We are planning to bring our kids (4 & 6) to Chicago from Dec 3-6. We'll have most of the day Dec 3, all day Dec 4 & 5 and the morning of Dec 6, although our plans are flexible, so if there's enough reason to fill an additional day, we can.

There are so many hotel recommendations out there that I really need help narrowing them down. So far, the Embassy Suites Lakefront is my front-runner b/c of the space and location. It's about $299 a night, which is fine if it's the right choice, but if there's something out there that's less expensive, I'd love to hear about it. Since it'll be cold and we will be dependent on public transportation, location is VERY important.

We plan to hit the kid-targeted highlights- Children's Museum, Field Museum, Science & Industry, and possibly the zoo. We live in New Orleans and we never get to play in snow, so if anyone knows of a good sledding hill or play area, I'd love the info.

As far as restaurants, we aren't looking for anything fancy, just fun, easy and reasonable.

DD and I will be hitting the American Girl Place, so any suggestions for something the boys can do at the same time would be welcome.

Thanks for all the help,
A

Chances are you'll want to try deep dish pizza -- consider Gino's East, Lou Malnatti's, Giordano's, Pizzeria Uno, and Pizzeria Due. For Italian beef sandwiches, try Al's #1 Beef or Mr. Beef. For Chicago style hot dogs, consider Portillo's (or if you have a car, Hot Doug's or Superdawg). None are fancy and all are both good and reasonably priced.

We've stayed at the Homewood Suites. I can't remember now what street it is on, but it is very close to Michigan Avenue. It was very nice, with the extra room, second TV, free breakfast, etc. (Although no hotel beats the Embassy Suites for free breakfast!) I recommend the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry for sure. Also the Shedd Aquarium, and you might want to take them up the John Hancock Building for the great views.

Can't help on the sledding area -- sorry.

With kids that age, I'd probably stick to familiar eating places, but maybe yours are more adventurous than mine were at that age. Do try the pizza and hot dogs as Bachslunch recommended. There is also a neat diner that we enjoyed -- I think the name is Ed Debevic's. Enjoy Chicago -- it's a great city!!

$299 sounds kinda steep. You might be able to get a good deal with Priceline.

As for sightseeing, your plan is pretty much on target. The Science Museum is an absolute must and can easily take up most of your day. Along with the Field, the kids will like the planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. All three are on the museum campus south of Grant Park. If it's nice out, definitely go to the Lincoln Park zoo if it's not too cold and see the ape house, which is one of the best.

Also, I haven't been there yet, but they just opened the Ledge at the top of the Sears Tower, where you can look straight down.

You can't use Priceline for 4 since they only guarantee the room will sleep two. If your kids will share a bed, then you can use Hotwire. Hotwire is often very "productive" for Chicago, although I don't know if that's true in December.

The only thing I can suggest for you on the hotel at this time is to keep watching the TravelZoo website for specials. They usually update these every Tuesday. Even though it might not be a suite, you might be able to get 2 rooms at a discounted rate.

However, if I might make a suggestion: The Belden-Stratford is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Very, very close to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Lincoln Park (the park). From time to time, they have special deals on their accommodations. You might want to check their website about your planned dates. This would be about 10-15 minutes north of the top of the Magnificent Mile, easily accessible by the #151 CTA bus route. I am suggesting this location because most of the following museum and entertainment suggestions are located in Lincoln Park. www.beldenstratfordhotel.com

No guarantee that we will have snow here at that time, but certainly possible. There is a sledding hill at Northerly Island (near Soldier Field and the Museum Campus), but (of course) it is dependent on the weather conditions. You could take the kids to the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park. Free admission but you have to pay for skate rental.

The Lincoln Park Zoo: Pretty nippy to visit the animals in the outside enclosures but there are buildings as well. However, if you are going, do go to the ZooLights Festival. Only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings when you are here (5-9 p.m.). www.lpzoo.com/eve_front.php

In addition, there is usually the Lincoln Park Conservatory's Winter Flower and Train Show (starts Dec. 6, though). The Conservatory closes at 5 p.m., so it is a natural tie-in with visiting the ZooLights Festival. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/i...4fb4af95b1.cfm

Also, in the immediate area is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - and, IMHO, your kids are exactly the right age for this museum. See: www.naturemuseum.org

Evening Entertainment: The Emerald City Theatre Group specializes in theatre for younger children. They will be performing the "A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas" Nov. 14-Jan. 2. See emeraldcitytheatre.com for information and ticket prices.

I hope you don't mind my mentioning these options for the benefit of others (because this show is recommended for children ages 8+), at the historic (and recently renovated) Victory Garden Biograph Theatre Hans Christian Anderson's "The Snow Queen" will again be performed Nov. 27-Dec. 27. See www.snowqueenmusical.com for details.

Currently playing at the Royal George Theatre is (well-reviewed) Chicago Children Theatre's "The Hundred Dresses" extended until November 8. The second installment of "The Red Kite Project" will be playing in January. See www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org for more information.

All of these theatres are located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The first is in the Apollo Theatre at 2540 N. Lincoln. The Biograph is also on N. Lincoln (2433 N. Lincoln). The Royal George is on N. Halsted, near North Avenue.

Oh, BTW, if you do decide to stay at the Belden-Stratford: To get to the Museum Campus - you take the #151 SB to N. Michigan Avenue and transfer to the #146 SB. To get to the Museum of Science & Industry, you take the #151 SB to N. Michigan Avenue (after Chicago Avenue) and pick up the #10 SB. To get to the Art Institute or Millennium Park, take the #151 SB to N. Michigan Avenue and transfer to the #145 SB. To get to Navy Pier, take the #151 SB to Chicago Avenue and transfer to the #66 WB.

Get CTA Visitor passes for yourself and your husband. Your kids ride free on CTA busses, so no passes needed.

Have Fun!

As a clarification to others, the comment about the children riding free on CTA is because of their ages. For any visitors with children, check the CTA website for age restrictions on that issue.

Nike Town is an idea. There is also ESPN Zone. Go see the windows at Macy's on State St.. The holiday displays aren't as good as in the days of Marshall Fields but is still worth a trip to the loop. There is a free trolley that runs between Navy Pier, the loop, and Michigan Ave.. I second the rec for ice skating and deep dish pizza. I don't care for Geno's crust because it includes corn meal but Malnati's, Giordano's, and Uno are all good. The Hershey's store on Michigan Ave is memorable for a fun and delicious stop.

As someone who used to volunteer at the Shedd Aquarium-it has to be on the top of your list. Did you know it is considered the number tourist attraction in Chicago? Allow a half day to visit and time it with the dolphin show and feeding in the coral reef too.

There are two areas to eat at the Shedd-upstairs at the Marriott restaurant with views of the skyline and Lake Michigan that are unbelievable. Prices are about $6.95 for sandwich/chips upwards to around $9 for an entree. OR the food court downstairs with the same view which has things like pizza,hot dogs,etc.
Have you looked at the Allerton/Holiday INN or Lenox Suites? $299 a night seems really high even for that time of the year to me. We usually get the Allerton for around $125.

Dec 3rd is still pretty early for heavy snow for us up here so I don't think that you will find a sledding hill but skating at the park would be fun but very cold.
Have a wonderful time here in Chicago-it really is a fantastic city with lots of interesting places to visit. The people are friendly and helpful and the city itself is very clean!

Actually, I like Gino's East's cornmeal infused crust, but to each their own.

I too enjoyed the Shedd Aquarium, but I was advised here to get there when it opens as the admission line can get long. Heeded this advice, and had no problems.

Thanks for the recs. We booked Homewood Suites, based mainly on location, for $189 a night. Here's a rough draft of our itinerary- COMMENTS WELCOME!

Thurs- arrive Union Station at 9
check into hotel, then lunch at Ed D's
Art Institute or Millenium Park or Christkindlmarket
American Girl holiday party

Fri- Museum of Sci & Ind in am
Navy Pier/Children's Museum in pm
dinner at Frontera Grill

Sat- Field Museum in am
Shedd/Planetarium in pm

Sun- dim sum in chinatown in am
Notebaert Nature Museum in pm
Zoolights in evening

Mon- home

shoegal, you're coming in on the City of New Orleans? I wouldn't plan too much for that morning - maybe even into the early afternoon - just in case of Amtrak delays.

I think you are just a tiny bit too ambitious in your plans, especially with a 6 and 4-year old in tow.

Instead of Ed Debevic's, would you have any interest in going to the Walnut Room at Macy's? Being on a Thursday, there shouldn't be the *huge, huge* lines. The Great Tree is in the Walnut Room, but if the lines are too long for your little ones, you could always just go up to the tree viewing area.

Unless you have specific reasons for planning times as shown, I'd also make the following adjustments:

Go to the Shedd Aquarium first. This is the busiest of the three at the Museum Campus, so go first - and get there as soon as it opens. Then the Field. Leave the Adler Planetarium for the last. You might not want to go to it after two other museums.

Museum of Science & Industry - plan most of the day (probably 3/4 - maybe even the full day) - get there as soon as it opens. Go to the coal mine first and then any special exhibits - then any Omnimax movies. You'll avoid the worst of the crowds. If you are boarding the U505 (and I highly recommend this), get those tickets as early as possible, as they sell out often.

You'll probably want to go to the "Christmas Around the World" and "Holidays of Light" events when at the MSI.

You might want to switch your Friday schedule with Saturday's. Why? There is normally free entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays at the MSI in conjunction with those two aforementioned events - ethnic concerts, folk dances and the like. I don't see a schedule yet for this year. You might wish to keep checking to see if the entertainment might make you wish to change your plans.

If so, you'll have bigger crowds on Saturday, but just get your tickets beforehand (see if your concierge can get supply - or do so online).

You can go to Navy Pier/Children's Museum in the late(r) p.m. The Children's Museum is only open until 5:00 p.m. every day, except on Thursdays when it's open until 8 p.m.

BTW, I mentioned Macy's...The Great Tree is 45' tall and usually has well over 1,000 ornaments and 25,000+ lights. The ornaments are of a certain theme each time and tie-in with the animated Macy's holiday windows.

Macy's is 2 blocks west of Millennium Park, 1 block east of the Christkindlmarket and 3 blocks northwest of the Art Institute.

I hope it's not to late for my post, however I have a hotel suggestion for you that is close to everything and within walking distance for most sites, restaurants, shopping, etc. The Avenue Hotel Chicago. You can get great rates on line and they have kid friendly rooms that can keep them entertained while in the room, you might want to check it out. Good Luck.

shoegal,

I admire your passion but also think you are biting off more than can be chewed. For those ages, I would put the Shedd #1, Field #2, Science and Industry #3 and skip the Planetarium (and probably the Art Institute, too). The Children's Museum will be great. Check into what is playing at the Imax theater. Leave time for waling around looking at lights. Maybe take a carraige ride by the Water Tower. If there is a nice night, the Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo is a great way to spend 90-120 minutes.

Have fun,

Kevin

Agree with skipping the Art Institute with little kids. Some things not to miss if you go to the MSI: Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle, the big train set, the full-size jet hanging off the edge of the balcony over the train set, the chicken egg hatchery. I'm not sure kids that little would enjoy the coal mine, especially if they frighten easily. It's dark and noisy down there. Also agree with the Walnut Room vs. Ed DeBevic's for little kids. The tree is spectacular, and you will want to look at the windows down on the street level also. Ed Debevic's is a bit of a hike from Michigan Ave. Be prepared for CROWDS on any weekend in December.

I too think that you have to much planned in a short time considering the ages of your children.
Walnut room versus Ed's-definitely the Walnut Room even if it is Macy's now.
Shedd,then the Field for sure but the Planetarium and Art Institute maybe?-your kids ages are not really compatible with the latter if you are on a time crunch.
Your schedule would be difficult for even seasoned adults to adher to. Any chance you can add an extra day or two on your vacation?

I live downtown and often host my young nieces and nephews and they adore Ed's. Rainforest Cafe is a big hit, too. The Art Institute bores them to tears. Garrett's Popcorn is a must, several locations, the one the just re-opened on Michigan Ave is always crowded, and the other locales are less crowded. I took my 11 year old niece to the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) ledge - it might scare a little one. Walnut Room lines are usually enormous anytime, and food just okay. Rainforest Cafe is a ball for kids, but the food is BAD. I also adore Frontera Grill, but kids might not. Italian Village is always a hit - very romantic atmosphere, good prices, and very kid and adult friendly food.
Christkindlmarket is okay, but if you miss it, no big deal.

I live in this area, by Millenium Park - I love it here, especially at Xmas and in the summer. Don't forget Garretts Popcorn!!!!!

This may be too late, but the Marriott Residence Inn / Springhill Suites River North is great. Brand new and very family friendly. Rates are fair for what you get.....even have 2 bedroom suites. Breakfast is included. Easy location for visiting everything