Holiday Fun in Chicago area
Oct 14th, 2006, 06:48 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Holiday Fun in Chicago area
Well the holiday season is around the corner and I wondered what is fun and thrilling to do this year.
What are some of your Chicago and suburban must experience traditions?
I've transplanted here by way of Dallas/Oahu and would love to get attached to some of the city offerings.
I've experienced the Kringle mart and I've seen the inside of the Walnut room and the window displays but that's it.
What do you love to do for the holidays in this area of IL?
What are some of your Chicago and suburban must experience traditions?
I've transplanted here by way of Dallas/Oahu and would love to get attached to some of the city offerings.
I've experienced the Kringle mart and I've seen the inside of the Walnut room and the window displays but that's it.
What do you love to do for the holidays in this area of IL?
Oct 15th, 2006, 02:23 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Museum of Science and Industry's Christmas Around the World with trees decorated by Chicago's ethnic communities
" Christmas Carol" at the Goodman and the Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Tea at The Drake Hotel
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival with a parade and fireworks.
Ice skating at Millennium Park
On New Year's Eve, head to Buckingham Fountain for the fireworks display
" Christmas Carol" at the Goodman and the Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Tea at The Drake Hotel
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival with a parade and fireworks.
Ice skating at Millennium Park
On New Year's Eve, head to Buckingham Fountain for the fireworks display
Oct 16th, 2006, 02:53 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love Chicago in the holiday season. It has such a fun, upbeat atmosphere.
Keep in mind that the week after Thanksgiving, much of the city is taken over by the world's largest medical convention, so most of the downtown restaurants will be jammed (hotels are sold out, too, of course, but that won't affect you). The Crate & Barrel store on Mich. Ave gets packed to the rafters.
Because the downtown area is so beautifully lit, be sure to see it not only from ground level but also from the heights of the Hancock building.
Another vote for The Nutcracker.
I'm waiting to hear if I'll be off to Chicago again this year for the medical convention. Fingers crossed!
Keep in mind that the week after Thanksgiving, much of the city is taken over by the world's largest medical convention, so most of the downtown restaurants will be jammed (hotels are sold out, too, of course, but that won't affect you). The Crate & Barrel store on Mich. Ave gets packed to the rafters.
Because the downtown area is so beautifully lit, be sure to see it not only from ground level but also from the heights of the Hancock building.
Another vote for The Nutcracker.
I'm waiting to hear if I'll be off to Chicago again this year for the medical convention. Fingers crossed!
Oct 16th, 2006, 05:20 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Redshoe, the previous posters have mentioned some prime options. And, by the way, I do practically all of the above every year myself. After going to the production of "A Christmas Carol" or the "Nutcracker Ballet" in the evening, I would then go to see the decorated windows at Marshall Field's (now Macy's) to avoid the crowds and take time to enjoy the workmanship.
Here are my choices for something a little more low key that have become traditions with me:
Going to the Music Box Theatre for the Christmas Sing-a-Long. And, yes, I wear my Santa hat with the jingle bells.
Going to the Do-It-Yourself Messiah.
Enjoy the production of The Christmas Schooner (family friendly).
Going to the Lincoln Park Conservatory for their annual winter flower show (with all the model trains running through the hundreds of poinsettas).
Going for brunch at North Pond and then taking a walk in Lincoln Park after a first (or early) snow.
Taking tours of locations with lovely stained glass: the various churches, the Stained Glass Museum at Navy Pier (as I usually attend a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre sometime during the holidays) and the Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (which was modeled after Sainte-Chappelle, Paris).
Visiting the city's tree in Daley Plaza in the evening (if only to pass through and stop briefly) and listen to the music.
Have fun during the holidays!
Here are my choices for something a little more low key that have become traditions with me:
Going to the Music Box Theatre for the Christmas Sing-a-Long. And, yes, I wear my Santa hat with the jingle bells.
Going to the Do-It-Yourself Messiah.
Enjoy the production of The Christmas Schooner (family friendly).
Going to the Lincoln Park Conservatory for their annual winter flower show (with all the model trains running through the hundreds of poinsettas).
Going for brunch at North Pond and then taking a walk in Lincoln Park after a first (or early) snow.
Taking tours of locations with lovely stained glass: the various churches, the Stained Glass Museum at Navy Pier (as I usually attend a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre sometime during the holidays) and the Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (which was modeled after Sainte-Chappelle, Paris).
Visiting the city's tree in Daley Plaza in the evening (if only to pass through and stop briefly) and listen to the music.
Have fun during the holidays!
Dec 10th, 2006, 07:07 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
redshoe, if you live in the area and are looking for a weekend trip, the Pabst Mansion up in Milwaukee is beautifully decorated for the holidays. We're heading up this week for my 2nd visit. I've also heard the grounds of the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills has a nice light display but haven't made it up there.
We were downtown last night, the Christkindl market is smaller than last year but still nice. The Mary Poppins windows are OK, haven't been inside to see the tree yet.
The Hancock has a Christmas model railway, I wouldn't make a special trip up there for it but if you are in the area, stop by.
We were downtown last night, the Christkindl market is smaller than last year but still nice. The Mary Poppins windows are OK, haven't been inside to see the tree yet.
The Hancock has a Christmas model railway, I wouldn't make a special trip up there for it but if you are in the area, stop by.
