High School Band Trip to Chicago
 

My family took a vacation to Chicago this past summer and really enjoyed it.

Now we are going to be going back to Chicago with their High School Band over the Easter Holidays (April 5-8)

Any suggestions for a group of about 40? We will be going to Navy Pier, riding the Seadogs, going to the Museum of Industry and Technology.

We will be traveling to Chicago on Amtrak and then have a tour bus meet us at the station and stay with us to take us where ever we want to go.

Thanks

Try the Youth Hostel
http://hiayh.org

Each room has 6 beds, with no bed sharing. Larger bathrooms mean less waiting for others. Perfect for youth groups.

We will be staying in a hotel. I am looking for some lower cost entertainment ideas.

I thought they would like Blue Man Group, but those tickets look a little expensive. Looking for ideas in the $30 per person or less price range.

Any good comedy shows that aren't too expensive? (Suitable for 13 - 18 year olds)

I'd suggest that you go to the Chicago Tribune website www.metromix.com and research your options. You can type in your travel dates there to limit your search. The kids would enjoy eating at Ed Debevic's and you can pull up more information on this 50's restaurant on the above link. The Shed Aquarium would also be worthy of consideration although with a day at Navy Pier and another at the Museum of Science & Industry, your schedule is quickly filling up. Band kids would love the Blue Man Group, perhaps other fodorites have ideas on how to make this performance affordable?

The only thing my son and the rest of the band talked about from last year's band trip to Chicago was the Blue Man group performance. My usually sullen 16yo DS called me from the bus after the performance, raving about the show.

I don't know what the tickets cost, since the trip costs were not broken-out, but I thought the trip was affordable. You should see if they have group rates/student rates....

They hated the performance at the symphony, but I think that was because of the program that night. I'm sure they have group/student rates. My DD went with the orchestra a few years ago, and besides the kid they forgot at Navy Pier, that was a good experience.

Not sure when the Sox & Cubbies open in 2007, but a major league baseball game or Bulls basketball game may be of interest. Don't miss the Art Institute, it is one of the premier art museums in the world, they have a web site to see if there will be a special exhibit when you are there. Likewise with the Field Musuem of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. Granted, you won't want to do all of that, but pick more than just one. Personally the Blue Man Group leave me cold, I felt like the little kid in the Emperor's New Clothes fable, but your kids might enjoy it. Depending on where you are from, your kids might enjoy eating in one of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods, Greektown, etc. Have fun.

Any way you could get tickets for your group to a musical? I'm thinking specifically of Wicked, which would be great for that age. I don't know about availability for a large group, but it is still months away...

That's funny - I loved Blue Man (have seen it 3 times) and felt "the emperor's new clothes" affect at Wicked. Just goes to show you taste in art is very subjective.

Anyway, I think April will be prohibitively cold for the Sea Dog. I just checked their website, and they are running in April, but I wouldn't do it. The speed they travel at causes excessive wind, which will worsen any cold you're already experienceing that day (and there's no "indoor" part of the boat to retreat to). I would recommend one of the other sight seeing boats which does have an inside to escape to.

Sorry - emperor's new clothes "effect."