Chicago Trip Report 9/2-9/5
Sep 6th, 2004, 12:58 PM
#1
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Chicago Trip Report 9/2-9/5
I wanted to share our weekend in Chicago with you since I used other trip reports to plan our trip. We arrived late Thursday,Sept. 2 into Midway and used Airport Express for ground transportation. A cab would be cheaper ($25 plus tip for a family of 4) and we paid $45 total for a family of four. Will probably do a taxi next time, but Airport Express is very reputable.
Stayed at the Marriott Fairfield Inn on Ontario St. A very good location and a very clean hotel. It was quiet and safe. We would stay here again. The breakfast room was always busy, but always well stocked and clean. I thought the staff could have been friendlier ... like saying hello to you as you entered the hotel, but that was really my only complaint. Everything else was fine.
Friday, September 3 was very busy. We started out by walking to Wacker and Michigan for a CAF river/boat tour. My husband and 15 year old son really enjoyed this. My 18 year old daughter and I thought it was just okay. After the boat tour, we walked to the John Hancock Building and had lunch in the Signature Room. We waited 20 minutes or so but got an excellent seat next to a corner/window. My husband and I had the $16 lunch buffet. My two kids ordered off the menu and it took way longer than it should. Our waitress, Janet, was a disappointment. Nice girl, just not a good waitress. Lunch was $80.
After lunch, we strolled along Michigan Ave. and entered a few stores. Very, very busy with people, tourists, cars, taxis, busses, lots of honking, shouting, sirens, etc. Something my kids have never experienced! We entered the Louis Vuitton store and asked if they would authenticate my daughter's purse that she bought at a resale store and was told it was real. They were very nice to look at it and very gently broke the news to her that it was a fake!
Friday evening, we ate at Hard Rock Cafe, which was about what we expected. Loud, dark and just okay food. But it was fine for the money and my teens enjoyed it more than their parents. An Oprah camera crew was in there filming a segment for her 9/13 show. Since I am a HUGE Oprah fan, this was exciting to me. Again, our waitress was just so-so, nice enough, just not a very good waitress. Too many workers standing around doing nothing and yet the women's bathroom was a mess and could have used some attention.
After dinner, we walked to Millenium Park. It was lit up well and lots of people walking around. It was great to see the sculptures and art that I had read about. We always felt safe, even if we were approached by the homeless. Simply say no thank you and they leave you alone.
On Saturday, after enjoying a nice breakfast in the Marriott's breakfast room, my husband and son took a bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. My daughter and I walked the 2 blocks to Michigan Ave. and proceeded to shop for the next 8 hours. It got to the point where we could walk no more and started to take taxis up and down the avenue. My son and husband thoroughly enjoyed the museum and thought the bus ride was an easy ride. After they returned, they went to the ESPN Zone and hung out their for awhile. Both enjoyed that as well.
On Saturday evening, we took a taxi to Navy Pier from our hotel. Crazy! So many people and cars everywhere. We waited 45 minutes to eat at the Riva Cafe. Again, our waiter, Eric, was nice, just not very good. At this point, I was sure Chicago needed to retrain their waiters and waitresses. But after we met Charise at Giordano's on Rush, I realized there were good waitresses in Chicago! She was a doll, very nice, attentive and not only earned a 20% tip, but we also gave her a CTA card that we would not be using with a $10 balance on it. Anyway, back to Navy Pier, the Riva Cafe was a little unorganized. We were told it was a 20 min. wait and it ended up being 45. Then when we finally got seated, we were under a blaring speaker that played music, and then every 3 or 4 minutes, they would announce the next person's name for an available table. I have just one suggestion for this restaurant ... get the handheld vibrators to notify people that their table is ready. The non-stop announcements were very annoying and even Eric, our waiter, mentioned something about it. The food was okay here, not great. After dinner, we walked thru the stained glass museum and that was a nice stroll. Then we slowly made our way through the crowd back to the entrance of Navy Pier. We admired the big boats along with way. Just too many people to really enjoy Navy Pier. I did get a charge out of seeing Oprah and Sammy Sosa's condo building though (Lake Point). Wow!
On Sunday, September 5, we really didn't have plans as it was our last day and we weren't sure what we would do on day one and two. As it turned out, we took the L to Wrigley Field and walked around and took a few pictures. A very nice, young woman who lives in Chicago, helped us figure out the L system. It was a first for us. We got back on the L and took it to Lincoln Park. I just couldn't believe the traffic and crowds here either. We walked probably 2 miles from the L / Fullerton Station to the zoo. It was hot and humid so not a very fun walk. We tried to hail a taxi, but that didn't work, besides, you could walk faster than the taxis were getting thru traffic. The zoo was fine, very crowded, but it was free also so there you go. We didn't stay long; hailed a taxi back to Giordano's on Rush for pizza. Got there on Sunday around 3:15 p.m. and had a 30 min. wait. You can pre-order your pizza though so that was nice. This is where we met our one and only good waitress in Chicago during our 3 days. The pizza was out of this world wonderful. We strolled around a little bit, saw the Bentleys and Ferraris in Gold Coast Bentley dealership in 800 block of Rush, strolled thru the Harley Davidson store, etc. Had to be back at our hotel by 5:15 for a shuttle back to Midway. Again, we used Airport Express and they were right on time, actually a little early. We shared the ride back to Midway with a family from Long Island, NY. They had just left a wedding reception and it was obvious mom and dad drank too much. I think the 22 year old son was quite embarressed. Before we arrived, the woman was passing gas and throwing up in her son's ballcap. The smell was gross and we had to ask the van driver to turn up the air so we could survive the next 20 minute ride. I don't think he had any idea what was going on as they were in the very far rear seat. Another reason I think I'll take a cab next time. At least you have it to yourself!
All in all, we really enjoyed our trip to Chicago over this past Labor Day weekend and would definately return again.
Thanks to all who posted messages about their experiences so I could plan my trip around your recommendations and suggestions.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Stayed at the Marriott Fairfield Inn on Ontario St. A very good location and a very clean hotel. It was quiet and safe. We would stay here again. The breakfast room was always busy, but always well stocked and clean. I thought the staff could have been friendlier ... like saying hello to you as you entered the hotel, but that was really my only complaint. Everything else was fine.
Friday, September 3 was very busy. We started out by walking to Wacker and Michigan for a CAF river/boat tour. My husband and 15 year old son really enjoyed this. My 18 year old daughter and I thought it was just okay. After the boat tour, we walked to the John Hancock Building and had lunch in the Signature Room. We waited 20 minutes or so but got an excellent seat next to a corner/window. My husband and I had the $16 lunch buffet. My two kids ordered off the menu and it took way longer than it should. Our waitress, Janet, was a disappointment. Nice girl, just not a good waitress. Lunch was $80.
After lunch, we strolled along Michigan Ave. and entered a few stores. Very, very busy with people, tourists, cars, taxis, busses, lots of honking, shouting, sirens, etc. Something my kids have never experienced! We entered the Louis Vuitton store and asked if they would authenticate my daughter's purse that she bought at a resale store and was told it was real. They were very nice to look at it and very gently broke the news to her that it was a fake!
Friday evening, we ate at Hard Rock Cafe, which was about what we expected. Loud, dark and just okay food. But it was fine for the money and my teens enjoyed it more than their parents. An Oprah camera crew was in there filming a segment for her 9/13 show. Since I am a HUGE Oprah fan, this was exciting to me. Again, our waitress was just so-so, nice enough, just not a very good waitress. Too many workers standing around doing nothing and yet the women's bathroom was a mess and could have used some attention.
After dinner, we walked to Millenium Park. It was lit up well and lots of people walking around. It was great to see the sculptures and art that I had read about. We always felt safe, even if we were approached by the homeless. Simply say no thank you and they leave you alone.
On Saturday, after enjoying a nice breakfast in the Marriott's breakfast room, my husband and son took a bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. My daughter and I walked the 2 blocks to Michigan Ave. and proceeded to shop for the next 8 hours. It got to the point where we could walk no more and started to take taxis up and down the avenue. My son and husband thoroughly enjoyed the museum and thought the bus ride was an easy ride. After they returned, they went to the ESPN Zone and hung out their for awhile. Both enjoyed that as well.
On Saturday evening, we took a taxi to Navy Pier from our hotel. Crazy! So many people and cars everywhere. We waited 45 minutes to eat at the Riva Cafe. Again, our waiter, Eric, was nice, just not very good. At this point, I was sure Chicago needed to retrain their waiters and waitresses. But after we met Charise at Giordano's on Rush, I realized there were good waitresses in Chicago! She was a doll, very nice, attentive and not only earned a 20% tip, but we also gave her a CTA card that we would not be using with a $10 balance on it. Anyway, back to Navy Pier, the Riva Cafe was a little unorganized. We were told it was a 20 min. wait and it ended up being 45. Then when we finally got seated, we were under a blaring speaker that played music, and then every 3 or 4 minutes, they would announce the next person's name for an available table. I have just one suggestion for this restaurant ... get the handheld vibrators to notify people that their table is ready. The non-stop announcements were very annoying and even Eric, our waiter, mentioned something about it. The food was okay here, not great. After dinner, we walked thru the stained glass museum and that was a nice stroll. Then we slowly made our way through the crowd back to the entrance of Navy Pier. We admired the big boats along with way. Just too many people to really enjoy Navy Pier. I did get a charge out of seeing Oprah and Sammy Sosa's condo building though (Lake Point). Wow!
On Sunday, September 5, we really didn't have plans as it was our last day and we weren't sure what we would do on day one and two. As it turned out, we took the L to Wrigley Field and walked around and took a few pictures. A very nice, young woman who lives in Chicago, helped us figure out the L system. It was a first for us. We got back on the L and took it to Lincoln Park. I just couldn't believe the traffic and crowds here either. We walked probably 2 miles from the L / Fullerton Station to the zoo. It was hot and humid so not a very fun walk. We tried to hail a taxi, but that didn't work, besides, you could walk faster than the taxis were getting thru traffic. The zoo was fine, very crowded, but it was free also so there you go. We didn't stay long; hailed a taxi back to Giordano's on Rush for pizza. Got there on Sunday around 3:15 p.m. and had a 30 min. wait. You can pre-order your pizza though so that was nice. This is where we met our one and only good waitress in Chicago during our 3 days. The pizza was out of this world wonderful. We strolled around a little bit, saw the Bentleys and Ferraris in Gold Coast Bentley dealership in 800 block of Rush, strolled thru the Harley Davidson store, etc. Had to be back at our hotel by 5:15 for a shuttle back to Midway. Again, we used Airport Express and they were right on time, actually a little early. We shared the ride back to Midway with a family from Long Island, NY. They had just left a wedding reception and it was obvious mom and dad drank too much. I think the 22 year old son was quite embarressed. Before we arrived, the woman was passing gas and throwing up in her son's ballcap. The smell was gross and we had to ask the van driver to turn up the air so we could survive the next 20 minute ride. I don't think he had any idea what was going on as they were in the very far rear seat. Another reason I think I'll take a cab next time. At least you have it to yourself!
All in all, we really enjoyed our trip to Chicago over this past Labor Day weekend and would definately return again.
Thanks to all who posted messages about their experiences so I could plan my trip around your recommendations and suggestions.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Sep 7th, 2004, 06:45 AM
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Yes, you are very brave indeed. Please come back and visit us again. Our Fall season can be beautiful. Lake Michigan retains it's warmth and we can have some lovely days.
Perhaps a visit next time to the Chicago Historical Society would be interesting for the kids.
Perhaps a visit next time to the Chicago Historical Society would be interesting for the kids.
Sep 8th, 2004, 07:13 PM
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Oprah, she moved? We have friends living in the condos above Water Tower Place, she used to live there.
She had purchased a co-op in one of the East Lake Shore Drive historic bulidings, but after failing to get permission for the changes she wanted, she decided not to move.
She had purchased a co-op in one of the East Lake Shore Drive historic bulidings, but after failing to get permission for the changes she wanted, she decided not to move.
Sep 9th, 2004, 03:39 AM
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In Chicago, Oprah lives in the Water Tower Place condos, located above the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
And, 1 Magnificent Mile is located at 940-980 Lake Shore Drive, the southwest corner of Michigan and Oak Street, I believe.
And, 1 Magnificent Mile is located at 940-980 Lake Shore Drive, the southwest corner of Michigan and Oak Street, I believe.
Sep 10th, 2004, 08:09 PM
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To Chigal: The buffet in the Signature Room was okay to above average. No dessert offering, just a salad bar and 5 or 6 hot food offerings. I would do it again. My son ordered a cheeseburger and told me it was the best he's ever had! My daughter got the seafood salad on croissant and liked it.
SO, WHERE DOES OPRAH LIVE??
SO, WHERE DOES OPRAH LIVE??
Sep 11th, 2004, 04:23 AM
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Wait, I think 1 Mag Mile is not LSD but Michigan Avenue.
The buffet at Signature Room used to be much better years ago, IMHO. I especially liked the homemade ice cream. Yummm...
I think during weekdays, Oprah stays at her place above the Ritz and then during weekends, she's at her farm in Indiana. Not sure if that is still for sale or has sold. (?) She also has her super-gigantic new digs in Mendocino, California. Thought she has something in or near Hawaii, too?
I saw Stedman twice in the local drugstore, Walgreens. The first time, I could've pinched him! He's very tall. Never saw Miss O, though.
The buffet at Signature Room used to be much better years ago, IMHO. I especially liked the homemade ice cream. Yummm...
I think during weekdays, Oprah stays at her place above the Ritz and then during weekends, she's at her farm in Indiana. Not sure if that is still for sale or has sold. (?) She also has her super-gigantic new digs in Mendocino, California. Thought she has something in or near Hawaii, too?
I saw Stedman twice in the local drugstore, Walgreens. The first time, I could've pinched him! He's very tall. Never saw Miss O, though.
