Chicago bound
So I found out today that the hotel I booked is an hour from the Navy Pier. Which is fine but we got the Go Card to help with costs of admissions, meals, etc. and hoping it will help us save some. Anyone have any suggestions, tips, etc. on how to get around, what to do, etc.?
This is our first family vacation there and I really dont want to get lost. LOL And I would like to make the most of our week there.
This is our first family vacation there and I really dont want to get lost. LOL And I would like to make the most of our week there.
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I could spend a week just on Michigan Ave!
See a Cubs game if you like baseball.
Chicago has great improv shows.
Portillo's Hot Dogs.
The Original Gino's Pizza.
Navy Pier.
Museums are awesome.
American Girl store if you have daughters.
Garrett Popcorn Shop!
I LOVE Chicago! Have fun!0 -
You can get around by the"L" trains and the bus that are downtown. They are everywhere you want miss them.
-Millennium Park
-North Ave Beach( If you want to swim)
-Michigan Ave.
-Navy Pier
-Willis Tower( formely Sears Tower)
-Pizza(Giordanno's, Uno's or Gino's East)
-Museums
-Broadway Shows
The list can go on. I love my city!!0 -
-The John Hancock Tower has The Signature Room on the 95th and 96th floors. Excellent food!
-Field Museum, Shedd aquarium, Adler Planetarium, The Museum of Science and Industry
check with the websites on these as they sometimes have free days
-At Navy Pier make sure you go up to the Ferris Wheel - inside upstairs there is a beautiful fountain garden
-I always enjoy walking down Michigan Ave - Water Tower Place
-Near to the Water Tower is a Hershey's Store, yes they sell chocolate but they also have t-shirts and other things. I stay away from the chocolate. The thing to go in there for is the person behind the counter that sings - seriously!
-Ginos East has great Chicago Style Pizza that is in the database!
-Buckingham Fountain - beautiful!
-Millineum Park
-trolleys this time of year0 -
Depending on where you are, you can take Metra into the city. An hour from the city can put you in so many suburbs, it's unreal.
Do you want to drive in the city? Do you have kids (who like Lego, for example)?
As a general rule, I would try to find a train station to drive to from wherever you are staying and commute in. Parking is expensive (unless you are coming from New York, LA or DC) and traffic can be irritating. Once your in the city, the L/EL/"Elevated train" is a great way to get around. One interesting thing about Chicago is that rush hour is backwards. Going into the city is easier in the morning than the evening.
There are architectural tours that can be done by boat (on the river), there are segway tours, and so many different things to choose from including going to the Big Willy (Former Sears Tower and actually called The Willis Tower).
Are you big art buffs? Are you into museums? Again, will kids be with you? Do you plan on shopping or window shopping?
Foods that are specific to Chicago:
I am a fan of Vosges Chocolate, located on Michigan Ave (unless you've been there while in Beverly Hills, NY, or Vegas). These are designer chocolates with a multitude of exotic flavors. Trying a Chicago style hotdog is something everyone has to experience once. As well as Garrett's cheese/caramel popcorn mix.
If you are in a suburb called Schaumburg or somewhere nearby, there is a restaurant called Seasons 52, where everything on the menu is under 500 calories so you don't have to feel like you are blowing the way of eating.0 -
Really depends where your hotel is--north, south, could make all the difference. Regardless, you can take the Metra train into Union Station and from there Chicago is pretty easy to navigate. I would definitely see the Art Institute of Chicago (the new Modern Wing is awesome) and Millenium Park (right across the street). In the summer, there is almost always some sort of free festival going on. I would see Navy Pier and head up Michigan Avenue. Definitely see the Museum Campus (Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum)--so much to do just in the downtown "loop" area. But Chicago is a huge city and it is definitely worth exploring some of the many neighborhoods.0
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Im going to be in chicago in like a months time tomorrow. So pumped and this is a great thread. Staying on Michicgan Ave, not far from anything at all, seems most of things I want to see can be walked to. Will be hitting up the Aquarium for sure, looks amazing.
Most of the things people have suggested are things I have looked into for sure.
What are some great live music venues in the city north area or down town?0 -
What are some great live music venues in the city north area or down town?
I don't know the answer to your question off the top of my head, but I do know you're going to be in town during Lollapalooza and it will take over Grant Park.
Go to Metromix.com It will give you a lot of ideas. The Green Mill is a great place for Jazz, but could be further north than what you are looking for.0 -
We have the Go Card which laid out a bunch of things to do. We are unsure about the navigating through town driving or taking the L. We are hoping the hotel has information on this and can help us out.
We have two little girls who are going to love the Cirque show on Sunday. I may or may not venture to the American Girl store. I guarantee they will each want a doll or something.
So far I have made it so that each day we are in a different part. We will be there for six days then coming back up to Grand Rapids for a day, then home.
I'M SO FRICKEN EXCITED!! LOL0 -
Buddy GuysWhat are some great live music venues in the city north area or down town?
House of Blues0 -
You should ask about shuttle buses at your hotel. I am pretty sure they would have some that go to all the popular locations. The city also has free trolly's that go to navy pier.0
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Where are you staying that is an hour away? What city?0
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Buy a bullet proof vest....too bad you can't have a gun there....0
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I have a great apartment for sale in Chicago...all you see out the window is a big park and Lake Michigan! 14th floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Living room, dining room, kitchen, foyer, historic building, the Aquitania, 24 hour doorman, pets welcome...Anyone MOVING to Chicago? You can get it for a steal! We need to sell...yesterday!
You can contact me for info!0 -
The L is fairly easy to navigate. You can go online and printout the maps to the system. Hopefully the Hotel can offer you some direction too. Here's a link to the maps - http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/
Also there is an app you can download for your smartphone that shows routes and times called Transit Stop
The taste of Chicago kicks off in Grant Park today too! Runs through the the 15th!
The children's museum at Navy Pier it's really cool too!
Boat tours on the lake or the river are nice as well!!!0 -
I was there for 2 days and am dying to go back!!!! I would suggest Navy Pier for sure. I didnt have kids with me but went to the Chop House and Rosebud on Rush, both excellent restaurants!!! the taxi drivers I personally thought all drove insane but as long as you cross the street when you have a walk signal you should be ok. dont chance it otherwise!!! have a great time!0
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Thank you! I have downloaded the Transit Stop app.
We are going off the Go Card book and taking one day for each part of Chicago.
I'M SO EXCITED!!0 -
Thank you! I have downloaded the Transit Stop app.
We are going off the Go Card book and taking one day for each part of Chicago.
I'M SO EXCITED!!
Have fun!!! Chicago is awesome in the summertime!0 -
We have the Go Card which laid out a bunch of things to do. We are unsure about the navigating through town driving or taking the L. We are hoping the hotel has information on this and can help us out.
We have two little girls who are going to love the Cirque show on Sunday. I may or may not venture to the American Girl store. I guarantee they will each want a doll or something.
So far I have made it so that each day we are in a different part. We will be there for six days then coming back up to Grand Rapids for a day, then home.
I'M SO FRICKEN EXCITED!! LOL
here's the L and bus maps - www.transitchicago.com
Metra - www.metrarail.com
The hotel will def help you find your way.
bring a swimsuit and towels (or at least a change of clothes) for the kids for the millennium park fountains - kids can splash and play in the fountain (like a splash pad).
Lincoln Park zoo is great for kids, there's a petting zoo.
Food is pricey so bringing your own can help you save.
Hope you have a great time - it'll be nice and hot for you 0 -
Chicago has some of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. We ate at The Bedford over Memorial Day weekend, which is an old bank turned into a restaurant. We ate in an old vault. It was neat. We also saw a comedy show at Second City and also ate at an awesome Greek restaurant in Greektown called the Greek Islands. Millennium Park is simply beautiful to walk through. That city has a vibe like no other. You will have a great time whatever you do; there is something for everybody. 0
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You're close to Bella Bacino's, who has some pretty great deep dish. You should also check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free. Also, the Field Museum is AMAZING. I get in for free because of work so I don't know how much it costs, but it is seriously impressive. The "Life" exhibit is phenomenal and took my partner and I two days to get through! We've spent well over 12 hours there over the course of three days and still haven't seen anywhere close to the whole thing.
Take the L everywhere and walk -- it's so easy to get around Chicago. Trust me, I live here.
Oh -- and if you want to check out a great restaurant/bar area, definitely hit up Wicker Park. The Bedford (mentioned above) is in that area.0 -
I have a great apartment for sale in Chicago...all you see out the window is a big park and Lake Michigan! 14th floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Living room, dining room, kitchen, foyer, historic building, the Aquitania, 24 hour doorman, pets welcome...Anyone MOVING to Chicago? You can get it for a steal! We need to sell...yesterday!
You can contact me for info!
I wish!!! I love Chicago and I love Lake MI!! Gotta find a job out there first! lol0 -
Wish I had known this last month! My son was looking for an apartment downtown. Ended up getting a house close to Wrigley Field, and I think he signed a year's lease. Darn.I have a great apartment for sale in Chicago...all you see out the window is a big park and Lake Michigan! 14th floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Living room, dining room, kitchen, foyer, historic building, the Aquitania, 24 hour doorman, pets welcome...Anyone MOVING to Chicago? You can get it for a steal! We need to sell...yesterday!
You can contact me for info!0 -
There are lots of things to do in Chicago, especially in the summer. Hope you had (or are having!) a blast! I've lived here all my life and I'm still finding new things to do. Love our museums, the lakefront, and my husband and I agreed last weekend when we were down there that we have the BEST skyline. (Of course, we are biased, but still....) 0
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We leave on Saturday morning! Its only a 4.5 hour drive to our hotel from TC and hoping with the 1 year old and 7 year old we only have to stop once. That's wishful thinking I know. LOL Its going to be sooo funnnn!!! 0
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