1st time visit to Chicago
 

Hi everyone!

Planning a first time visit to Chicago with 3 kids...8,6,and a infant. We're from Miami...so weather is a concern...we dont want to be there when its cold and we need to layer clothes and have jackets. We are planning a visit for 2-3 days during the 1st week of April. Normally whats the weather like during this time? Sight-seeing options? I've heard theres plenty of museums that kids will like...which are the top picks? How's the transportation...is a rental car necessary? Should we get a hotel near the airport..downtown...?

Thanks!

Def. stay downtown; don't stay near either airport -- they're too far.

Transportation is excellent, no need for a car. You won't want to drive in Chicago anyway.

Weather -- maybe low 60s or high 50s, but could also be in the high 30s or low 40s. Check weather.com for average temps.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...nav_undeclared

Stay downtown. Too much time wasted each day if you don't. I was in Chicago in August. Don't rent a car as its not necessary. Taking the El is easy and much more convenient.

Here is my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35151474

Field Museum - Natural History Museum. We could have spent our entire trip there.

Shedd Aquarium - really enjoyed it.

There are others but those are the 2 we hit. I would recommend the John Hancock building for a view over the city.

Also would recommend the CAF Architecture Cruise.

April may be cold / snow or it could be warm.

Enjoy Chicago. Its easily 1 of the best cities that I have been to.

In addition, I'd recommend the Museum of Science and Industry--you could spend your entire visit there.

Thank you for the tips..and i did read ur trip report...glad u had fun:)

I've also heard stuff about Michigan Ave....was is all that about? and how is the Buckingham Fountain...should i get the day and the night view? Sears Tower?

Since we are planning for a mini-vacay for 2-3 days with kids...dont think I can get to all the museums, but will def try

I doubt the fountain will be running. Stuff like that has to get drained for the winter.

The first week of April is opening day for baseball. It can be anywhere from 30 to 70 degrees. There might still be some snow flakes. There won't be any leaves on the trees. It will probably rain.

I like the John Hancock building for the view better than the Sears Tower. John Hancock is on Michigan Avenue where all the good shopping is.

Navy Pier is great for kids, but again, I don't know what will be open that time of year.

You've probably heard about Michigan Avenue shopping, aka Magnificent Mile.

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

It's not my cup of tea, but if you enjoy shopping at chain stores, I guess it's fun.

I would also suggest visiting what locals call "The Bean" in Millenium Park. It is a chromed sculpture that reflects either the city or lake on the outside (depending which side you're standing on) and yourselves when you walk under it. It is free and fun for the kids. There is the Lincoln Park Zoo, also free. Check out www.choosechicago.com for more ideas.

Is there another time you can visit Chicago? The first week of April can have absolute miserable weather or it could have nice weather, but seems the trend is towards cold & wet.

We live in Milwaukee and we have had some of our worst blizzards in April - one was on the 22nd of April. Chicago could have a lot of snow as it usually has some of the same weather. Suppose snow would be thrilling for kids from Miami. May would be a better month to go.

Another mom just posted a report on Chicago:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35162184

The museums are large. Peruse their websites ahead of time to see what areas might interest your kids most.

I took my kids (ages 5 & 9) and here is my 2 cents:

1. Don't worry about the weather, April will be cool but not terrible (I live in the midwest)
2. I love the Science Museum but feel it is better suited for older kids (10+)
3. Take the kids to Shed Aquarium, Navy Pier, & American Doll store (if you have girls do the lunch or dinner they will love it), go up the Hancock Tower (much better view than Sears in my opinion).

Wow...Thanks everyone! Excellent ideas...i dont think 2-3 days will be enough!! Theres so much to do and my kids will enjoy it all :)

Isabella: Actually we can travel during the summer also. I have kids in school so we can only go during Spring Break (in April) or sometime in the Summer.

Still have plenty of time on deciding if we should go in April or the summer...i just hope the summers are not too hot. Since we're from Miami, we've seen plenty of heat as it is.
I've looked at some stuff online and the Shedd Aquarium looks like a lot of fun. And will def take them to the Lincoln Zoo...kids will love and its free also.
Where is the Buckingham Fountain? Is it in downtown as well? I guess I dont need too much time for that..just go and take a picture. By the way, I love taking pictures...and slowly but surely, my kids have learned that! We went to San Francisco last year and took over 200 pics!

Well, if u have anymore pointers...i would love to listen (or read in this case) to them all!!

Chicago can get quite hot and humid in the summer, but probably not as bad as Miami in the summer. It just completely depends.

It looks like the fountain is completely closed and undergoing restoration. It will be open in April for the Olympic committees visit, but it didn't say when in April:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/0..._n_122987.html

Now that I think about it, it would be pretty hard to spend $25 MILLION dollars to update a fountain. Must be some plumber.

I just found that the Olympic Committee is visiting Chicago April 2-8. So that would mean that the city would really be trying to shine during your stay!!!