanks!

 

[Bojangles]

You should PM that DanMurphy guy. He seems to know an awful lot about Chicago.


I would suggest the Navy Pier or aquarium. The Cheesecake Factory and Rainforest Cafe both have good food.

 

[crz4mm2]

I am sure Dan will chime in soon. He will be able to give you much more info.

You will LOVE the American Girl store. It is amazing.
The Cheesecake factory is nearby. It is very good.
Museum is great. Shedd's Aquarium is good too.
Navy Pier is fun. There is a Bubba Gumps Shrimp Factory restaurant there which we love.
Have a great time.

 

[Lewski709]

Museum of Sciene and Industry, Shedd Aquarium....two great places.

You must go to Gino's for pizza. www.ginoseast.com

 

[Tink&Belle's Mom]

We did this a year and a half ago, and stayed in downtown Chicago. We went to the Shedd's Aquarium--It was nice and definitely could keep you occupied for most of an afternoon if not all day. Nearby there is also a planetarium and another museum (maybe the Field museum? It is the one with Sue the Dinosaur, if memory serves me right) These are right on the Lake.

We had dinner the first night at Rainforest Cafe, Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at the American Girl Place, and just dessert (still too full from lunch) at the Cheesecake Factory. The latter is in the bottom of the Hancock building, I think, and was definitely within wallking distance from AGP, even for an 8-month pregnant mom!

It was so much fun, we are thinking of planning another trip again this fall!

 

[cobbler]

Lincoln Park Zoo, it has free admission and they have a pretty conservatory there too.

Go up in Sears Tower to the skydeck and look out over the city.

Shopping on N. Michigan Ave

John Hancock Bldg

Chicago Art Institute.

Really there is an endless amount of things to do in chicago.

www.877chicago.com

 

[monkeyboy]

Wrigley

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
Wrigley

gum factory?

 

[MJames41]

Originally posted by Bojangles
gum factory?

No, no, no, Wrigley Field - where the Cubs play (if there is a game in town).

 

[helenabear]

I think you have great suggestions so far. I would have to add Navy Pier to the list as well. It's my must see for when I go to Chicago

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by MJames41
No, no, no, Wrigley Field - where the Cubs play (if there is a game in town).

The gum factory sound more interesting.

 

[MJames41]

Especially the way the Cubs are playing now.

 

[cynsaun]

How easy is it to get from the American Girl Store to the aquarium?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Several good links with Chicago info............

http://chicago.travelape.com/

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

http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/chicagoguide/

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/....do?entityName=Tourism&entityNameEnumValue=41

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

http://www.877chicago.com/default.html

It is easy, use either a cab or free (You might do the 'pay for' trip, on and off is great) trolley, an experience in itself.

http://www.chicagotrolley.com/

 

[cynsaun]

Wow! Thanks for all those links, Dan! The Magificent Mile looks awesome!

 

[eeyore45]

DO" NOT do the trolley tour!! (eta - dont confuse with the free trolleys , the tour is the double decker bus, its horribly long, the guides are humorous and entertaining, but they wait at each stop over 20 min, and once waited while a lady went to the bathroom at McDonalds!! )

I recently hosted a gathering of internet friends in Chicago...

1. AG store, I suggest you call and reserve a tea time, its such a lovely time (they have info and directions on the website!)

2. Navy Pier, its just great!! There is a Children's museum, that IMAX theatre, the hUGE ferris wheel... and stores, and food, and boats you can tour... BUT

3. I would reccomend the Wendella Boat tour! Down the Chicago River, gives great history of all the buildings, and some famous landmarks and what's happened (including the new trump tower!!) some of the movies showcasing the landmarks...

4. Now, I love the Art Institute, I cant say enough, I just learned one of the reasons I love it, is as a kid I played the board game Masterpiece!! LOL, but I found a gem... while waiting for some of the group to meet up with us at Crate and Barrell, I saw a Terra Museum of Art, right there on Michigan Avenue - so wonderful, and FREE!! And they had some neat stuff for KIDS!! I was very very impressed!

5. Sears Tower - they force you to watch a lame movie (sorry purely my opinion, the movie broke down, I had a train to catch, and just wanted to get up to the deck!) well, I was so surprised at how easy the ride UP and down the elevators!! Its kinda expensive, but the view is breathtaking!!

6. If you are a teacher, make sure you bring your ID, not all but quite a few of the museums, including the Shedd Aquarium let teachers in FREE!! The Shedd is expensive, to just see the fish tanks area, and its a great time, its one reasonable price, to get in to see the Beluga Whales, another charge, and they do a short show, then another charge, but its where all the excitement is, and it is very crowded when we went - the Shark area, its downstairs, and done very well, but the crowds are huge! and its expensive... you can check out the metra.com site and put in where you are , say Shedd Aquarium, and then where you want to go, say American Girl and they'll tell you how to get there by bus, which is like $2 a piece, if there are 3 or more of you it is reallly cheaper to go by taxi... or again I dont have the web addy, there are now FREE TROLLEYS!! A shopping Trolley, A museum Trolley, and a NAvy Pier Trolley - free... the signs are where the stops are, its really fun to get around Chicago that way, jsut read up on the internet site... again by Metra

Water Tower, there is a water tower across from Americaan Girl Store that survived the Great CHicago Fire, but cady corner from there is the indoor mall - overwhelming - the food court there is even confusing, but great food, I took the high school youth group there - you order the food, at differnet places and pay when you're finished...

Navy Pier is really really close to American Girl Store - and again take the free trolley, the people at the AG store will be more than happy to tell you where and how to get there too...

Museum of Science and Industry is very kid friendly, but it is so far away from downtown, I think for me alone it was a $20 taxi ride, but then, there werent the free trolleys... it is an all day adventure at the museum, so wonderful, the coal mine, the Colleen Moore Dollhouse...

I've probably given way too much info!!

 

[cynsaun]

eeyore45--Thanks!!! It is nice to know other people's experiences. This way, I can learn to avoid certain things (like those trollies! ) and what to see!

We won't be going to the Sear's tower for certain! I am deathly afraid of heights, and I think that would just do me in!

The girls are just thrilled, and are talking about it nonstop!
If they had their way, we'd just stay at American Girl and spend every penny we have on that!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Also the brand new (not even open yet I think) Millennium Park.........

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/...yName=Millennium+Park&entityNameEnumValue=137

 

[rcyannacci]

When you're at the American Girl store, be sure to catch the theatre performance (last time I was there it was called "Circle of Friends). Great, intimate theater space, very professional, very well produced (I interviewed the director once, and the amount of time and research that went into the production was impressive).

I would also second the cab from the American Girl Store to the aquarium, although you could walk down Chicago Ave. to the L and take a train.

I would also second a trip to the Art Institute- when I lived in Chicago (actually Evanston), this was my retreat. So wonderful! And they schedule great activities and exhibits for kids, especially during the summer.

Don't forget to have some deepdish pizza while you're there- Gino's East is near the AGPlace (maybe 2-3 blocks?)

Have a blast!

 

[clh2]

Just a few more suggestions...Carsons, the place for ribs...

And if you like popcorn - there are Garrett's popcorn stores all around the city. My personal favorite is the caramel corn - warm because it is that fresh!

My DD loves the AG Store - so do I! If you are planning on doing any of the meals at AG - make your reservations as far in advance as you can.

Have fun!