kymomto3

I'm interested in some itinerary advice for taking a Girl Scout Cadette (11-14 year olds) Troop to Chicago for two nights. We plan to stay at the Chicago hostel and there will be about 10-15 of us. July 20-22 = HOT!

Day 1 - Arrive Chicago around noon
Day 2 - hostel breakfast, free to explore
Day 3 - hostel breakfast then depart for home via MegaBus to Cincinnati

I'd appreciate any advice you can give...getting around town, value passes, free/inexpensive sightseeing, budget eating, etc.

dfrostnh

Two years ago my friend and I enjoyed the FREE Chicago City Greeter tour. You must make advance arrangements. See the list of neighborhoods you can visit. The ones we chose required using public transportation. We had already purchased the pass that is good on buses etc. Due to heat, maybe you should check about how much walking is involved for the neighborhood you would like to visit.

Your cheapest food option is probably going to be take-out sandwiches. Usually such places have seating but if you can find a great picnic place. That would be ideal.

I have not be to the Museum of Science and Industry but was told that it is great. One time when I visited Chicago on my own, I told this to another family staying at the hotel. They thanked me and said they were going back for a second day.

exiledprincess

You know that it takes a lot of advance planning - and reservations required - for a group of this size.

Re: Chicago Greeter Service - limited to a maximum of 6 guests.

To OP: Before you start making any other plans: Have you called and made definite arrangements (including payment) for the lodging with the hostel? You have to go through their group sales department to arrange this. They will advise you if there are special requirements for a group of minors (such as # of legal guardians/chaperones required, etc.)

Then do you definitely have your Megabus tickets already purchased? Again, you'll have to check what special arrangements you need to make with a group of this size - particularly since they are minors.

No use continuing with suggestions if either of these two have not already been definitely arranged and confirmed. You'll be doing a lot of work for nothing, if these don't pan out and you cannot afford the trip otherwise.

tomfuller

The Federal Reserve Bank has a free self guided tour. The FRB is across Jackson Blvd from the Chicago Board of Trade.
What is the Megabus policy on how many minors per adult?
Amtrak only allows 2 minors per adult. The Amtrak Cardinal does leave CIN about 1:20AM on July 20 and gets to CHI before noon.

exiledprincess

Tom, for a group that size, no matter what the attraction (such as your suggestion), museum, restaurant (sit-down), etc., they'll have to make arrangements/reservations for the same. For example, if the OP looks at the major museums' websites, they will see in the "Visiting" section what they need to do when they get there.

However, we are getting ahead of ourselves. It appears to me from the way the OP phrased this question, that they haven't even gotten into the nitty-gritty of getting their lodging or transportation in order. Due to the high concentration of big concerts and conventions during June and July, they may not be able to even do so (if they haven't already gotten them).

If they cannot get these two options for whatever reason, the alternatives will be much more expensive and they may not be able to afford the trip at all. There are usually no more cheaper options than using a hostel and/or MegaBus (or perhaps Greyhound express, where it runs).

They may have waited too long already to try to get reservations for either/both. This is just a little over 4 months away during high tourist season.

In any case, it's going to be difficult to move that size crowd on public transportation. They probably won't be able to do so during weekday rush hours (7-9:30 a.m. and 4-7:30 p.m., basically) when the busses and 'Ls are the most jam-packed. 15 kids, plus chaperones, plus luggage is a lot to even move getting to this particular hostel (if that is what they finally get).

I doubt that they have the $$ in the budget to be taking 4-5 cabs everywhere.

That's why I suggested that they get those two most-important items ironed out at first.

kymomto3

Yes, we already have the hostel booked. MegaBus schedule for July is not out yet...we will book the first day that it is. Even if we can't get the MegaBus we can drive...not a big deal.

exiledprincess

Sorry if I misunderstood you. But what was confusing is that you wrote 10-15 girls.

Normally all hostels charge by the person (or bed), not the room. Because, normally, there may be bed (head) fee in addition to the rate and some places require (at least the adults involved) a membership fee.

"Even if we can't get the MegaBus we can drive...not a big deal." Well, it **can** be a big deal...How many vehicles are you planning on driving? Parking rates are pretty steep in Chicago - can be up to $30-60 per vehicle per day.

If you were planning on coming in a bigger vehicle, such as a larger van, then you have the problem of even finding somewhere to park it. It all depends on the size of the van. Parking garages have height/length limits. And the length of some may be too long for many lots as well. If you are planning on hiring a bus, they only have specific lots around the city where they can be parked.

But let's talk about the other items. As I mentioned above, you just cannot show up many places without previous arrangements. I mentioned about the museums and checking their websites for information about handling groups (NOTE: You may get a group discount - so well worth checking on it.)

Public transportation is another issue with this large of a group. If you are going to take it, you'll need to try to be doing so on "off hours", not rush hours or lunch hours, but when the busses or 'Ls are the least full.

You might check the Choose Chicago website and e-mail the Chicago Tourism Department about recommendations for groups.

If you were staying at the Hotelling International Chicago on Congress, you aren't too far of a walk from several major attractions such as the Museum Campus (where the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History and Adler Planetarium are located). Buckingham Fountain is not far from there. About a mile or so from the Art Institute of Chicago. Millennium Park is just to the north of the Art Institute.

You might also be in contact with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and see if they recommend any of their tours for that age.

The main thing about that size of a group, besides trying to keep them all together, is that you won't be able to just show up most places. You'll have to have a rather detailed itinerary.

exiledprincess

Sorry, that was to be "Hostelling International Chicago" not "Hotelling International Chicago". I hope you can understand my confusion in this, because you just cannot book for 10 and show up with 15 girls.

I also wanted to say that since you're going to be on a stricter budget, you might want to stay away from sit-down restaurants (specifically places where you need to pay gratuities). In addition, again think about going to dine at "off hours", even at the fast-food places.

You could also look at using a water taxi to get to some locations. There are two companies, Shoreline and Wendella. Shoreline has a stop at the Willis Tower and goes out to Navy Pier - with a harbor taxi between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus. Whereas Wendella doesn't go as far east as Navy Pier but it does go to the Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown. It's only a short walk to the shops and restaurants from the dock there - perhaps consider dining in Chinatown with the girls. Something different than just fast food all the time.

The Wendella Water Taxi also has a dock close to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, and you could go to the Chicago French Market, which houses a number of vendors. Take a look at their website.

janisj

>>there will be about 10-15 of us.>Yes, we already have the hostel booked.

longhorn55

Depending on the number of chaparones you have for this trip, you can divide your group sightseeing by interests.

On the afternoon of Day 1, some free things to do would include going to the Lincoln Park Zoo, window shopping along the Magnificent Mile, visiting Millennium Park, or sightseeing at the Navy Pier.

On Day 2, I suggest you choose one of the excellent Chicago museums to visit. I think girls of this age would most enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry, but if you have additional chaparones, you could divide the girls by interests. The Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Art Institute are also excellent. (We and our kids were disappointed by the Adler Planetarium--and we all love things about space.)

jv827

Not to assume or speak for kymomto3, but Hostelling Chicago regularly hosts Girl Scout groups and is considered a Girl Scout ready/approved facility. Reservations are usually handled through a Group Sales Manager, so arrangements are slightly different than when someone is just booking individual beds. That may be why the poster is able to be "squishy" about the number right now. (Btw janisj, for some reason I love that you used the word squishy )

Also, most Hostelling International locations typically waive membership fees for groups, especially student ones.

tomfuller

FYI Oprah is shutting down HARPO studios. I don't know how soon.

kymomto3

We are "squishy" on number because a) the hostel doesn't require an exact number for awhile for us and b)I have to plan details then get the costs out to the GS families and see who's in! Really just wanted recommendations on what to do on a budget while we're there. Thanks to all who contribute!

exiledprincess

OK, so much for the lodging. Sorry to dwell on that point, but all planning has to flow in a specific direction. We didn't know to what extent you had discussed this (if at all).

But you get my point about not being able to use the MegaBus and the parking situation, right? Can run into a considerable amount of money... Does Greyhound Express have a route in your area as well?

Have you checked if MegaBus requires a ratio of chaperones to minors? Even before they post the schedule, suggest you check into this. May take it out of the running altogether, if they require more chaperones/guardians than you have available.

I'm not sure about the waiver of the membership fees with respect to the adults in the group. However, they are usually - what? $3 apiece, so not a lot of money involved. I do think that there may be a city bed tax, though, in addition to the nightly rate. Since it's a city tax, it probably cannot be waived. You might want to e-mail them on that as well, since you are in the process of budgeting.

Although the Museum of Science and Industry is a good suggestion, I really don't think that the girls have sufficient time this trip.

1) They have the problem of transportation. Although the dedicated #10 MSI bus does stop in the area of the Hostelling International Chicago on Congress (if that's the one of which we are speaking), that's one of the last stops in the South Loop before it proceeds to go express on Lake Shore Drive. I've been on that bus many times before and it gets very crowded, as it travels south on Michigan Avenue and State Street. It's not unusually to see folks standing by the time it leaves State Street - during the busiest times, you understand. You're taking a chance of getting all 15 kids and chaperones on the bus and expecting seats for all at that point.

2) Because the museum is located 7 miles to the south of the Loop, it takes about 1/2 hour each way (1 hour RT) - from that point on Congress. Plus it's a BIG museum with lots to see. So you really need the better part of a day to see it sufficiently. And the OP only has one full day in the schedule. At least this time around, it might be better to consider the Museum Campus. Or, IMHO, definitely, the Art Institute of Chicago.

NOTE: The Shedd Aquarium is the busiest of all of the major museums of Chicago, even on weekdays during the summer. So, it you go, get there prior to opening, if you choose that one.

Did you have any ideas about evening activities? IF this coming year is the same as has been in the past, there are the Downtown Sounds concerts (free) at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Monday evenings. As I mentioned, you can walk from Millennium Park to Congress (again, if that's the hostel we are discussing).

The Gene Siskel Film Center is right across State Street from the iconic Chicago Theatre. #29 SB State Street bus goes and past Congress.

The #29 NB State Street goes out to Navy Pier.

sallytakemyhand

Contact your gs counsel now. They might have deals with some of the museums and other attractions in the area. There usually is one troop in the area that travels all the time. Contact those leaders for information/help. The cadettes should do a lot of the trip planning themselves. Do not have a mom chaperone her own child because the mom-child dynamic will take over when the scout is supposed to become more independent.