We are thinking of taking our teen daughters to Chicago over a weekend in Dec to see Wicked. Any suggestions on restaurants and other activities? It will be a quick trip probably just 2 nites. Will probably go to Art Museum but if anyone has any ideas of things 18 & 16 yr old girls might especially enjoy...

In December, no matter how cold, take a walk along State and view the windows in Marshal Fields. Inside you can go toward the Walnut Room and view the VERY LARGE Christmas tree. Eating there is just ok, not what it once was and the waits can be long- but don't miss the tree and windows.

This is 2 or 3 blocks from the Oriental (FORD Theatre for the Performing Arts) where Wicked is playing and you could do it easily before or after if the time suits you.

There are SO many restaurants that you might let us know what the girls like.
There are fun/loud, quiet elegant, very high end, very campy etc. And many, many would be close.

www.metromix.com for choices/reviews, distances from your lodging etc.

They are too old for American Girl, but it may give them a kick. From the theatre I just did Trattoria #10. It's in a downstairs, is quiet and has many good chick dishes. Just my read, because the girls all loved it and the guys wanted a steak. Ha-ha!

If they want pizza, tapas etc. there are so many fun choices. You can search here under Chicago pizza etc. and get a WHOLE lot of disagreement about best.

JJ5 - thanks for your suggestions. As far as food...we took them to NYC last year and they most enjoyed the Thai/Indonesian restaurant and of course pizza. We try and avoid chains, they both love pasta dishes and seafood - but we can get good seafood here in NC. Something "typical Chicago" might be good.

For viewing the Walnut Room tree (I agree that eating there probably isn't worth the wait - they don't take reservations that time of year) you can go to the 8th floor (restaurant is on the 7th) and look down over the balcony edge to the restaurant and see the tree in all its glory without being in the midst of the crowds of people waiting to get in to eat.

While there, your girls may also enjoy shopping at Old Navy and H&M, as well as Filene's basement and TJ Maxx.

Have the girls been to Chicago before? If not, a trip up the Hancock Building is always fun. You can go to the Signature Lounge and have a drink (no age restriction on entering that I'm aware of, and they sell soft drinkgs) for about the same price as the observation deck. You wouldn't have the pictures telling you what you're seeing, but it would be more relaxing.

If you want to see another show on your second night, Blue Man Group and Second City are both fun. Or, if the girls are interested in more "cultural" things, a show at one of Chicago's smaller theaters (Looking Glass, Steppenwolf, Goodman, etc.) could be a fun more "grown-up" night out.

As JJ5 mentioned, they might enjoy the American Girl Store, especially if they grew up loving them but have grown out of them. Just a walk down memory lane for them might be fun there.

Do your daughters have any particular hobbies or interests that you could explore? If they're into music, there are lots of used record stores that would be fun to check out, or used book stores or clothing stores for bibliophiles or fashionistas.

They're not into American Girl...I like the idea of the Hancock Bldg. They saw Blue Man Group last year in NYC and really enjoyed it. One is more into art than the other but both are interested in fashion and trendy boutiques - not that they'd buy anything but they like to look.

Field Museum!!

Then make a stop at the Cultural Center, right in the very same vicinity-Washington, I think- then you will get a good map and some fine ideas. The free concert is on Wed.,but you will know all the "right now" art shows through them.

Art Institute is ABSOLUTE MUST. Your whole family will like it.

And it sounds like they would like the Water Tower Place shopping. Depending on the weather you could walk or take a cab. If they like IMAX there is one in Navy Pier which is COLD in winter and I don't really suggest it.

There is a place called Golden Bowl, I think that exiled princess here suggested very near to the Loop location.

IMHO you will HAVE to do a deep dish pizza. Don't do a chain. Due's, Giordano's, L. Malinati are good.

Atwood Cafe is good, great desserts, girls would like it.

If they like fashion, they will have to walk down Michigan Ave and up into Water Tower shopping. There are so many restaurants there, on the way, or off the side streets, that it is mind boggling. Don't forget in cold weather you can walk THROUGH stores to access the other exits and side streets if you don't want to view window displays and want to warm up.

DRESS VERY VERY WARMLY if coming from a warmer climate. Scarves, gloves for sure and legs covered if at all possible.

When attending Wicked, the color to wear is GREEN.

If the weather isn't too bitterly cold and you can all stand to wander around outside, the girls might like to shop in a funkier neighborhood. You can read more about several neighborhoods here:

http://www.urbanstyle.net/neighborho...rk/default.asp

Just click on each neighborhood at the top.

Also, there was an article in the Chicago Tribune recently about shopping in Wicker Park that made me want to check it out:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/servic...ck=1&cset=true

You may have to register to view the article, but it's free to do so.

I'm sorry for the long link - I know better, but wasn't thinking!

great - this is exactly the type of insider info I was looking for...they probably would really enjoy deep dish pizza. Our goal (mine and husband) is to find somewhere to "abandon" them for a couple of hours to shop while we sit in a cozy bar and have a drink.

I think they'd like that Division street strip too, as would you (I'm not just saying this because it is two blocks from my house) but I think that it would be a lovely funky alternative to the chain stores that line Michigan Ave. And there are some lovely interesting resturants along that street I would recommend including Mas (south american), Settimana cafe (Italian), Adobo Grill (best Margaritas in the city in my opinion). The street is changing so fast though I can hardly keep up with it, who knows what it will look like in 3 months!

Mrs. Place is taking some teenage nieces to Wicked tomorrow and having lunch at the Walnut room..they do take reservations now.

Definitely let the girls wander around Magnificent Mile whilst you have a cocktail or several. Great window (or actual) shopping and people watching at Xmas time.

Sorry to be inside on that if you are not familiar...Mag. Mile is Michigan avenue North of the Chicago river.

oh, and you'll love wicked, I just saw it a month ago and had a great time.

placeu2 - Unless they've changed it recently, Walnut Room doesn't take reservations in November after the decorations are put up, through the end of December.

Vittrad - Is there a second Adobo Grill? I've been to the one on Wells several times, but that's nowhere near Wicker Park.

Leahinsc, you'll really enjoy visiting Chicago during the holiday season.

First, I TRULY recommend that you take the girls to see the Joffrey's Nutcracker Ballet. Without a doubt, one of the best holiday offerings this city has. Get the best seats you can afford (don't be in the first three rows, though).

Another choice for fine holiday fare would be the Goodman's A Christmas Carol. EXCELLENT production, every single year - still reasonable prices.

If the Vermeer Quartet is playing anywhere in the city when you are here, try to get tickets. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended.

If you come at the time the Do It Yourself Messiah is happening, the tickets are free but you have to get them in advance.

Ice skating at the McCormick rink in Millennium Park.

The Museum of Science and Industry traditionally has the Christmas Around the World exhibit.

For the restaurants, consider these:

The Drake has its annual Dickens feast (various sittings) which is heralded by a procession of costumed servers carrying a wild boar's head. Reservations are required.

Bistro 110 has a wonderful jazz brunch on Sundays and being right off Michigan Avenue is a big plus, especially when the Avenue is lit with all the fairy lights.

Grand Lux Cafe also has prime viewing of the Avenue after a day of shopping.

If you are going to the Art Institute or the Auditorium for the Joffrey Ballet, go to Russian Tea Time for dining.

Check Metromix too for additional ideas. Never know when the new Chicago "tradition" may start.

Have fun!

I like the idea of the deep dish pizza for lunch or dinner one night and definitely cruising through some interesting shops as opposed to chains. I'm not a big fan of musicals - prefer theatre - but I think the girls will enjoy Wicked. Ok, one other question - where would you suggest staying? We'd like to get a suite - just to have a bit more space and privacy for us - but we don't want to pay a fortune. My ideal would be somewhere that we could walk or take public transportation to most of what has been mentioned since we won't be renting a car.

jlm_mi - there is a second adobo grill, it opened not too long ago (I think within the past year) and it is on the corner of damen and division.

For the record, I generally don't like musicals either, and was not sure what to expect when I saw this one, and while some of the songs were certainly not to my taste in that "oh so musical way" I quite thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Thanks Vittrad! That's good to know about Adobo Grill.

Leahinsc - Pretty much any hotel in the Loop, River North or Michigan Ave. areas would be perfectly fine for you. There are quite a few suite hotels in Chicago. Here's a list to get you started. There may be others. You can check the locations of these and get other ideas here:

www.choosechicago.com/hotels_location.html

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown
Doubletree Guest Suites
Embassy Suites (Downtown & Downtown Lakefront)
Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites
Homewood Suites
Lenox Suites (hasn't gotten great reviews lately, so beware)
Omni Chicago

Another option would be to bid on priceline for 2 rooms (it's not unusual to get rooms at 4* hotels for under $100 using priceline). You can't count on a room for 4 people on priceline, but you might be able to get 2 rooms (and therefore have privacy and two bathrooms) for less than the price of a suite at another hotel, as long as you are comfortable with your girls staying in their own room. For tips of priceline bidding check out www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com.

Jlm - I did notice the 2 Embassy Suites and as I recall one seemed about $50/nite cheaper than the other for the same type of room. Which area is better?