We're leaving today for a quick weekend in Chicago.

How good is the Christmas market? We were in Germany and Austria last Christmas and just loved the markets. Does it compare at all?

We're staying in Elmhurst with our daughter. Is it best to take the train in or drive? If driving, do you have any parking tips? There are 4 adults and 1 2 yr. old going to the market.

Thanks so much.

My mom loves the Christmas market, although I can't say how it compares with those you've mentioned. I would take the train rather than drive. Less stress, if you aren't used to driving in Chicago. There's a Metra stop in Elmhurst, and it takes about 40 minutes to get downtown.
http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_w/cnwwsai.shtml
You can buy a $5 Weekend Pass, and kids ride free. The train lets you out near the river (Madison & Canal Sts.), so you may need to take a taxi from there. It's about 7 - 8 blocks to the market.

If you'll be going elsewhere in the city, you may want to look into transit passes. They allow unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains. There's a vending machine near the Metra ticket windows in Union Station. Passes are $5. Individual trips are $2.

If you don't want to cab it, you can catch the Number 151 bus on Canal Street and take it to State and Madison. Daley Plaza is 1 block north and 1 block west.

You can also take the Number 151 to the Lincoln Park Zoo to see Zoo Lights. It's 5-9 pm and it's free. The bus will drop you at the zoo gate. Check www.lpzoo.org for info.

Don't forget to see the windows and tree at Field's/Macy's on State and check out the decorations on Michigan Avenue. The 900 N Michigan Mall has some of my favorite decorations.

The Chicago Christmas Market is pretty good, as close to a true German market as you can get in the states. The Chicago one is obviously much, much smaller but still a fun place to stop and have a brat, potato pancakes, gluhwein, etc. while looking at ornaments and such.

Thanks so much for your help! We ended up driving into the city since our daughter didn't want to use public transportation with her 2 year old. She insisted on the car seat! In the future we'll use your great advice for our trips in. There was a self park parking garage right across the street from the market. It was $29 to park for our several hours downtown.

The market was great! Yes, it's smaller than the large markets in Germany and Austria, but totally true to the quality. Most booths are set up with the same merchandise as those in Europe. There were also some other booths from other countries. Excellent assortment and high quality. I didn't feel most of the prices were any more than in Germany. It's a great experience!

We really wanted Mozart Pretzels, but they didn't sell them here. The gluwein was the same and came in the souvenir glass for $7.

We walked to Michigan ave. and enjoyed seeing the Christmas windows, American Girl store and 900 mall. Thanks for all your help.

The trip was only 5 - 5 1/2 hrs. from the east side of Cincinnati, cutting through the middle of Indianapolis,to Chicago, so if others live in this area, I highly recommend the trip.