Ashley24

Hi! We are flying into O Hare the night before Thanksgiving. Could you help me figure how to use the elevated train to get to the Westin? Also, how far is the Thanksgiving parade from our hotel?
I found out that the Science museum is free on Thanksgiving so we are planning to go there and to the Shedd's Aquarium. Then we are staying another night and will shop the day after Thanksgiving and maybe go to the Children's Museum.
Thanks so much for all of your help!

ms_go

I think chicgal gave you directions to the Westin River North, but your header says Westin Michigan Avenue (909 N. Michigan). To get there, you will need to change el trains from the blue line to the red line (there is a transfer tunnel at Washington), then take the red line north to Chicago/State. From there, it is two blocks east to Michigan and about three blocks north to the Westin. Personally, with kids and luggage, I'd get off the blue line in the Loop (Clark/Lake is fine), go up to street level and catch a cab to the hotel. Probably not more than about $8-$10. If you are getting in late, I'd take a cab from the airport.

Here's a link to the cta trip planner:

http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/

marilynl

The Westin on Michigan Avenue is located in the 900 block of North Michigan Avenue--I believe the OP has given you directions to the Westin River North. You could still take the Blue Line in from O'Hare, and if you wanted to continue on the el you could transfer to the northbound Red Line downtown, exiting at Chicago and State. Head 2 blocks east to Michigan, then north past Water Tower Place to the Westin. Or just take a cab once you are downtown.

The day after Thanksgiving is THE biggest shopping day of the year. Expect gridlock crowds in stores and restaurants.

The Thanksgiving parade goes down State Street in the loop, from Congress (about 600 South) to Randolph. It is very walkable from the Westin, or just catch a bus south on Michigan Avenue.

Ashley24

We will be arriving in Chicago at 7:20 pm. I am hoping we will manage with just carryon bags so we don't have to wait for the luggage. Is it safe to go on the CTA at that hour??? We will be in terminal 2.
You guys have me scared now about the holiday shopping! I don't mind some crowds but I'm hoping the crowds are full of the holiday spirit and not rude people! I just want to shop at the AG store and probably Water Tower Place. These are walkable from our hotel, yes? Which Giordanos (sp?) would be the closest to our hotel, or could we get carryout from them? What about the cheesecake factory? Any other restaurants that are kid friendly (hamburgers, chicken fingers, etc) in walking distance?
As far as the plays, I think my youngest daughter (6) might still be too young for the ghost of christmas future...at least she would be of our local production of the Christmas Carol. Can you give me more details about the other play mentioned, The Christmas Schooner, or would the little play at AG store be a better option? Lastly, my daughters want to know if the Chicago parade throws out candy! Just like kids, huh?
Thanks for all of your help!

ms_go

Yes, the AG store and Water Tower Place are walkable from your hotel. The AG store is about three blocks south and one block west on Chicago Ave. I haven't been to the show there, but if your girls are into that sort of thing, I'm sure they'll love it (AG anything dominated our lives for about three or four years, but we've moved on now ). Water Tower Place is just a block south of your hotel, and 900 N. Michigan (with Bloomingdales and a host of other shops) is across the street. If you get a really clear day, the Hancock Bldg. is right across the street as well.

Your closest Giordano's is at 730 N. Rush, which is very close to the AG store -- within a block or two. I'm sure you could get carryout, but order ahead; the stuffed pizzas can take awhile. I'm not a Cheesecake Factory person, and the lines there always look horrendous. For kid friendly meals, right in that area, look at the restaurants in 900 N. Michigan (OakTree, Tucci Benucch, Johnny Rockets), or the Food Life food court at Watertower (which will probably be jammed on the Friday after).

The el should be safe at 7:30. It takes about 40 minutes to get downtown. I would expect the Loop to be a little quieter than normal that night, as there will be few office workers hanging around that late into the evening. There are some theater performances downtown, so it shouldn't be too deserted. I would probably just take a cab at that point, because you will be past rush hour -- but that's just me; the older I get, the more I like convenience! My visiting relatives used the Continental Airport van service this summer (in the baggage claim area; kind of like a Super Shuttle), but I think it ended up costing them more than a taxi for a family of four.

Have a great trip!

patg

The El is quite an experience; kids love it. Unfortunately, it will be quite dark at that time of day and you won't see much. You should try to sit in the front car, where the driver is, if you feel nervous.

By "the Science Museum" do you mean Museum of Science and Industry, or the Field? The MSI is in Hyde Park, about 7 miles south of downtown. The Field Museum is the one near the Shedd Aquarium.

There is a nice playground near your hotel, on the east side of Michigan Avenue at Chicago Avenue, behind the pumping station. BTW, using the streets one block east or west of Michigan will help avoid the gridlock on Michigan Avenue's sidewalks.

Call or check the website for American Girl Place if you want to eat or see a play there; you may be able to get tickets in advance. It will be very busy.

I wanted to let you know about a new musical production of "Where the Wild Things Are" which would be my choice for a six year old. The theatre is a 10-15 minute cab ride from your hotel. See
http://www.chicagoplays.com/showdetails.cfm?showid=5257

marilynl

Yes, the crowds will be folks with holiday spirit: out-of-town visitors like you, families who have a tradition of shopping together on that day, etc. But crowds there will definitely be. Water Tower Place is very close to your hotel, as is the American Girl store. One good food option in Water Tower is the FoodLife, on the mezzanine level: stations with all sorts of different food options to choose from. You get cards to charge on in the food area, pay as you leave, and choices are wide-ranging.

Yes, the el is safe at that time. Although it will be dark, you get a bird's eye view into many of the buildings you will be passing while the train is elevated. The first car is a good option--every kid I have ever taken on the el has LOVED the seat looking out the very front of the train.

JJ5

Within the time frame you have chosen and at the location you are- all these people have given you terrific advice.

But I don't know if you KNOW what crowded is. If you are thinking of going to the Museum of Science and Industry on the lake front Thanksgiving Day /Hyde Park- do know that (as one person said) it is miles away. It is a commute. If you watch the parade you simply won't have the time to do all that. Your plan is like trying to see Niagra Falls and NYC in one day.

Take some of the play or theatre advice and stay in Michigan Ave/ Downtown area and you'll have a better time of it. The Museum of Science & Industry is huge and just a small portion is tons of walking, reading, learning, interaction etc. It would take at least 3 or 4 hours just to skimp the surface without the parade day commute ride from Michigan Ave. Plus if you tried to combine this with the Shedd- just not enough time.

Go to the Shedd and enjoy- it is much closer and will take you about 2 to 3 hours to do it well and that's if you don't see whales or dolphin show.

When they are talking shopping is crowded- it is walking on people crowded. Most of the eating places that you inquire about might be overworked and not user friendly on those two days.
But if you go with the flow and check out what is near to you- you might be able to get AG and some of the other kids highlights in and some of these other terrific ideas.

If you go off of Michigan Ave. on the side streets there are some tremendous restaurants. Better than Cheesecake Factory, which is good, but always has a packed line wait for a messy table even on a regular lunch hour day. You will probably have to just go where you see "usability" in crowds such as this- if you are not making reservations for sit down places a little off the beaten track, ahead of time.

slipperblue

We've visited the AG Store the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was absolutely packed to shop - but the AG theatre is very small & initimate and a nice break from the craziness. We also ate lunch at the AG Cafe - which is very novel, AND you can make reservations so again, not as "wild" as the throngs of people. I would call now for reservations though. We've been to Shedd Aquarium a couple of times over the past year and it has been so crowded you're just crushed against people. Many visitors waited an hour or two just to get in!! Fortunately I had bought a membership on line (almost the same price to get a membership as paying 1 day admission for family of 5)and we were at least able to get in right away. You may want to re-think visiting Shedd since you have many other things you'd like to do and see.

Ashley24

Which science museum has the coal mine, the airplane, and the embryos? We visited that museum many years ago and would like to visit again. What is the other science museum like in comparison?

patg

Coal mine, embryos, etc., is the Museum of Science and Industry.

www.msichicago.org
http://www.choosechicago.com/museums.html

Field Museum is natural history - dinosaurs, gems, primitive cultures, flora

JJ5

If you just wanted to stay in one area and go to the Shedd on Thanksgiving Day, you might also go across to Field as just mentioned.

If you do this, you might want to schedule tickets for Machu Picchu. That exhibit just opened today, Oct. 15 and runs through February. It would be a chance to see ruins/ relics etc. of a empire that won't be available in North America very long. If you plan on doing this, you would probably have to buy those tickets ahead- because you will not have much time to be waiting in line, if you see parade etc. You would need tickets for Field and tickets for Machu Picchu. It's not free as the Science of Museum and Industry is that day.