Help! First time visitor to Chicago this week staying at the Hyatt on Wacker and plan on visiting the museums, shedd, etc.

Can a family of seven (I think for considered adults) commute on the El reasonably, or should I consider driving to the museums and parking there?

Does anyone know if all of the rooms at the Hyatt have been remodeled or should I request a specific tower/floor?

Eating, Pizza Due any other family locations near the hotel that we can expect to enjoy the Chicago experience (and have my wallet live to tell the tale)?

Thanks!

Of course seven people can take the El, but it doesn't go to the museum campus. See
http://www.choosechicago.com/TROLLEY_FRAME.HTM
for the free trolley that does go there. You can walk to the Art Institute and much of the Loop and to Michigan Avenue south of about Ontario Street.

Corner Bakeries are all over and have a nice assortment of quick food. My favorite place with kids is the Oak Tree in the 900 North Michigan center. Berghoff's Restaurant in the Loop is an old-fashioned German place with great beers, of course, and a children's menu that is better than most. There are a lot of good Thai places in Chicago, which are alomost all very reasonably priced. Pizzeria Uno and Due's can be very crowded - I would call ahead with such a large group. See metromix.com for restaurant reviews.

Thanks Patg,

I thought I read that the free trolley service stopped after Labor Day.

Also, with the El (or bus) with 2 kids considered adults the cost per ride for my family would be $6.75 or $13.50 for the round trip, I was thinking perhaps I could drive an park for that cost...

What do you all think?

I mean if parking were like $14 or less I might want to drive, but could I expect to find easy parking near the sites at that rate? Also, would it take an exesssive amount of time to travel the 2 miles or so to the sites?

Thanks again.

Driving around downtown Chicago will just be an exercise in frustration. Walk and take the El and bus. THe Hyatt's location is great for walking to the Loop and N. Michigan. The Chicago Transit Authority's website can plot out transit routes to any of the museums.

The CTA sells visitor passes that include unlimited rides on the El and buses:

1-Day Visitor Pass for $5.00
2-Day Visitor Pass for $9.00
3-Day Visitor Pass for $12.00
5-Day Visitor Pass for $18.00

The transportation system is a breeze to navigate. Buses for the Science Museum and for the Shedd/Field are well marked and easy to catch on N. Michigan.

Are you factoring in all the costs (let alone the aggravation) involved in driving in downtown Chicago? Hotel parking fee, valet tips, garage fees

The daily free trolley service stopped on Labor Day, but the weekend service is continuing.

Parking at the Field is $6-12, depending on how remote your space is.

Getting to the Field and Shedd early makes a big difference in how much time you will spend waiting in lines. Also, have you checked out CityPass? You can get a link through the site at
fieldmuseum.org

Thanks for all the feedback. What is the customary valet tip?

I know taking the El/bus at $9 for a two day pass sets the family back $36 for the four adults plus .75 per ride for the kids (about $45 total for two days). My wife is a little intimidated by mass transit (safety, hours, etc.). How long would it take at 8:15 to drive from the Hyatt to MSI?

Thanks again.