Chicago first time with teenager
Nov 7th, 2003, 03:03 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chicago first time with teenager
My 15 year old son & I will be in Chicago in August for 4 nights to see the white sox and perhaps the cubs. Does anyone have any other suggestions on fun things to do (probably without a car) and the best area of the city to stay?
Nov 7th, 2003, 05:57 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You definitely do not need a car to enjoy Chicago in August with your son. Best place to stay would be North Michigan Avenue, even if shopping is not high on your list. From there you can easily access the subway, Navy Pier (boat rides, restaurants, ferris wheel, etc.), museums, interesting restaurants, etc. If you are a baseball fan, you should try to see both teams if at all possible. Most people are really impressed at the old-fashioned intimacy of seeing a game in Wrigley Field, in the heart of a neighborhood with great restaurants, etc., the hand-operated scoreboard, beautiful vines of ivy instead of advertising, and just how close you are to the field. I don't think Sox park, whatever they call it now, is as bad as a lot of people, but it's not at all like Wrigley.
Nov 7th, 2003, 06:08 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would be helpful if we knew a little more about your son's interests; most Chicagoans are more than happy to help out with suggestions, but it is a big city and we need some guidelines. If he enjoys "Simpsons", take him to a revue at Second City (the comedy is socio-political, not sexual or gross-out,but some use of the f-word is inevitable.) While North Michigan Avenue is a great place to stay, if you are interested in museums or music festivals, take a look at the Chicago Hilton at 720 S. Michigan.
Nov 7th, 2003, 09:01 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A heads up to plan accordingly...the Cubs and Sox rarely play in town on the same day, usually once or twice early or late in the season. You'll have to find some dates at the end of a homestand for one of the teams. The CTA red line serves both Sox Park and Wrigley making getting to both very easy.
Nov 7th, 2003, 10:44 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless your son is a die hard White Soxs fan I would see a Cubs game at wrigley field. It has much more character and will provide a better expierence than a game at whatever they are calling comisky these days.
Nov 7th, 2003, 01:28 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote for Wrigley Field. I am not a huge baseball fan but love going to Cubs games. You should try to get tickets to see Blue Man Group. While I thought it was good, my husband and son loved it. I have always preferred the Museum of Science and Industry but my teenage son prefers the Field Museum. The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Planetarium are all pretty close to each other. Your son would probably enjoy a meal at ESPNZone, Ed Debevic's or one of the several great pizza places - I personally like Lou Malnati's. My son also loves Maggiano's and Scoozi.
Nov 7th, 2003, 07:18 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most people visiting Chicago stay on/near North Michigan Avenue. River North is also a good area. Priceline is a great way to good good rates, check out www.biddingfortravel.com before making a bid.
You've gotten a lot of other great suggestions, I'd add to it a cruise on Lake Michigan/Chicago River (think the architectural cruise might be a little dull for a 15 year old but there are other ones.)
We were just at the Shedd Aquarium and loved it, if you go, get there earlier in the day to avoid lines and waits. We also went to Ed Debevic's and although my 10 year old niece found it amusing we all agreed that the food was not very good and over priced and the service, even at a not so busy time, was pretty bad. If your 15 year old is a little more adventurous maybe try a restaurant in Greek town, one of the many Spanish tapas places (Cafe Iberico is closest to downtown), Italian or any of the many pizza places.
If you wanted to see one of the neighborhoods, you might look into the Chicago Greeter program, www.chicagogreeter.com. Hyde Park is an excellent neighborhood to explore as is Pullman.
The Lincoln Park area is home to the Lincoln Park Zoo and is also home to the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum which has a beautiful butterfly garden. There are a lot of great restaurants up that way too, my usually eat at My Pie (pizza) when we are up that way but there is also another tapas place, Cafe ba ba reeba.
In the summer there are usually festivals most weekends, www.877chicago.com and www.metromix.com are good websites to check for what's going on when it gets closer.
You've gotten a lot of other great suggestions, I'd add to it a cruise on Lake Michigan/Chicago River (think the architectural cruise might be a little dull for a 15 year old but there are other ones.)
We were just at the Shedd Aquarium and loved it, if you go, get there earlier in the day to avoid lines and waits. We also went to Ed Debevic's and although my 10 year old niece found it amusing we all agreed that the food was not very good and over priced and the service, even at a not so busy time, was pretty bad. If your 15 year old is a little more adventurous maybe try a restaurant in Greek town, one of the many Spanish tapas places (Cafe Iberico is closest to downtown), Italian or any of the many pizza places.
If you wanted to see one of the neighborhoods, you might look into the Chicago Greeter program, www.chicagogreeter.com. Hyde Park is an excellent neighborhood to explore as is Pullman.
The Lincoln Park area is home to the Lincoln Park Zoo and is also home to the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum which has a beautiful butterfly garden. There are a lot of great restaurants up that way too, my usually eat at My Pie (pizza) when we are up that way but there is also another tapas place, Cafe ba ba reeba.
In the summer there are usually festivals most weekends, www.877chicago.com and www.metromix.com are good websites to check for what's going on when it gets closer.
