Thinking of flying into Chicago on the 20th of December (Saturday) and leaving the 23rd. Is this an EXPENSIVE time for hotels in the Michigan Avenue area and is there any holiday activities that people would consider a must-see with two teen daughters and husband. Thought about doing Priceline vacation package for 4 or 3 star hotel and flight from Omaha.

Thanks for any help!

I doubt that this is an expensive time for Hotels in that area (I live in the suburbs). Most of those Hotels thrive on business travelers and that week is not for business. The lights of Michigan Ave and the windows of State Street are musts! Expect big crowds...but that is half the fun. Breakfast at Marshall Fields is wildly popular but way over-rated IMHO. If you must go, do it very early.

Most of my trips to Chicago have been at x-mas, and I never perceived that the prices were out of line then.

Definately see the Marshall Fields window displays.

I have no idea what the weather is like in Omaha, but I found out what cold weather really was on my first trip to Chicago in Dec. (from SC) It's such a beautiful time to walk around the city but my first stop was to buy a fur hat. My feet were blocks of ice the whole trip. In Dec. it's the Wind(chill)y city!

Sounds good, does anyone know of any shows that run over Christmas or other activities other than shopping and seeing the lights that would be fun to do?

Even if you don't do the flight package, check Priceline for hotels. I often see people getting good deals on Chicago hotels when there aren't conventions in town.

There are several good websites that address seasonal happenings in Chicago so be sure to check them out before you leave

www.877chicago.com
www.metromix.com
www.chicago.il.org

If you are over on State Street checking out the Marshall Field's windows, there are several other good stops in the vicinity. A couple of blocks away at Daley Plaza is the Christkindlmarket, a cute little German market they set up for Christmas.

You can also stop by Garrett's at 26 E. Randolph Street. Same stuff as the store on Michigan Avenue and usually shorter lines. I'm not a mixer of flavors but I hear the cheese and caramel together is pretty good.

And if you have a chance, stop by the Cultural Center at Michigan and Randolph. The building is beautiful inside (ask them where the Tiffany glass ceiling is) and there is a tourism office there. There are guided tours of the Cultural Center Wed, Fri and Sat at 1:15.

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/Cult.../tourinfo.html

If you are up on Michigan Avenue shopping and need a break, stop by the Terra Museum of American Art at 664 N. Michigan. It was free the last time I went, with a suggested donation of $5.

All of the large hotels have holiday teas, the Drake is the best known.

The Museum of Science and Industry has a Christmas around the World display with decorated trees starting in late Nov.

The Goodman does "A Christmas Carol" every year, I think the Joffrey Ballet does "The Nutcracker". You will also find the long running "Blue Man Group" might satisfy the entire bunch. Second City might be too old for the teens, you could always check with the theater.

Even if you don't have tea at the Drake, it is worth a stop just to check out the women's restroom. It's fabulous. They also have a gorgeous Christmas tree, and at least a couple of years ago had a candyland village with chocolate streets (my idea of wonderful) in the lobby.

I live here and love Chicago at Christmas time. The city looks beautiful and the weather won't be any worse than Omaha. There are alot of theater productions going on now along with holiday productions so try Broadwayinchicago.com for a full schedule.

Carolyn, is it possibel to eat chocolate streets? We are going to be there in December as well and my partner is addicted to chocolate. There is Godiva store near Michigan Av, right?

There's a Godiva at 835 N. Michigan but also check out this article for your chocoholic friend

http://wgntv.trb.com/news/local/even...evening-news-1

And for bathrooms, I understand the view from the women's bathroom in the Hancock (I think it is the lounge, not the observatory) is supposed to be grand.

I guess those chocolate streets get a little dusty, but the crew setting up the village did let my little grandson lick a spoon they were using.

Does your chocoholic friend know about Leonidas Belgian chocs? They have a shop in Chicago, too. Highly recommend!

Just a couple of other thoughts - the Tremont and Whitehall hotels are small, boutique type places just off Michigan ave that have all the charm, tea, etc you'd expect. They also have great prices for suites during that time period. Try HotTix for the Goodman's Christmas Carol if possible, see the windows, take a carriage ride - if you have time.....the Brookfield Zoo (right on the Burlington Northern train line from downtown) has an incredible show called Holiday Magic with zillions of white lights, decorated trees, etc. You could also do dessert at the Tree in Fields - go out to Navy Pier and walk around or go to the Museum of Science and Industry and see their display of Christmas Around the World.

If you are their on Sunday, go to the brunch at the Four Seasons. It is outstanding!! We take our family ever year in Dec. Very elegant.....

Hi! I topped an old thread (something about safe travel in winter to Chicago) that I posted to ages ago. It's still pretty accurate and has a number of terrific responses regarding Christmastime stuff to do in Chicago. IMVHO, Chicago's best time of the year is around Christmas.

p.s. For chocolate addicts, one of my favorite shops is Moonstruck Chocolate at 320 North Michigan Avenue.