Hi,

Weh ave a timeshare for the week;
FOX RIVER RESORT
2558 N. 3653 Road
Sheridan, Illinois 60551
We plan on spending some time in that area, but are planning on most of the time in Chicago. Kids are 14, girl, and 11, boy. We were going to try the Architecture River tour, but it is not running when we're there. Anyone have any can't miss sites? We like aquariums and are planning on that, along with the Sears Tower, and probably a tour, to get the historic flavor. TIA.

That is a small town out by Plano, about 90 minutes or two hours drive from the city. You may want to get a hotel room in downtown Chicago for one night because of the long commute.

While the Architecture Foundation's boat tour won't be running, check out their site, www.architecture.org for other sites. With kids that age, you may just want to get a guidebook and tour on your own. Be sure to visit the at least one of the famous museums: Art Institute, Field, Adler Planetarium or Shedd Aquarium. Millennium Park is next door to the Art Institute, and the Cultural Center is nearby. The last has free exhibits and concerts. See www.chosechicago.com for lots of information

Absolutely hit the Shedd. This week Laura Bush and lots of other dignitaries awarded the Shedd with one of 3 big awards and $$$ grant to go with them it. Competition was fierce, so you know what programs for interaction they had to have to get this.

They have innovative programs with lots more than just the usual aquarium stuff. Kids will love it.

Maybe with a whole week you can plan a trip to Mus. of Sci. & Industry in Hyde Park. Right on the lake, and filled with interactive kids' stuff, coal mine, German U-2 submarine from WWII and so much more, lots of it farm and biologic. It's doable and the kids would LOVE it. It's not the right time of year but even so the Botanical Gardens in Glencoe are magnificent as is the Bai'Hai Temple.

There are numerous Chicago threads on these boards to give you some more ideas. Use the search function and put in Chicago kids. If you have time yet before your visit, get Wicked tickets for sure, as your daughter will never forget the vacation overall with that added. My Granddaughter didn't. The boy will like it almost as well. All seats are ok, no need to get the top $$$ there at all, Oriental Theatre for the Performing Arts- tickets through Ticketmaster.com.

ESPN Zone, others with trendy clothes nearer to you, and lots of walking or el tours are available. SAME: Chicago Arch. Foundation as the river tour.

Give yourself time to check out Millenium Park and just walking downtown from the Art Institute to the River- slowly. Also I think the Harold Washington Library and riding to the top on the escalators all marble etc. is great with kids. Nice place on top.

Shedd has Soundings for a lunch that is mid $$$ and white tablecloth nice.

Tons of restaurants, and the kids would love a pizza or Chicago hot dog.
Lots of restaurant tips here and on www.metromix.com

Art Institute is a must. Even if some DO not like the art thing (and I have them too)they can just "suffer". This is the best Impressionalist section in the world, IMHO, and also plethora of good Renaissance and just after.

Buddy Guy's is closing in just 5 more months after years and years. That might be an option for you and spouse.

Being where you are, you'll need lots of commute time, but do all you can.

Since it is Easter week, a consideration for you if you are wanting a spectacular church experience would be to attend one of the many services held at mega-church, Willow Creek Community Church. We attended there for years before moving out of state and they usually have a 5 star production for Good Friday and Easter. The church is located in Barrington, IL, but worth any distance to travel.

First, let me re-emphasize patg's original post by reminding you that your timeshare is located a good two hour commute (each way) from the city. I second her recommendation that you look into getting a hotel downtown for at least one night which would give you the better part of two days to explore the city. I'd also suggest not driving into the city to save yourself the frustration and the downtown parking costs. Rather, drive to either Aurora or Joliet (A little help would be appreciated here from other fodorites as to which location would be better in terms of overnight parking, etc.) and take the train in. See the following Metra link for your rail options: http://metrarail.com/System_map/index.html

Okay, that's the bad news.... Now for the good! Starved Rock State Park is a treasure and is located just south of I 80 near Utica. http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/ Also, the following link to the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway will give you information on many other towns you may wish to explore while you're in the area. Enjoy your time in IL!

Oops..... here's the link: http://www.lincolnhwyil.com/ (Proofread kids, proofread!)

Yes, you are a LOOONNG way to Chicago. I don't think after you do the drive once and back- that you'll redo it.

The Metra from Joliet IL goes right through my town and if you took it from the Joliet Station to LaSalle Street Station downtown- just that segment of the trip will take you well over an hour.

Check Joliet Metra Rock Island line schedule on google- if you are interested. That way you would not have to park the car ($$$) downtown- nor would you be driving into the most congested areas. But even so, you will have half your day in the journey.

Thanks everyone! We are staying in Chicago on Fiday the 6th ( Have my wife's company tickets to the Bull-Nets Game)....are planning on Saturday there, then to the timeshare. We are planning either 1 or 2 other nights in the city ( what do they refer to Chicago as? NY we just refer to it as The City) Then we're pretty much open, I know 2 hours seems like a lot, but I'm sure we'll do it a few times.....The things outside the city sound great also........am looking into the train as I write this, thanks again!

I like the John Hancock Building better than the Sears Tower. I think the view and the location is better.

tjw61, my town is down the line between Joliet and Chicago on the Metra Rock Island Joliet to LasSalle St run. I take the train into LaSalle St. Station about 10 times a year.

If you left very early in the morning to take the express commute trains that skip the 10 closest "in" city stops and then go directly to LaSalle St. Station- you may make it a lot faster. Same with 4:30 to 6:00 pm returns- there ARE express trains. One great thing about this line, and they are fairly frequent, as well.

You can leave your car at my station in Tinley Park for $1 a day parking, if you'd rather drive further down I-80 and take the train from Tinley, instead. This could be much faster and pronto you are minus the car and much less the commute time. HUGE, huge parking facilities- and there is always room. Not true for anywhere else on this particular line. Also do not be confused and take the other r.r. Metra lines. You want the former Rock Island. All the other Metra that go to Union Station are not frequent and timely from where you are.

You could also easily drive all the way and park downtown. But it will cost you in parking. And also many don't relish the driving logistics.

Thanks to everyone.....I was trying to figure out the trains to see if we could use them to get to Chicago, so thanks to all that posted about it, I think it's the way we're going to go.....My wife also has a relative in Rockport we plan on visiting. We are looking for a hotel in town for Friday to Saturday night. We are planning on the Bulls game and then staying until late Saturday before we head to Sheridan. Big site seeing day on Saturday, can anyone suggest a hotel, near things and not too expensive, say $200 or less, we could look into? Thanks to all that responded, I love this place!

tjw, trust me, you do the commute once and you will not do it again. Four hours on the train in one day is a bear. With kids it will be worse.

I just did almost three due to snow commuting from ORD to downtown and back and it about put me over the edge.

Can you skip a couple nights at your timeshare?

Hotwire has fantastic deals and the money you spend would be so worth the time you save.

Definitely stay downtown or near Michigan Avenue. The area near the river and Michigan is walking distance to many sights. Expedia.com has a feature that maps hotels.

You should check out Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Hotel 71 in that area. However, hotel prices fluctuate wildly depending on the date, so make a reservation that can be cancelled, and continue to bargain hunt until you leave.

Segway tours of the lakefront will be running. They are quite expensive compared to walking tours, but nothing keeps an 11 year old boy as interested as a new machine.

For river tours and boat rides, see:
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/boat_tours.htm

You may want to spend one day near, but not in Chicago. Oak Park is a lovely suburb with many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, and it is a short trip to Brookfield Zoo for a pleasant afternoon. Brookfield is a step up from most zoos, with pioneering naturalistic habitats for their apes and other animals.

Starved Rock is a great suggestion. The trails are just difficult enough, and the scenery and history are captivating. There is an old fashioned lodge for dinner, and a new waterpark just opened in the area outside the park.

Sorry I haven't been as active recently, (life getting in the way I guess!) but I wanted to thank everyone involved, we had a great vacation, did most of the touristy things in Chicago, then did the Brookfield Zoo, Starved Rock and various others, thanks for all the suggestions.