mcmckissic1

Hi there, has anyone stayed here recently by any chance?? It says it is three blocks from Navy Pier..how far from the aquarium?? Is it a nice place for kids??? lots to do?? Thanks in advance.

fmpden

It is a decent area. Probably close to Michigan Ave. Plug it into Google Earth for a picture. Nice bicycling in the area. Don't know what you mean by nice place for kids. They cannot play in the street. It some distance to the aquarium but the bus to the aquarium runs down Michigan Ave.

mcmckissic1

hi, forgot to ask if we took the train, how far to Union Station to the hotel?? Thank you

wsoxrebel

It is a very good place for kids. There is an indoor pool, and the nightly 'happy hour' has pitchers of Shirley Temples. Lots of kids and fun families.

The hotel itself if very nice, at least it was a few years ago when we stayed there. I remember it being very sleek, modern and much more hip than your average Embassy Suites.

I would gladly return.

mcmckissic1

thanks a lot, we are thinking of taking the train from Ann Arbor to Chicago, my kids have never been on a train before. The hotel itself looks pretty nice, walking distance to many things, parking is $39/day, crazy!! I know all of Chicago is like this though.

fmpden

It is several miles from Union Station. US is kind of in the middle of Chicago on the west side. But a cab ride would not be too bad. Drive down to South Bend and take the South Shore in. That would put you in the Ill Central Station on south Michagan Ave with an easy bus ride to the hotel. The South Shore is the last of the old urban electric. That would be a historcial ride and kind of pretty along the southern edge of Lake Michigan.

mcmckissic1

Hi there fmpden, thanks for your help, OK, this does sound like an option but I am not sure. Is the South Bend trip to Chicago by train then??? or a railcar or what, the South Shore?? just not sure what you mean but sounds like an option. Sorry I am so ignorant on this. Could you expand a little more. Thanks.

wsoxrebel

My advice is to leave the car at home and save $40 daily parking. Then you can catch cabs with abandon and still save money.

The trains are so easy in Chicago, and it is just as easy to hail a cab to get to the hotel, museum, etc.

If you have a museum pass in MI, check to see if you get free reciprocity to Field, Natural Science, Peggy N--- (butterfly), etc. We used to do that and saved a bundle. Also, one day a week, each museum is free.

At least during part of the year, the free tourist trolley would swing by the hotel. You might call the hotel to get details.

mcmckissic1

Also, can we take the CTA (train) from Union Station to the Embassy Suites?? Then from the Embassy Suites can we take the CTA (train) to the aquarium?? Is Navy Pier fun for little kids?? 5 & 3?? Thanks in advance.

wsoxrebel

I don't remember logistics enough to answer your train questions, sorry.

Navy Pier is great for little kids. They have a childrens museum onsite. There is also a big fun movie theatre onsite.

mcmckissic1

thanks for all of the responses, we may go on Mother's Day weekend in May. Can anyone tell me why the hotel prices jump so much for that weekend?? just because of Mother's Day?? How do I find out if there is a convention that weekend? thanks so much for all of your help.

dgg

The Embassy Suites Lakefront is one of the best places to stay in the city. It is right off Michigan Avenue, convenient to the the business area south of the river, convenient to the lake, Navy Pier, etc. We try to stay there twice a year. We would not consider any other location. The old name for the area is Streeterville. I'm not sure what the real estate people are calling it now, but it's one of the hottest areas in the city. You can walk to everything or catch the shuttle or free public trolley. It's the best place to stay downtown with kids. I know...I have four. We wouldn't stay anywhere else.

We go twice a year, almost a week over Thanksgiving and a week in the summer. We've been doing this for over 10 years. If you have any questions, let me know.

Citylghts

The Embassy Suites is in a great location for most of the tourist sights. It's about 2 miles from Union Station and you can reach there by cab or you can catch the Number 124 bus on Canal Street in front of the Station.

It will stop on Illinois and Columbus in front of the hotel. If you'll be using public transit frequently during your stay, you can buy visitor passes that allow unlimited rides for a 24-hour period. A 1-day pass is $5, a 2-day pass is $9 and a 3-day pass is $12.

There is a vending machine near the Metra ticket windows in Union Station.

If you opt for the South Shore Line from South Bend, you'll arrive at Millennium Station on North Michigan Ave and Randolph.

From there, you can walk 1 block east to Columbus and about 5 blocks north to your hotel or cross Randolph and catch the 124 bus there.

To reach the Museum Campus from the Embassy Suites, you can head west from the hotel to Michigan Ave and take the Number 146 bus southbound. It ends between the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.

If you wanted to take the train, head 3 more blocks past Michigan to State and Grand and take the Red Line toward 95th Street. Exit at Roosevelt and walk about 5 blocks to the Museum Campus.

If the weather is nice, it would only be a 20-30 min walk down Columbus or Michigan Avenue.

For information on CTA buses and trains, check www.transitchicago.com. For info on the South Shore Line, which is officially known as the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, check www.nictd.com.

dgg

I just booked a couple of rooms at the ES for later this year and also noticed the parking charge was $39 a day! My husband always pays the bill so I don't know when that went up. Anyway, it's high by any standards. There is a lot of growth in the area around the ES so parking is at a premium. You can take a lot of cabs in Chicago for $39 a day. A car just stays parked in the hotel garage anyway. Cab fares around the center of the city will average around $10 (with tip) give or take a few dollars. It's worth it to get a cab from the train station. You will have two small children and luggage so I wouldn't try to navigate the streets, buses and trains upon arrival. Once you drop off your luggage, the trains and buses will be fine.


The hotel rates in Chicago are erratic and can go from being fairly reasonable to being very high, depending upon the convention activity. Chicago is also a popular destination for midwesterners (and others), particularly over holiday weekends. If you are looking for a more reasonably priced option, the Hampton Inn and Suites has much lower rates than the ES Lakefront, but has a two-room set up, complimentary breakfast, & indoor pool. All good to have for the kiddos. It doesn't compare to the ES in terms of location, service and style, but it is definitely a well priced option for a family.

Citylghts provided some very good, detailed information about getting around. Young children are free on the trains and buses. Look into www.citypass.com and www.gochicagocard.com for sightseeing deals. You might be able to save a little money and time with them. The concierge at the ES Lakefront is pretty good so she can help you as well.

The architecture cruises that leave from Navy Pier are terrific. Chicago also has a free urban zoo in Lincoln Park, along Lakeshore Drive. You will need to take a cab or bus to get there, but it's a very pleasant spot to take the kids. Navy Pier has an IMAX theater which the kids love. Next door to the ES is a multiplex theater complex as well. There are two grocery stores within a block or so of the ES, Dominicks and Fox & Obel.

mcmckissic1

All of these responses have been so wonderful and informative!! Thank you all so much!! I can't wait to go, I think we will try for Mother's Day weekend in May even though it's looking a little more expensive and we will for sure stay a t ES Lakefront, also to get my Hilton points. Thanks again, I need all the help I can get about getting around the town. We are going to for sure do the aquarium and Navy Pier area and maybe the urban zoo mentioned. Our kids are 5 and 3.

corymom

Our family stayed at the Embassy Suites Lakefront last year with 3 children under the age of 5. Be sure to ask for a room facing the lake as we were able to watch the fireworks from Navy Pier from our window. If fireworks are not scheduled at that time, at least the view is beautiful. The hotel was great for our family. We also ordered pizza from Giordano's that was delivered to our room...very easy and fun way to enjoy a dinner!

mcmckissic1

Thanks Corymom, that sounds so fun, the kids love fireworks, we will be there on the weekend, how do I find the schedule? just google Navy Pier fireworks? thanks.

fmpden

mcmckissic1, reading between the lines it appears that you are trying to provide a train ride for the kids. Are you sure it is for the kids ??? Not the adults At threee and five, they will not remember much.

To response to your earlier questions. The Shore Shore is basicly a commuter line that runs from South Bend, Michigan City, Chesterton, Ogden Dunes, and other communities along southern edge of L Michigan to Chicago. It was originally a part of the interurban electric rail system from the early 20th century. It is the sole survivor of this transportation mode. At one time it ran from downtown South Bend to Chicago. Now it ends/starts at the airport on the west side of S Bend. It runs several day and the fare is about $10 each way. Takes about an hour and half from SBend.

One of my wife's fondest childhood memories from the 50s is riding the SS from SBend to Chicago and having lunch in the tea room at Marshall Field on State Street especially during the Christmas season. Now only the South Shore is left. (Prior poster -- please do not insult the SS by calling it the Northern Indian Commuter Transporation District even if that is the "official" name) And it is too bad that a red star hangs on MField. Is nothing sacred ??

The South Shore station is under Milleunium park with direct access to Michigan Ave and a quick bus ride north to your hotel. Sounds like you are eager to use the L but it more diffiuclt from your hotel because the rail lines are located several blocks west from the lake front. It would be long walk with small kids. And the brown line (north from the Loop) is under rehab and the scheduled is effected especially on the weekends. The bus is the best bet to move along the Lake Shore.

I personally think it would be far more interesting taking the South Shore than AmTrack. Certainily more historical. Have fun either way.

corymom

I just looked at the Navy Pier website (Google under Navy Pier). Unfortunately, the fireworks are scheduled between Memorial Day and Labor Day. F.Y.I. there is also a wonderful Children's Museum walking distance from the hotel as well. Chicago is a great city for all ages.

mcmckissic1

thanks coymom, I think we will do the Childrens Museum also. We will have to catch the fireworks next time. thanks for checking. I have two girls so we will most likely go check out American Girl Place also.