Chicago or NYC?
 

Hello from NC: I've been very frustrated while planning a short trip to NYC in late July. Hotel prices are outrageous and security issues bother us.

My 9 yr. old daughter's dream is to visit The American Girl Place. There's one in NYC and one in Chicago. I've never travelled Chicago or that part of the country, so now I'm wondering if we should switch and go to Chicago instead.

Another issue for us, however, is making a road trip from NC or flying. We have a 15 mo. old son who has never flown and the thought of flying to Chicago and getting through security, etc. with him wailing the whole time or squirming to get down or out is not a pleasant one.

Any suggestions? Any knowledge out there about The American Girl Place, hotels nearby, or nearby suburban areas for a commute in and out of downtown? Thanks!!

According to the American Girl website the store is located in a nice area in downtown Chicago. There are lots of hotels in the area and many things families with kids can enjoy. Chicago is a great place to visit! The website for The American girl website is: http://www.americangirlplace.com/agp_chi_splash.php. I would suggest you check something like Expedia and put in the address of the store and see what is close that meets your price needs etc. I have stayed at the Embassy Suites downtown when with kids. Nice to have a little privacy and the breakfast buffet is convenient.

My daughter is just about past the American Girl stage, but I have been to the Chicago store a few times (we live in the area).

One tip: wherever you decide to go, check with the store to see if you need reservations in advance for the brunch or show. These can fill up -- sometimes weeks in advance, and especially on weekends and in the summer.

If you decide to go to Chicago, there are a number of hotels in the area. The store is on Chicago Ave, near Michigan Ave. That is right near Watertower Place, the Hancock Building and tons of great shopping. The aforementioned Embassy Suites (the one at 600 N. State; not the one on Columbus) is a few blocks away. There also is a Westin a few blocks north and a Marriott a few blocks south. If you do an Expedia search, you will find a number of others.

Have fun, and take lots of $$ for the store. I've never been able to make it out of there without spending a fortune.

Why do you have security issues with NYC?

I love both cities.

Driving would take so long it would take me nuts.

In all honesty, any issues you may have with NYC you will also encounter with Chicago.

I'm biased being from Chicago but we had the original American Girl store which is right off Michigan AVe. near watertower. Part of the expense of NYC may be that the Republican convention is there not to long after late July. In Chicago you may run into Air and Water Show time as it is in late July. Go on Priceline or expedia and try to get a good price-don't commute from a suburb, try to get a Michigan Ave or River North hotel for the best location-Navy Pier has a kids museum that your son may love. You may also want to try for a flight into Midway which is slightly less hectic than O'Hare.

Just great, Chicago had the original American Girl store. Guess now NY has to take over the Second City nickname. Just when I was getting used to Media Capital of the World.

Anyway, this will probably be one of the worst summer's to visit NY. I mean that in all seriousness. With the Republican convention at the end of August, the city will be gearing up for major demonstrations, an influx of VIP and something we don't have much of here - right-wing, bible touting bron-again Christians. Security preparations for that are going to be potentially disruptive for a good portion of the summer, which a likely traffic mess everyday.

Also, if this spring is any indication, NY has been getting a ton of visitors. (School groups particularly. I imagine the rise of the Euro has something to dow with it.) NY can be extremely hot in the summer. I would imagine a 15 month old in a hot, crowded city won't be much fun.

Definately come visit NY. But, this year might not show NY at its best.

Yes, I can spell. I just can't type.

What exactly is the air and water show? Local/regional thing or major event?

Considering that NYC ranked with DC as highest on the list of potential target sites and there are two political conventions this summer AND I've never travelled in NYC AND I'd be bringing along two small children, well.......I think it may just be too much stress to actually be a vacation. Perhaps later in the fall or early next spring.

Ryan, hope those right-wing, Bible-toting, born again Christians don't cause too much of a stir in NYC this August. :)

independenc, the reason they are the highest ranked is because they've already been hit.

They also have tighter security than any other cities in the nation.

Wow, sounds like Ryan has had a tense Spring-we'll be in NYC this August and I sure hope I don't run into any of those scary Bible toting Republicans! Here I thought I had to be afraid of Al Quida!

Seriously, the Air and Water show is a weekend long "festival" (for lack of a better word) which is precisely that, the Blue angels perform as do other air groups and the lakefront is turned into an in water boat show. It's fun to see but can be very crowded, especially near the lake. I just checked and it's August 21-22 this year. Disney is also doing a promotion with 6 ft. Mickey statutes around the city for a few months this summer. Your kids might enjoy that. Here's a like to Chicago summer festivities.
http://www.suntimes.com/special_sect...er/august.html

Come visit us in Chicago. Saturday, July 31st, is Venetian Night and there is a fun boat show in Grant Park followed by fireworks. Also the grantparkmusicfestival.com is free and has a wonderful outdoor concert on both Friday and Saturday nights. Check out Metromix.com for all the scheduled events.

It was a joke. I personally have nothing against right wing, bible toting, born again Christians. I'm sure those of us from NY will be happy to have them here. Except of course those of us who are Republicans that resent how they've corrupted our parties traditional ideology.

I too was joking Ryan-I love NYC (even have the T shirt to profess it I'm embarassed to admit!)

If you decide to go to NYC, Doubletree Suites in Times Square has an American Girl special on thier website. You get a suite (of course) and your daughter will get an American Girl sleepover package. I booked my room in July for $200/nt. Have fun wherever you decide to go.

Well, the Doubletree deal sounds interesting. Anyone remember the movie "The World According to Garp?" with Robin Williams. They're house-hunting and see a plane crash into the side of a house. Williams tells the Realtor "We'll take it." His wife looks at him like he's nuts and he says that now that this has happened, the house should be safe, it's number has already come up and gone. I've thought about that with NYC. Sure hope it's true.

I love NY. My husband and I visit there quite often. But I would choose Chicago if I were traveling with 2 small kids. NY is stressful enough without bringing children into the equation. Chicago is great and I'd say a little calmer. There's lots to do and it's great by the lake in the summertime.

I just returned from NYC and loved it. But it was very crowded and we remarked about how difficult it would be to get around pushing a stroller or a wheelchair.
The American Girl Place in Chicago is great. It's right by the Ralph Lauren Store, which you need to go into just to see the incredible woodwork. I think we stayed at a Doubletree or an Embassy Suite that was very near the American Girl Place.