Chicago-Family Reunion Ideas
 

We are a large family spread out all over the U.S. One of my sisters will be turning
50 and we have decided to meet in Chicago for a weekend celebration. Only half of
us have been to Chicago previously. We want to have fun, see a lot and eat well,
without breaking the bank. I would appreciate suggestions for a centrally-located
hotel, restaurant suggestions and sightseeing. Thank you in advance.

It seems best to stay downtown in a central location, ie on or around Michigan Ave. Go with a restaurant that can easily handle large parties. I've organized parties at Quartino's downtown and they do a great job. I am sure you'll get a lot more ideas here.

How many people exactly, and what are their ages (i.e., any small children? teenagers?)? What is your actual budget for restaurants and hotel? That will help people make better recommendations. I would also suggest searching for posts and trip reports on Chicago - there is a LOT of information on these boards about the city, and though you'll get good suggestions on your thread, you'll find even more possibilities there.

When you read this response, you'll think that I'm being negative when I'm only trying to assist you in this venture. IMHO, you're going to have some real challenges ahead of you in your planning.

Although you can look at the past threads on the subject of visiting Chicago, please remember the advice on them are for much smaller parties. Unless that big party is separating into small groups (less than 5-6 individuals) and going their separate ways thoroughout the course of the weekend, you'll have to make prior *timed* arrangements wherever you go - and that includes restaurants, museums, attractions (i.e., Lincoln Park Zoo), tours (walking or not), etc. You won't be able to just show up.

Hotels: Suggest that you check first what conventions will be happening when you are planning to visit. Otherwise, you will be paying a hefty amount for your hotel rooms.

Dining: Gina817 hit it right on the head when she indicated that you need to only look at restaurants which are equipped for a party that large. Be prepared: You're going to be paying an automatic 17-20% gratuity - and perhaps even an event planning fee - on your restaurant bill and will probably have to book a private or party room.

Transportation: How are you going to transport that large of a party around Chicago to the various sites you plan on visiting? Are you going to be chartering a private bus? Hiring a fleet of cabs to get to each attraction? Trying to get 50 people somewhere on the same mode of public transporation (i.e., busses and 'L') will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, depending on the time of day.

Of course, if you are coming at the time of a large city festival, absorbing 50 more people into the *huge* crowds (often a million or more souls) is not the issue - but keeping track of all of them will be.

On a happier note, depending on your party (ages, etc.), you could consider a group tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation or Bobby's Bike Hike. See caf.architecture.org/Page.aspx?pid=613 and www.bobbysbikehike.com for details.

You'll need to look at the websites of the various museums to see what group tours are available through them as well. Some of the museums may have docents or volunteers as guides and maybe extended hours on certain dates which might be helpful in your planning to avoid the busiest times.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront and thought it would be a great place for a family reunion. At the time they offered a free buffet breakfast and a very nice happy hour with an appetizer buffet. It would be a good place for a group to gather.

The other thought is to get a hotel that has a party room where your family can gather. We have done that for weddings when the entire group is staying at one hotel. I do think it is nice to have one room where everyone can gather, where you can leave notes for each other, let family members know what is going on. A table with a place to leave notes, reservation info etc.

There is a lot to do. I know one wedding group hired a tour bus to take their family and friends on a city tour.

Yes, there is a lot to do in Chicago. But, as I have mentioned previously, the issue is the size of the group. Activities which are very easily accomplished with a couple or smallish group (4-6 individuals) really won't be viable with such a large one.

For example, even the simplest things are difficult (if not impossible) to accomplish in such a quantity. 50 people showing up at one bus stop at one time - let alone trying to board the same bus? A group of 50 together walking (not in a tour group) on any sidewalk or on Lakefront Path? 50 people descending on a restaurant at one time without reservations. Nope.

If they were looking to have a picnic or other gathering at one of the parks, they have to reserve the space in advance with the Chicago Park District. There is an application for the special event permit on their website; and it spells out their fees for the various spaces and insurance requirements.

As I mentioned before, if they are going to a museum or an attraction, the OP needs to get in contact with it to set up arrangements with the same. In fact, if you look at every major attraction's website, you'll see the hyperlink or area where someone with a group can handle the necessary arrangements. This is not a bad thing - as, at museums, there are usually discounted tickets for larger groups, not to mention special guided and behind-the-scenes programs, etc. NOTE: All of the group will have to be there at the reserved time and it is possible that a group of 50 will have to be separated into smaller groups.

And for some things, such as having reservations for a rooftop club around Wrigley Field, you need to actually present the names of all those attending a specified amount of time before the event, in addition to paying a specified percentage to the cost ahead of time to reserve.

It appears that the OP is on what might be a rather limited budget. Therefore, I didn't mention getting a block of theatre tickets, as decent seats will run into quite some money. And, unless they were able to get them as soon as the tickets are on sale to the public, it would be extremely unlikely that the OP could get 50 tickets together at any sizable venue unless they were located in the least desirable sections or the show wasn't doing too well. That's not to say that they couldn't get smaller blocks of seats - if it's not outside their budget.

Inasfar as activities and dining, unless the OP wants to plan this to the nth degree, IMHO, they might consider breaking up the group into smaller ones. Please keep in mind that the automatic gratuity I mentioned above for restaurants usually applies to groups of 6 or more.

Chicago is known for its world class architecture. Try an architectural walking tour of Chicago's loop. The very best company for this is Inside Chicago Walking Tours. Website: www.insidechicagowalkingtours.com It's reasonably priced and can accommodate large groups. Talk with the owner. Her phone number is 312-799-0164.

We have had family get togethers in Chicago and New York as well as more outdoor/ nature locations such as beaches and mountain resorts. Cities are wonderful places to share with family members but they cost a lot more. They are fantastic but if on a budget keep in mind that every night in a hotel and every single meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner is going to cost much more.