Chicago sightseeing

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
I'm taking the family to Chicago next week for a vacation. The main purpose is to see the Cards/Cubs game on Sunday at Wrigley. Have you ever tried to find 5 seats together this late? Wasn't easy but I got them, on the first level too. Really looking forward to the game.

While there we plan on going to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Museum of Science & Industry, and Six Flags. We were thinking of going to Navy Pier too. Any advice on that? Any other suggestions of things to see when travelling with three kids?

Thanks.

Eric
 
Depending on my work schedule I may be there to watch the game on Friday and will definitely be up there that evening through Sunday...One of my fraternity brothers is having a bachelor party over the weekend...We are also catching the Chicago Fire/Columbus Crew Game on Saturday...I would definitely suggest the Navy Pier food is slightly inflated...The fire works will be spectacular if you are are staying through the weeknd and it is within walking distance to the Aquarium from the Pier...The walk is roughly a mile...It doesn't look far but once you start walking you question if you are ever going to get there...There is also the Sears tower to go in...Pretty neat sight to see over Chicago when the weather is nice...Get on the L Train and ride around Chicago...

My number is 270-556-1894

Regards,

Kristan
 
Don't forget the Field museum. Probably one of the best natural history museums in the country. Sue, the most complete T Rex skeleton. If memory serves me right they also have a labrador duck mounted too? Just to keep it a duck related thread.
 
Eric,
I can not remember all the sites we visited, but about 6-7 years ago we took a vacation at Chicago and got a City Pass for everyone http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html. It is a discount package with tickets to many of the big attractions (the 2 science museums mentioned, an aquarium,and planetarium). I also believe we visited an old WW2 sub at the Navy Pier, and of course, we visited the Sears tower. An interesting part of the trip was we left the car at home, flew there, stayed in a hotel downtown, and took the public transportation everywhere. Surprisingly (to me), it was a cool vacation the whole family enjoyed.

Enjoy your trip!

-Bill
 
Thanks for all the good tips. Bill, I told Michelle about the City Pass and she said heck yeah that's a good deal. The tickets are coming off the printer as I type.

Thanks again.

Eric
 
Eric, the subway system is great and an easy way to get to and from the game. It's safe too. I was there a month ago and used it to see a WS game. Gibson's Steakhouse is a great place to eat but I'd stay away from Ditka's as it's over rated. If the kids have never been to a Brazilian Steakhouse, there are a couple of them downtown that are fun too. Keep the wife away from the magnificent mile as there are enough high priced shops there to break just about anyone's budget.
 
I just spent the last 4 hours walking around downtown Chigago. It's a zoo today.
I've been told the view from the top of the Hanckock tower is the best.
Too many people today. I plan on going up next week if the company doesn't call.
There is a fee if you go to the observatory.
No fee if you go to the restruant / bar on the 96th floor.
 
Dont know if you daughter is into them at all but there is a HUGE American Girl store by the Navy Pier too! If she is a fan this would be a once in a lifetime stop for her!

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_chi.php


Sounds like a fun trip!

And also check your insurance, my auto insurance includes discount tickets to the theme parks including Six Flags saved us quite a bit last year!

Have Fun!!!
 
Dont know if you daughter is into them at all but there is a HUGE American Girl store by the Navy Pier too! If she is a fan this would be a once in a lifetime stop for her!

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_chi.php


Sounds like a fun trip!

And also check your insurance, my auto insurance includes discount tickets to the theme parks including Six Flags saved us quite a bit last year!

Have Fun!!!
Click to expand...


My daughters went to the one in Dallas...I had to go...... STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! DON'T GO THERE!

Sorry, must have been some sort of reaction.........
 
HAHA funny! But seriously did you r daughters have a good time there? May have cost you a chunk of change but Im sure they had a good time!
And of course Eric and the boys could always do something else while his wife and daughter go into the store ; ) (for a few hours hehe...)
 
My son And I sat through brunch and all the girly shopping in exchange for an evening trip to Medieval Times!
Nothing like eating with your hands and watching knights joust and sword fight to sooth a man's soul.
 
After the field museum the aquarium is my favorite. Millenium Park is also very cool....the Pritzker Pavilion and water park and the big mirror globe dealy...very cool. The Pritzker is a great place to just take a break and play frisbee or whatever. Be sure to walk the beach when you go to Lincoln Park Zoo.....the bike path is a really neat place to see the lake and city. Take a walk down Michigan Ave from the Watertower to the river....one of the great stretches of shopping and humanity in the world. Chicago is a great city...enjoy yourselves!
 
By the way Kevin....it's the "EL"...not the subway! Jake and Elwood would be PO'd if you referred to it that way.
 
been a while since I been sightseeing there, but all above are good, field musuem, shed aquarium, michigan ave, lake shore park and navy pier, there is also a rock and roll Mcdonalds and you used to be able to get tours of the Chicago Board of trade. But when your there you have to eat! some of my favorites real Chicago style pizza, cheese an inch thick and sauce on top, chicago style hotdogs from vienna beef, and if your up for it an italian combo, Italian beef, with a italian sausage inside, covered with red sauce and mozzarella cheese all in one bun. your arteries will hate you but O so good.
 
All

Thanks for all the really good suggestions. Everyone is looking forward to this vacation. Let's just hope Michelle and I can stay sane with three kids and 10+ hours on the road. Yikes that sounds bad.

Eric
 
Dave

Michelle bought TWO last week. No way the boys will watch Caroline's Fantasty Barbie movies so they have one of their own. Going to use headsets so they don't get in a volume war. If anyone sees a 4Runner on the side of I65 and the driver taking off his belt you'll know it's me..........
 
Eric,

If you're schedule isn't too full, give me a call. I'm 3 hours away from Chicago and could possibly meet you half way if you'd like and get some dinner.
 
That aint nuthin, try 13 on an airplane to Japan!!!
Or two days getting from Mobile to PA!

Be safe on your trip & have fun!!!
 
Things to not be missed. Got to see the U505 sub at the Science mueseum. Last time I was there I couldn't get tickets. This is the sub the US captured that gave them the Enigma code machine. Allowed the US to decode all German sub communications for a long time.

One of Craig Breloves land speed record holder vehicles is there. Take some time tro read all about the attempts at the and speed record.

Shed Aqarium is pretty cool and a kids favorite. Try to get there when the feed the fish in the main aquarium. The people in the fish tank can talk to you while feeding the fish. Kids dig that one.

If your boys are into sports, there is an ESPN Sports Zone (I think it is called this) in downtown Chicago that caters to kids about your boys ages.

Take a boat tour that goes up the river. Real neat experience.

Lot's to do in Chicago. Enjoy the trip.

Mark W
 
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