As some of us are hoping to do more than drink ourselves silly while in Chicago (please don't judge us too harshly....), I thought a thread picking the brains of the local WS glitterati might be in order.

Keeping in mind that we'll have our teens, we've put the following things on our to-do list:

Shedd Aquarium (and possibly the museum and observatory there)
Garfield Park Conservatory
Navy Pier
Blues and/or Jazz club
pizza
Millenium Park
Chicago Guide walking tour (which neighbourhood?)
an afternoon at a mall

Is one day of the week better than another for any of these activities? Anything we should add, or drop? Where to see/hear live jazz or blues with teens, that's not too smoky (does such a thing exist?)

We'll be there for a week, with Friday devoted to the Cubbies, and Sunday to sobering up.

Finally, can someone confirm, or not, that a weekly transit pass it a good buy, because we're staying at a hotel at O'Hare?

bman, I'd advise against staying at O'Hare. It's a hell of a trip from O'Hare to downtown. If you make that trip each way everyday, you're going to spend a lot of time in transit.

I urge you to dine at Kiki's Bistro at 900 North Franklin. Great duck confit and a very fairly priced wine list with plenty of Burgundies. Have a great trip and say to your lovely family for me.

Bman:

I'm not sure how much the weekly transit pass costs, but you may have another issue to think about. Unless that hotel information you previously sent me has changed, you aren't technically staying at a hotel "at" O'Hare, rather you are staying near O'Hare. A small distinction, but in that heavily congested area, an important one. The farthest west the CTA goes is into O'Hare. Unless you have transportation from your hotel to O'Hare (or the River Road CTA station), it will be very difficult to access the CTA. It's not a walk I would want to make, especially with children. If the transit pass includes the fare on the PACE bus system, you could probably take a bus from your hotel to the nearest CTA station. But having never purchased a weekly transit pass, I have no idea what it allows you to ride.

While I no longer live in the Chicago area, I did grow up there. A few other things you might consider are the Art Museum if the teenagers like art, the architectural boat tour (hopefully Dave Mathews won't be driving by), Sears Tower or John Hancock (I think the Hancock is the better view), and possibly a play.

I'm assuming that the Chicago Reader (the free Chicago paper) is still around and it reviews all the plays and is a great source for what is happening in the city. I believe it is distributed on Thursday but usually can find them around in street boxes or businesses at least through the weekend (though I'm sure a city dweller would be happy to pick one up for you so you don't miss it.

I can't really think of a Blues club that is kid friendly (has Chicago gone smokeless?). If it is still around Andy's might be a good option for Jazz. It is (was) a bar, but fairly big. And they used to have free jazz during happy hour (which I think included during the week) and didn't get too crowded then. You're not going to see a "name" act their (especially during the happy hours), but I used to go there quite a bit and found the quality of the jazz pretty good.

Hope that helps some.

I'd recommend the Field Museum and watching the movie, "The Ghost and the Darkness" beforehand.

Things may have changed, but Wednesdays were typically free admission days into Adler/Shedd/Field as well as the Museum of Science & Industry. You would still need to pay for special events at these places, though.

Since Garfield Park conservatory was on your list, you really should get in touch with Haggis and arrange a tour at the Chicago Botanic Garden. But you'll need a car to get there...

You might also want to consider a boat tour, either one in general or one specific like an architectural tour.

Your hotel is adjacent to the Allstate Arena. I suppose you could use the hotel shuttle bus to get to/from the airport and then take a train downtown. But in all honesty, public transportation will not be a convenient option.

You will have a great deal of difficulty getting your teens into any decent blues club. And unlike most other large US cities, Chicago is not smokeless, though one hopes the current push to make it so succeeds.

And pizza...everyone has their favorite styles and locations. For me, pizza (as well as Italian Beef sandwiches) is better in a few select suburbs than it is anywhere in the city.

If you decide to rent a car, it opens the door to all sorts of things in the greater Chicago area. Let me know if you decide to do so, and I'll provide some suggestions.

Mark

I forgot about he architecture boat cruise. It's about an hour and a half if I remember correctly, and very worthwhile.

The boat tour that the Chicago Architecture Foundation does is ABSOLUTELY the best one available. You will learn some very cool things about some of the most famous buildings in the city. I've done it 3 times (the first year I lived in the Windy City, everybody wanted me to take them on the boat cruise). Buy your tickets in advance if you want to do it on a weekend. The CAF also does neighborhood walking tours.

If you want to hear good jazz and/or blues with the kids, then go to a restaurant that has live music. You can't get the teens into the clubs. Check out the Reader online and you can get a list of shows for the week (and further in advance, too), as well as information on museums, galleries, festivals,plays, etc. The website is http://www.chicagoreader.com

If you're going this month, the first 75 people each day get into the Shedd Aquarium for free. If you're planning on doing a number of attractions, it's worth it to buy a "Go Chicago" card. It's about fifty bucks, but it will get you into the Shedd, the Field Museum, the Art Institue, the Hancock, Sears Tower, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and a whole list of stuff. If you're thinking you'd do three or more of these things, you'll save money. Go to any of the websites for these places and you can buy one online.

Yes, you should buy a weekly CTA pass. You can take the bus, the el, the subway, and get as many transfers as you need.

Pizza...well, my personal choices are Pat's Pizza on Sheffield for thin crust, and if you want stuffed, try Gino's East or Bacino's. The stuffed spinach pizza at Bacino's is really good.

Hope this helps.

I suspect it's likely not of interest to your offspring, bman, but the Art Institute has a big Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit while we're in town. We're taking that in, for sure!

Thanks to those of you who mentioned the architecture boat cruise-- it sounds great for an afternoon. We're going to look into it ASAP.

Bman- the boat tour is great, but as jenn said- reserve it now. I like http://www.metromix.com for things to do around town.

The BEST late night jazz comes at you from the Green Mill. It's a little out of the way, and guaranteed to be full, but it's an awesome authentic old-time jazz bar. I'm not sure if there are day programs or not.

Seaquam- did you get tickets for Toulouse Lautrec? The day I was there they had very few tickets to sell at the door (I think it was 50 per time slot) and the line was several hundred people long.

quote:

Originally posted by grossie:

Seaquam- did you get tickets for Toulouse Lautrec?

But of course, grossie. Once I mentioned your name, they simply asked me, "Would you like a time slot before or after your wife cuts the lawn?" and "How many tickets do you require, Mr. Vino Me?" It was pretty easy!

VM

It's a great exhibit. I highly recommend the audio tour.

Thanks for the good advice guys, it is much appreciated.

We've pretty much decided to visit all or most of the places covered by the Go Chicago card, so I think we'll get those.

We've already booked the hotel at O'Hare so will still with that, but I think our hotel offers a free shuttle to the airport. I also think that we are close to the Rosemount El station, but cannot tell for sure from the 'net.

Toulouse Latrec sounds good, as does the architecture boat tour, but we're not ready to commit before we get there, so may miss out on both. If so, c'est la vie. Mrs. bman and the kids tell me that they are not going to run all over town this trip, that they want to spend some "down time" by the pool, and time at a mall, and such as that. I remind them that we have pools and malls here, but they don't seem to care, and democrat that I am, I don't see myself pulling rank (not that I have any rank.... ) so the above-mentioned sight-seeing may be all that we do.

Can anyone recommend a mall near O'Hare, or on the Blue Line, that is large and offers the usual places? And/or an outlet mall nearby?

Patty and I will have a few days after the event to take in some sights.

We're moving base-camp (hotel) Sunday to a B&B closer to downtown and the water front in the Gold Coast area.

We figure to take in some museums, do a little shopping...generally poke about...no set plans.
I've done some research on bike paths and trails...we'll probably rent bikes one day (weather permitting), we'll need to work out all the 'Over Indulging' from the weekend.

Mall? MALL???? If you want a mall go to Albany, or Plattsburg, or maybe Jacksonville. Wait, I heard there's a mall in Edmonton that's pretty good. There's also that one in Minneapolis that's supposed to be something to see.

Tell your wife and kids that for the same time commitment you can take the 'L' downtown and get to Michigan Avenue where they can actually see what Chicago is about. You can cover downtown Chicago including the Art Institute, Millenium Park, and the Magnificent Mile all in a day. There is plenty of shopping there and you get to see a new place.

OK, I've calmed down.....There is a very large mall about 10 miles from O'hare (opposite way from the city, public transport N/A). It's called Woodfield Mall. If they really want a mall it's probable the closest thing that's worthwhile.

I feel your pain, grossie, but a few hours shoping is de riguer on a trip to the US, with a wife and a teenaged daughter.

I understand that the Woodfield Mall is the biggest in the US, measured by retail space, but if it's that far and not accessible by transit, we may opt for Marshall Fields or the Gap outlet shop or something like that, instead of a mall. But not the Miracle Mile, our Visa cards can take that level of pain!

Those of you who appreciate BBQ ribs should seriously consider having lunch at Twin Anchors on Saturday.

By far, the best ribs in the city (and IMO the world). they are so moist, the meat gently falls from the bone and they melt in your mouth. This is where Sinatra would go when he was in town. Get the "zesty" sauce and go with onion rings over the fries. The fries are good, but the onion rings are perfectly fried (nice and crispy, onion adheres to the batter, no sliminess).

It's a small, cozy place in Old Town, which is just north of the Mag Mile (5-minute cab ride) and is a nice residential area to walk around, with numerous boutique shops (especially on Lincoln, Clark, and Halsted streets). If you plan on going to Twin Anchors for dinner, they do not take reservations and there is typically a 2-hour wait. Usually no waiting for lunch.

The Architecture Boat Tour is the best way to get a sense of how well the city was planned after the Great Fire of 1871. My favorite building is 333 W.Wacker, which curves with the river in perfect harmony.

If you are downtown and looking for a place to have a cocktail for half an hour, try the Kaz Bar at the House of Blues Hotel (next to Marina Towers and Bin 36). It's got a crazy New Orleans/Moroccan decor that makes for an interesting mood-setter.

Safe travels to all.

Cheers,

Otis

This thread seems a good place to ask this question...

I'm renting a car since we're staying in Northbrook at the Radisson. We'll likely head downtown Saturday to do something like visit one of the museums and eat pizza. I know parking is typically a pain in the downtown area. Does anybody have any recommendations for parking? I'll likely park the car someplace and then either walk or cab it thereafter until we pick up the car again to go back to Northbrook.

wiml- depending on which end of downtown you are going to I can suggest 2 different spots for parking. Closest to the Art institute there is a huge city garage under Grant (Millenium) park. The flat rate for the day is $13. There are multiple entrances and exits, ramps that head down off of Michigan avenue south of the river. From there the walk to N Michigan Ave is about 15 minutes and quite a good route for getting a feel for Chicago.

If you want to park closer to the shopping area on North Michigan Ave I find the best place to park is 900 North Michigan, the Bloomingdales building. It's right at the top of Michigan ave. You enter from Rush Street west of Michigan ave. There is flat rate parking ($10?)if you get validated at Bloomies, but I think it only gives you 2 or 3 hours, after which it can get a little expensive (probably $25-$30 for the day).

bman:

If your hotel shuttle will take you to the station at River Road, do that instead of O'Hare. It is much easier to access than having to go through the airport. Also, there is a possibility that your hotel may have a shuttle to Woodfield Mall as it is only a 10-15 minute ride from the hotel.

wiml:

If you are planning on going to the Museum of Science and Industry, there is plenty of parking on location. This museum is nowhere near the "campus" that includes the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, so you would want to drive there and park on location. If you are going to the Art Institute or any of the museums in that area, Grossie's suggestion of the Grant Park garage is ideal.

As far as I know, the only shuttle from my hotel is to the airport, but I will check when I arrive tomorrow. There seem to be lots of malls in or near the Loop, so they may satisfy our shopping urges!

I presume that we can buy El train passes at the airport? Do these passes work on the Metra and buses as well?

Thanks grossie and verse...I was thinking the Grant North lot would probably be the best bet. I don't know exactly what we're planning yet but The Art Institute and CAF River Tour are high on a short list and those are within a few blocks of that garage.

quote:

Selectively edited from post by Mark Horvatich:

...you really should get in touch with Haggis and arrange a tour at the Chicago Botanic Garden. But you'll need a car to get there...


Mark

can be arranged!